Re Vera is Latin for, "In truth".
Chapter Fourteen: Re Vera
This, is what hell is. Not a fiery place of torment, but this. This here, within this white stale room where the dead were laid out to be prepared for burial or cremation. No matter how clean and spotless everything appeared to look, it was that sterility that made this hell. The stench of death could never be removed. It clung to everything in this room. Add to that, is the ghastly sight of what used to be Rebecca lying before him on a cold metal slab to be identified drives this point further. It seemed fitting to him that the woman who had been the vainest person imaginable, would end up in such a decrepit state now. It was entirely fitting that she should lie in such a hell.
The smell of the sea and rotting flesh should have revolted him. It should have given him a measure of remorse that he still hated her so much, but he does not have it in him to be. He cannot even dredge of regret for feeling so even at the sight of her now. All he can see is her ugliness finally being revealed in the honesty of death. It was the most honest he has ever seen her. With no mask of false charm and shelled loveliness. Yet, even in death, he continues to wield such power over him. Maybe even more so now in death than she had alive. He knows that she had known and how she must have gloated in her ultimate victory. No matter what he did, she would always remain so and he finds he can hate her a little more because of it.
The small group of men gathered stare at the body, listening to the coroner tell them that the cause of death. A blow to the head as there was no water in her lungs. Any other readings were impossible given the amount of decay the body had suffered while in the waters. When the readings are concluded, the Colonel gives him a soft nudge to silently lead him out of the examination room with Ignis close behind.
"Ghastly business," the colonel says as they begin to make their way out.
"I am very sorry that I was wrong about misidentifying the other body," apologizes Noctis with a shake of his head.
"It's perfectly understandable," reasons Ignis quickly. "You weren't well at the time."
"No, I should have known," insists Noctis.
"Nobody can blame you for making a mistake, your Majesty," the Colonel says kindly. "You were obviously distraught at the time, which is completely understandable as Ignis says."
"Still," says Noctis quietly.
"It is just a shame that it has to start all over again," laments the Colonel, giving Noctis a worried look.
"What do you mean, 'start all over again'?" asks Ignis uncertainly. "It's pretty clear cut that she must have gotten stuck in the hull and hit her head when the waves got too rough."
"That is what it looks like to me too but for official purposes sake, there has to be another Coroner's inquest," says the Colonel. "Just a formality and then we can put this all to rest. I will be there to oversee the proceedings, but you will be asked to testify on the stand. I am sorry but there is no way to avoid the publicity."
"Oh, right, the publicity," says Noctis softly, though that really does not bother him like it would have before.
"Surely that isn't necessary," reasons Ignis.
"It is out of my hands," claims the Colonel. "But I wouldn't worry. When this is all over, your Majesty should come over so we can go to the range."
"That would be nice," Noctis says diplomatically, trying to dredge up some semblance of a smile.
"Oh and the Chief Sailing Master is examining the boat now. No doubt he will come to the same conclusions. So, I am sure the inquest will not be long," the Colonel says before giving them a slight bow and going on his way.
Trading a silent look with Ignis, they both get into the car and head back to Manderley without a word to reveal their feelings. Noctis has often wondered what Ignis thinks about all of this. What his friend had really thought of this sordid affair that was his life. Not that Ignis would ever say anything. He would never see it as his place to question or criticize him on his actions, or speak ill of anyone. Ignis was loyal and there were no words to express how indebted he was to his friend. A true friend in every sense of the word and he knows he does not deserve him.
Ignis was much like his wife. A kind heart, faithful and good. Thoughts of her surprised face from the night before have plagued him all day. Such innocence to be tainted. That was what makes him hate Rebecca even more. Maybe more than what she had ever done to him. Stealing something that should never have been touched by her filth.
Upon reaching the house, he wanders into the library to stand in front of the fire to gather his thoughts. The coroner's report offered no comfort to him. There would be no way to determine whether her death had been an accident or not. All they knew for sure was that Rebecca had been struck in the head. Even a prince could not get away with murder and if they even suspected that he might have been responsible in any way, when the public had adored Rebecca so much, they would demand he be punished. He was not going to lie on the stand, but he was not going to let them twist his words or give information that they had no business knowing. He was still a very private person, not to mention their Prince, and would not tolerate any disrespect. He just wants this over. Not for himself, but for her. Wonderful, clean and pure her. The lady who had taken a chance and married a bitter and tainted man.
Then, she is there. The one he wishes could be shielded from all of this. The one he wishes he had been strong enough to let go before exposing her to the curse that is his life.
