by Amy Cross
***
“You're late.”
“Inspector Isobel Cavaleri,” Doctor Young replied with a smile, “I'd like you to meet Didi, Edgar Le Compte's fiance.”
Holding the door open, Doctor Young waited as Didi made her way into the low-ceilinged room.
“What's she doing here?” Cavaleri asked cautiously.
“She's a friend,” he continued. “I felt we should meet in the back, rather than in the main part of the bar. It wouldn't do to draw attention to ourselves, and we can't be sure that Edgar's spies aren't out tonight.”
“She's his fiance,” Cavaleri replied. “We can't -”
“She's one of us,” Doctor Young added, interrupting her. “Please, do you think I would have invited her here if I thought for a moment that it would be a bad idea?”
“What's going on?” Didi asked.
“This is a meeting of concerned citizens,” Doctor Young replied, pulling a chair out for her. “People who care about Thaxos, and who believe that something needs to be done in order to counter Le Compte's influence. Although...” He turned to Cavaleri. “I was expecting a few more people to show up. When we talked before, you made it sound as if you had quite a little coalition up and running.”
“There have been some setbacks,” Cavaleri replied. “Ephram's caring for his grandmother, and Fernando...” She paused. “He's missing.”
“What do you mean?” Didi asked. “Where did he go?”
“He's been gone for quite some time now,” Cavaleri explained. “I'm working on it. For now, this is a small and informal meeting to discuss strategies. Besides...” She turned to Doctor Young. “I don't think any of us can be sure that we trust one another yet, can we?”
“Absolutely not,” Doctor Young replied, taking a seat.
“So what exactly are you planning?” Didi asked.
“The downfall of Edgar Le Compte.”
“Or at least his expulsion from Thaxos,” Cavaleri added.
“He won't leave,” Doctor Young replied. “Not willingly, and I wouldn't even know how to force him off. One way or another, Edgar Le Compte is here to stay. Hell, he might never leave the island again.”
“Then we're doomed,” Cavaleri replied.
“Not necessarily.” Doctor Young paused. “I said he'd stay here. I didn't specify what state he'd be in.”
“Be careful what you're suggesting,” Cavaleri continued. “Remember I'm a -”
“I'm not suggesting anything you haven't already thought of,” Doctor Young replied. “Don't act as if you're a paragon of virtue, Inspector. I know you've been discussing various strategies, and murder is most definitely on the table.” He turned to Didi. “Do you understand now? One way or another, Edgar's going to fall. People are already unhappy about what he's doing to the island, and all it takes is one little push.”
“No,” Didi replied, shocked by the suggestion. “It's one thing to get to the truth, but murdering someone?”
“You'll notice,” he continued, “that Inspector Cavaleri is still sitting here.” He turned to her. “You love Thaxos, don't you?”
“It's my home,” Cavaleri replied.
“And you'll do anything to protect it.”
“I -”
“I'm so sorry about your younger sister, by the way,” Doctor Young continued. “I've been doing some research, Inspector, and I've learned that you suffered a terrible tragedy a decade or so back. Your only sibling was drowned, I believe.”
Cavaleri looked down at her hands for a moment, as if she was uncomfortable with the topic.
“Inspector Isobel Cavaleri had a younger sister named Karya,” Doctor Young added, glancing at Didi. “Unfortunately, Karya and a friend drowned off the western point. Their bodies were never found. And I believe something else happened at the western point today, something that involved Kate Langley and required the Inspector's attendance.”
“We're veering off course,” Cavaleri replied bitterly.
“Tell me,” Doctor Young continued, “did you tell Ms. Langley about your sister's death out there? Or did you stay calm and placid, and pride yourself on your ability to keep your emotions in check?”
“We're talking about Edgar Le Compte,” Cavaleri replied, with tears in her eyes, “not my sister.”
“But what if the two subjects are connected?” Doctor Young asked.
“Listen,” Didi butted in, “I figure -”
“Find out what happened to James Nixon,” Doctor Young continued, turning to her. “Do it fast, because there are others here who might get to Edgar before you have a chance.” Checking his watch, he paused for a moment. “It's getting late, Didi. You should head home. He'll be wondering where you are.”
Getting to her feet, Didi hurried to the door before looking back at the others.
“Don't worry about us,” Doctor Young continued, smiling as he stared at Cavaleri. “I'm going to take the Inspector for a walk.”
“And why should I go with you?” Cavaleri asked him.
“Because I'm going to show you the one thing you want more than any other,” he replied. “I'm going to take you to your sister's body.”
VII
“It's so rare to get a peaceful evening,” Edgar said as he refilled Kate's wine glass. “Didi is in town, and I gave Jacob the night off, so it felt strange for the two of us to be alone in opposite ends of the house.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Kate replied, watching as Edgar returned to the other end of the table and took his seat. “I really wasn't expecting such an offer.”
“It has been some weeks now since you returned to Thaxos and began work in the archive,” he continued. “I was hoping that you might be able to tell me what you've learned so far about my family's history, and about Thaxos in general.”
“I've really only scratched the surface. For example, I was out at the stone circle very recently, and...” She paused, determined not to let too much slip but still keen to find out how much Edgar already knew. “It's a very interesting site. I can't help thinking that it might be more directly connected to this house than I'd previously believed.”
“Oh?” Edgar asked with a faint smile as he raised his wine glass. “How so?”
“It's just a hunch,” she told him. “Thaxos isn't very big, so it's hard to think that anything significant could happen here in isolation.”
“A toast, then,” Edgar replied, “to unexpected connections.”
As she took a sip of wine, Kate decided that she needed to push Edgar a little further.
“Have you ever heard the word Gothos?” she asked eventually.
“Gothos?” Edgar stared at her for a moment. “I... I'm not sure that I have.”
“Or Sangreth?”
“I'm afraid not. Why? Wherever did you hear of them?”
“There were some markings on the stones,” she replied, fudging the truth. “I'm not even sure that I've got the words right, but I'm wondering if they might be significant. I've done some research online, but I can't find any mention of them at all. I don't even know whether Gothos is a place or a person.”
“Or both, perhaps?”
“Maybe I'm reading too much into it,” she continued. “It's probably just ancient graffiti.”
“I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss things,” Edgar replied. “If I might be so bold, Ms. Langley, I would humbly suggest that you continue with your inquiries. After all, I cannot imagine that someone would carve such words into the stones if they were not significant.” Checking his watch, he got to his feet. “And now you must excuse me. With Jacob out for the night, I must fetch the food myself. I must admit, I rather enjoy the task.”
Kate smiled politely, but as she watched Edgar leaving the room, she couldn't shake the feeling that he knew more than he was letting on. For one thing, he seemed keen for her to ask more questions; for another, she was convinced that when she'd mentioned the word Gothos a moment ago, there had been a flicker of recognition in his eyes. She was more cer
tain than ever that Edgar Le Compte knew something about the chamber beneath the stone circle.
