Diana and the Mosses practically scampered out of the sailboat so eager were they to get on to the castle. Along the tiny harborfront, the storekeepers were just beginning to open and prepare for the day's business. They stretched and looked around.
Hermione commented. "There's no one else here yet. What bliss!"
Emily read down her notebook. "Now that we know who the thief is, anyone have any ideas on where the charter has been hidden?"
John looked around the small harbor. "It still has to be on the island. I don't remember anyone carrying anything back on the ferry or the bus that might have contained the charter. Even rolled up or folded down, it would not have been easy to conceal. We were searched right after we got off the bus."
"But it could have been deposited somewhere for safekeeping. It was raining, whoever had it wouldn't take the chance of ruining it. If it was out here, it would have to be in plastic or some kind of container." Hermione added.
"All right, assuming that it is in some kind of protective cover, the charter could have been left outdoors." Emily pondered. "The thief then planned to return and pick it up."
"Or his accomplice would," John said. "The timing is too tight for both the theft, the attack and the hiding of the charter to have been done by one person."
That statement was met with stunned silence. Neither of the two ladies had seriously entertained the accomplice theory. "Ah, the million dollar question." Emily murmurred. "I hadn't taken Claymore's theory into account."
"He could still have been wrong." John reasoned.
"It's the missing piece - the location of the charter. If we knew where it was we could do some backtracking." Hermione said. "We've got time before the castle is opened. Why don't I take the steep walkways to the castle and the two of you look here and by the ferry area?"
"Fine by us." said Emily. "Let's meet up at the castle when it's open."
-----
A pair of eyes watched the sailboat make its way to the mount. In the breakfast room overlooking the bay, Severus was not enjoying his morning meal. Upon seeing the sailboat he had inquired from Mr. Martin if such activity was usual. Mr. Martin replied that it was usually only tourists who chartered private boats to the mount.
His spy years had thought him the value of listening to his instinct. His instincts were howling for attention. Feeling as if he had just been punched in the solar plexus, Severus had asked for binoculars. Peering through the binoculars, Severus could feel his stomach clenching and unclenching. It was Ms. Stevens and the Mosses. I've been outmaneuvered!
Severus glanced at the clock. There was less than an hour before the ferry's first trip over. He stirred his tea and fumed in silence. I underestimated her. I must find the time to have a little discussion with the minx.
-----
The motorcycle and sidecar wound its way around the curves at high speed. In the sidecar, Levinson kept his eyes firmly ahead. To keep his vertigo at bay, he thought about the mystery. He said to the Ironside. "Claymore's theory was there was more than one thief. I think there was only one not two. And definitely a professional."
Keeping his eyes on the road, Ironside replied. "Why only one?"
"Look at what was stolen - one charter. To my mind, it's like a piece of art or some great jewelry. A single jewel thief has a better chance of securing the gem than a whole gang. In, out then gone. It's not like a bank robbery where more people would be an asset and a liability."
"I'm leaning towards only one suspect myself but for entirely different reasons." Ironside confided.
"Who?"
"Sir Renville himself."
"For love of god, why?"
"Insurance money. He fakes the theft, the charter is never recovered and he get a very large insurance check."
"I suppose he hit himself over the head with the book, too?"
"Of course not." Ironside smiled. "His wife did the honors. Who found him? Lady Renville. Who knew where he was? Lady Renville."
"They can't need the money. They own the bloody island. They must be loaded."
"Are they? Maybe not." Ironside glanced at the road sign that read 'Marazion - 15 miles'. "These tourist places are not always fully subsidized by the Natural Trust. It has to be expensive to run. Does income from tourists and such keep the bottom line in the black?"
"Spoken like a true accountant."
"You're the architect. In your professional opinion, does the Mount look like it's prosperous?"
Levinson was silent for a time. "I suppose I expected more when I came there. There were signs of continued renovation. I will concede that your theory may have some support. Where does Claymore fit in? Did the Renvilles do him in?"
"Maybe. He was murdered well into the night. Who's to say the Renvilles didn't follow us to the hotel and then did him in?"
The two men looked at each other and returned to their own thoughts.
-----
Some miles behind Ironside and Levinson, Maclemore and McFadden were enjoying their breakfast on the road. While Maclemore drove, Cynthia McFadden studied her notebook.
"Any pet theories, Cynthia?"
"I have suspects, Bruce."
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
That got a soft laugh from the lady. "All right, you first."
"My first and primary suspect is Levinson."
"Michael?! He couldn't even find his room assignment."
"That's my point. An architect can read blueprints upside down. He couldn't even handle a small series of rooms without directions?" Maclemore shook his head. "No, he knew exactly where everything was. All his actions, to my mind, support my theory."
