Songs & Secrets

By Sara Tiger Ryan

Lady Kress is certain her son was murdered, even though the city guards have ruled it a natural death, so she hires Miss Kitty's to discover the truth.
Her main suspects are Sazzy's favorite music-playing cousin, Lyre, and her own nephew, the famous instrument maker, Vary Fine Toll.
But Sazzy figures, first, she has to discover if they have a real case or not. Was Klery Kress-Toll killed? Or are the healers and guards right?
The detective assigned to the case believes the two healers and medical examiner who say the death was natural.
But the Youngest Pale Fate says Klery was betrayed.
And the detective didn't look for magic as the weapon.
So Miss Kitty's takes the case.
Against the backdrop of the Kress-Toll's Annual Music Fair and Competition, Sazzy and Dusty go listening for the murderer, wondering uneasily: Is this a case like the one where the Gallimaufry Bard used music to kill Sazzy's cousin Tamika and nearly Lyre?
And, if so, is that killer still loose at the fair ready to strike again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Tiger Ryan
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005721329

Sara Tiger Ryan

Sara Tiger Ryan was born in New Hampshire. She now lives in Florida with her 2 cats. Make that minus one charming boy cat, add in a Mama cat who brought me 5 kittens--all of them adorable! Sara started writing novels in 1973 in high school study hall and hasn't stopped (for long) yet. She started out writing fantasy and added mystery. She also writes metaphysical non-fiction. Ryan was active in the small press in the mid 90's, and had her own 'zine, Star Triad.

Book preview

Songs & Secrets

Miss Kitty Mystery 17

Sara Tiger Ryan

All characters herein are completely fictional.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

herm is short for hermaphrodite, meaning both sexes at once

All the work herein is copyright Sara Tiger Ryan, Tiger Moon Press. Smashwords Ebook Edition, May 5, 2021.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting this author's work.

Dedicated

to

Mom

Thanks, love, Sara

1-21-1928 to 2-9-2018

Spale year of 1899

All The Fates Entire 1

Younger Fates Entire 1

Dark Teasing Moon

KnifeKissingday

5 Whippet Street West

Vantage, Conyor Ness

Table of Contents

1: Lady Kress In Distress

2: Detective Eldridge

3: Vary Fine Kress-Toll

4: The Maiden Ball

5: Magic Music Signatures

6: Nightmares of Music

7: Pooling Information

8: A Tattered Social Registry

9: A SoGood Clue

10: Courtney Fine

11: Soul Tearing Music

12: Musical Nightmares

Appendices

Cast of Characters

About Sara

Other Books by Sara

All My Miss Kitty Mysteries

Miss Kitty Mystery 18, Weaving & Woe, first chapter

Chapter 1

Lady Kress In Distress

At a slight noise in her office doorway, Sazzy looked up from writing her partner’s younger brother happy fateday wishes.

The angular woman standing in the hall doorway outside her office looked pale and gaunt beneath her mauve, fur-edged hood.

Sazzy pushed back from her desk and stood. Elite Lady Kress, how may Miss Kitty’s help you?

I want to know who killed my son. Lady Kress peeled off her gloves and folded them through her belt. With each motion, tiny silver mourning bells chimed at her wrists. Lady Kress pursed her mouth, then continued, The city guards say it was a natural death, but I don’t believe that is true.

My condolences on the loss of your son. Won’t you be seated? Sazzy waved invitingly to her client chair.

Lady Kress settled on the edge of the chair and arranged her heavy mauve wool skirts, then pushed her hood back. A single lock of short, gray and brown hair clung to her cheek. Lady Kress tucked the escapee under her mauve lace mourning cap and looked up, her expression ravaged, but haughty.

Sazzy asked, What causes you to believe your son was killed?

He was not ill. Except for a few childhood diseases, he’s always been robust. He had everything to live for.

Sazzy sat, pulled a piece of paper down, and noted the day and the name of her new client. Sometimes a client talked—which was more help than trying guess what questions to ask, or coax answers out of them.

Lady Kress stayed silent.

Sazzy doodled a moment, then asked, What did the healers say?

Klery did not die of heart lock. He had a perfectly good heart. He was the most loving of my three children.

What do you believe happened?

If I knew, I wouldn’t be here.

Do you have any suspects?

As much as I hate to say it: my nephew Vary Fine is one.

And?

If you can be impartial, your cousin Lyrical is also one of my suspects.

