Paradise Plagued

by Sarah E. Burr

George laughed and patted Perry on the back. “Cheer up, ol’ chap. Just think how long you’ll get to hold this over her head. It’s always good to have some leverage in a marriage.”

  Jax shot a scowl at them both before returning to the matter at hand. “We need to find Nadir. George, can you wrangle him up for me? Just say Lord Rapaste requires an audience with him or something.” She fanned herself, cherishing the chilling effect it had on the sweat gushing from her skin. “Perry and I will stop by the library to see if Edrice has made any progress with determining the poison used.”

  Perry shifted up in his seat. “Don’t you think it curious Edrice was so confident in the estate’s library having an answer? I mean, how many noble archives really contain books about poisons?”

  Jax tossed a look of surprise his way. “You’re right. It does seem like a strange subject for an ancestral collection.”

  George stood up and stretched his back. “Perhaps Edrice knew about Nadir’s time at the Academy and assumed his old healing books would be housed there.”

  “True,” Jax conceded, “but it does seem like a big leap for her to make.” She got up from the chaise and offered her hand to Perry. “Another item for us to puzzle over. Come, let’s go.”

  Hands clasped, Perry and Jax bid George goodbye as he took off ahead of them toward the house. The couple leisurely strolled behind him, keeping an eye out for any of the other guests who might be wandering around. They saw no one.

  The library was located in the northeast wing on the third floor of the villa. Neither Jax nor Perry had ventured up the staircase to this part of the house, and from the looks of it, few people did. The statues and artwork on display in the hall were coated in a thin layer of sandy dust, and the sconces remained unlit. The only illumination came from two large windows positioned at either end of the hall, through which streams of light cascaded.

  Navigating past a series of closed and locked doors, Jax pressed her ear against a large ornate entrance and heard muffled voices inside. “This must be the library.” She glanced back at Perry, who nodded his readiness. Pushing open the door, she smiled in greeting as Edrice and Ammon looked up from a pile of parchment.

  Edrice stood and bowed her head. “Greetings, Duchess. How goes the search?”

  Jax released a sigh and sat down in one of the rickety chairs surrounding a gigantic stone slab that acted as a worktable. “I wish I could report something of use, but I’m afraid we have no idea why anyone would want Tarek dead.” She surveyed the cavernous room, the high ceiling arched like the roof overhead. “Have you come across anything in here?”

  Ammon snorted. “Nothing that’s been helpful so far. Mind you, we’ve only made it through a handful of tomes on the subject.”

  Jax eyed the rows of wooden shelving stacked high with books and scrolls alike. “This is an impressive collection.” She turned to Edrice. “Although, I must say I’m surprised it has so much material on poisons to begin with. A bit peculiar for a noble family, yes?”

  A shadow danced across Edrice’s golden gaze. “Ordinarily, yes, but the Ogdam archives have been well supplied.”

  “Because of Nadir’s physician studies at the Academy?” Jax pressed.

  Edrice’s lips curled into a cunning smile. “Not quite, Your Grace.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nadir isn’t the only member of the Ogdam family with a background in healing.” Edrice meandered over to a towering bookshelf and pulled a scroll free from its grasp. “You see, before she was wed to Master Ferran, Abra was a priestess of the Ancient Faith.”

  Jax leaned forward in her chair, intrigued. “Really? Did you know her then?”

  Edrice shrugged a shoulder. “I knew of her, for certain. She was a part of a small temple practicing within the borders of Kwatalar. When the temple was forced to close due to a decree from the Duchess, Abra’s father arranged for her to marry a man of the Virtues to save her from being sent to Zaltor, away from her family.” The elegant woman paused as she sat down and unrolled the parchment before her. “Because she was forced to cut ties with the Ancient Faith after her marriage, she secretly sent a missive to the conclave of High Priestesses stating that should a member of the Ancient Faith ever need to seek refuge in Kwatalar, the doors of the Oasis would be open.”

  Jax mulled over this information before speaking. “That’s why you and Ammon chose to stay here. You knew you’d be welcomed.”

  Ammon nodded sagely. “You’d be surprised how unkind some people can be, just because our beliefs are different.”

