I held up a hand. “Wait, I know this one. I’mdifferent. Abrams told me. Another one of your charming compliments. I’m storing it away along withfineso I can swoon later.”
His laughter resonated through the room, and at nearby tables, forks clattered against dinnerware. What? Had no one ever heard the man laugh before?
Our food arrived. The heavenly scent made my eyes close in bliss. A comfortable silence followed while we dug in, and I tried to think of something to talk about that didn’t involve murder or magic.
Fiddling with the corner of my napkin, I began uneasily, “Um…tell me about your parents. What are they like?”
“Overbearing.” Derrick chuckled and sliced a knife through his chicken. “My father ran a shipbuilding company until he retired, and now, he and my mother live in the country, driving my grandfather Edward crazy by keeping him in line. He’s a loose cannon and always stirring up trouble. You two are similar. You’ll like him.”
I choked on a mouthful of wine. Meet his family? They’d run in the opposite direction the moment he introduced a witch. I let his statement pass, feigning interest in the potatoes. After spearing one with my fork, I looked up and met the stare of a burly man seated at a table in the corner, chewing on a hunk of beef. Another bite…chew…stare. It was one of Argus’s thugs.
Derrick followed my gaze. “Do you know that man?” he asked.
Denial sat on my tongue, but I hesitated. Vivian had said I needed to trust Derrick and tell him everything. After his reaction to my past failures, maybe she was right. Maybe it was time.
“Actually, I have something I need to tell you. I shouldn’t have kept this from you, but I didn’t know how—”
There was a commotion at the entrance, and Abrams approached our table. “There you are!” He was out of breath, his chest heaving as if he’d run a distance.
Derrick cast me a sympathetic look. “One moment, Tessa.” He turned his attention to Abrams. “What’s happened?”
“You’re needed at the palace, Detective.” He paused to catch his breath. “They’ve found another body.”
Chapter 22
Buzzards circled overhead, their wings black smudges in the cloudy sky. In the distance, an orchard dotted the landscape, and the palace spires rose above the trees. I waded through the tall grass toward a group of officers who stood around the perimeter of the scene. The air was crisp, with a hint of wood smoke and decaying leaves.
“Who found the body?” Derrick asked.
“A couple of servants working in the orchard.” Abrams pointed to the three young men waiting with one of the guards. Their faces were drawn and pale, and one held his stomach as if he might lose its contents if he put his arms down.
“Cause of death?”
“It appears to be a stab wound to the chest. No visible murder weapon.”
“Has anyone made an identification?”
Abrams consulted his notes. “Yes. The servants recognized him. His name was Liam Barber, also a palace servant.”
“Liam Barber?” I froze, remembering the young man’s face when he’d confronted me outside the agency. His fear had been palpable, and he’d risked coming forward with information that had raised suspicions about the prince. Guilt crashed through me. Someone had silenced him.
Derrick caught my eye and gave a subtle shake of his head, signaling me to stay quiet. “Are there any other witnesses?” he asked.
“Yes, Detective.” Abrams lowered his voice. “Some kitchen staff saw Liam having a confrontation with Prince Marcus yesterday evening. The king has been informed, and as a precaution, he’s placed his son under guard. He wants to speak with you as soon as you’re finished here.”
“I understand. Clear the scene and gather the witnesses at the palace. I’ll question them there. Also, arrange for the body to be transferred once we finish examining the area.”
Abrams hesitated at Derrick’s orders. “I can stay and collect evidence.”
“That’s not necessary. I have Miss Daniels for that.”
Abrams clenched his jaw and shot me a dark look. I remembered our first encounter and the way he’d idolized Derrick. He’d wanted to follow in his footsteps, but I’d charged into the middle, sidelining him in a way he probably hadn’t expected. Our interactions had always been friendly, but now, I felt the first indication of his contempt. Part of me wanted to say something to ease the tension, but I remembered the way he’d gripped my arm outside of Vivian’s, his anger rising so fast. Maybe it was best if I waited until he left to speak with Derrick.
His lips curled in a sardonic smile. “As you wish, Detective.”
He motioned for the guards to follow him and went to speak with the witnesses. I was the only one who noticed his stilted steps and rigid back.
“You shouldn’t dismiss him like that, he only wants to help. His outburst at Vivian’s was meant to protect you from the big, bad witch and her ghosthunting friend. You shouldn’t punish him for it.”
