Holding Court (16 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

He’s My Buddy

When I tell my mom about Floyd the next morning she, predictably, freaks out.

“I’m calling Hank again,” she says.

“I’m fairly certain that if he could prevent anyone else from getting killed, just to avoid another phone call from you, he would. Besides, the murderer doesn’t need to kill me. I’m pretty sure the police think I’m a suspect.”

“
What?
”

Oops
. “Did I not mention that part? They think Sarah, the dead girl, had an accomplice, and who better than the daughter of an antique shop owner who could use her connections to sell stolen jewels for her daughter.”

“My connections? What connections?”

“Right? And why would you tell Hank his necklace was fake if you were in on it? I mean, unless I hadn’t told you about my jewel replacement scheme yet.”

“Does anyone else know about this?”

“What? That I might be a murderer and a thief?”

“Juliet Hope Verity, this is not funny. My business is very important to me and I can’t have—”

“Your
business
? Are you serious? I’m having nightmares about dead people and you’re worried about your business?”

“That is not what I said.”

“Well, clearly you and Dad care way more about gallivanting off to foreign lands and going through other people’s stuff than you do about me.”

“Don’t you dare lump me in with your father. This is the first time I’ve been out of the country for work since we moved to Lunevale. And do you know one of the reasons I took this job, Juliet?”

“No. Why?” I ask, even though several answers come to mind: Europe has way better old stuff than America, spending the summer in France is clearly superior to spending it in Lunevale, etcetera.

“I took this job so we could use the extra money to buy you a car.”

“Oh.” Holy Guilt Trip on a Stick.

“So don’t you dare imply that my work is more important to me than my family. If my business is going to be implicated in some kind of jewelry theft, of course I’m concerned. That business is the primary means of financial support for our family.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I should know better than to underestimate my mom.

She lets out a gusty sigh. “But there won’t be much of our family left if you get yourself killed and I go to jail for killing both Gran and Hank Bacon for not keeping you safe.”

“Oh, come on. I’ve got a stun gun and a knight in shining armor to protect me. What could go wrong?” I say in an attempt to lighten things up.

“Who’s this knight in shining armor?”

“Well, technically he’s a squight, but only because he isn’t eighteen yet. Don’t worry, I’m sure he’s a badass with a sword. Both right- and left-handed.”

“Juliet, what are you talking about?”

“Hank assigned me a bodyguard.” I don’t tell her that I’m hoping to get him unassigned as soon as I get to work. My goal is to stay as far away from Grayson as possible until my brain finally convinces my heart that he’s truly off-limits.

“Oh. Good. I’m going to call Hank and remind him that I will eviscerate him if anything happens to you.”

“Okay, good luck with that. Tell him I can’t wait until he’s my new stepdaddy.”

“Wait, what? What did you just say?”

“Auras never lie! I would totally throw down an Eleanor Roosevelt quote right now but I’ve purged them all from my brain.”

“You know what? I don’t even want to know.”

“Good choice.”

“Be careful, Jules. And call me if you need me. I can be on the next plane home.”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

“Good, because if you get yourself killed I’m going to eviscerate you, too.”

“That doesn’t really make sense, Mom.”

“Good-bye, Jules. I love you very much.”

“Love you, too.”

When I arrive at Tudor Times, I’m told that Hank wants to talk to everyone before we begin our shifts. I get changed into my Maid of Kent costume and report to the Great Hall. I find an empty seat at one of the long tables and listen to the whispering going on around me.

“Someone killed Floyd?”

“Yeah, they found him in the dungeon.”

“I heard they found another dead body in a secret passageway.”

“No way! There are secret passageways? That’s awesome!”

“I heard the new nun found the body.”

“Good people, may I have your attention, please?” Hank booms. “I am afraid I have some rather shocking news.” He waits until everyone settles down and gives him their full attention. “I am deeply saddened to tell you that Floyd Bean, or as he liked to call himself, the Keeper, is no longer with us. His body was discovered yesterday evening in the basement of the castle.” He pauses and looks at us all and I see the deep sadness in his eyes. “He appears to have been the victim of foul play.”