  Jax’s heart clenched at the pain on both their faces. “Does Ferran know about his wife’s open invitation to the Faith?”

  Edrice’s chuckle was musical. “That man is so blinded by love that even if he did know about it, he would not care.”

  Perry paced behind Jax. “Then why hide it?”

  The High Priestess looked to him. “Unfortunately, there are others in this land who are not as understanding. Earl Killiam, for instance. He has banned those who practice the Ancient Faith from his lands or any of his holdings. I believe Abra and Ferran are simply trying to do the right thing, but are also protecting themselves.”

  Jax shuddered at the Earl’s cruel intolerance. While her beliefs were at odds with the Ancient Faith, she never discriminated against anyone because of it. “I don’t understand why Ferran would allow his daughter to marry into a family like that. How Abra could allow it?”

  Perry’s hand rested on her shoulder as he stopped pacing behind her chair. “Maybe they thought they could influence the Earl to have a change of heart?”

  She fingered the frayed edges of an ancient scroll. What, if anything, did this have to do with Tarek’s death? Glancing up at Edrice, she asked, “Did my other companions bring you the flask I found in Tarek’s pocket?”

  The High Priestess straightened in her chair. “Yes, and I did a few experiments with it to determine whether it was laced with poison.” She reached over a pile of books and grabbed the silver container that had been hidden from Jax’s view. “I’m afraid it wasn’t.”

  Jax’s heart plummeted into her stomach. She hadn’t realized how much hope she’d been holding onto that they’d solved at least one bit of the puzzle.

  Perry’s grip tightened on her shoulder. “Then we’re back to square one.”

  “What else could it have been?” Jax balled her fist against the arm of the chair. “We didn’t find any food or drink in his private chamber. Unless the culprit cleaned up the mess?”

  “The door to his room was locked when Samira let us in.” Perry pointed out. “How would they have gotten in and out?”

  A mask of worry eclipsed Ammon’s round face. “The Ogdams would all have master keys.”

  While Nadir was high on her list of suspects, Jax couldn’t imagine Abra, Samira, or Ferran doing anything to harm Tarek. It just didn’t make sense, considering the family’s hopes for the future. “Tarek didn’t have a key on him,” she blurted out. “When I searched him for the flask, I didn’t come across any keys in his pockets.”

  Edrice threaded her fingers together, leaning her elbows on the stone slab table. “That means the culprit could have poisoned Tarek in his room and taken his keys to relocate the body.”

  “Who would Tarek have allowed in his room?” Jax looked at each of her companions and was met with perplexed faces. “I didn’t hear him extend an invitation to anyone after dinner.”

  Perry took a seat in an empty chair next to hers. The wood moaned in protest under his muscular frame. “Could Nadir have paid him a visit?”

  She rested her hand on his forearm. “We need to speak with him.”

  A grim expression washed over her husband’s face. “If we can find him.”

  “Nadir hasn’t appeared downstairs?” Ammon’s eyes widened. “It’s almost midday.”

  “Captain Solomon is trying to track him down. We have more than a few questions for him.” Jax glanced down at the silver flask, reflectin
g prisms in the sunlight. “I just wish we knew what was used to poison the poor man.”

  Ammon shuffled through a stack of yellowed papers. “I’m sure we’ll be able to figure it out soon, Your Grace. The signature of this poison is very distinctive.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Edrice said. “It would be much easier to narrow down if we knew whether he ingested it through drink or food, but I’m sure we’ll find something.”

  “Couldn’t you perform an autopsy and see his stomach contents?” Jax recalled Master Vyanti doing this before, and it had provided invaluable information regarding the death of her parents.

  “I’m afraid the Earl would have to sign off on such a thing.” Edrice held up her hands. “I would if I could, but if the Earl found out a member of the Ancient Faith performed an autopsy on his male heir…”

  Ammon’s upper body quivered. “I’m sorry, Duchess, but we cannot take that risk.”

  Jax’s annoyance stemmed from the Earl’s intolerance, not with Edrice and Ammon. “Of course. I understand.” She rose from her chair and clasped her hands before her. “We’ll let you return to your studies.”

