The Chase for the White Mist - Chapter Five - Part Three

The Questionnaires Part Three

The duo walked down the slummy part of Frosthall. Alex was surprised that a maid from one of the most talked about families in all of Edward Giledorn’s territory, would live in this part of Frosthall. Don’t maids usually live with the family they serve? He was completely caught up in his own mind, when Mev stopped in front of a rundown building; 3 stories tall, tilting to one side. The muddy street was filled with people, even though it hasn’t rained in the past week. It was set up like a small marketplace, with ventures selling fruits, vegetables and what look like cured meats. 

“Interesting place.” Mev said with as a neutral tone as possible.

“Hello, I’m looking for a Mary. Do you know where I can find her?” Alex asked stepping up to a fruit venture with what looked to be some questionable looking fruits on display. 

“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” replied the greasy looking halfling male, sizing him up. “What’s in it for me?”

“How about a tip on personal hygiene?” Mev snapped, putting her hand inside her dark gray coat, heavy and had seemingly an endless number of pockets within. Alex didn't remember ever seeing her without it. 

“Hold on, my dear Mev. Maybe we can trade something for the information?” Alex interjected. “We can give you something for your trouble. Something very valuable.”

“Yeah? We have a deal. She lives on the third floor to the right in the building behind me. Now give me what you promised.” the smelly halfling speedily replied. 

“Thank you, mister and here you go.” Alex smiled, pointing to Mev, who pulled out a bar of soap and threw it to the halfling. “Something very valuable.”

The duo walked past the stunted halfling, looking first at the bar of soap in his hands and then up at the alex and then down at Mev. They entered the building, walked past talking mothers and daughters, old ladies preparing vegetables and children playing. They ascended to the third floor and easily found the apartment they were looking for. 

“You know I can’t stand it.” Mev complained, “it requires so little.”

“I know.” Alex replied.

“Twice every week, scrub those armpits and wash that butt and you’re good,” Mev continued. 

“I know.” Alex replied again, as he knocked on the door.

“I’m just saying. And did you see those vegetables?” Mev gagged. “Who would buy…?”

The last part of Mev’s sentence was cut off, as a pre-adolescent half-fiend swung up the door with a “what?”

“Good day, young sir!” Alex started, not missing a step. “Is there any chance, your mother is home?” 

“Mary!” the half-fiend screamed over his shoulder as he left the apartment and walked past the duo. 

A half dressed young human female with curly blond hair and a baby on the arm came to the door. “Marcus? Where are you going? I swear that boy… oh hello? Can I help you?”

“Good day miss. Charming boy you have there.” Alex said with his warmest smile. “We are Alex and Mev. We are investigating your mistress' lost artifact, and we would like to ask you a couple of questions about the night Lady Whitecroft hosted the harvest dinner.” 

“Yeah? What about it?” Mary snickered. “You think I took it?”

“No, no. Not at all. We only need to validate your mistress’ alibi.” Alex replied a bit flustered by the barely dressed lady in front of him. “Do you mind if we come in for a bit, we only have a couple of questions. And maybe you could put a bit more clothes on?”

“Oh? Yes of course, can you hold this one, while I get dressed?” Mary laughed. “And it’s Mrs not miss.”

###

A short while later, Alex and Mev were sitting on a clothes cover sofa holding a baby. Thankfully the baby was quiet. For now. It was a small apartment, the kitchen, living room and dining room were the same room. All the other rooms, it seems to Alex, were children’s rooms. All two of them. 

“What do you want to know?” Mary shouted from the other room.

“What do you remember from the evening?” Alex shouted back. “You were working in the kitchen, correct?”

“I was. I usually help in the dining hall, but Lady Whitecroft didn’t appreciate my 4 year old throwing up on my skirt as I left for work.” Mary smirked as she entered the living space, wearing her maids uniform. Alex caught himself staring a bit too long at Mary’s ample bosom. “Good too, some of those “gentlemen” can get rather handies with staff as the night goes on.” 

“Right, alcohol can do that to a man.” Alex apologized. “Do you remember seeing the lady at all that night?” 

“I did. I was carrying out waste for collection around midnight, when I saw the lady enter a carriage. But when I went inside I saw her walking up the stairs to the hall.” Mary replied a bit sheepishly. “I know how it sounds. But I am certain that I saw her leaving in a carriage.”

“And you are sure, it was not one of the guests who looked like her?” Mev asked, skeptical. 

“Yes, everyone knows not to wear white to one of lady Evelyn whitecroft’s dinners. She always wears white.” Mary replied instantly. 

“Thank you, Mary.” Alex said smiling, standing up and handing the baby to her mother. 

“You’re welcome, are there any things else you need answers to?” Mary asked.

“Thank you, but no. We wish you a lovely day.” Alex replied, still smiling. “We’ll see ourselves out.”

“Pleasure to meet you!” she called after them, as they left.

“Alex! Wasn’t that a bit rude?” Mev chastised, when they got down to the second floor.

“Yes, it was. I’m sorry. But the baby started to smell and I was not sure that I would be able to handle the aftermath.” Alex replied, his tone low and his face red. Mev bursted into laughter, almost falling down the stairs as she could barely stand. 

“Anyway.” Alex said in a tone a bit too loud, his face as red as a tomato. “We got a lead, Mary saw Lady Whitecroft leave the party.” 

“Ehm, so she says, but we talked to the rest of the staff, and they say they saw Lady Whitecroft in the dinner hall.” Mev answered, holding back laughter. 

“There is only one way to find out.” Alex exclaimed, still red in the face  and scowling a bit as they walked down the last flight of stairs. “We need to talk to a guest.”

“So? We are going to your mother’s next?” Mev beamed. “This day is turning out to be quite a delight.”

“Yes, what a day.” Alex said in a dry voice, holding two fingers to the bridge of his nose. “And I get to finish it with a visit to my mother.” 

“I know, quite the delight.” Mev smiled. 

“I have to finish something before we go there.” Alex replied. “Do you mind if we meet there in a couple of hours?”

“Yes, I do. I want to know what this is about.” Mev looked up at Alex.

“I’ll tell you tonight, deal?” Alex tried to dodge. “It has something to do with the case, but what I’m trying to do requires a lot of delicate negotiation and I’m so close to finding the answers. Tonight, I promise.”

Alex headed down towards the docks. “So close.”