Tuesday July 24
"Any letters?" Klein asked as Melissa popped back in the front door from checking the letterbox, a new habit she had added on top of checking when she returned home in the evening.
"Just the paper," she answered simply, but he could detect a subtle disappointment.
He wasn't surprised that Clarice's letter hadn't arrived yet. If she kept to her usual pattern of allowing at least one day between direct interactions with him, then he could expect a reply on Wednesday. Klein suspected it was a calculated move to maintain interest without alarming him.
"Are you anticipating one?" Melissa asked him shrewdly as she carelessly handed the newspaper over to Benson, almost swatting him on the chin.
Expecting, yes. Anticipating? No. He would prefer to discard any letters from Clarice Falkner entirely. If ignoring the problem was enough to resolve it, then he would do so in a heartbeat. But it wasn't the smart move anymore. No, any future correspondence would be read and then filed away in the dossier he prepared before bed: a slim folder containing his previous letters from Clarice.
Klein had wracked his brain to recall advice and cases from Earth, and concluded that he needed to preserve a trail of evidence wherever possible. Ideally, he would have a copy of his own replies, but naturally, he hadn't considered creating duplicates at the time, and had written on loose-leaf paper with no chance of creating rubbings. Thankfully, he had banished her replies to his desk drawer instead of destroying them, so he was not completely without evidence... Still. It was hardly a smoking gun.
The true purpose of Klein's question to Melissa was to set up the perfect opportunity to update his siblings' impressions of Miss Falkner.
Klein had carefully considered and practiced what he would tell them. Having had so many conversations with Benson on the matter - and especially considering how Clarice had reached out to them at the Cathedral - he couldn't risk a misunderstanding.
"I suspect we'll see at least one more letter from Miss Falkner," he replied steadily.
"That's ominous," Benson said frankly, looking at Klein curiously. "Did something happen?"
"You could say that. I encountered her again outside my workplace," Klein recited the partial truth, and thought of last night's divinations, allowing a genuine frown of concern to show on his face. "I suspect she was waiting for me. Regardless, there have been certain revelations about her character. I don't intend to keep in contact."
Since his knowledge of her stalking came from divination, it would be difficult to explain to non-Beyonders. So, he compromised. 'The Divination Club' became his 'workplace', and 'pretending to encounter me coincidentally' became 'waiting for me'. All very reasonable.
"She was waiting outside your work?" Melissa said, a look of bright-eyed realisation blossoming on her face, only for it to crumple into confusion. "That's..."
Benson was frowning, studying Klein's face. "Should we be concerned?"
"I'm handling it," Klein assured them. "She's still the daughter of a baronet, so I do not want to risk slandering her."
"Do you worry we'll gossip to people in high places?" Benson asked with a humorous smirk, having slandered many a richer man at the Moretti family table. "Worry not, I won't spread it around the card tables."
"And I don't gossip," Melissa defended with a surly murmur.
Eh... isn't it more like we only truly gossip with each other?
Klein smiled despite the seriousness of the topic. There was another reason he was not revealing the extent of Miss Falkner's misdeeds: he knew his siblings would use every scrap of information at their disposal to defend him, if the situation took a turn for the worse, and he did not want them to endanger themselves by angering the rich and powerful.
Besides, the idea of telling them about the tea incident was mortifying.
"I know," Klein said placatingly. "One of the things I discovered is that she is deeply unpleasant to her servants. I would not want the friendship of someone who takes so little interest in their employees' welfare. But you must not spread the word of this -- as you can see, it is not a matter that only concerns high society."
"I see," Benson knit his brows. "You are not the type to spout hearsay, so if you say it's 'deeply unpleasant', then I believe you. Yes, to cut ties is very principled of you."
"You're certain it's true?" Melissa asked, levelling him with one of her piercing stares, but rather than her usual suspicious scrutiny, this time it seemed to hold a forlorn hope.
"Absolutely," he replied without hesitation.
"She seemed so friendly," Melissa's hands fisted the long fabric of her dress, her expression one of frustrated outrage. "If it's not a misunderstanding, then that is very two-faced of her. I wonder if the whole family treats servants poorly? If they are used to 'passive income' from the baronetcy, then they could be quite arrogant..."
