Page 35 of Consume Me

“How is that?” I didn’t buy it. Any of it. “What if they simply want the crown for themselves?”

“Because the shadow knows the king on an intimate level, and they are in a position where the crown will never become theirs.”

That narrowed down the possible options, but hardly seemed foolproof. I couldn’t imagine who they would find to fulfill this position, but Henry definitely didn’t know me on an intimate level.

“Why reveal this to me now?” What did any of this have to do with Jacobson or Clara? “What does this have to do with my situation?”

“I’ve tried to guide you. They know that. But I can’t continue this position. You resist most counsel.” Henry cleared his throat. “I find it troubling given…”

That wasn’t true. I didn’t know Henry well enough to trust him. I knew now that I never would.

“This has been enlightening, gentleman. But we have pressing matters.” My heart was racing, blood pounding. How dare they interrupt the investigation? How dare they steal valuable time from the search for Clara? They knew what was going on. I was certain of that or they wouldn’t have stepped between me and Jacobson’s door.

“Jacobson does not know where your wife is nor does he have access to the men that do,” Byrd said in a low voice as I pushed to my feet.

“What do you know about my wife?” I was on edge—one spark away from explosion. Everyone in the room seemed to know that, but they continued to light matches with their riddles and distractions.

“We know she’s been taken,” Henry said gently.

He knew. I stared at him, astonished. I wanted to know for how long. He hadn’t come to me. He hadn’t offered counsel or friendship or support. He’d stayed away like a goddamn coward.

“Why do you care?” I asked, flinging an accusatory finger his direction. “You told the doctors it was Clara that handled Mary’s medication.”

I hadn’t forgotten that Henry had done nothing to help Clara in the eyes of the doctors. I hadn’t forgotten the suspicion clouding his eyes after his mother’s death. If he believed she was responsible, he didn’t know either of us, which meant he couldn’t help us now.

“I was shaken,” Henry admitted, regret colouring his words, “but I know Clara would never do such a thing.”

Now he spoke in her defence. Was it because of our mixed company? Or because he actually believed it?

“The matter’s been dropped. We’ve seen to it,” Clark said. “Besides that, even if she was guilty, it wouldn’t be the first time a queen poisoned an in-law.”

They spoke as if such behaviour was forgivable. Perhaps the Council of Ghosts were more modern than they appeared. Or perhaps, monarchs could get away with murder. If so, I had a few people I wouldn’t mind deposing.

“Someone did have access to her medication,” Henry said, “and we should find out who.”

“The staff?” Smith offered.

Given how many people had access to our private rooms and saw to our needs, it was a good guess. Even with all our security protocols, it was possible someone had slipped through.

“Too obvious,” Clark said. “We screen all the individuals working in the palaces.”

“I thought that was our job,” Smith said dryly. I couldn’t help but note how willingly he’d accepted his role on my team. Perhaps, this wasn’t temporary assistance, after all.

“We have slightly different criteria,” Byrd said.

In other words, they wanted to make sure someone didn’t step on their toes. If someone was going to off the King, it was them. So then how had they missed this?

“If it’s not the staff…” I spread my hands not sure where this left us.

“Then it’s family or friends.”

“My grandmother didn’t have friends,” I said flatly, earning a sharp look from Henry. “It’s true. Not even you could stand her.”

“We weren’t speaking of her friends and family. We were speaking of yours,” Clark clarified.

Smith’s left eyebrow shot up and he dared a look at me as if to say are they suggesting what I think they are? He’d questioned the loyalty of those surrounding me and knew how I felt on the matter.

“I trust those closest to me with my life.” This statement was met by a shared look of apprehension that tightened my already stretched nerves.