A guilty silence met her pronouncement.
"We'll get to the bottom of this," Jonah promised, finally speaking up. He looked wretched. "I'm sorry, Daphne."
"Why were you not on duty tonight?" Daphne asked, narrowing her eyes. Usually, Jonah was saddled with such important tasks since Atticus trusted him the most. Yet, he was nowhere to be found.
"I―" Jonah gave Atticus a quick glance, but Atticus merely raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, Jonah, why were you not on duty tonight? I am curious to know too, since I gave you explicit instructions to stand guard," said Atticus. "Were you out with someone that you neglected your duties? Someone with long blond hair, perhaps? Strolling around in the palace?"
"That's not…" Jonah spluttered, his voice trailing off as Atticus continued to stare at him. There was a look of abject disbelief and… hurt? As though Atticus had personally wronged him.