He isn’t here. He doesn’t live here. He’s touring with Dankeri’s show.

Even so. He was here that day. He is signed up for the competitions. You will have to clear his name first in my books, then we will look at my other suspects.

I don’t believe we will be able to help you, Lady Kress, her partner said from his office, then Dusty came to doorway that joined their offices.

Is this because you know Lyrical Jinn had a hand in killing my son?

No, it’s because, if Miss Kitty’s is investigating, we will do the investigating. You are invited to provide information, but you are not invited to direct the investigation.

Lady Kress made a huffy noise, started to stand and stopped.

Dusty said, You might try Longwish Brothers Investigative Agency: Cady Longwish.

Someone not of society is hardly going to be of any use in my case, Mister Kincaid.

Lady Kress, may I introduce my partner, Elite Dusten Kincaid, Sazzy said.

I know who he is, but I don’t know why grandmother voted for him to be jumped up to elite. Lady Kress focused on her, Sazzy supposed, as a silent reminder of her disowned-by-her-Family status.

She and Dusty waited.

Lady Kress pursed her mouth. Very well. When can I expect my answer?

We request a deposit of two silver cousins to start, Dusty answered.

Lady Kress stiffened. I hardly expect to pay in advance.

We have expenses.

Will we be able to visit the scene of the crime? Sazzy interjected. I could pickup the deposit then, if it’s more convenient. Many elite didn’t carry money on them, but just had bills sent...like she used to have her bills sent to her father.

Yes, actually, you may. I had the guards leave the crime ribbons up. No one has been in the room that I know of. The door has been locked.

That was a help.

Dusty said, If we find the city guards were right, we will still expect to be paid.

Lady Kress eyed Dusty, then stood. And spoke to her, You may come by the school this afternoon, I’ll have my secretary show you around.

Dusty started to speak.

Lady Kress’ mouth tightened and she added, I’ll leave a deposit with her. Lady Kress snapped her gloves back on. Now I have a conference with my protege, then I have to be at the festival. I’ll expect some sort of report on my desk when I get in this evening. I can find my own way out. She left in a swish of skirts and cloak.

Dusty waited until the outside door to Five Whippet Street West closed to say, We did want to go to the music festival. Maybe we can wrangle a few free tickets. I’ve always been curious to meet Vary Fine. He ran his fingers through his maple-colored waves, neatening them and disturbing them at once.

Issal Harper was supposed to be Vary’s new apprentice, she said, speaking of one of the passengers they had rescued from Yaddy Rose’s mongered transport during their last big case over the winter holidays. I’m curious to see how he’s recovered.

Don’t do too much before you get the deposit.

You and money.

Us and money, he corrected. So we don’t have to close our doors. And, if we come up with the same answer as the city guards, I’m certain Lady Kress would refuse to pay. He leaned against the jamb of the slanted doorway between their offices. If we do get a deposit, and you get by Cady’s, put Hosaih on the job of looking everyone up. He backed into his office. We need a new guard friend to keep us informed, now that Paff is working for the Spymaster.

Not Volan, she said, speaking of her least favorite city guard.

Me either. But that reminds me: find out what station was called in to investigate. If it was Perrin’s, he might know something.

If I go by Cady’s, I’ll tell him to bring his brother to dinner tonight, then.

While I’m thinking of it, Saffie is taking me out to breakfast tomorrow, so I won’t be here.

I’m glad Saffie is working out for you.

Yeah. I’m either glad or surprised or both. I didn’t think, at first, we’d last even a moon passing of the handfasting year. Especially as his family is still at him constantly to get rid of me. So far his answer is: If he leaves me, he also leaves the country—which only shuts them up for a short while. I’m happy, though, and my family likes Saffie. Dusty ducked back into his office.

Sazzy stood to dress for her excursion to the Kress-Toll Music Conservatory.

Before she had taken two steps, Yalarra Witshard brought the latest Cousin Rag in, and waved the news scroll at her, saying in stunned tones, They voted Papa in as mayor.

Seriously? What about Select Wellbourne?

Yalarra shook her head. I don’t know. The meeting was closed. Our informant said Wellbourne wasn’t even considered. It’s in your uncle’s paper, too. He doesn’t seem to know any more than we do. Yalarra laughed oddly, At least Papa doesn’t have to worry about the Lyy firing him from their bank any more, he’ll have to resign to accept the mayorship. Tris, of course, wants me to find out as much as I can from him tonight over dinner. Yalarra smiled a little. I threatened Tris with an invitation to dinner so he could listen in.

