Title: The Linen Maid's Choice
Series: Children of Nall Multi Timeline Series #3, Dubric - Classic Murder Mystery #3, Ghosts in the Snow #3
Published by: TamboWrites
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Contributors: Tambo Jones (author), Michelle Maakestad (illustrator)
Pages: 144
ISBN13: 978-1951023058
ASIN: B081C4KV3H

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An unseen killer has hunted servant girls in the halls and courtyard of Castle Faldorrah for days, leaving eleven dribbling ghosts to haunt aging castellan Dubric Byerly with the weight of their deaths. The three surviving victims—Dubric’s page Lars, herald Beckwith, and, finally, linen maid Nella—offer only more questions until Nella’s benefactor and romantic pursuer, Lord Risley Romlin, defiant grandson of the King and Faldorrah’s Lord, forcibly kidnapped Nella and held her in his private suite, supposedly to protect her.

Dubric knew better.

A package soon arrived at Dubric’s suite, a vile, taunting collection of gruesome mementos, all leading directly to Nella and Risley’s desperate need to possess her. Now certain of Risley's guilt, Dubric arrests the young lord and locks him deep beneath the castle.

Risley's imprisonment and the lack of new murders does little to quell the fury as castle residents demand Risley’s immediate execution. Nella alone stands true, insisting her beloved is innocent. Despite assurances assurance that justice prevails, Nella takes steps to protect Risley, steps that undermine Dubric’s desperate attempts to avoid a war.

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Lars, teenage page of Castle Faldorrah, yawned. Risley had barely spoken a word since returning from Castellan Dubric’s office and the day had dragged along like sludge in a creek bed. They leaned against the wall of two east and watched the linen maids work while an additional pair of guards watched them. The girls’ shift would be done in a bell or so, and he had gathered not a single bit of useful detail. The two men staring at Risley were not helping matters. 

“So Nella stitched up your hand?” Lars asked, trying again to encourage the young lord to talk. 

Risley glared at the pair down the hall. “I’m not saying anything, and your fishing for a confession isn’t going to work.” 

Lars leaned back, bouncing his head against the stone wall. “Don’t be mad at me, Ris. I’m just doing my job.” 

“I didn’t kill them. I’m sure of it now.” He nodded politely to Ker and smiled at Dari. “I also know damn well Dubric is trying to pin this on me, but he’s wrong.” He paused, turning to look at Lars. “Besides an imaginary razor, what other evidence has he concocted against me?” 

“You know I’m not allowed to discuss case particulars.” 

Risley seemed about to retort, but he raised his head and looked to the left. “Otlee’s coming.” 

Both stood straight and Lars neatened his jerkin as the younger page approached. “You have something for me?” 

The skinny, red-haired boy did not glance at Risley, only Lars. “Dubric wants everyone in his office,” Otlee said. “Immediately.” 

“Some new bit of make-believe evidence against me?” Risley asked, leaning against the wall again. “Or has Dubric resorted to rooting through my underdrawers and gathering my shoe lint?” 

What do you expect, Ris? Lars thought. You’re certainly not doing anything to help yourself. Frowning, he said, “I’m right behind you.” 

Otlee hurried away, weaving through a cluster of window maids on their way to the next set of suites. 

“Go on,” Risley said. “Before you get into trouble.” 

“You sure?” 

Risley bowed to Nella, bringing a sparkle to her dark eyes as she walked to a linen cupboard. “Go. One of us in Dubric’s bad graces is bad enough.” 

His mind churning, Lars left, hurrying down the hall and wondering what was important enough to pull him from his post. 

He stopped, frowning, as he saw Otlee waiting in the east tower. “Thought we were supposed to meet in Dubric’s office?” 

Otlee waited for a nobleman to walk by, heading downstairs. “His suite,” Otlee whispered, turning and running up the stairs. 

“But you said—” 

Otlee opened the third-floor door. “Dubric specifically said to not let Lord Risley know where our meeting is.”