Manservant

16

"You want to speak to Alicia?" Mother was understandably surprised when Detective Bromley visited Myron Hall again that evening, asking to see me. "What's this about?"

"It's nothing," I said quickly, scurrying off to speak with him in private before she could ask more questions. "Did you find him?" I asked in a low, urgent voice.

Detective Bromley did a curt nod. "He's at the healers'."

I stared up at him, a roar starting in my ears. No ...

I whirled, grabbing my shawl from the hook by the front door.

"Alicia??" Mother called my name again. "Where are you going?"

"I'm sorry, Mother. We'll talk about this later, I promise."

"Don't worry," Detective Bromley assured her as he hurried out the door after me. "I'll go with her."

I moved so briskly down the walk, Detective Bromley had to jog to keep up. "Miss Alicia, he's safe."

I darted a glance at him, confused.

"It's your other friend that's been hurt. The soldier."

"Dale??" I went, my voice cracking over his name.

"A few of the rioters did a number on him, I'm afraid."

"Dear God."

"But fortunately for him, it seems that your servant was able to get him away to safety in time."

I stopped in my tracks, staring at him in disbelief. "Theo ... saved Dale?"

"He hasn't left your friend's side since."

I didn't say anything. What was there for me to say?

Was it coincidence, or had Theo consciously protected my closest friend? And if the latter, why? He'd given me every indication that he didn't like Dale and was jealous of him. None of this made any sense.

And yet, one thing stood out to me, clear as day. If Detective Bromley was to be believed, then Theo was alive and unharmed. After fearing the worst the entire day, it was a welcome relief.

I started walking again, and Detective Bromley and I were silent on the rest of the way to the healers' clinic. He seemed to sense that I had a lot to mull over, and I was glad that he left me to my thoughts.

Right before we entered, however, I paused to rest my gaze on him. "May I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Is he in trouble? My ... slave."

"He's more than that to you, isn't he?"

I sighed, feeling my shoulders droop tiredly. "Please don't tell Mother. I'll tell her myself, when the time's right."

"Very well. I mean, it is your business, and yours alone."

I nodded gratefully.

"As to your question, Captain Dale Kenneth has vouched for his refusal to take part in the riots, so you may rest assured that I won't be taking him into arrest."

"Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. He made the right choice." He turned, leaning against the railing. "I think I'll wait out here for a while, if you don't mind. I'm sure you'd like time alone to sort this matter out with your friends."

"Thank you," I said again before I could stop myself. "I mean ... I appreciate that." I went inside, finding the place full of patients and healers, although it was quiet because of the late hour.