This announcement is followed by gasps and murmurs of alarm.

“We are also concerned about the whereabouts of Sarah Buckley, our Wardrobe Mistress. She has not been seen since late Friday. The police have set up an interview room in the Buttery, and they will be calling each of you in over the course of the day. Please give them your full cooperation so that we may resolve this terrible situation and achieve a measure of justice for the Keeper.”

People are starting to look around at one another as if assessing who might be responsible for Sarah’s disappearance and Floyd’s death.

“In the meantime, I am instituting a new security policy. No one, at any time, is to be allowed anywhere in the castle alone. If you have a position that requires you to complete a task you have previously done alone, you have been assigned a buddy. The list of buddies has been posted in the staff dining room. Until we get to the bottom of this tragedy, you will make sure your buddy is never alone. Understood?”

There are murmurs of assent, although not everyone looks happy about this turn of events. Which is not all that surprising, given that it involves a fellow employee being stabbed to death.

“Dude. How do we know our buddy isn’t the person who killed the Keeper?” someone behind me whispers.

“All right, everyone,” Hank tells us. “You may return to work. Check the buddy list and if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to voice them to the police during your individual interview.”

The room is buzzing with excitement and speculation. I wonder if anyone will quit for fear of being the next victim. I look around the room and am surprised to see Angelique sitting at one of the other tables. She gives me a wave and makes her way over to me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Are you coming back to work already?”

She laughs and pats the tiny bundle nestled on her chest. “Nope. I came to pick up my last paycheck. I’m taking this little guy to San Francisco.”

“You are? Oh my gosh, can I steal a peek at him?”

“Augustus Theodore, meet Jules Verity,” she says, pulling aside a bit of fabric so I can see the tiny baby face inside.

“He’s beautiful.”

“I know.” She grins, then her expression grows serious. “Damn. Things have gotten crazy around here, huh?”

“Yeah, they have.”

She must see something in my face, because she says, “Let’s walk. I never got the chance to say good-bye to the Oratory. And I have a confession to make.”

We head out of the Great Hall and down the hallway to the stairs. I avoid looking at the alcove with the suit of armor as we pass by.

Angelique waves and smiles and calls greetings to people on our way down the hall, but as soon as we’re in the Oratory she shuts the door and leads me to a chair. “Sit. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“Oh, you know. Just doing the nun thing.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Jules. Sarah’s obviously the girl you saw in the passageway.”

“Yup. Except I’m the only one who seems to think she’s dead.”

“Yeah, I heard about her stealing Hank’s jewels and replacing them with fakes. Not a bad scam.”

“Seriously? That’s your take on it?”

“Well, killing people is going too far. Obviously.”

“The police think she had an accomplice. It looks like it might have been Floyd, but if Sarah’s dead, then who killed him?”

“Good question.”

“Also, the police think I’m hiding something and that I’m somehow involved in Sarah’s scheme.”

“Are you?”

“I’m so not. I’d never even met Sarah before I found her in the passageway. But they’re not taking me seriously because of the whole blurting thing.”

“Not cool.”

“Yeah, it really sucks.”

There’s a knock at the door and it starts to open before Angelique or I have a chance to get up.

“There you are, buddy,” Grayson says, smiling at me. He’s wearing his flowy white shirt and tights and I’m pretty sure a small sigh escapes me. “You’re not supposed to go anywhere without me.”

“What?” I say, wondering if I’m daydreaming. I look over at Angelique, and she’s studying Grayson with narrowed eyes.

“Hey, Angelique,” Grayson says. “Congratulations on the little guy.”

“Thanks,” she says and smiles down at Augustus.

“Listen,” Grayson says. “If you’ve got Angelique here I’m going to run down and tell Sir Drew I’ll be up here again today. I don’t know if he checked the buddy list or not.”

“The buddy list?”

“Yeah, I’m officially your buddy. Although I think I prefer the term ‘knight in shining armor.’” He strikes a cheesy pose and grins.