"How so?"
"What do you think about his clothes sense?"
"What does that have to do with this?"
"I'll get to that, lass. Answer the question."
"Well, perhaps he's color blind. No one could consciously think his clothes went together."
"So, like everyone else, me included, the first thing you notice about him is his appearance. He stands out doesn't he? Because he does stand out so much, no one takes real notice of him. I mean you see his clothers do you stop to notice anything else?"
"No, I don't." Cynthia drummed her fingers on the armrest. "It's like someone in camouflage. You see what he wants you to see."
"That's it." Bruce took a sip of tea. "I think him being one of the last off the roof is by design because -"
"Because he had to look out for the accomplice," Cynthia finished for him. Bruce looked at her astonishment clear on his face. "What you just said fits in with who I think is the accomplice. We agree that it had to more than one person right?"
"Aye. I haven't gotten to the accomplice bit yet. Who do you have in mind?"
"Ms. Danforth."
"I haven't considered her. I mean she's a hanger on as far as I'm concerned."
"So you bought her act?" Cynthia smirked.
"Act?"
"No woman behaving the way she does could ever land a man. Men run away instead. And that's what she wanted." The car was silent for time. "Bruce, it's just like Levinson's tactic but instead of her clothes, though her clothes are bad enough, she used her personality to hide behind. I mean I remember at the Chymorvah, the men were simply desperate to get away from her."
"Claymore in particular," Bruce commented.
"Yes, Claymore was very anxious to get away from her, wasn't he? But they both ended up in the Armory together." Cynthia looked at her book again. "If he hadn't been murdered, Claymore would have been my choice working with Ms. Danforth."
"She could have done anything she wanted to and no one would have taken the time to notice." Bruce said.
"Right. With Claymore dead, who was her accomplice?" Cynthia continued. "We know a man killed Claymore. Based on physical attributes alone only a few men fit the bill to my mind - Levinson, Wright, Timmons and Ironside."
"Not Paul Lewis or John Moss?"
"No, Lewis does not strike me as someone who would elect to get his hands dirty. And Moss is in ill health. Claymore would have been able to fight either one of them off."
"Well, we have a fine pickle here, don't we?"
-----
Hermione rubbed her aching calves as she sat on the top step leading to the castle. Traipsing through St. Mungo's corridors was nothing compared to the rough, cobblestone walkways to and from the castle. Beside her the Moss' were taking their own inventory.
"The harbor stores were already closed by the time our group made our way down there." said Emily.
"Nothing in the bins or even in Jack's well." John added. "That leaves only one place left."
Before Hermione could answer, the castle doors were opened. Lady Renville ushered them in. "Good morning! I can't believe you got here so quickly."
"Good morning, Lady Renville." Hermione replied. "Would it be all right if we took a look around?"
"Quite all right, Ms. Stevens. You'd best take advantage of your head start." Lady Renville smiled. "The ferry has already left Marazion."
"It's too early! No ferry leaves before 11:00am." Emily protested.
"One just did - almost twenty minutes early." Lady Renville added. "I've heard that the ferry drivers are amenable to sizable donations to their pub fund."
Hermione and Emily shared a knowing glance. Hermione forgot all about her strained calves as adrenaline flooded her system. She felt something else, a something that she could not have attributed to any man in her acquaintance - anticipation. Mixed with that was more than a healthy dose of growing desire at the very thought of Mr. Wright. She remembered the glimpse she had of him on the motorcycle before they left the hotel parking lot. She had thought him wild, certainly attractive and envied his quiet dramatic flair. He had looked straight at her before taking off. She had the decided sense that he was coming after her.
Hermione and the Mosses split up and began to search through the rooms. Hermione could not help glancing again and again at her watch or any window overlooking the bay. She watched the ferry get closer and closer.
Hermione said aloud. "So he's not just a pretty face full of easy charm. I underestimated him. I really really did."
Face it, Granger, the man has gotten to you, challenged you in every way. The man is relentless, impossible and, gods, utterly attractive. What to do? What to do?
-----
On the approaching ferry, Severus was facing a similar battle between desire and choice. A part of him was infuriated at the thought of perhaps being bested by a female. But on the other hand, his admiration and, yes, desire, for Diana was increasing. What is it about her that drives me out of my mind and yet draws me in anyway?
His inner voice freed from its muzzle made its view plain. Forget this silly game. Sling the female over your shoulder and carry her off somewhere. You're not getting any younger, remember?
Severus shook his head. He gripped the railing tighter. He said under his breath. "I cannot have an affair with a muggle. I want more. Will she give me more?"