The police arrived at the Ashford gate at half past eight in the morning. They were all so serious about finding Noel.
Six officers, two investigators from the Rodina team, the official warrant folded in the lead officer's coat pocket. Grandfather's carriage was already at the gate when they pulled up. He had been there for ten minutes, waiting, because he had learned long ago that arriving early to something important gave you information that arriving on time did not.
He wasn't even able to sleep well after yesterday's drama at the Ashford house. He felt insulted and embarrassed that he had gone there and came back with nothing. So, he was hoping that today was going to be different. He hoped to find Noel in that house.
Oh wait, he hope to better not find Noel in that house. If not, he would end up killing a whole generation.
The Ashford butlers came out like machines that they were.
