Page 22 of Unbroken
“My sister-in-law—something similar happened to her,” Tubbs said, his voice trembling. “Penelope Tubbs—you know her. Knew her.”
Horror washed over Rulkowski’s face. “My God…I was there the night she…are you saying it wasn’t an accident? She was forced to set herself on fire?”
He swayed as if he might faint. Fortunately, Mortimer returned with the glass of water; Rulkowski took it gratefully and drained it. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Siewert’s death wasn’t an accident, either,” Ves said. “Someone seems to be targeting members of the WHS. We’d come to ask you about it, actually. Do you know anyone who would want to kill you?”
Berry took the empty glass from Rulkowski. “He needs rest, not questions.”
“I’d think what he needs is to not be murdered,” Mortimer replied archly.
Rulkowski shook himself, as if emerging from a daze. “The conservatory.” He took a deep breath. “I find it calming. I’ll join you there, once I’ve had a moment to collect myself. Stay with me, Tom?”
“Of course.”
“I’m sure we’ll have no trouble making our way downstairs,” Mortimer said. “Please, take your time—you’ve had quite the scare.”
They retreated downstairs and found their way to the conservatory easily enough. The air inside was steamy and smelled of damp earth and growing things. A brick path wound amidst exotic plants, most of which Ves didn’t recognize, though he thought one might be a banana tree. Massive orchids bloomed everywhere, some overflowing pots, others tucked in the branches of the larger, woodier plants, their epiphytic roots swollen into tentacles.
Benches and seats were scattered throughout the space, including what looked like a more formal sitting area with a table large enough for a tea service. Mortimer sat on a padded bench, Ves beside him. Tubbs took a seat across from them, scowling.
“What did you offer Penelope’s butler for the guest list?” he demanded.
“Nothing,” Mortimer said. “We spoke with Mr. Siewert’s widow.”
Tubbs’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And how did you know Siewert was on the list?”
“Because the party was in his honor, you buffoon,” Mortimer snapped, apparently out of patience. “And, as it turns out, he was a victim as well.”
“How can you know that? I thought he died alone in an accident.”
“We encountered his bloodsucking corpse in an abandoned building,” Ves informed him.
Tubbs’s face flushed dark red with anger. “What an absurd lie. Of course you librarians want to keep your secrets, refusing to let the knowledge you hoard to escape to anyone else, no matter what good it might do?—”
Thankfully Ves’s sharp hearing picked up approaching footsteps. “Shh—they’re coming.”
Tubbs subsided, still looking furious. A few moments later, Rulkowski appeared with Berry carrying a tea service after him. Rulkowski was wrapped in a dressing gown now, still looking pale and shaky as he settled onto one of the chairs. A plaster showed on the right side of his neck, just above the collar of the dressing gown. He accepted a cup of tea from Berry, but cradled it in his hands rather than drink, as if needing its warmth despite the hot, humid air.
Ves touched his neck in the same place. “What happened?”
“A bug bite of some kind,” Rulkowski said. “You say I’m not the first…victim?” He tried the word as if unsure it fit. “Penelope was…compelled? Is that it? Like me.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“David Siewert was as well,” Tubbs put in, as though he hadn’t just been arguing about the matter.
“In fact, that’s the very reason we came to speak with you,” Mortimer said. “Mrs. Tubbs lingered long enough to tell us she felt as though some outside force took over her body and made her hold the flame to her skirts, then prevented her from trying to put it out.”
Rulkowski put his hand over his eyes. “Oh God. The way Penelope screamed…and the smell.” His skin took on a greenish tinge.
“It was…a difficult death,” Tubbs said unhappily.
“Yes—I’m so sorry.” Rulkowski leaned over and gripped Tubbs’s hand for a moment. “Please, give my condolences to your family. When is the funeral?”
“Tomorrow,” Tubbs said. “Refreshments will be served?—”
“Can you think of anyone who would want to kill the two of you?” Ves broke in.