"Hello, luv," he greets, a small smile forming at the mere sight of her despite his dark thoughts. Seeing that purity of her always lightens the weight on his chest and makes him believe that there is such a thing as goodness.
She rushes towards him and naturally places herself in his waiting arms.
"I told Frank to keep the newspapers away," she says. "Those silly people will write all manner of nasty untruths and I will not let them intrude on us."
He strokes her face tenderly and lays a quick peck on her lips. "I do not mind all this," he says honestly. "I only hate and worry about what it has done to you."
"Me?" she asks quizzically.
"I have tainted you with the knowledge of what Rebecca was," Noctis says forlornly. "And now we have so little time left to be together."
"Noctis, I want to go with you to the Inquest tomorrow," she insists.
"I would rather you did not."
"Oh but I want to," she insists softly, leaning into him to offer and receive comfort in equal measure. "I promise I won't be any trouble."
"All right," Noctis concedes easily. He who has never known such a thing as comfort, becomes malleable in the warmth of it from her.
"I do not want to be separated for even a moment," she says and he cannot help but offer a reverent kiss on the forehead.
"If you like," he says on a sigh.
She peers up at him. "You, you will try not to lose your temper won't you? No matter what they ask you?"
"I will," he promises. Anything that would put her mind at ease.
"They can't do anything at once, can they?"
"No," he reassures, grabbing hold of her and stare intently into her upturned face. "It's gone," he mourns, deeply saddened at the loss. "That funny lost look of innocence that I loved. It's gone forever." He takes a long breath as he continues to gaze at her. "I took that away the moment I told you about Rebecca. In just a few hours, you have grown so much older."
The sorry look on his face and the needless guilt has her crying his name and kissing him. Kissing him to show him physically when words cannot seem to reach him. He clings to her as much as she clings to him and there is no way to describe how whole she feels now. How full and complete she feels now that she knows what has separated them all this time. A wholeness that he too, has never felt with anyone else before. Now they were two people who needed and counted on each other for the trials that are coming. She more sure than he, but that did not matter. So long as they were together it really did not matter.
The next day comes too soon for the both of them. Due to the wide spread publicity of the Inquest, the room where the Proceedings are held is cramped and tight. The small town hall not built to accommodate the crowds of people that had come. They huddled just outside in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Prince and Princess before listening through strained ears for any snippets of the proceedings inside. Through it all, she is a lone silent figure of tightly wound nerves but keeping on a brave face. Keeping her head held high, as she sat perfectly poised and thankful for the wide brimmed hat on her head. She is sure that even a feather could have knocked her over, she is so on edge. Noctis, who must sit a couple rows in front of her where the people who would be called to stand sat, looked as withdrawn as she has ever seen him. She knows now, that this is only a show to hide his true feelings. It makes her wish that she had the same disposition and gathers strength from his unfailing example. Of course, it did not help matters that Favell and Mrs. Etro were both in attendance. Favell with his knowing smirk and Mrs. Etro's all seeing black beady eyes. Both are watching everything steadily.
Currently on the stand, they have Ben. The poor man, who was already a pale color, looks almost white at being brought out in front of so many people. His wide eyes stare vacantly out into the gathered crowd in terror and refuses to say anything more than to beg not to be taken to the asylum. He fervently denies seeing anything multiple times. It was quickly apparent that they were not going to gain anything useful from him, so they moved on to the Sailing Master.
"Now Mr. Cobb, Sailing Master," the Investigator states. "You were able to study the vessel at length, were you not?"
"I did," is the no nonsense reply.
"Can you state for the record, from the evidence that you've gathered, that the former Princess died of an accident when her ship capsized off shore?"
"No, I cannot state such a thing."
Gasps of surprise erupt and then a chorus of murmurs fill the room at the brisk statement. Her heart feels about to burst from what else would come to light right now and she forces herself to take a long breath to steady her trembling body. From the stunned look on the Investigator's face, he too had not expected that reply. It takes him a moment to lean in towards the Colonel to ask a private query before asking the Sailing Master to explain.
"Are you saying that she might have committed suicide?"
"No, I cannot say that for certain either, but when I was investigating the ship, I noticed the sea cocks had been opened."
"And what are those?"
"Those are the valves that open at the bottom in order to drain the boat," explains Mr. Cobb. "They are always locked tight when the boat is afloat and are never opened during that time." The Sailing Master pauses in thought for a moment. "Then there are those holes."
"What holes?"
"It looked like someone had drilled holes into the hull."
"Could those holes have been created after the fact?"
"They could have, but they were made from the inside of the boat, not out."
More murmurs carry around the room.
"So what you are basically saying is that the boat sank intentionally," clarifies the Investigator.
