Avery’s fingers tightened on the file, and the pit twisted inside her. “And your wife?”
“As well as one can expect, I suppose. She was far more prepared for this day than Saga was—though no one can prepare you for murder…” He sighed. “Tell me you have a lead.”
“Many,” Avery answered. “Which is a great deal more than we had three days ago. Did you know Eira Goff well?”
He shook his head. “Saw her on some holidays, but we were never really social. You think all three deaths are related?”
“I think we have two mysterious deaths and the only link between them is a wealthy philanthropist who they each had close contact with before she died.” Avery shrugged. “Beyond that, I am still at a loss. Do you know if she had any connection to our world? Was she anything like your mother-in-law?”
Lahiri shook his head. “No, magic was never discussed or present when she was around. Though, I realize at family gatherings that could be because other people were around, but…” Another shake of the head. “I’m afraid I don’t know.”
“Then I am afraid I’m going to have to accompany your family to that funeral.”
Lahiri shifted uncomfortably. “Won’t that draw attention?” Was he uncomfortable with running an investigation at the funeral? Or did this discomfort stem from the mere thought of Avery’s attendance at it?
“I am capable of being discreet,” Avery defended, then gestured at the shadow magic in full display all around her. “This moment is a particularly poor example, so I would appreciate it if you struck it from any rebuttal you may have prepared.” With another gesture she sent the hawthorn necklace over to him in the palm of a shadow. “Is this familiar by chance? Anything like it in your mother-in-law’s home?”
Lahiri’s face crumpled, examining the piece but never touching it. At last he shook his head. “Not that I’ve ever seen. She wasn’t a big jewelry person. Why?”
“It’s some kind of protective charm, very well crafted, actual hawthorn dipped in silver. I found it in Valentina LaRosa’s personal belongings.”
“What’s it mean?”
“Perhaps nothing,” Avery admitted, pulling the necklace back to rest on the rug beside her. “But it takes great magical skill to create something like this, so I have to ask myself… Were our victims targeted because ofwhothey were? Or possiblywhatthey were? And is their personal connection a coincidence? Intentional? Or the link of how our killer found their next victim?”
“That’s a lot of heavy questions.”
“Indeed,” Avery said with an equally heavy sigh. “But eliminating them means we can finally find our motive. And if I can find the motive…I’ll be able to understand who thought these women had to die.” A thought occurred. “Did the tests come back on the garbage?”
“Paper in the back,” Lahiri said. “Digitalis purpurea.” The careful pronunciation of the scientific name gave the impression he had rehearsed it. “Foxglove.”
Avery frowned. “How was it administered?”
“Hard to tell through all the rubbish. We can safely say due to the distribution pattern it was likely through a liquid. The tea, possibly, maybe the milk.”
“Could it have been through wine?”
“I suppose, why do you ask?”
“Foxglove is bitter, sometimes a little spicy depending. Alcohol would have a better chance of concealing it.” Avery rubbed her face in thought. “But if someone spiked her drink, how? And when?”
“Would you like me to stay? We could bounce ideas off each other.”
“No. Your family needs you a great deal more tonight than I do. I will just be going through this and drawing what connections I can.”
The man nodded slowly, then hesitated. “About Saga…”
Avery’s attention jolted to him, perhaps a little too abruptly.
“Iwas appointed to help you through this case.”
Avery’s eyes narrowed. “I’m well aware of that, Inspector, and I am deeply grateful.” She didn’t like where this was going.
“But you’ve also been working with Saga, is that right?”
Avery’s jaw tightened. “Her knowledge has been invaluable.”
“She’s a civilian.”
