His Butler, Faithful

It All Comes Down to This

“Like you, I’m an orphan,” said April, looking at Ciel. The Earl pursed his lips and looked away. “But I’m a different kind of orphan,” she continued. “You see, Ciel, where I lived, if a child was orphaned before a certain age, they were offered to other families. This is called ‘Adoption.’ It exists here in England as well. But you were fortunate, my lord, since you were of higher social class and inherited the estate.

“I, however, was sent to different families, but none of them wanted me. It was because I was more literate than they, and they couldn’t have that. So I, and other girls like me, were sent on this special ship that transported us to England, in hopes that families here would accept us as maids or maybe even as daughters.

“Naturally the trip was long, so I developed friendships with some of the other girls. Because I knew how to read, they designated me as the mother, and I read them stories from my collection of tales every night. That was when they’d share their own stories with me.

“I tell you this because I think the murderer was on that ship with us two years ago, listening in on our conversations.

“Ling Shun could relate to Snow White because her step mother hated her and always threw away her late mother’s belongings from China. After her father died, Ling’s stepmother chased her out of the house. Even though the story ended with the evil Queen’s punishment, Snow White had been poisoned but was awakened with a kiss. Ling, however, wasn’t as fortunate.

“Anna Washington could relate to Little Red Riding Hood because she used to always travel through the woods to her grandmother’s, who made her sweets. There were wolves in those woods, she said, but none of them bothered her. The only incident with them was when they attacked her grandmother one evening.

“Charlotte Stewart could relate to The Girl With No Hands because her father was an aspiring painter who never seemed to be able to sell his works. She wouldn’t go into much detail, but she said her father left the house one night and never returned. His body was found at a crossroads.

“Now Arielle Kelley, who could relate to the little mermaid has been killed.”

“So that’s the pattern, hmm,” said Ciel. “All of these girls were orphans.”

“That’s not the only pattern, sir,” said April. “Ling was my first friend on the ship. Then it was Anna, then Charlotte, then Arielle. Young lord, I think these murders revolve around me somehow.”

“It looks like it does,” Sebastian mused, grinning.

Ciel gulped. “It may end with your own demise, April.”

The maid nodded. “It might. Which is why I want to help. You can use me as bait.”

Sebastian furrowed his brow. “Absolutely not!” He glanced at his master, a flash in his suggesting he had no idea what he was saying. “I think you would agree, young master.”

“I do,” said Ciel. “I will not endanger a life for this case, especially if we suspect it will be the next murder. But, I can’t ignore the benefits of using you…” He tapped his chin. “First of all, we shall try and find the murderer with the information you provided us with. What you just said alone could be what solves this. Sebastian,” he barked, turning to his butler. “I want you to gather any documents pertaining to the ship that sailed the orphans from America to England two years ago. Write down all of the names and discover their whereabouts from then to now.”

“Of course, young lord,” said Sebastian, bowing slightly. He glanced quickly at April before leaving the room.

“And April,” said Ciel. “You could use some relaxation. Take some time for yourself in the library.”

“All right,” she replied, curtseying before leaving the room herself.

Ciel frowned as the door shut, recalling his butler’s outburst earlier. Was Sebastian concerned for April just as he was? They’d only known her for a day after all. Maybe some sense could be made of Grell’s statement earlier that day. Maybe April’s soul had something to do with it.

“Finally,” Ciel snapped as Sebastian arrived in his bedroom that night. “What have you discovered?”

Sebastian came over to his bedside, smiling at the way Ciel was dressed and tucked in. “Ah, April is proving herself to be quite the maid,” he said.

“Shut up,” said the boy. “Give me the information.”

“The Captain, Walter Havisham, went missing in the Caribbean Islands last year. Joshua Freeman lives with his wife and three children in Scotland. The rest of the crew were caught in a monsoon eight months ago. They and the orphans they were transporting were all killed.”

“Dammit,” the Earl seethed, slamming his fist on his leg. “None of them would be the culprits.”

Sebastian chuckled. “This truly is a case for the Underworld, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.”