"All I can say that is that with her knowledge of boats, this was not an accident."
"Thank you, Mr. Cobb. You have been very helpful," states the Investigator while everyone whispers to each other.
The Sailing Master gives a small bow to Noctis with a sympathetic look, before stepping down from the stand.
"Now we would kindly ask his Majesty, Prince Caelum to take the stand, please," the Investigator asks with a bow towards Noctis. "My Lord, if you would."
Noctis rises from his seat and calmly walks over to take the stand.
"I am very sorry to have to drag your Majesty through these proceedings again," apologizes the Investigator.
"You must do what you must," replies Noctis without inflection, but she can see the tension radiating off of him.
"Can you think of any reason why there should be holes in the planking of the former Princess' boat?"
"No, of course I cannot think of any reason."
"Had anyone discussed these findings with you before?"
"Seeing as the boat has been at the bottom of the ocean all this time, I scarcely believe anyone would," comments Noctis dryly.
A few people snicker, though it was not meant to be a joke. His statement, started casually, is actually full of warning and edge. One who did not know him well enough would not see that he was on a fine edge. The subtle stiffness in his shoulders give testament that he was close to losing his temper. A detail overlooked by the man asking the questions. In turn, she feels just as on edge as her husband and ready to faint dead away.
"I want you to know, your Majesty, that we all feel very deeply for you in this matter, but you must remember that I do not conduct this inquest for my own amusement," announces the Investigator bristled by Noctis' statement.
"That is rather obvious," is Noctis' response.
"I hope it is," says the Inquisitor, looking affronted. "Now, since the Princess Caelum went sailing that night alone, are we to believe that she drove those holes herself?"
"You may believe what you like," snaps Noctis. His anger leaking into his voice steadily.
"Can you enlighten us as to why the Princess would want to end her own life?"
"I know of no reason at all," states Noctis with growing agitation.
"Prince Noctis, no matter how painful it may be, I have to ask you a very personal question," the Inquisitor says rapidly. "Were relations between you and the late Princess, perfectly happy?"
What a question to ask! Noctis is fairly trembling now in barely suppressed anger. He visibly struggles within himself. Bound by honor to answer the question faithfully and also condemning himself in the same instant.
"I repeat," the Inquisitor states very pointedly. "Were relations between you and the late Princess perfectly happy?"
"I won't stand here and have you bait me and you might as well….," his words are cut off as he sees her crumble to the floor in a dead faint.
A commotion rises in the courtroom at her tumble and Noctis rushes over to her aid.
"We will adjourn after lunch," announces the Inquisitor, checking the time. "I trust your Majesty will resume the stand then."
"Of course," Noctis says absently, clutching her worriedly. "I told you not to skip breakfast. You are hungry. That is what is the matter with you." His voice is a gentle chide and loud enough to be heard for the benefit of the ears closest around them. He manages a small smile before he quickly leads her outside into the fresh air.
The sea air feels good to her lungs, making her sigh in thankful relief from the stifling air inside that small room. The crowd disperses around them, all heading to their own respective lunches. The gathered group of reporters are held back by the guards, while they walk the short distance to the limo that is waiting to grant them some privacy. Security is on high alert and the guards make sure no one disturbs them.
"I am sorry, darling," she apologizes. "That was terribly foolish of me, fainting like that."
"Nonsense," he reassures with a low chuckle. "If you had not fainted I might have really lost my temper."
"Please be careful, Noctis," she pleads.
He smiles down at her while offering his body as a solid thing to keep her upright. Once they reach the car, he fuses over her and makes sure she is comfortable. He pours her a glass of something strong from their packed picnic basket from the house to revive her before looking at her intently.
"Are you all right?" he asks.
"Yes, I am fine luv, do not worry over me," she replies with a smile.
"Are you sure?" he asks. "I need to go and find Ignis."
"Go on. Do not worry over me," she says, giving him a reassuring pat on the arm.
The tender affection that leaks into his eyes warms her through.
"I will not be long," he promises and then disappears to find Ignis.
She takes a small sip of her drink and almost succumbs to a fit of coughs when the strong alcohol flows like liquid fire down her throat. She shudders at the sensation.
"Hello," greets a familiar cocky voice.
Favell stands peering at her from the other side of the limo. It races through her mind how he was able to get past the guards but she beings to speak before she can ask.
"The guards let me through when they realized I was family," his tone full of irony. "And how does the bride find herself today?" he asks, opening the door without asking permission and leans towards her. "I say, being married to Noct isn't exactly a bed of roses, is it?"
"I think you had better go before Noctis comes back," she warns instead of answering.
