Page 94 of Hawk & Sparrow

“Vesper!”

Vesper heard a hard thud and a groan, and at once the pressure on her neck eased as Mrs. Oelrich was yanked away from her. Vesper rose to her knees and took several lungfuls of air before she looked up. Tom was standing over her with Chief Stettner. Two other police officers were holding on to Mrs. Oelrich as she kicked and thrashed.

“Sorry about that, Evans.” Chief Stettner turned to her, apologetic. “I didn’t expect her to do that, or we would have come out sooner.”

“Unhand me!” Mrs. Oelrich was still struggling against the police officers. Loose strands of blond hair whipped around her face, and there was now a large tear in her once-beautiful dress. “I did nothing wrong, this woman attacked me! I demand you arrest her! Do you know who I am?”

“If I were you, Mrs. Oelrich, I would refrain from saying another word until you have legal counsel.” Chief Stettner’s eyes narrowed. “Believe me, you’ve already said quite a lot, and I’ve heard every word.”

“You can’t do this,” she whispered. “This … this is entrapment! I wanted Franklin dead, but … but I didn’t kill him!”

“Enough. Let’s get her to the station!”

The woman opened her mouth to argue more, but Chief Stettner and the officers were already guiding her back inside. Past the glass doors, Vesper saw that several people were staring, their faces a mix of horror, confusion, and clear intrigue. Only when the officers whisked Mrs. Oelrich around a corner and out of sight did she realize how hard her heart was beating in her chest.

“Well done, Miss Evans.” Only Tom was still on the balcony with her. Her editor was smiling. “You did it.”

Vesper smiled. “Thank you, Tom.”

It had taken a full day for her plan to come together. At first, she hadn’t been sure that Chief Stettner would even listen to her, that she had enough proof to gather all the pieces. Even from the moment she’d walked into the opera house, she hadn’t known if it would. Her muscles relaxed, and it took her a moment to realize that the emotion flooding through her was relief.

“I suppose you’ll go home now?” Tom asked.

“No,” said Vesper slowly. “Actually … There’s one more thing I need to do. Please excuse me.”

She turned and ran out the same doors that Stettner and the police officers had just gone through with Mrs. Oelrich. They were already outside, loading her into a carriage, but she caught them in time.

“Stettner!”

The police chief looked over his shoulder. When he saw Vesper, his brows rose. “What is it, Miss Evans?”

“Can I ask you for one more favor?”

He looked confused, but nodded. “What do you need?”

“A ride to Basalton Jail.” Vesper smiled. “There’s someone I need to see.”

THIRTY-ONE

FRIDAY, 25TH OF NOVEMBER—7:53 P.M.

Vesper stood before Kite Manor, gazing up at it with a sense of awe.

Pine garlands wrapped in red ribbon and strings of ensorcelled white lights seemed to decorate every inch of Maximilian’s home; it looked like something from a winter wonderland. Even the uniformed men waiting at the door were dressed like soldiers from the Christmas ballet The Nutcracker. They both bowed deeply before opening the front doors for her, and then Vesper stepped into warmth. She sighed.

The outside of Maximilian’s home was charming, but its interior was opulent. She had no idea how his household staff had done it in such a short time frame, but everything in the house was draped in a sparkling white silk, creating the illusion that she’d walked into a snow globe. There were icicles hung with string. Christmas trees of every size, shape, and color. Vesper breathed in, and smelled the sweet and spiced scent of fresh gingerbread. In the center of the parlor, there was a table with an exact replica of Kite Manor made of gingerbread, white frosting, and colored gumdrops. She smiled.

Leave it to Maximilian to be extravagant with the dessert options.

“Vesper!”

She turned and found Ada coming toward her. The girl still had a few bruises on her face—only slightly noticeable under carefully placed makeup—but she was smiling when she hugged Vesper. “It’s so good to see you!”

“And you,” said Vesper. She found that she meant it. She turned, craning her neck. “By chance, have you seen Max?”

Ada shook her head. “Not yet, but you know he does love a dramatic entrance. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came in on a flying reindeer.”

Vesper laughed, even though a part of her was slightly disappointed. She let Ada loop her arm in hers, and together they walked the room, enjoying small talk and sampling treats from the dessert tables stationed around the room. When a trio of trumpets sounded, however, Vesper looked toward the foyer’s grand staircase. A butler wearing the blue-and-gold Kite livery stood at attention.