"A baronet has no guarantee of wealth," Benson corrected, with his usual warmth, gently interrupting the tale Melissa was spinning. She accepted the correction without retort, keenly absorbing the lesson. "They also are not guaranteed a seat in the House of Lords, so their influence is substantially less than an actual member of the peerage. Let that be a small comfort."
"It's the wealth she does have that I'm worried about," Klein cut in. "I'll do my best to resolve things peacefully."
Benson hummed in thought, clearly perturbed. "This may be a tricky balance, Klein, considering her interest in you. If you're certain of the quality of her character..." His older brother sighed deeply, unable to find his usual humour. "How unfortunate. Truly unfortunate. If she is ambushing you at your workplace, then have you warned any of your colleagues of the situation?"
"Don't worry, I intend to today," Klein reassured him, and this time it was the honest truth. When he left for work alone, Melissa and Benson having planned a joint outing to the municipal library later, his mind was already rehearsing his next conversation.
Klein would have preferred to resolve the matter privately, but he had an intuition that the more people who could corroborate his story, the better off he'd be. Just like how he handled most Beyonder matters, now that he'd determined he could use the Nighthawks' help, he could be honest about the situation.
Plus, explaining to the Nighthawks how he had discovered her actions was much simpler when he could say, "I divined it!"
He had divined the matter for good measure, making sure to use the pendulum as he was unwilling to risk another binary answer from the coin. Reassured by the strong positive, the only question left had been who he should tell.
The idea of announcing it to the entire company felt melodramatic. If he told a few key people, then the information would spread as-needed, and he wouldn't need to put this social disaster on parade.
Captain Dunn was a definite, and he should warn Rozanne in-case Clarice tries to visit... In a way, telling Rozanne would inform everyone. Still, she was the primary receptionist. And he should inform at least one other person once he has arranged to meet with Clarice again. This way they can find my body, he lampooned, imagining Clarice whipping out a gun and starting a stand-off. That would be so much easier to deal with...
When Klein arrived at Blackthorn, Captain Dunn was away attending a meeting at the Cathedral, and Kenley was guarding Chanis Gate in his place. Not wanting Rozanne to be the first to know, he resolved to wait and tell the Captain once he returned in the afternoon.
What Klein had not anticipated was that someone would approach him first. He was still in the basement, having only just concluded his morning lessons with Old Neil, when Seeka Tron, the Midnight Poet, had asked him for a moment of his time.
"Of course. Is there something wrong, Miss Seeka?"
"Just Seeka is fine. We're colleagues now," the older woman, who was in her early 30s, pulled a small notepad out of her coat pocket, quickly flicking to a blank page. "There's a small situation. Nothing serious," she added, her voice level and calm throughout, with just a hint of emphasis as she cut off his growing panic. "Old Neil has already confirmed that the issue isn't a Beyonder matter, but I need to ask you some questions.
"Are you aware of anyone with a grudge against you?"
"A grudge?" He blinked at her before considering the matter seriously. Well... She's already said it's not a Beyonder matter, so I suppose I don't need to consider the cults or Instigator Tris, although I doubt they know it was me specifically. Does Clarice's interest count as a grudge? "I don't think I've wronged anyone... May I know why you're asking?"
She hummed in thought, jotting down a quick note. "Blackthorn has been getting letters of complaint."
"What? About me?"
"Yes. There's nothing substantial. Just false attacks on your character and claims that you are shirking your duties. It was easy for Old Neil to identify the senders as civilians, and we concluded it was not a serious issue, but I thought it best to warn you."
Old Neil did...? His teacher had not shown any obvious signs or dropped any hints during the morning lessons. It was a reminder that the older man was actually an experienced professional... or a reassurance of the pettiness of the matter. He must have helped determine the validity of the claims as well, if they're so relaxed about it.
"How many of these letters have you received?" Klein asked, feeling truly fatigued. He reached a hand up to massage his temple. He could already picture how wary Dunn's expression would be when he tried to talk to him later. He could only hope the Captain would understand that he was not inviting the trouble that seemed to dog his steps...
"Three, so far, but one was a copy forwarded from the police station, meaning there's at most two complainants. The common element is the Divination Club - it seems you're making an impression."
"A bad one, apparently," Klein smiled wryly. False attacks on my character from the Divination Club... "I have a theory. Shall we continue this talk upstairs?"