"Jealous is he?" Favell taunts, not at all worried in the least about being seen by Noctis. "I can't say that I blame him. But you don't think I'm the villain do you? I am a perfectly ordinary, harmless bloke... and I think you're behaving splendidly through all this." He cocks his head to study her for a moment. "You know, you've grown up since the last time I saw you."
"What do you want, Favell?" demands Noctis, rushing in from the opposite side of the car.
"Oh hello, Noct," greets Favell easily. "I see everything is looking rather well for you, isn't it? You know I was worried about you once I heard about all this. It's why I came all the way out here."
"I am sure I am very touched, but my wife and I are about to have our lunch," states Noctis dryly.
"Lunch!" perks up Favell. "What a lovely idea!" He climbs into the cabin to sit opposite the both of them with a challenging look on his face. A purposely haughty expression in an obvious ploy to bait Noctis into reacting. "Rather like a picnic." He makes himself completely at home by lounging in the seat and even as the gall to order their drive to have his car filled with petrol while unwrapping a chicken leg from the basket. "You know, Noct, I believe someone is going to use the old fashioned term, 'Foul play' before the day is out."
"What do you mean?" asks Noctis suspiciously.
"Those holes in the planking, for example," explains Favell, biting into the chicken. "Those holes that were drilled from the inside." He pauses a moment to give Noctis a sly look while savoring the flavor of the chicken. "Am I boring you with this? Well," he reaches into his breast pocket to show them a card. "I have a note here from Rebecca. What's more is that she even had the foresight to write the date."
"What makes you think that note would interest me?" demands Noctis in a collected tone.
"I would think it would. You see, I was at a party that night that she died and so I didn't get her note until the next morning." He takes another bite of chicken. "And I can tell you that it is not the note of a woman who plans on drowning herself that same night."
He finishes up his chicken leg and gently waves it in front of them.
"What do you do with old bones?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "You throw them away, don't you?" He makes a show of chucking the bone out the window and then wiping his hands delicately with a linen napkin. "You know Noct, I'm awfully tired of being a luxury car salesman. Of being that guy who drives a car that isn't his own and watching guys like you, who don't work for anything you own, drive away in them. I think I'd like to live a comfortable life somewhere in the country and enjoy myself. Nothing as grand as old Manderely by any means, but a nice sized place that would suit me just fine. I'm not sure how much it would take for me to live like that, but I'd like to talk it over with you."
He gives Noctis a malicious look that makes his intent to blackmail clear.
Noctis meets the smug grin steadily with no discernible expression on his face. His usual air of indifference in place, but the anger is more in control this time. The mood in the car is rife with tension when Ignis throws open the door.
"Favell," Ignis states with no little amount of distaste in his tone and expression, before he turns to Noctis. "You needed to see me, Noctis?"
"Yes," Noctis replies, though his eyes do not leave Favell's. "It seems Favell and I need to conduct a business transaction." They both continue to stare at each other steadily as he speaks. "And I do not think that we should have it inside the car."
"What a great idea!" cries Favell with a wide grin.
"The pub should have a private room," suggests Noctis.
Favell eagerly exits their car and makes his way towards it while Noctis leans in to whisper to Ignis.
"Get the Colonel and meets us there."
"Yes, Noctis," replies Ignis before quickly making his way.
Noctis takes hold of her hand to keep her firmly at his side as they follow along behind Favell to the pub. He asks her if she is sure she wants to be around all this. When she responds with a stubborn set of her chin, he relents with a soft smile before turning to the owner of the pub and asking for a private room for them. The bustling man seems honored to have them in his establishment and quickly ushers them toward the back where they can be by themselves. Favell makes a show of ordering their most expensive whiskey while smirking in Noctis' direction.
"I feel like I can suddenly afford to splurge," Favell says smugly.
Ignis arrives just then, with the Colonel close behind.
"Ah, I am glad that you could join us so quickly," Noctis greets the Colonel with a smile.
"Oh I know the Colonel," Favell says uneasily.
"Then you also know that the Colonel is the head of the police around here," Noctis points out smoothly. "Now why don't you tell him what you were telling me."
"Favell," the Colonel says with the same amount of distaste as Ignis had shown earlier.
"I asked you here, Colonel, because Favell here just presented a vital piece of evidence that he offered to withhold if I made it worth his while," Noctis states calmly.
"I did no such thing!" denies Favell. "I was just suggesting that I would like to retire to the country."
"At my expense," inserts Noctis with a level look. "Why don't you show the Colonel here what you were waving at me earlier?"
"What have you got Favell?" demands the Colonel cooly.