He ought to meet your father and handfast you before it’s too late, Dusty put in from his office.

Then I would be living in your back rooms like he is. I think I’ll keep things the way they are for now. If you’re headed out, Sazzy, I’ll walk with you. I want to see if Papa is going to need me for anything.

I need to dress first.

I’ll meet you in the waiting room and tell Tris the bad news that I won’t be around to complain at for the rest of the day.

Yalarra left for their back, Cousin Rag rooms.

Dusty muttered, Or maybe not. She sounds as if she’s getting tired of Tris’ moods.

I don’t blame her. If he isn’t complaining about one thing, he’s complaining about another.

At least with his new double rolling press he isn’t complaining about having too many subscriptions any more.

Right now, anyway, she answered and ducked into her suite, where she inspected her few afternoon gowns. She really needed a couple new ones, these were several years out of date and looking a bit worn. Only the yellow rose dress that the Youngest Sinister Fate had transformed for her looked fresh. That wouldn’t be appropriate to inspect the crime scene of a mourning mother in. Sazzy pulled her turquoise gown out and held it up. It needed to go to the laundry. She tossed it over her bedside chair and chose her emerald green gown and donned that.

In passing her full length mirror, she noticed the ruffle in the back was drooping and paused to inspect it. Drat! It needed some serious mending. Maybe she’d have to wear one of her totally inappropriate Rover skirt-and-blouse sets.

Wish, the Youngest Wishing Fate said as herm became visible perched on the divider between her bedroom and sitting room.

Because she remained leery about having her wishes granted, she hesitated—but then the Youngest Wishing Fate usually granted her fun clothes. I wish this gown was new and fun looking. Thank you.

A giggle answered. Sazzy checked the gown in the mirror again. The ruffle was gone. The gown was now royal purple with matching lace on the hem and the ends of the, now, long sleeves. She poked at the sleeves.

The Youngest Wishing Fate said, It’s rainy and cold out, you’ll need them. And vanished.

On her way to the waiting room, she caught up her private spy kit from the back of her favorite purple chair. Thanks to the humor of the Younger Fates Entire, the kit changed color to match her new gown. And grew a length of lace on the bottom. But it stayed reticule sized. Sazzy slung it over her shoulder.

Yalarra awaited her in the foyer with an umbrella. Gritter, Miss Kitty’s chair runner friend, whose magic was knowing when someone he knew needed a ride, awaited them in front of the veranda steps.

They both squeezed into his covered chair.

Sazzy had Gritter take Yalarra to her father at the Little Corner Bank, then run her to the music conservatory.

Should I wait? Gritter asked.

I’m investigating. I don’t know how long I’ll be.

If it’s still raining, I’ll try to be back when you come out, then. He saluted and left. Sazzy hurried inside, buffeted along by a cold rainy gust of wind.

The foyer of the conservatory was smaller than she expected from the outside. There was a door to her left, her right, and in front of her, each with a musical instrument mounted on them. And no indication of which one would lead to Lady Kress’ secretary.

A podium in the center of the foyer held a guest book. Sazzy signed it, then flipped back to the day of Klery’s death. Several pages of people had come in that day.

She reached to pull her notebook out of her private spy kit to copy the names. The door to her left opened and a young woman with her hair pinned securely in a blue bun peered out. Good afternoon. My name is Daffodil. May I help you?

Sazzy explained her errand.

Oh. It’s so sad about Klery. Everyone loved him. I’ll get Miss Sweet for you. Daffodil skipped a step back. You can follow me, if you want. Klery’s studio is over on this side, too.

Miss Sweet, a woman of about forty, had a horsy face, which her metallic gold lace covered top knot accentuated unmercifully. She wore a plain dark blue trouser set and looked harried. And as if she’d been crying.

Miss Sazzancy is here to inspect the scene of the crime, Daffodil said.

Scene of the crime? Miss Sweet echoed.

Master Klery’s studio.

I don’t believe I can open Master Klery’s studio without Lady Kress’ authorization, Daffodil.

Oops! Daffodil hurried away, returning a few seconds later waving a paper. It arrived just before Miss Sazzancy came in. Here. Lady Kress says to pay her a silver cousin from petty cash, too.

Two silver cousins, Sazzy corrected.

Lady Kress said one.

Then I won’t need to bother you. She started back down the hall.