  Bidding them goodbye, Perry and Jax left the library in brooding silence. Feeling frustrated by every wall they’d run into, Jax tugged on a stray lock of hair. “It’s as if we’re going in circles. We keep sidestepping our chance to advance forward.”

  Perry sighed as they walked down to the first level of the villa. “We haven’t really been able to paint a clear picture here. In a house full of strangers, who would want Tarek Killiam dead?”

  Before Jax could respond, Uma appeared in the archway that connected the foyer to a small sitting room. “There you are! I ran into George and was coming to look for you.”

  Jax’s eyes widened with hope. “Did he have Nadir with him?”

  “No.” Uma’s face was a mask of worry. “None of the Ogdams know where he is.”

  “That’s not suspicious at all,” Perry said, a wry expression twisting on his lips.

  “George and Hendrie are searching the grounds,” Uma continued in a hushed tone. “I think Abra suspects we suspect Nadir. She’s been wallowing in the dining area, alone.”

  “Because she’s concerned for her son, or about him?” Jax wondered aloud. Keeping her voice low, she pulled Uma and Perry into the vacant sitting room and filled Uma in on their morning, concluding with Abra’s ties to the Ancient Faith and the Earl’s harsh views of that religion.

  Uma frowned. “Do you think Nadir sought to hurt the Earl because he’s been hurting people like his mother?”

  Jax hadn’t considered this. “It would be a valid motive.” Blood was thicker than anything else in the realm, after all. “The prospect of losing his ancestral home to a man who despised what Nadir’s mother stood for might have been enough to goad him into taking violent action.”

  “We don’t know if Nadir knew the role the Oasis’s deed played in Samira’s engagement,” Perry reminded her.

  Jax gritted her teeth. “Well, since we can’t ask Nadir himself, let’s go find Ferran.”

  “I caught the end of the conversation he was having with George,” Uma offered. “Ferran said he would be out in the garden gathering some fresh vegetables for lunch, if we needed him.” She added, “He did say he would steer clear of the greenhouse.”

  “Maybe we can still catch him before we have to prepare for the meal.” Jax moved through the foyer toward the back door. “Where has Vita been through all this?”

  Uma hurried after her. “After we delivered the flask to Edrice and Ammon and managed to corner Ines for a brief chat, we came across Samira. She seemed completely overwhelmed, so Vita offered her assistance in the kitchen.”

  A prideful smile stretched across Jax’s face. Vita had come a long way from the entitled girl she’d been upon first arriving in Saphire. “That’s wonderful. Maybe she’ll be able to flush out more information from Samira about Tarek’s relationship with the family.”

  “I think that’s her goal.” Uma fanned herself as she stepped off the patio and onto the sandy path. “Virtues, it is hot. Are you sure we cannot do any investigating from the confines of the cold springs?”

  “Maybe later,” Jax answered with a chuckle. “Now, did you learn anything from Ines?”

  Uma’s forehead creased. “Nothing that seemed pertinent. She complained about having to delay their travels, but also criticized her brother’s behavior. She told me he hasn’t always been so unpleasant, and she’s sorry we’re seeing such a loutish side of him.”

  Jax shared a knowing look with Uma as she glanced over her shoulder. “There seems to be a lot of change in recent behavior amongst this group.”

  They continued their trek in silence, arriving in the shade of the garden a few moments later.

  “Is it just me, or have those leaves wilted since we were last out here?” Jax squinted up at the palm tree that once bathed the area in shadow. Now, it only shielded a small sliver of dirt from the sun overhead.

  Perry shaded his eyes with both hands. “I don’t see Ferran anywhere.”

  “Perhaps he grabbed the produce and left. I wouldn’t want to be out here long.” Uma picked up a brittle, fallen leaf from another nearby palm tree and began fanning herself.

  “He could be inside the greenhouse,” Jax warned.

  Uma hurried to her side, sharing some of the cool breeze she was generating. “He promised George he wouldn’t.”

  “And you’ve never known anyone to break a promise?” Jax lifted an eyebrow.

  Perry stepped in front of them with an exasperated look. “Instead of talking about it, let’s just go stick our heads through the door and see.”