"I was merely trying to put together the pieces from today's revelations at the inquest regarding Rebecca's death. More precisely that she committed suicide and I have something here that would throw that out of court," explains Favell.
"Well then, what does the note say?" demands the Colonel.
Favell takes the thick card stock out of his breast pocket and hands it gingerly to the Colonel.
"Why don' t you read it, Colonel?" Favell offers.
"My darling Jack, I have just been to the doctor and I am rushing on towards Manderley. I'll be at the cottage tonight and will leave the door open for you. I have something terribly important to tell you. Rebecca," read the Colonel aloud.
"Now does that sound like the note of a woman who planned to kill herself?" asks Favell. "Especially by going through all the trouble of driving holes into planks and drowning herself. Colonel, as an officer of the law, don't you think that those are grounds of suspicion?"
"Of murder?" asks the Colonel in disbelief.
"What else? You've known Noctis a long time, haven't you?" insinuates Favell knowingly. "You know that he's the old fashioned type. One that would die to defend his honor. Or who would kill for it."
"That's black mail," accuses Ignis.
"Black mail brings a lot of trouble to a lot of people," states the Colonel, looking at Favell disapprovingly. "And most times it is the blackmailer that ends up in a lot more trouble and most likely in jail."
"Oh, I see," says Favell with a glare. "You're going to dismiss the facts to stand by the murderer there just because he holds a title and he gives you the honor of being in his company."
"I would be very careful if I were you, Favell," warns the Colonel. "You've just brought up a very serious accusation of murder. Have you any witnesses?"
"I do," insists Favell. "That halfwit, Ben. If the Inquisitor wasn't so dismissive, he would have known that Ben was lying."
"Lying about what?"
"We caught him once, looking through the window at us while Rebecca and I were together," explains Favelll. "Rebecca threatened him. That if he told anyone what he saw she would send him to the asylum. That was probably why he was afraid to speak. But he was always hanging around. I'm sure he saw the whole thing!"
"It's ridiculous just listening to you," says Ignis with a roll of his eyes.
"If I'm not wrong there, Ignis, there is a hint of menace in you towards me, isn't there?" Favell asks with a belligerent smirk. "He didn't have any luck with Rebecca... but he might have better luck this time." He eyes her and then looks pointedly at Ignis. "I'm sure the bride will be eternally grateful for more than your arm... in a week or so."
That being the last straw, Noctis punches Favelll squarely in the jaw, bursting the other man's lip.
"Noctis please!" she cries, with the shouts of the other two men in the room.
It takes the both of them to hold Noctis back from landing another blow.
Favell wipes his jaw and makes sure to put considerable distance between him and Noctis before daring to speak again.
"That temper will get the better of you yet, Noctis," warns Favell, when there is a knock at the door.
The bartender brings along their whiskey and Favell takes a hard swig of the harsh liquor.
"Can I bring you anything else?" asks the bartender.
"Yes," answers Favell, pouring himself another drink. "You might want to bring the Prince a sedative."
"We won't be needing anything else," replies the Colonel, urging the man to take his leave. He makes sure Noctis will stay on his own side before walking towards the middle of the room. When the door closes again, he turns to Favell. "Now let's just get this business over with. Since you've brought all this up, you should also provide us with a motive."
"Ah, yes!" cries Favell. "And I can! Now if you'll just wait a moment, I can provide that too." He pushes his way towards the door and leaves them.
"I wish you would go home," Noctis says gently, rushing to her. "You should not be here to see all this."
"Please let me stay with you, Noctis," she pleads, placing herself in his arms.
He holds her to him comfortingly before guiding her to sit in one of the chairs.
"Colonel, surely you're not going to actually listen to what Favell has to say," argues Ignis.
"I'm just as suspicious of Favell as you are, Ignis," reassures the Colonel. "But it is my job to make sure that we consider all avenues before we lay this all to rest."
"I agree entirely, Colonel," Favell says with a grin as he reenters the room. "With something so serious as this, we must be sure to cover over every point, explore every avenue. Ah, here she is." He motions to the entering Mrs. Etro. "Etty, I believe you know everyone the room already."
"Mrs. Etro...," begins the Colonel.
"Now, I think I should be the one to handle this, Colonel," Favell states. "I'm the only one that will be able to handle this witness."
He makes a show of leaning towards Mrs. Etro in a familiar fashion.
"Now, Etty, who was Rebecca's doctor?"
"The royal family has a physician that visits regularly..."
"No, not that doctor, Etty," interrupts Favell. "The one Rebecca saw in the city."
"I don't know what you mean," is the stiff reply.
