“Nothing! I didn’t make that copy. Somebody must have planted it in my things,” Robert protested.

Cain shoved the envelope in front of his face. “Is that your handwriting?”

The clenching of Robert’s teeth was indication enough that he was hesitant about answering the question.

“I asked—”

“It’s my handwriting, but it’s not what you think.”

“What do I think?” Cain shot back.

“It’s the new address of our blood suppliers. I was about to mail them a check.”

“To Mississippi? Do you think I’m stupid?” Though Cain didn’t know for certain, he assumed that his clan didn’t get its packaged blood from Mississippi. He was certain that the neighboring clan would never tolerate Cain’s clan infringing on their supplier. He hoped he was right.

“I received a notification that they moved their billing operation to Mississippi. For tax reasons.”

Cain cursed and went nose to nose with Robert. “So you really do think I’m stupid. I’ll tell you what really happened! You decided to cause trouble and sell sensitive information to a rival clan so they can attack us. What did they promise you? Money? Power?” Cain gnashed his teeth and felt his fangs extend.

“I didn’t do anything of the like! I’m a loyal subject. I don’t deserve your mistrust! Have I not served you loyally ever since you became king? Don’t you know me at all?”

The words struck a cord. No, he didn’t know Robert, and that was the crux of all his problems. He didn’t know who to trust, who was loyal to him, or who meant him harm. Despite the interrogations of the guards and all the other staff at the palace, he and his friends from Scanguards hadn’t gotten any further in the investigation of the assassination attempt. This was the first lead they had, and he wouldn’t let Robert’s passionate plea prevent him from doing what he had to.

“Lock him up downstairs,” Cain ordered Simon.

Robert glared at him. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I’d rather owe you an apology if I’m wrong than wake up with a stake in my chest.” Then he motioned to the guard to execute his command.

Robert didn’t struggle when Simon escorted him out the door, but kept his head high. The door didn’t shut behind them. Thomas and Eddie walked in, their heads turning to Simon and Robert.

“Hey, guys.” Thomas pulled the door shut behind them.

“Hey, Haven,” Eddie greeted his colleague.

“Good to see you, Eddie. Heard you had a little trouble with the local animal population.”

“You could call it that. Or you could call it a clusterfuck by our incredibly stupid human colleague.”

Haven rolled his eyes. “No need to say anything further. I’ve already heard it.”

“No doubt Blake’s sanitized version.”

“Trust me, I’ve already put two and two together.”

“How is Blake now?” Cain asked.

Haven shrugged. “Better. His leg wound is healing quickly thanks to your blood. He’ll be like new in a few hours.”

Cain nodded. “Good. We’ll need every man we can get. Even Blake.” He turned to Thomas and Eddie. “We just found Robert with a copy of the palace’s blueprints and an envelope addressed to a PO Box in Mississippi. I can’t help but suspect he was planning to sell the information to the clan in Mississippi. He’s a traitor.”

“That’s a grave accusation,” Thomas replied. “What’s his defense?”

“He said somebody planted the documents, yet he admits that he addressed the envelope himself.”

“Do you think he could have something to do with the assassination attempt?” Haven asked, hooking his thumb in his belt.

“It’s entirely possible. He could have been the one to let the assassin in, and now he’s trying it again.”

“Do you want me to talk to him and see if I can get anything else out of him?” Thomas offered.

“Go ahead. You’re better at this than I.”

“Does it even make sense?” Eddie interrupted.

“Does what make sense?” Cain asked.

“Robert being involved in the assassination attempt.” He shifted his weight onto his other foot. “See, if he already gave the Mississippi clan access to the palace a year ago to try to kill you, why would he have to send them the blueprints now? Wouldn’t they already know how to get in?”

Eddie had a point. “Possible. But what if the Mississippians weren’t behind the assassination then? What if he had somebody else help him then and, since they failed, he’s now putting his money on the Mississippi clan?”