The two moved up to the recreation room, which was currently empty as lunch was shortly anticipated in the lobby. They settled into opposing seats and Seeka waited patiently for Klein to begin, her notebook poised.
"I should preface this with the fact that I have not mentioned Blackthorn Security Company at the Divination Club. Do you remember Clarice Falkner?"
"Yes," she replied promptly, defying Klein's expectations. You could at least pretend that the company hasn't been gossiping...
Suppressing a twitch of his lips, he continued. "Well, she started visiting the Divination Club."
Seeka frowned slightly, slowly tapping her stubby pencil against the notepad. "When?"
"Over the last fortnight, coinciding with my past two visits. The receptionist confirmed that she had also visited during the week between."
She began to scrawl. "And that includes her first visit?"
"Yes," he paused, watching the end of her pencil as it rapidly moved across the page. Considering where this is going, treating it as a crime report is most suitable... Klein had planned how he would inform the Captain of the situation, but now he felt oddly tongue-tied and embarrassed. He cleared his throat. "Well, uh. Hm."
Seeka's black eyes regarded him steadily, patient and tranquil.
"Lunch has arrived!" Rozanne cried as she walked into the room, Klein and Seeka's food orders balanced in her hands. "Are you eating in here?"
"No, thank you," Seeka replied, flashing the younger woman a grateful smile. "We will join you in the lobby once we're done."
Rozanne's eyes darted between the two of them, no doubt detecting a story, before she left to eat her own lunch while it was still hot.
"I do not know the specific contents of the letters," Klein spoke slowly. "But I suspect they are a result of Miss Falkner's visits to the club. She knows that I work for Blackthorn, and she has... not been subtle in her efforts to pursue me."
"Are you courting, then?" She turned to a fresh page and jotted another note.
"No," he replied flatly, and this time he saw surprise crack through his colleague's professional demeanour. "I genuinely am not considering, or encouraging, any form of romantic relationship. I... only very recently realised her intentions."
He fought to control his face as her expression fell into a very familiar look of bemusement. Don't look at me like that! Before she could say anything that might rub in the fact that both his colleagues and siblings had 'warned' him, Klein rushed to continue his story.
"Yesterday, she requested a love divination, then laced my tea."
"Oh!" Seeka's usual serenity was disturbed, and she fumbled mid-word, her pencil almost skidding off the page. "Did you drink it? Do you know what she used?"
"No, my intuition alerted me, and later I was able to divine its origins. It... wasn't poison..." And on her first visit, she'd pointed out the bed. He should speak openly to get the best help, but the audacity of it all still made him blush fiercely. I sound like such an awkward virgin right now, but I shouldn't have to deal with this at all!
"I see." Seeka's reaction this time was much subtler, her eyebrows rising slightly as she slowly turned back to the previous page. Hey, Miss Author, what was that second page for? "Have you made a police report?"
"No. It's not a prohibited substance," he continued with a frown. "So I don't have a legal case here, other than not being comfortable with it. Regardless, it shows the sort of tactics she is willing to stoop to. I was also able to confirm that she was ultimately responsible for the hiring of the private investigator, Harry Bidwell."
"Private investigator...? Yes, I remember now. It has been a busy month. With such a pattern of behaviour, it's a reasonable conclusion that she is the inspiration for the letters…" Seeka's voice trailed off, her brow pinched in thought. "Does Falkner have a reason to damage your reputation?"
"Not that I know of," he answered seriously, trying to recall her pattern of behaviour. "She has always tried to make a good impression on me. Ruining my standing has no obvious benefit."
Seeka hummed. "It could be an unintentional consequence of her pursuit, although it's concerning that she's telling others who you work for. Would that come up if she were requesting love divinations from other club members?"
"Ah... perhaps? It would not be out of character for her to bring it up in conversation," and then he hesitated, because hadn't he seen an entirely different side to her character? If her friendlier attitude was an act, then how much thought and intention does she put into her words? It can't be that much of an act, can it? What benefit is there to pushing my limits?
Seeka jotted down a final line before she pocketed her notebook. "For our next steps, we can talk to the Captain and discuss how to handle the Divination Club situation, and perhaps Miss Falkner as well. Let's go eat lunch while it's still warm."