"Don't give me that, Etty," Favell says with a shake of his head. "You knew everything about Rebecca. You also knew that Rebecca was in love with me," he gloats. "You knew of all those splendid times that we had in that little cottage over there by the beach."
Mrs. Etro looks at Favell critically. "She had a right to amuse herself, didn't she?" Mrs. Etro demanded. "Love was a game to her. Only a game. The way she used to laugh. She used to double over with laughter at the lot of you." She tosses her head towards the three younger men in the room.
"Can you think of any reason for the former Princess to take her own life?" the Colonel asks gently.
"No, I won't believe it. I knew everything about her and I refuse to believe it," Mrs. Etro denies with tears forming in her eyes.
"See!" insists Favell. "It's impossible and she knows it as well as I do." He turns to Mrs. Etro. "Now, listen to me Etty. We knew the day Rebecca died, she went to the doctor, didn't she?"
"No," Mrs. Etro says with a sniff.
"I know you're trying to protect Rebecca, but you must see that I'm trying to do the same thing. I'm trying to prove that she wouldn't kill herself," insists Favell. "We're talking about the fact that Rebecca was murdered."
Mrs. Etro looks at Favell in sharp surprise.
"Not only was she murdered, her murderer was Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum," accuses Favell, gesturing towards Noctis with a grand flourish.
Mrs. Etro gapes at Noctis in complete shock. Her pale face waits in almost hopeful expectation for him to deny it. Hatred slowly seeps into her eyes when he remains silent against the accusation.
"There was a doctor," Mrs. Etro admits. "The Princess sometimes went to him privately. She had been going to him even since before she was married."
"We're not interested in reminisces here, Etty," Favells says impatiently. "What was his name?"
Mrs. Etro's black eyes glare at Noctis for a few moments before she not only gives the name of a Dr. Baker but his address as well.
"There is your motive, Colonel," Favell gloats confidently. "Go and question Dr. Baker. He will tell you that Rebecca was going to have a child. A lovely curly haired child."
"That isn't true," insists Mrs. Etro. "She would have told me."
"Maybe she didn't get the chance," suggest Favell. "She told Noctis about it and being the old school fellow that he is, knowing that the child was definitely not his, he killed her to save face!"
The accusing look in Mrs. Etro eyes is unnerving and almost maniacal in their intensity. It makes one shudder.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to question this, Dr. Baker," says the Colonel.
"Yes! I think that is a splendid idea," concurs Favell. "For safety's sake I think I'd like to come along too."
"Yes, unfortunately I believe you have the right to come along," concedes the Colonel, gathering his hat and heading towards the door. "I'll have the Inquest put on hold pending further evidence."
"I say, Colonel, aren't you afraid that your prime suspect might try to escape?" suggests Favell, giving Noctis a snide look.
The Colonel gives him an impatient look. "You have my word that he will not do that," he vouches.
"Toodaloo there Noct," Favell says flippantly, making his way towards the door behind the Colonel. "Let's go Etty. We should give the couple their last few precious moments alone."
He gives them one last smirk before walking out the door. Mrs. Etro is not quick to follow. She watches them evenily behind her black eyes, with condemnation in their depths, before slowly walking out the door herself.
No words can be spoken. Only the reassurances of touch. He embraces her and she embraces him. All the love she feels, she places in the kiss she gives him while savoring the feeling of being in his arms. When they part, Noctis offers her a small smile before he places a strong arm around her and leads her out towards the car. Ignis discreetly keeps watch for any stray reporters and follows along behind them. She walks with Noctis, arm in arm, to the car and he makes sure to help her inside.
"You take the car home, luv," Noctis says once she's climbed in. "I will go with Ignis in the other car."
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" she offers.
"No, it would be too tiring for you," he replies. "I will be back as soon as I can tonight. I will not even stop to sleep."
His gentle assurances warm her heart and she finds herself falling a little more in love with him for it.
"I will be waiting for you. No matter how late," she promises, giving him one last kiss before climbing into the car.
Making sure to close the door gently behind her, he taps on to it to signal the driver that she is ready. His eyes never leave her face as the car starts to move away and he blows her one last kiss in parting. He hates that he cannot even offer her any promises that all will be well because he does not know. More than likely this trip would convict him. With a heavy sigh, he turns to Ignis and makes his way to the other car for the long drive into the city.
A couple hours later sees them in a dingy doctor's office in the middle of a seedy part of Nihilsomno and he wonders how someone like Rebecca could venture to such a place by herself and not draw a lot of attention. How had she been able to come and go from such a place without it being reported to someone? Perhaps it was because of its underworld feel that it had been safe for her. There was no telling what things Rebecca came to see this doctor for and he refuses to allow himself to wonder too hard. He already knew more than he wanted of that woman. Meanwhile he, Ignis, the Colonel and Favell all gather in that small, dank office to question the doctor.
