The Masked Butler: The Pit and the Pendulum

The Man From England

Nico sat down in the chair, setting up the chess pieces. They were a birthday gift from his father, and they were rather unique. It was a Greek variation, to be exact, with Zeus and Hera as the king and queen of the white pieces, depicting the other Olympians and four heroes, while Kronos and Gaea were the king and queen of the black pieces, depicting the Giants and a couple of monsters. However, unlike chess, each side had an extra piece, the white side having Hades, and the black side having Alcyoneus. The extra piece could be used at any time to help turn the battle, and could only move on the black squares. He picked up his father's piece and fingered it, sure, Hades wasn't exactly the best of fathers, but he did at least try. Nico set the piece back down in its spot, behind the game board, and thrummed the table with his fingers, becoming more and more impatient over the late arrival of his opponent.

It had been almost six months since they had a mystery, six months since they had last been out of Venice, six months since France. Nico's fourteenth birthday came and went. They had received word from Paul Dupin that the wedding would be in June of the following year, and might have to be postponed for another year, if need be. He had prescribed that Camille and her grandmother go to the coasts for some fresh air, and to get Marie's passing off their minds. They were still in mourning. Nico had nodded when he read the letter, yes, it was going to take lots of time for them to get over this loss. It took him almost two years after his mother's and sister's deaths before Erik could coax him out of his bed and get a full meal into his system. But Nico let out a smirk, any longer and they were going to have to find a new ring bearer. His face fell as another thought passed his mind, perhaps this was the nice way of saying the son of Hades isn't welcome? He shook his head, no, Dupin made no mention of the letter outside of thanking Nico for finally letting him know. Nico just needed to stop worrying. Didn't Dupin say that no secret, no matter how horrible, would change his view of them?

Letting out a sigh, he got up and strode to the window, pulling back the curtains just a bit to peek out at the bright, June day. He let the curtains fall, blinked and opened them again. There was another boat docked at his island! Who in the world? He jumped when the door burst open, and a young man walked briskly into the room, followed by Erik, clearly flabbergasted despite his mask.

"My apologies, my liege, he insisted . . ." began Erik in English.

"I need your talents, and I am willing to pay whatever price you name" the young man stated as he dropped a bag of coins on the chessboard. He took a slight startled glance at it before raising his eyes to glance firmly on Nico.

"State your name and business," Nico stated.

"Francis Barnard, and I want you to help me solve the death of my sister."

Nico stiffened slightly, "Why me?"

"You speak with spirits, correct?"

"Yes."

"I do not think I can trust her husband to tell the truth to my face. Three weeks ago I received a wire about my sister's untimely death, but there were no details, which makes me suspect foul play."

"Why did you not set out sooner?"

"My studies, I'm on break now, but I must return to England by the end of August for the beginning of the next term."

"I see. Why not go to the police?"

"Without solid proof that she was murdered?"

"Oh, I see, you fear that it was done so well that you cannot trace it back to her murderer. Is that correct?" asked Nico.

"Yes, and it has been three weeks since she passed, who knows how much of the evidence has been cleaned up since then."

"So you think that if I make contact with your sister's spirit, you may know what happened, but also perhaps a hint to find solid proof?"

"Yes,." replied Francis with a nod.

"But why me in particular, why not find someone local? It would be better than having to waste your time traveling across the sea."

"Another reason for my delay, I did my research. Out of the so-called experts in spiritual communications, you stuck out as being the most honest, and most genuine. As mentioned, I must be back in England in time for my next term, so I do not have time to dilly dally with emotional money-grabbers, I want cold, hard facts and I want them as quickly as you can get them to me."

Nico nodded, this guy was good. "Very well, I normally tell you that I cannot guarantee that I can make contact, but if she was murdered, and recently, her spirit should still be haunting the earth for vengeance. But, there is a chance that we could solve this mystery without contacting her, we'll just have to keep our eyes and ears open."

"Thank you. If you don't mind, I would like it if you posed as my cousin. The less they suspect your true purpose, perhaps the faster we can get to the truth."

Nico nodded, impressed, "That sounds reasonable. Where are we going?"

"My brother-in-law's castle on the coast of Spain."

Nico glanced at Erik. "Well, let's hurry it up and prepare, looks like we're heading to Spain."