Several steps later, Miss Sweet said, Wait. If you are really here to find out who killed Klery, I’ll see you the other silver cousin myself. The Pale Fates should be ashamed for stealing him from us.

someone sulked from just behind Sazzy’s left shoulder. She recognized the voice uneasily as the Youngest Pale Fate’s.

I don’t suppose you know why Klery died, so you? she asked herm.

Under the two women’s startled speculations, the Youngest Pale Fate answered,

If Klery had been betrayed, then, very likely he had been murdered. So there was a case to pursue. Sazzy returned to the two women and asked them to repeat their suggestions.

Miss Sweet answered, Some of the teachers were so jealous of Klery, they couldn’t see straight—though Lady Kress would be upset if she knew I’d said so.

If he really was killed, Daffodil said, I’d look at his students. Some of them go insane to be told that aren’t as talented as they assume they are. Especially now, during the competition. Why I heard several of our students say just today that they would kill to win.

While they spoke, the women escorted her down two halls. They stopped in front of a door cordoned off by magenta crime ribbons. Someone had tied the ribbons across the door in a big bow holding an amber rose of sorrow. Rather than disturb the sentiment, Sazzy untied the left side of the ribbon from a hook jammed in the wall, and stepped aside.

Miss Sweet unlocked the door.

Sazzy slipped by the women, stopped in the doorway, and scanned the room. Nothing looked seriously out of place. A half dozen or so musical instruments hung on the walls or rested in stands. A high, padded chair centered the room, with a blond callody resting on the seat and the side arm. A small bench sat haphazardly next to the wall under a red chean nut wood ryl. A goldwood fyr lay on the bench. A small set of drums crowded the front right corner. Sazzy resisted the urge to go in and tap on them.

Behind her. Miss Sweet made an impatient noise.

I’m checking the room, Sazzy answered, scanned the room again, then touched the sap chain link on her bracelet, which let her see illusions—if there were any. Nothing changed, so she assumed there were no illusions.

She pulled her magic detector out of her private spy kit and scrutinized the room though it. Several spots of strong magic caught her eye: most on the musical instruments, but some smeared the arms of the chair. Did Klery have music magic? she asked.

Of course, Miss Sweet answered. Are you going to stand in the doorway all day?

No, only until I’m done checking the room for magic and magic signatures.

Miss Sweet made an impatient sound. Quite a few of our students have music magic. Klery was a teacher. There would be signatures all over in here.

She switched to her magic signature detector and counted five different magic signatures. Do you have your student’s signatures on file?

I can’t imagine what use that would be. All we need to know is if they have magic or not so we know how to train them.

For Miss Sweet’s attitude, Sazzy stayed in the doorway, pulled her art tablet from her private spy kit and drew the largest magic signature (bright aqua, viridian, with a touch of sunny yellow) which covered the arms of the chair and callody on the seat. The smallest and lightest signature was pale aquamarine, and on the fyr hanging next to the dark-wood ryl hanging between the two windows.

Miss Sweet made several more impatient noises. I don’t have all day.

Sazzy segued to drawing the magic on the floor harp tucked in the corner behind the door: glowing red-violet with veins of spring green. Was the callody Klery’s?

All the instruments in here are Klery’s.

Glowing purple, ultramarine, and rich aqua with bright gold tinges shone on several instruments, as well as, more brightly, on the callody on the wall. Did his students use them?

Our students are required to have three instruments of their own at acceptance into our school.

She began drawing the magic on the syrinx: deep aqua laced with gossamer webs of scarlet. Somewhere down the hall a couple instruments squealed. Sazzy winced.

I wish they wouldn’t do that, Daffodil complained.

It’s part of the musical they are rehearsing, Miss Sweet reprimanded.

Emerald green magic swirled with amber magic covered four instruments on the wall. The drums had those colors, plus a streak of turquoise on the skins.

Sazzy scribbled the names of the instruments over her quick color sketches.

Another spate of squealing instruments segued into The Retrieve Scuttle.

Sazzy finished the magic on the drums and decided she could remember the weakest light aqua magic on the fyr.

All right, now she was ready to either be in the room with the door closed or leave. If there was one song she hated, The Retrieve Scuttle was it. One of Miss Kitty’s bad guys had used it to try to turn her and Dusty into crystal trees.

Sazzy retreated into the room. Miss Sweet and Daffodil followed. Daffodil shut the door. But that only cut down the volume of the song by a