"I know you must realize the man that we're here with," starts the Colonel, gesturing towards Noctis.
"Your Majesty," Dr. Baker bids with a respectful bow. "My wife was reading about it in this morning's paper. My sincere condolences…"
"Oh this going to take forever at this rate," complains Favell impatiently. "Let's just get down to the point shall we?"
"Put yourself together. I will handle the questioning here," orders the Colonel sternly before looking towards Dr. Baker. "We are here investigating the death of the Princess."
"The Princess?" asks Dr. Baker in surprise. "Why would you think to come here for that?"
"We are assuming that she came to you under a false identity," explains the Colonel.
"When would she have come to see me?" asks Dr. Baker in disbelief.
"The 13th of last April," states the Colonel.
"I have my ledger here," Dr. Baker says, rising from his chair and walking towards his computer. He takes a moment to click on a few items before pulling it up. "No, I don't have any Mrs. Caelum here."
"Could you read off the lists of people you did see?" asks the Colonel.
"I have a Smith, Peters, Johnson, Etro…"
"Etty?" shouts Favell, bending down beside the doctor to have a look at the screen.
"Yes, I had a patient named Mrs. Etro," states the Doctor in genuine bafflement as to the reaction of the other men in the room.
"What did she look like?" asks Favell.
"Let's see…," Dr. Baker thinks to himself. "Oh I remember her. She always concealed her face, but I could tell that she must be a very beautiful woman. I remember she was always exquisitely dressed."
"That sounds like Rebecca," states Favell.
"So you're saying that she came to me with a false name?" asks the doctor, looking as if something suddenly made sense in his mind. "That's a surprise. I had known her a long time."
"Doctor, can you think of a reason why the woman that you remember would commit suicide?" asks Ignis.
"Murdered you mean!" cries Favell angrily. "Come on doctor! She was going to have a child wasn't she? Why else would a woman of her class come to a dumpy place like this?"
"I trust it is all right to speak?" asks the doctor uneasily. "I do have client/patient confidentiality to worry about."
"I assure you, we would not be here unless it was absolutely necessary," says the Colonel.
The doctor looks at each of them in turn. "If you want to know if I can give you a reason for her suicide?" he pauses for a moment. "Yes, I believe I can."
"What?" balks Favell.
"The woman who called herself Mrs. Etro was very seriously ill."
"She was not going to have a child?" asks Noctis through a choked throat.
"That's what she thought at first and was why she came to see me," explains Dr. Baker. He clicks on a few more items and pulls up the file. "I quickly surmised that she was not and had her see a specialist. Her appointment that day was to get the results of the tests." He swivels in his chair to look at all of them. "She had a very advanced case of cancer. It was too late for any treatment, nothing that could be done for her. I remember she was standing right there and told me that she didn't want any of it sugar coated. That if she was for it, to just come out and tell her. I knew she wasn't someone who beat around the bush so I let her have it all." He shakes his head. "I do remember something odd that she said. When I told her that she had at least six months she said, 'Oh no doctor. Not that long'. A queer smile on her face. I never saw her after that so I assumed…" He cuts himself off and looks at Noctis with a kind smile. "Your wife was a wonderful woman, your Majesty. I am very sorry for your loss."
Noctis cannot speak in response to that. If the doctor only knew what kind of wife, what kind of woman she had been, he would not think to say such things. Even in death, the woman left everyone completely enamored by her.
"Thank you very much for your help, Doctor Baker," says the Colonel and they all stand to leave. "I am going to need a copy of those files so we can officially lay this all to rest."
"I am very glad I could help with anything for the royal family," says the Doctor.
He does not pay much more attention after that. All he can feel is a supreme sense of relief that it was finally over. Finally. All this time agonizing about what would happen to him once they found Rebecca's body. All those nights restlessly pacing the floors and wondering when the gauntlet would fall. They were over. It was all in the past and no one could think he was at fault. He does not know what to say. He cannot express how grateful he is that he would not be blamed.
They all walk back outside towards their cars in various states of shock and surprise. Ignis asks the Colonel whether it would be necessary to continue on with the inquest. Which the Colonel reassures will not be necessary in light of this new evidence. It seemed too clear to him that there was no further reason to trouble anyone with questioning on the matter. It was all so very clear now.
"Is it chilly here? Or is it just me?" shivers Favell from beside them. "I need a drink! I had not idea. I'm sure Etty didn't know either."
