Page 14 of Heir of Uncertain Magic

Merritt mulled on that. “Does he have living family? Who would want the body for burial?”

Hulda shook her head. “No, none. Not that I’ve ever researched, and believe me, I’m very familiar with Mr.Hogwood’s genealogical line.” She sighed. “That, and who could have known he’d died? And that Myra was involved? She’s very efficient.”

“With hiding bodies?”

Hulda bristled. “In general.”

Merritt leaned against the closest tree. “Any idea who might have sent it?”

She shook her head.

“Someone tied to BIKER?”

“I highly doubt she would have involved anyone else from BIKER. Most of its employees are contractors. But LIKER certainly suspects something, even if it’s just what they’ve evidenced from receipts and reports.” She let out a long breath and turned toward the road, subtly signaling Merritt to follow. “I found addresses of recent letters as well; I’m going to write to them and see if I can find her whereabouts. The quickest way to solve this would be to talk to Myra directly.”

Merritt nodded. “I wonder why she’d leave this on your shoulders.”

“She couldn’t have meant to. I know her. She ...” Hulda drew in a deep breath. When Merritt offered his elbow, she took it. “She couldn’t have meant to,” she repeated. “She wouldn’t have known about LIKER, surely. When I came to the office to investigate before, I didn’t find any letter or telegram announcing their arrival; I believe it came after her disappearance. Oh, I don’t know!” She pressed her fingers to her forehead. Merritt could only imagine the sort of headache that must be blooming there. “I don’t know.”

“Start with the addresses,” he offered, trying to ground her. “One thing at a time.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Do you want to head to the post office?”

“No. No, I have an appointment for you at the Genealogical Society.”

The Genealogical Society for the Advancement of Magic, she meant—a private organization with broad reach, seeking to track wizards and their genetic lines in hopes of creating magicked pairs in a futile attempt to slow the dilution of sorcery. Merritt scuffed the toe of his shoe as the conversation suddenly turned to him. “Already?”

A slight smile tugged on the corner of Hulda’s mouth as she glanced at him. “I, too, am efficient.” It faded. After a moment, she said, “There’s the issue of replacing her.”

Myra, she meant. Shrugging, Merritt offered, “They should just have you do it.”

She hesitated. “Mr.Walkerdidname me a candidate.”

Merritt paused his steps and met her eyes, trying to read her face. Her countenance still held to worry. “And what are your thoughts on that?”

“I ...” She pushed her glasses up with her free hand, though they hadn’t slipped so much as a millimeter. “I never considered it before. BIKER and Myra ... they’ve always been coequal to me. I never thought of separating them.” She paused, rolling her lips together, looking toward the lowering sun. “My entire path in life has always focused on my career. It’s been the one thing I could control, for the most part.” She glanced at her hand in the crook of his elbow; Merritt flexed, squeezing her fingers, earning the slightest smile in response. “So yes, I want it. Not only for myself, but if I’m appointed director, I’ll have the ability to protect what Myra built. I would hate to see it go to someone else. Especially someone less ... involved.” She met his eyes. “So you understand why I must remain completely professional at BIKER. I need to portray myself as the most eligible person to take over.”

He nodded. “I understand.” Smirking, he added, “I’ll be the best associate of your acquaintance.”

She rolled her eyes.

They walked a few steps before Merritt realized something. “You wouldn’t keep houses anymore. If you became director.”

Her pace slowed. “I suppose not.” She pressed close to him to allow another couple to pass by. “But I haven’t gotten the position yet. It’s between me, Mrs.Thornton, and Mr.Baillie.”

He took a second to place the names. “Baillie. The hysterian?”

“The lawyer, yes.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “I suppose I’ll have to wait and see what happens. Put my best foot forward and be as embroiled as possible. Show my abilities, my skills, even if it means working long hours. In the meantime, LIKER is under the impression that Whimbrel House is still enchanted, domesticated, and under the care of its staff.”

Not a hard ruse to keep up, if it came down to it. These long hours meant less time at Whimbrel House, but Merritt didn’t point it out. No need to increase her stress. With luck, she’d get the appointment by the end of the week. True, Merritt had never met the infamous Mrs.Thornton, and he didn’t really know Baillie, either, but Hulda seemed the obvious choice. She was available, she was actually a BIKER employee, and she was the most competent person Merritt had ever encountered.

They turned down the street for the Genealogical Society. Lowering his voice, Merritt asked, “And will you tell them about Myra?”

She pinched her lips together, considering. “I ... don’t think I will. Not yet. As far as I’m concerned, Myra’s involvement with Mr.Hogwood, while hardly ethical, has come to its conclusion. It’s completed and done. She’s already given up her position as director in atonement. I ... don’t want to hurt her further. And I don’t understand the rest of it.” She touched her pocket. “I’m afraid to do anything that might have enduring consequences before I see the full picture.”

“That’s noble of you.”

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