I’m so doomed. Insisting I drive myself to work so I could avoid Grayson as much as possible has done absolutely nothing to convince my traitorous heart that he’s off-limits.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Grayson says.

“Hey, wait! You’re not supposed to go anywhere alone,” I remind him.

“Oh, right. Crap.”

“Here”—I jump up and reach into my nun pocket—“take Hot Lips.” I hold up my stun gun.

He laughs. “Thanks, but I’ll stick with my sword. I’ll be right back, I swear. Good to see you, Angelique.” He gives us a wave and takes off.

“Wow,” Angelique says.

“Wow, what?”

“You got it bad.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, avoiding her gaze. She’s looking at me with that intense stare she uses to decipher the tourists’ innermost truths.

“Is he the guy? The unattainable guy you’re in love with, or is he someone new?”

“What? No. Grayson has a girlfriend. Bree Blair? She plays Catherine Howard?”

“Uh-huh. That doesn’t answer my question.”

“We go to high school together, and he was there after I found Sarah. He’s been trying to help me find the body, since no one else believes me that she’s dead. We were looking for Sarah when we found Floyd. He told Hank he’d keep an eye on me. That’s probably why Hank assigned him to be my buddy.” I stop babbling and sneak a peek at Angelique’s face.

She’s gone very pale.

“Are you okay?” I ask, suddenly alarmed. “Are you sure you should be out and about so soon? You just had a baby.”

“Be very careful, Jules,” she says.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure Grayson is someone you should be alone with.”

“Don’t worry, I know he has a girlfriend. I would never go after someone else’s boyfriend. Especially Bree Blair’s boyfriend. There’s no way I’d have a chance in hell with him anyway.”

“I’m not talking about stealing boyfriends, Jules. You said the police are sure that Sarah had an accomplice, right? How did you know where to look for Floyd?”

“We weren’t looking for Floyd. We were looking for Sarah. Floyd’s the one who told us to look in the iron maiden.”

“Did you tell Grayson that?”

“Well, yeah, of course I did.”

Angelique grabs my hand. “Jules, promise me you won’t go anywhere alone with him.”

“Whoa. You’re freaking me out here.”

“How long have Grayson and Bree been together?”

“For, like, ever. Since sixth grade when he moved to Lunevale and got assigned the seat next to her in homeroom.”

“And has he ever given you the time of day before?”

“What? What do you mean?” I don’t know where this conversation is going, but I’m starting to get the same feeling you get in a scary movie when the ominous music starts to play.

“I mean, were you friends with Grayson before you took the job here? Before you found Sarah’s body?”

“No. I was friends with Bree. Well, it’s not like we still hang out all the time, but she’s always really nice to me. Grayson just sort of…”

“Just sort of what?”

“Seemed to avoid me. Like everyone else who wasn’t busy making fun of me.”

“But now?”

“But now…he’s my buddy,” I say and I can hear how stupid it sounds. “But I swear it’s just because of the murders.” Oh God. Why do I feel so guilty all of a sudden? And
scared
?

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Angelique says. “I told you I already knew about the secret passageway behind the suit of armor because I’d seen someone coming out of the entrance and into the hall, right?”

“Right.” And the ominous music builds.

“But I didn’t tell you who that person was.”

“Who was it?” I ask, even though I know I don’t want to know.

“Bree Blair.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I Know Where the Body Is

Grayson comes back dressed in his squire tunic and I’m completely mortified when Angelique stands up and gets in his face.

“I’m onto your girlfriend,
buddy
,” she says. “And I’m letting you know that if anything happens to Jules here, I’m coming for you myself.”

“What are you talking about?” Grayson looks totally bewildered.

Augustus starts bawling.

“I’m going to go feed my baby, and then I’m going to have a word with the police. So don’t get any ideas, Prince Charming.” She turns back to me. “Remember what I said, Jules.” Then she blows out the door, Augustus’s wails trailing behind her.

“What was that all about?” Grayson asks.

“Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden, Grayson?” I’m furious with Angelique for holding out on me and furious with myself for actually believing, I’ll admit it, that Grayson liked me. As in,
liked
me, liked me.

“What? You’re mad at me for being
nice
to you?”

“Before I found Sarah’s body, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. It was almost like you avoided me
on purpose
. And now you’re offering me rides to work and you even get yourself
assigned
as my buddy.”

“I didn’t get myself assigned. I don’t understand why you’re so angry.”

“I’m not angry. I’m finally realizing how weird it is that you suddenly want to be my friend. Me, Jules Verity, crazy psychic freak.” God, I’m so stupid.

“Jules, you’re not a freak.”

“No? Then what do you call it? And why do you even care?” I just want him to go away. I don’t even want to try to figure out what it all means.

“Of course I care. I’ve been trying to help you, Jules. I’m sorry if I was an ass to you before, it’s just…”

“Just what?”

He runs his fingers through his hair and frowns. “I…I need to talk to Bree.”

“I bet you do.” I’m
afraid
to figure out what it all means.

He looks at me like I’m standing at the edge of the Cliffs of Insanity, getting ready to jump.

“Who’s her buddy now that Sarah’s not available? And where was she when I got hit by that car?” I ask him, and then the pain and confusion are too much and I let out a sob.

“You’re not making any sense. Maybe we should have this conversation later. When you’re not so upset.”

“Good idea, because there’s no way I’m staying in here with you.” I jump up and run for the door, tears streaming down my face.

Grayson grabs my arm. “Jules, please. Why are you so angry with me?”

“Let me go. Please don’t make me use my stun gun on you.”

He drops my arm.

“Angelique saw her, Grayson.”

“Saw who? I don’t understand any of this.”

“She saw Bree. Coming out of the alcove. Bree was in the secret passageway.”

Grayson’s eyes widen, and he backs away from me. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even
want
to know.”

“You think Bree had something to do with the murders?” I watch as his expression shifts from horrified to incredulous. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? No more ridiculous than you suddenly discovering that I exist.”

“Jules.” He grabs my arm again. “Let’s go find Bree. We need to talk about this.”

I pull my arm away. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Grayson. Not ever.”

As I stumble through the door I hear him whisper, “As you wish.”

I make for the stairs, tears blinding me. I run through the main hallway, determined to get out, to get away from all the secrets and the lies and the stupid butterflies. I grab my backpack out of my cubby in the Great Wardrobe, duck into a dressing room, and strip off my Maid of Kent costume. I put on my street clothes and wad my costume up in a ball. When I throw the curtain open Geoffrey is standing right outside.

He’s holding his enormous pair of scissors by his side and I notice a dark splotch on his absurd pumpkin-shaped pants.

“What are you doing?” he asks, looking down at the crumpled costume.

“I…I have to leave early,” I say. “I’m sorry I wrinkled my costume.” I hold the ball of fabric out to him. “I just…I’m in a hurry.”

“What’s the matter, Mistress Verity? You seem awfully upset.” Geoffrey takes the costume from me and tucks it under his arm. Instead of his usual pristine white jacket he’s wearing black velvet.

“It’s just…it’s too much right now. With finding Sarah and then Floyd and the police thinking—”

“What do the police think?”

“The police think I had something to do with all of it, which is ridiculous. But Angelique saw—” I stop myself before I permanently besmirch Bree’s golden name.

“What did Angelique see?”

“Never mind. I have to go. Thanks, Geoffrey, but I don’t really want to talk about it.” I take a step forward but instead of backing up, Geoffrey leans into me.

“Someone else saw Sarah’s body,” he whispers.

“What?” I want him out of my space. I haven’t even processed what just happened with Grayson; I can’t handle any more right now.

“I saw her come out of the secret entrance.”

“Who? You saw someone come out of the alcove? But that’s impossible. I was in the hallway and then—”

“Not the alcove, she came out of the other entrance.”

“What entrance? The dungeon or upstairs?” I can’t seem to follow what he’s saying.

“The dungeon. And I know where the body is.”