The cad looks so visibly shake by the revelation that he could almost feel sorry for him.
Almost, but not really.
"How about I take you back, Colonel," Favell offers.
"I'm staying in town tonight and will head back tomorrow morning," the Colonel says with a frown. "Let this be a lesson to you, Favell, that blackmail is never the answer."
"I have no idea what you mean," Favell says flippantly. "But if you ever need a car, you come on over to me and I'll cut you a great deal." The flamboyant man beats a hasty retreat towards his car with his mobile to his ear.
An uneasy shiver runs through Noctis, realizing that he must be calling Mrs. Etro with the news. There was no one else that man would have to call.
"I'm sorry to have to drag you through all this needlessly, Your Majesty," apologizes the Colonel. "Now you can finally put this all behind you for good. You should rush off to your wife. I'm sure she's beside herself with worry."
"Yes, I will do just that, thank you Colonel," he replies with a grateful smile.
The Colonel tips his hat and bids Ignis a farewell too before he goes his way and calls a cab. Alone with his good friend, they trades a look and Noctis allows a sigh of relief. Only to have that relief replaced with the feeling that something is still wrong. Looking at Ignis, he feels he needs to clear the air.
"There is something that I have to tell you, Ignis. Something you do not know," Noctis says.
Ignis shakes his head. "No, there isn't anything I don't know, Noct."
"I did not kill her, Ignis," Noctis says bluntly and sees the surprise in Ignis' eyes. So Ignis had believed he had killed Rebecca and had still been at his side all this time. The other man's constant loyalty through everything is most humbling. "But I know now that when she told me about the child, she wanted me to kill her. That is why she stood there laughing…" He says weakly, unable to continue.
"Don't worry about it anymore," says Ignis with a smile and pat on the shoulder. "It's over now."
"Yes," he agrees. "It really is over."
"Come on," Ignis says, motioning for him to get into the driver's seat. "Let's hurry back to Manderley."
That sounded like the best idea because his anxiety grows again at the mention of his home. He feels an overwhelming urge to hurry back.
While he manages to call the house and let his wife know that all was well, he still feels that same sense of urgency to rush back to her. The night is dark and the car is going as fast as he can drive it without getting into any accidents, but the uneasiness does not abate. It only grows with each mile that is eaten up.
"When you phoned earlier, what did she say?" asks Ignis to take away some of the tension.
"I told her to go to sleep but she would not hear of it," Noctis replies, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. "I wish I could get more speed out of this thing."
"What's worrying you, Noct?"
"I just cannot get over the feeling that something is wrong," he replies, trying to push the car even faster.
An hour goes by and they are just entering the property when he screeches to a halt at what he sees over the tops of the tall trees.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Ignis asks, shaken awake by the abrupt stop.
"What does that look like to you?" Noctis asks, staring at the glow from over the treetops.
"Er, sometimes in winter you can see the Northern Lights," states Ignis.
"Those are not the Northern Lights," he cries, stepping harshly onto the accelerator. "That is Manderley!"
He roars through the lane at break neck speed to come to another screeching halt at the sight of his home on fire. The entire structure is alight in waves of fire while the servants, still in their sleeping clothes, are trying to salvage as much as they can from the scorching flames. He jumps out of the car without bothering to shut off the engine and rushes over to Frank.
"Frank! Frank, have you seen the Princess!" he shouts over the rush of servants and cracking fire.
"I…," the kindly older butler looks so lost and disoriented. "I thought I saw her, your Majesty."
He does not wait before he takes off at a run, weaving through panicked people in search of her.
"Noctis!" he hears over all the noise.
Noctis whirls around at the sound of his name in her voice and crashes into her, crushes her into his arms. "Are you all right?" he asks, pulling back to look her over.
Casper is at her feet faithfully and he feels like he can finally breathe again.
"Noctis, Mrs. Etro. She's mad!" she cries, staring at the open flames in anguish. "She said she would rather destroy Manderley than see us happy here." She buries her face in his chest and he pulls her even tighter against him.
"Over there! In the West Wing!" someone cries and they all turn to stare at the lone, black figure that stands inside Rebecca's room.
Mrs. Etro stands there, stoically, as the flames devour the entire room around her. Her stance looks triumphant and even from this distance, Noctis can see the crazed look in her eyes. A fanatical look that said that she thought she had won by destroying the house that had housed her and Rebecca. That she had destroyed the house that would only have Rebecca as its mistress. He can almost see her smiling at them, much like Rebecca had in death, until a large beam falls from the ceiling and crushes her underneath its massive weight.