‘You were at that meeting. With Practicus Lee. It was on your calendar.’

Price nodded. ‘Ah, yes. Of course.’ He smiled. ‘Despite being a witch, Practicus Lee knows a fair bit about computers. We’ve been looking into ways of putting our records online. Not here, you understand,’ he added hastily. ‘Offsite where they won’t affect anyone’s magic.’

Winter grunted then glanced at me. ‘I know who took the file. Let’s go.’ He half smiled, half grimaced at Price. ‘Thank you again.’

‘Adeptus Exemptus Winter!’ Tarquin called. ‘I can come with you if you wish. I know exactly what the personnel files look like, so I’m sure I can help.’

Winter’s blue eyes were cold. ‘I think Ms Wilde and I can manage,’ he said. ‘She’s incredibly talented.’ He took my elbow and gently propelled me away.

‘I love you,’ I whispered.

Winter grinned.

***

Once we were back outside, I nudged Winter. ‘Could you really read that handwriting? Do you know who has Marsh’s file or were you just trying to escape?’

‘I recognised the writing,’ he said grimly. ‘Tobias Worth-Jones. He works over at Runic Magic.’

I whistled. Only the best of the best finagle their way into that department. ‘Friend of yours?’ I asked.

‘Not really.’

‘Do you have any friends?’

‘Ivy,’ Winter sighed.

I shrugged. ‘Just asking. But I don’t think we need to find your double-barrelled acquaintance.’

‘I have a feeling I’m going to regret asking this. Why not?’

‘Price did it.’

Winter turned to me. ‘How did you come to that conclusion?’

‘He was shifty and nervous. There’s no way he got that job without Diall’s help. And,’ I added, ‘he was wearing slip-on shoes. Never trust a man wearing slip-on shoes.’

Winter started walking again. ‘And here was me thinking you were going to offer something insightful.’

‘I did!’

Winter harrumphed, actually harrumphed. I didn’t know people did that any more. ‘Let me know if you find any real evidence.’

I remained earnest. ‘People always think it’s the big muscly guys you need to be afraid of. It’s not. It’s the weedy ones who have a point to prove.’

‘Go on then,’ Winter said, folding his arms. ‘Why did he murder Diall?’

I thought about it. ‘They were secret lovers. Diall stole the Manuscript in order to become more powerful and Price got worried that he’d be left behind.’

‘So he killed the love of his life?’

‘Okay, I’ll admit my theory needs work.’ I jabbed Winter in the arm. ‘But that guy is definitely shifty.’

‘I’ll take that under advisement,’ Winter said drily. With that, we both lapsed into silence.

***

It was quite a trek to the building where Runic Magic was housed. Along the way, forgetting that I’d never got round to having my shoes re-soled, I stepped in a puddle. Soon I was walking along with a sodden sock and chilly toes, which didn’t exactly put me in a good frame of mind.

The Runic witches didn’t appear fazed by the weather. As soon as we rounded the corner and their grand old building came into view, I spotted several of them out on the grass in front.