Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #1)

by Tamsyn Muir

Isaac said: “I have a duty to find out who killed Magnus and Abigail, first and foremost.” “You’re right, Baron Tettares,” said Palamedes warmly, “but trust me, I think answering those three questions will help us quite considerably in solving that mystery. Ninth, Protesilaus was still down in the facility as of last night.” Harrow looked at him blankly. “How do you know?” “We saw him go in,” said the Fourth as one. And Isaac added: “After we eavesdropped on you and the Sixth.” “Good for you. But it makes sense, too. Lady Septimus said He didn’t come back, and when we saw her key ring just now it only had challenge keys—no hatch key. She must have given that to him so he could access the facility by himself—although why, I still don’t know. I bet you the whole of my library’s physical sciences section that he’s still down there. It would be impossible for someone to bring him up without being seen.” “Then we need to go down and look,” said Jeannemary, visibly impatient at the lack of action. “Let’s go!” “Don’t be so Fourth,” said Palamedes. “We should split up. We’re fighting a battle on two fronts here. Frankly—I would not leave Lady Septimus unguarded, sans cavalier, with just the First House to guard her.” Harrowhark said, “Her keys are gone. What’s the attraction now?” Camilla said, “Vulnerability.” “Yes. It can’t just be a game of keys, Nonagesimus. Why did Magnus Quinn and Abigail Pent die, when they had nothing on them but a facility key and their own good selves? W...