"Of course," he agreed eagerly, and with a sense of relief. Seeka Tron had not been his first choice to inform, but her peaceful nature and quiet confidence had made it much less stressful than he had anticipated. It was reassuring.
The two walked up to the reception hall, where the civilian staff (except for Old Neil, who would eat in the armoury), Royale, and Kenley were already eating. Leonard and Frye were out assisting the police on a potential cultist case.
"Is the Captain back already?" Klein asked, surprised to see Kenley away from Chanis Gate. Rozanne pointed the two to where their 'office rations' had been laid out on the table. He noted that Seeka had chosen the premium ten pence meal today and resolved not to compare it to his own fare. This way he could convince himself that today's morsel of meat was slightly larger than usual.
"Yes, he's eating in the guard room," Rozanne replied, already dabbing at her mouth with her handkerchief.
"Good," Seeka nodded as she elegantly dipped her spoon into her portion of soup, carefully draping her long white hair back over her shoulder with her free hand. "We will talk to him once we finish eating."
"Is there a case?" Rozanne perked up, while Royale looked up from her food to silently study her co-workers, her face impassive.
"Not as such," Seeka smiled, taking an unhurried bite of her food. "Klein's experiencing troubles."
Miss Seeka, you had been so professional, and now you throw me to the wolves?
Royale's gaze dipped back down to her food while the other three turned to glance at Klein, before focusing their attention on Rozanne, who had let out a small gasp of excitement. Her hands were clasped over her mouth, and her eyes were starry. "Romantic troubles? Klein, are you being pursued?"
Seeka shook her head, not bothering to misdirect the younger woman, "It is not a welcome pursuit, Rozanne."
Mrs Orianna was frowning sympathetically. "What a shame. I take it things have not worked out with Miss Falkner?"
So much for only telling a few key people, Klein lampooned to himself, as he forced a polite smile and finally put a word into the conversation. "No. She seems very determined to court me, but I cannot agree with her methods."
Royale's head sharply rose again, scrutinising Klein, detecting something in his words.
"Her methods?" Bredt asked, confused. "What's the lady been doing?"
"A few things. She likes to 'coincidentally' encounter me, but I discovered she's been arranging each meeting."
"She also tried to drug you with an aphrodisiac," Seeka gently rebuked, eyes still on her food, casually dismantling his attempt to safeguard his dignity. "You should open with that."
Kenley had been about to speak, but his words compressed into one strangled exclamation: "oh!"
Rozanne, who had been paying rapt attention, gasped, significantly louder than Kenley. "No! She's a creeper?! You know, there was an article in the paper the other month where a creeper was following a woman between her home and work, but the police said there was no case for harassment, so she had written in to ask for advice." She paused for the length of a single breath. "Of course, I don't know if any of the advice was very helpful, and you don't wear dresses, so it may not apply. But! If you avoid her entirely, then she might show up at your house next. I know I told you to find a wife, but such an ardent admirer doesn't seem to be a good thing at all!"
Ah? Creeper? Why are we using a term for 'stalker' that makes them sound like they are chased by cartoon dogs? Helpless, Klein took the opportunity to eat his food.
"Besides, Klein, I did tell you a prospective wife should be rich and charming," Rozanne sighed. "No, no, she won't do at all, but don't worry, I'm certain a nicer young lady will notice you."
"Seeka," Royale spoke abruptly, cutting off Rozanne's stream of conversation. "Is this why you need to talk to the Captain?"
"In part," Seeka wiped her mouth with her handkerchief, having made a lot of progress in eating her meal. "She may be responsible for the recent slander and demands for Klein to resign."
"Resign?" Klein yelped, dropping his spoon. You didn't mention that before!
"It truly is nothing to worry about, Klein," Seeka soothed. "The claims were laughably easy to disprove."
"Claims?" Rozanne asked, head tilting.
Nope! "As you can tell, Miss Rozanne, Miss Falkner is adept at causing problems." Klein jumped in smoothly. "If she ever tries to visit, I hope you can turn her away."
"You really think she'd try to visit? Oh, well, I'm sure we can share some kind words with her if she dares," Rozanne huffed.
Bredt waved his hand to calm her. "Now, now, let's not invite trouble. It should be enough for us to tell her that we don't