Tyrion arrived at the palace late into the night. He was guided by a guard who led him to where his father, Edgar, Rafael, and Elijah had fortunately still gathered before they would set out to continue the search for Quinn’s victims.
Tyrion walked with haste, avoiding running since it would alert the servants and visitors to trouble.
Tyrion soon entered the throne room, and all chatter stopped.
"I am sorry to be late, but I needed to escort my wife to the Collins estate. She is safe and so is your family," Tyrion informed Edgar.
Edgar didn’t respond, but he was pleased Tyrion was wise to take Penelope to the estate.
"I hope to hear news that they are both dead," said Tyrion. The source of thɪs content is novｅlfire.net
"As of now, only Cassius is dead. Quinn has returned to his home, where palace guards will watch him. He is not permitted to leave his home and is to have a guard at his side at all times. I know it is not what anyone wants," Tobias said, looking at Rafael, who argued with him.
"He’s the murderer we’ve been searching for," Elijah informed Tyrion.
"So, you’re trying to keep him alive to find out if he has other victims. My memory of this might be wrong, but didn’t Simon kill himself when he was caught?" Tyrion asked.
They could not have a repeat of the past. Quinn needed to face the consequences of his actions. He needed to be killed, not have the pleasure of killing himself, but this was possible with him out of sight.
"Yes, that is what happened. We are doing everything in our power not to have Quinn slip away or kill himself, but what matters most to me is confirming whether or not he has more victims," Tobias explained.
Tobias wanted Quinn to die as much as everyone else wanted it, but he would like to get any young ladies or men who were missing back to their homes.
"This town has suffered far too much tragedy. I cannot have another death shadow this town and another family weeping their loss. Quinn must die, but we need to bring the innocent home. Promise me that you will all hold your anger to do it," Tobias said, needing each man present to be at their best.
"I will hold off my desire to kill him as long as you place him in my hands when he is captured again. For killing my people, he and his brother must be handed over to us. Dead or alive," Rafael said, offering his hand to Tobias for it to be shaken.
Tobias stared at Rafael’s hand. "He has killed my people as well. The innocent family members will want to see him face trial here."
"He may face a trial here, but then he can face his punishment at the border. Either you give him to me willingly, or I take him by force. You decide," Rafael said, his hand still waiting for Tobias to strike the deal.
"I will have him sent to the border once he is dealt with here. I would feel better knowing he is not here, for I might kill him myself. Now, are you certain you searched his land well? There weren’t any secret doors or paths?" Tobias asked.
"Our guards searched every bit of ground he owned. Even in William’s home, there was nothing," Edgar answered, tired of going in circles.
"He spoke of paintings of your daughters and son," Tobias said, threading lightly since Edgar was already angry.
"I don’t want to speak of it. They were all destroyed," said Edgar.
Tyrion looked at Edgar, wanting to know more about the paintings. Since Edgar didn’t want to speak of them, they couldn’t have been decent.
This only infuriated Tyrion even more.
"All along that bastard was William’s son," Tyrion muttered.
Tyrion only knew of William from the old cases he was forced to read during his studies. He would never have been able to guess who Quinn’s father was since William wasn’t someone he thought of outside of his studies, and there wasn’t a portrait of William around for Quinn to be compared to.
"We are wasting time standing around here," Edgar pointed out.
"We need a direction to follow. We need someone who is close to Quinn or was close to Cassius. I’m told he was adored by the ladies taking part in the season. Did either of you notice him with a lady who is not seen now?" Tobias questioned Elijah and Tyrion.
"Penelope once informed me of a young lady named Harper being smitten with him. She tried to warn her to stay away from Cassius, but I am certain she didn’t listen. Her father’s business wasn’t doing well," Tyrion said.
"It was in good order when I heard his name. He tried to visit me to speak of doing business with him, but I declined. It is worth looking into. I am going to visit the Monroe family," Edgar said, walking away.
Nothing would be solved if they were standing around.
"My men are still questioning Quinn’s servants and guards. Once I am done speaking to the Monroes, I am going home to my family," Edgar informed the group.
"We need you, Edgar. It is-"
"My family needs me more. We have someone obsessed with my family because I killed his father. I will help you, but I need to be at my family’s side. I must see for myself that they are safe," said Edgar.
"Go," Rafael said, accepting Edgar’s decision. "After what he witnessed, he should go to his family. You will join us tomorrow, right?"
"I will. I only need to see my family soon, since they will worry. I will be in the palace early in the morning," Edgar promised.
"I need to join my father. Excuse me," Elijah said, leaving the group.
"It’s best he goes to keep an eye on Edgar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Edgar were to secretly plan to go to Quinn and kill him. Were the portraits bad?" Tobias asked, seeking more news from Rafael.
"It is not something any father would wish to see. He was angered by the first few portraits, but once the others came out, I thought he would kill the men who were only doing their work. I would not poke at him right now," Rafael said, watching Edgar walk away.
Rafael thought the same for Tyrion when the prince walked off without speaking.
"I must see Rue once more, and then I will go around questioning the men I hold ties to what they know about Quinn. We will find where he kept them, and then he will be held accountable. We will succeed," Rafael said, patting Tobias’s back before walking off.
"I hope so," Tobias said, yet to shake the feeling that something bad awaited them.