  “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the sun,” Jax murmured to Uma, sending her friend into a fit of giggles. Linking arms, they trailed after Perry.

  He pushed past the greenhouse entrance and took refuge in a shady corner.

  Jax’s head swiveled around the workspace. “Ferran isn’t here, either.” Her muscles tensed as her eyes stopped on the dangling remains of the noose.

  Uma’s grip tightened on her arm. This was the first time she’d visited the morbid scene. “How tragic this all is,” she whispered.

  Patting her hand, Jax slipped away from Uma and circled the tables lining the floor. All the plants looked dry and peaked. No one had been in to water them yet, which gave her hope the greenhouse had been left undisturbed by the rest of the household.

  She slowed as she neared the area where she’d found Tarek’s body, imagining the scene from last night. Closing her eyes, she let the memory unfold around her. Bathed in darkness, the moon providing the only light, all she’d seen were various shadows. Had one of them been the killer? No, she decided. She had heard no breathing, no footsteps. She took a deep breath. All she had smelled last night was the earthy odor of fertilizer. She still smelled it now, but it was not as strong. Now, standing in the back of the greenhouse, her nose picked up on something else mixed in with the leafy scent. What was it? Something sweet hit her nostrils and made her mouth subconsciously water. She knew that smell, but what was it doing out here?

  Jax’s eyes flew open and studied the nearby tables. Nothing but plants and potting tools greeted her. She moved toward the last table, the one closet to the frayed noose. The scent strengthened as she neared.

  “Jax? What is it?” Perry called from his spot in the corner, apparently having noticed her movements.

  Ignoring him, Jax followed her nose and knelt to the ground, her skirts nestling against the dirty floor. She crouched down, pressing her head to the stone and peered under the table. The fragrant aroma hit her with such force she struggled to control a coughing fit.

  Shadows stretched out before her, masking anything that might be lodged under the workbench. She thrust a hand into the warm darkness, her fingers reaching. She fought back a shriek as her thumb and forefinger dragged through a warm, sticky puddle, her features wrinkling with distaste. Frantically pushing her
arm under the table as far as it could reach, Jax’s entire hand sloshed through the gooey residue before her fingernails raked against stiff paper. She latched onto it and found it moved freely with her when she pulled. Slowly, she dragged it out from under the table and stared.

  In her hands rested the remnants of an elegantly wrapped box of Soveignet chocolates.

  “What have you found?” Perry appeared at her side, kneeling.

  Uma followed close behind. She gasped. “What is that on your hands? Dried blood?”

  Jax sat mute for a moment as the tension in the greenhouse swelled. “No, not blood.” Her voice was strong, but quiet. “It’s melted chocolate. The heat must have finally gotten to it. I could smell it.” She toyed with the packaging, pulling back a loose strip of paper, revealing a ragged hole from which the liquified confection oozed. She held the box up to her nose and sniffed. Under the layers and layers of cocoa and sugar, she detected something bitter, reminiscent of rye or dillweed. Whatever it was, it did not belong in a box of Soveignets.

  Jax gazed at the concerned faces of her friends. “I think I know what poisoned Tarek.” She held up the package. “These.”

  “Well,” Perry remarked, “that clears up one piece of the puzzle, I guess.”

  Jax shook her head. “And unlocks a slew of others.” She met their confused expressions with grim resignation. “This the same box delivered to our suite, Perry. The one I brought down to share with everyone by the cold spring pool.”

  Uma’s mouth fell open. “Only no one wanted any, and Tarek offered to take them back inside,” she said a beat after she collected her thoughts.

  Jax nodded. “He must have decided to keep them for himself. I forgot all about them.”

  “So, are we thinking someone sneaked into Tarek’s room, laced the chocolates, and waited for the poison to have its way with him?” Perry’s voice relayed his skepticism of that scenario.

  Jax tugged at the tag still dangling from the ravaged giftbox.

  Enjoy your stay at the Oasis!

  “No.” Her stomach tightened with each passing second. “When Tarek took the box from me, it was still in the original wrapping. Given how paranoid he was, to the point where he used his own flask, no one could have been able to tamper with the chocolate without him noticing.”