CHAPTER 187: CLUE (2)

"I am not one to go digging for gossip, but it did reach me that Cassius seems to hold some interest in Lady Penelope. With that, I have no longer tried to get close to him, but since he claims to bring new business to town, you will see him often," said Griffin.

Griffin was not the only man curious about what Cassius had to offer to Lockwood.

"I understand, but it doesn’t mean you should lie. Especially to me," Linda said, her arms crossed. "You may redeem yourself by telling Tyrion where Cassius resides."

"I sent the invitation to a business he has in town. He sells unique items he found during his travels around the kingdom, and he has a way of getting you what you need from out of town. That is all I know," Griffin said, speaking the truth.

Cassius was a private man, like most of the men in town.

"How am I to know this is all that you know?" Tyrion asked, still suspicious of Griffin. "You have acted like you don’t know him once, so I have reason not to trust you."

"Prince Tyrion, I invited Cassius once, and after I heard of his interest in your wife, I have not spoken to him again. I asked around about him first before I invited him, and nothing dangerous came up. I wouldn’t put my family in danger," said Griffin.

It wasn’t unusual for Griffin to meet with new businessmen around the town. It was sometimes good to keep these men close for future needs, but Cassius lost him by liking Penelope.

"Besides, the last ball was invitation only, yet Cassius was there, unless you didn’t know," Griffin said, thinking Tyrion had a lot of questioning to do. "You should go to the palace. Someone there seems to know him as well. Am I forgiven?" He asked his wife.

Griffin could come up with a list of men who attended balls that Tyrion should be wary of. Most of those men had attended balls in the palace.

"Hardly," Linda replied.

"The prince here already doesn’t like me. I didn’t want to add that I invited the man who now speaks of his wife. I would be pissed if I were in your shoes and I don’t doubt for a second that you would kill me. At least, try to," Griffin said, revealing a smug smile.

"There he goes again looking like a fool," Tyrion said, shaking his head. "You look creepy when you smile. Was there blindness in your eye when you saw him?"

"No. He was the most handsome man to me. Griffin was always special since he convinced me to marry a man in my father’s army when I was against marrying anyone who my brothers were close to. You’ll love him if you talk," Linda suggested.

"He’s got a wife. Why do I have to love him?" Tyrion asked, disgusted by the thought of it.

Griffin chuckled. "It is fine, Linda. I always knew he hated that I stole his dear aunt. Is that all you’ve come for? I can escort you to where Cassius’ business is."

"An escort wouldn’t be necessary. Simply write down the directions and I’ll be on my way," Tyrion replied.

Griffin shook his head, but walked further inside to do as Tyrion wanted.

"Tyrion," Linda said in a scolding tone. "Why do you hate my husband? You’ve been around him long enough to start liking him."

Tyrion fixed the sleeve of his shirt and said, "I don’t hate him. It’s been amusing to make him believe that I do."

Linda didn’t understand. "But you said. You’ve said you disliked him since you were seven. Have you been teasing him since then?"

"He’s given me a lot of gifts since then to try to win me over," Tyrion flashed a smile. It was not his fault that Griffin was so quick to give him gifts.

"You are evil," Linda said, hitting Tyrion’s arm. "He means no harm. Griffin has my best interests at heart. He’s been stepping away from the army and trying to do business. I understand why he would meet with a businessman."

"But don’t lie about it. I’d like to know where Cassius speaks of my wife," Tyrion said, his need to kill Cassius growing.

"I’ve come across many men so bold as to speak of another’s wife. I’ve had someone try to court me in my husband’s presence. He was given a good punishment for it," said Linda.

"I trust that your brothers dealt with it," Tyrion said.

"No, Griffin did. You should find out who invited Cassius to the ball," Linda suggested.

"I will. I am willing to bet it is someone in the court. I wish I could stay with you a little longer, but I must go back to Penelope before it becomes dark," said Tyrion.

"With all the murders in town, I was going to send you off when Griffin returns. I think no one is safe, so you must be careful," Linda said, hoping Tyrion would make it home safely. "I must visit your mother soon."

"You should. She will need someone to speak about my grandmother with."

Linda sighed.

"You have had troubles with my grandmother, haven’t you?" Tyrion asked, vaguely remembering that Tabitha wanted Linda to marry his father.

"Yes, it was during the old selection for a queen that your grandmother wanted me to marry your father, but I would never compete with Hazel for Tobias," Linda answered.

Linda never once loved the king.

"You were also in love with Edgar during that time," Tyrion repeated what he had heard long ago.

Linda looked where Griffin walked. "You mustn’t say that."

"Why? It would only be an issue if you still loved Edgar," Tyrion replied.

Tyrion didn’t think it was a secret that Linda once loved Edgar, since he had heard of this from different people. He also knew that there had once been tension between the duchess and Linda.

"I do not, but I would love to forget about that time. I am now friends with his wife. I have forgotten how evil you can be at times," Linda said, taking hold of Tyrion’s hand to walk with him toward Griffin. "It is time that you leave."

"I am being scolded for nothing," said Tyrion.

"This is where you’ll find him. I believe he has a brother who might be present when he is not there. This is all I can do for you," Griffin said, handing the paper to Tyrion.

"You do have your uses," Tyrion said, tucking the paper in his pocket. "I felt a tiny tug in my heart. Perhaps I am close to liking you. Excuse me," he said, leaving the two since it was time to go.

Griffin kept staring at Tyrion, ensuring that the prince was leaving his home. "We must ban him."

Linda shook her head. "We cannot ban him since he is like my son. If you invite anyone to our home without telling me, it is you who will be banned. Understood?"

"Yes, dear," Griffin replied, his guard up. "You should consider joining the army. You always make me tense up. Just like your father," he muttered.