5 - 2 of Pentacles - (U) Manipulation / (R) Sham Discovered
From For want of a nail
Balmoral, Scotland, Winter 2095
Robert drums his fingers on the rails as he looks out over the grounds.
"Nervous?" Michael asks "I reckon she'll say yes."
He gives a derisive snort.
"Oh, she'll say yes. I've planned this too well for that. I've worked out what makes her tick, just like I do every time."
Michael's response is nothing but a look of horrified surprise.
"Oh, Michael, you really didn't realize? You thought I wanted her for anything more than to get my family off my back about getting married? She's pretty and charming, sure enough, but not enough to hold my attention for long"
Michael turns to leave, but is checked by another sentence from Robert
"Don't bother trying to warn her, she'll just think you're jealous, won't she?"
Michael listens, and leaves.
A few minutes later, Robert turns to see the door open.
It's not Michael
It's not Emily
It's Arthur, his hard, weathered face filled with cold fury, his rythmic voice deep and rumbling like a brewing thunderstorm.
"You deceitful bastard, I knew I was right to suspect you."
"I..."
"The next words out your mouth better be the sincerest apology you've ever uttered, or I might give in to my urge to throw you over that railing."
Robert struggles to muster his usual confidence, and shakes slightly under the pale, withering gaze.
"I assume she's decided that she'll never see me again?"
"She has, and I dare say I agree"
6 - The High Priestess - (U) Hidden Knowledge / (R) Superficial Knowledge
From Over the hills and far away
Baruisheen, Ireland, Winter 2073
"So, what can you tell us about your attacker?"
The inspector's voice is calm and kind, her soft voice soothing.
"I... I didn't see much. I'm sorry..."
"Nothing to apologise for. None of this was your fault. How could it be? Just go over everything you saw. Take your time, even the smallest detail could be the most important."
The soldier speaks in English rather than Gaelic, with an accent that rises and falls, in a firm, reassuring tone.
Emer takes a deep breath, and begins.
"It was dark, and she had a scarf and hat covering much of her face, but she had light hair, and... and... she was quite tall, I suppose..."
"How did she speak?" the inspector asks
"She had a fast, high voice, she sounded like she was from Galway, maybe"
"And how did she walk?"
"Sorry?"
"Did she stride? shuffle? march? slouch?"
Emer stops to think awhile, and replies with "She had a sort of... limp, with her left foot"
The inspector looks at the soldier, they exchange a smile, and stand up.
"Thank you for your time, Miss Callaghan. We have the information we need."