Legacy of Shadows by Mark Wells

Author:Mark Wells [Wells, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cambridge Tales Ltd
Published: 2023-04-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

The sun was setting when Ravi stepped from his staircase into Second Court. The fresh air was a welcome relief after an afternoon spent clearing his desk and rescheduling his academic commitments.

The one consolation was that, with exams only a week away, his Tutees were too busy revising to bother him with domestic concerns. This meant he now had a brief window of time to follow through on his commitment to Rose, the Bedder, and to track down the elusive Giles and Raquel.

If they were still together. Or alive.

Pushing this uncomfortable thought aside, he walked to the Forecourt Porters’ Lodge, where he was greeted by the taciturn Shirley.

“Evening, Professor.”

“Good evening. I was wondering if Bert is about by any chance?”

“Afraid not. He’s taking his missus out for dinner this evening. Can I help?”

Ravi hadn’t anticipated this. He was so used to finding the Head Porter here that he often forgot Bert had a life outside College.

It would be tonight, he thought, just when I need a favour. Still, there was nothing for it.

“I hope so. I wonder if I might borrow the keys to the New Court cellars? I have some items I wish to store there.”

The Porter frowned. “You’re the second one to ask me that this evening.”

“I… Sorry?”

“Dr Dutour was around here not long ago asking the same.”

Ravi’s stomach shifted. “Gabrielle?”

“That’s the one. Anyway, I’ll give you the same answer I gave her. You can’t have them, I’m afraid.”

Ravi blinked. “Why not?”

“Master’s orders. He left specific instructions those keys are not to be let out without his express permission.”

“You’re not serious?”

The Porter visibly stiffened. “Those are our orders, Professor. If you’re unhappy with them, you’ll have to take it up with the Master. After Dr Dutour, of course; she’s gone over to see him right away.”

Ravi was speechless. He’d known the Master had beefed up security since last term’s cellar incident. Still, he’d never imagined that his carefully planned expedition would be cut short like this.

Before he could protest, the lodge doors swung open and a phalanx of Choir members, resplendent in their red robes and white surplices, began filing through to Evensong. Conscious that the Porter was still watching him, and not wanting to make a scene, he nodded.

“Thank you, Shirley. I shall make an appointment to see him in the morning.”

He stepped outside and paused in the relative quiet of Chapel Court to gather his thoughts.

Even if the Master refused Gabrielle’s request for the keys, there was no way he could then ask for them without arousing suspicion. Lester would assign Jane to watch his every move, if she wasn’t doing so already. If that were to happen, it would make it almost impossible for him to slip through the portal unnoticed.

Ravi was wondering if he might have better luck waiting until the morning to persuade Bert to give him the key when a voice behind him disturbed his thoughts.

“Evening, Ravi. Are you joining us for Evensong?”

The College Chaplain stood by the Chapel entrance, greeting the last of his evening’s worshippers as they filed inside.

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