Page 6 of The King's Man 4

“Redcloak witnesses said one of these men visited your inn. Can you identify which one?”

The keeper jerks his finger. “That one. That man was there. He disappeared—”

“Thank you, that will be all for now.”

My stomach has dropped into my feet.

I glance once more towards Quin, struggling to keep my composure. This accusation could kill Nicostratus. From all I’ve seen of this world, justice—true justice—is hard to come by. Instead, suspicion, intrigue, or someone more powerful determines guilt. Nicostratus was afraid of falling into his uncle’s trap last night. Has he fallen into it anyway?

Quin meets my gaze, unwaveringly confident, and that... comforts me. I give the smallest nod back.

“First inspection indicates the soldiers were poisoned.” The constable is grim faced. “Possibly echowisp, which is only found in West Wind fields outside Hinsard. We’ll investigate whether you’d have had access to it.”

“No need,” Nicostratus says. “I’m sure the inn I stayed at is on those fields. But I didn’t kill these men.”

Quin snaps his cane towards us and bows shallowly to the head constable, not once looking our way. “If you’ll give me permission, I’ll look over this again. See if we missed anything.”

Investigating something like this must be time consuming and tedious; Michealios looks relieved he has someone willing to do the job for him. He orders his men to escort the prince back to his manor. “You understand that for the duration of our investigation, you’ll be under house arrest.”

Two armed men flank Nicostratus. He accepts their escort docilely, but his gaze flickers when he turns to me with a calming smile. He wants me to find Quin.

I swallow and curl my hand.

The outpost is perched on a rocky hill that stands between the city of Hinsard and any threat coming from the open plains and canals to the south. I pay the driver who carted me to the base of the hill and climb the last stretch, passing the odd clump of hardy shrubbery as I head towards sturdy stone walls, an impressive watchtower, and hopefully, Constable Quin.

I glimpse him leaning on his cane at a gate, stoic-faced redcloaks lining either side, and hurry my step. If I don’t catch him before he goes in, I’ll be stuck out here until he’s done. My stomach can’t handle the unease.

“Constable!” I yell, once, twice, three times before Quin turns his head.

The last dozen yards, I’m hyper aware of the soldiers and their hands at the ready. I slow my step, eyes darting between them and dark-eyed Quin, who is turning towards an approaching decorated redcloak.

“You’ve permission to enter,” the redcloak says to him, flicking a frown my way.

“Ah,” Quin says, not missing a beat, “this is my assistant.” He glances at me. “Took your time getting here.”

I bow my head. “Forgive me.”

“Come on then, before these clouds open and we lose any missed evidence.”

I remain at Quin’s heels as he snaps his way inside.

We pass simple barracks and a mess hall that swells with the rowdy laughter of off-duty comrades. In a small picket-fenced herb garden beside the hall, my gaze hitches on a patch of recently upturned soil...

“Keep up,” Quin says, and I hurry after him.

A commanding figure emerges from the largest hut; the redcloak leading us stops with a bow and addresses him. Commander Thalassios.

My head whips to Quin, eyes widening. This is the man he came south to find.

Quin keeps his gaze ahead, his face impassive.

“Your superior was here this morning,” the commander says, eyeing Quin shrewdly.

Quin inclines his head respectfully, playing up his comparatively insignificant status. “We want to be sure we haven’t overlooked anything.”

Over the commander’s shoulder, in the gap of his open door, I glimpse a swish of white lace and blink. The gap is dark once more.

Commander Thalassios’s fist curls. “Be thorough this time.”

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