A House Divided

Chapter 14

"I've brought you something," Miss Wyland said as he emerged from his office on his way to make himself a cup of tea.

"Do make yourself at home," he said in a dry voice, wondering if he appeared as taken aback by her presence as he felt.

Brushing the comment aside, she said, "I've no wish to invade your privacy, but marching through your front door wouldn't be advisable. It's best if I slip in and out."

"You seem to have become quite skilled at it."

"I have," she said, her voice matter-of-fact.

He didn't think the statement prideful, merely a confirmation of something he had already ascertained, and he liked her for it. He disliked braggarts but didn't see the point of being coy about one's accomplishments, and he found distasteful anyone who employed false modesty in an attempt to garner the favorable opinions of others. Straightforwardness was a virtue he appreciated.

"What do you have?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. He wasn't overly fond of the thought of her coming into and out of his lodgings at will. It was also no use denying that it was rather humiliating to know that she could get the better of his security. He ought to look into that.

"No need to be ashamed of your security measures," she said, as if reading his mind. Her gaze was fixed on him, so perhaps she had seen the brief frown that had crossed his face. "They're more than sufficient to deter any common thief. In fact, your window latches and door locks are better than those on many of the enclave dwellings, and the wires you've rigged in front of the windows and doors are quite ingenious. It pains me to admit it, but I almost missed the hair you tucked into the window frame."

He couldn't stop himself, he grinned, but he quickly schooled his features into an expression of gravity. "Thank you for that evaluation. I wouldn't have thought a young woman of high standing in House Staerleigh would possess such skills," he said, prodding a bit, waiting to see if she would bite.

She shrugged, her face remaining a blank mask. "We must all develop what skills we can."

"True enough." He would let it rest for now. He sensed a frontal assault would garner him nothing. She was no doubt used to maintaining the utmost discretion, and if she felt he were pushing her she was likely to shut down. Gaining her trust by increments would yield better results, if he could manage the feat. Though she was eager to share everything she could about her House, she was certainly cagey when it came to details about herself and her somewhat shady skills.

Sliding a dark brown leather tome from her pack, she handed it over to him. "I found this ledger on Toran Stowley's desk."

"Dare I ask how you obtained this?" he asked, raising his brows.

"I'm certain it goes without saying that Moiria Stowley didn't offer it to me for my perusal."

"You know I can't do anything with this on an official basis?"

"Yes, I am aware of that. It's hardly relevant, anyhow, is it, as Enforcement has closed the inquiry."

"That's true as well. Our Chief Anatomical Examiner confirmed that Toran Stowley died of self-inflicted injury. An overdose of sophoria caused his death, and his body showed no signs of any other trauma. Both his wife and the House Healer confirm that Advisor Stowley took an occasional dose of sophoria to relieve his chronic headaches, and Burl and I spoke with the Apothecist who made the compound."

"All wrapped up as neatly as a gift."

"Which isn't an indication that anything is amiss."

"Nor is it an indication that anything isn't. Do you think Burl wouldn't stoop to helping the House cover up a crime if she were asked?" Miss Wyland's tone was confrontational.