Rook

I snuck through a passage that leads from my office to a private garage. And there, in the midst of whatever mental breakdown I was experiencing, I was ambushed. Only Rooks can access those tunnels. And all four of Gestalt’s bodies were out of town that night.
    “I’m willing to bet you have a few private entrances, and maybe even some surveillance, which is how you got into the Rookery and had my memory violated. It’s also probably how you knew I was going out last week and arranged to have me tailed.”
    “Now, that’s hardly conclusive,” said Grantchester. He sounded amused, which infuriated Myfanwy.
    “No,” said Myfanwy. “And that’s why I didn’t say anything. But recently I had cause to sift through all the correspondence files—official and personal—and I came across the announcement that you and your wife sent out when you adopted your baby.” Myfanwy took a breath and calculated how she would continue. “I was particularly interested in the family portrait. You see, your wife looked familiar—and not just because she’s Mrs. Grantchester. During my interview with Gestalt, I had the opportunity to see through Gestalt’s eyes.
All
of Gestalt’s eyes,” she added darkly.
    “It turns out that Gestalt has a fifth body—a smaller body—and that body was in the company of your wife, with her unforgettable blue eyes. So I did a little research and found that Eliza Gestalt took long service leave some time ago—and returned just before you adoptedyour baby. And there are other things. I know that she has a scar across her stomach and that she has been withdrawn of late. In short, I think your adopted child is Gestalt’s baby. I think your child
is
Gestalt.
    “You work for the Grafters, don’t you, Conrad? No wonder you wanted every scrap of new information sent to the Apex for your strategic risk analysis. You wanted to be certain that you knew everything we knew.”
    “Well, that’s very impressive,” said Grantchester. He smiled in a way that made Myfanwy want to break his nose. “You’ve got it all listed very methodically. That’s some very good detective work.”
    “You must have been amused,” she said coldly, “watching me scrabble about, trying to conceal my amnesia.”
    “Well, in fact,” he said easily, “we weren’t at all sure how much of your memory was gone. It’s nice to know that it actually worked.”
    Oh, he can’t be serious,
thought Myfanwy.
He didn’t even
know?
    “What actually worked?” she asked.
    “Well, it’s a long story,” said Grantchester. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a drink?” Myfanwy remained silent. “You needn’t glare at me, it’s just good manners to offer. Although really, I’m guilty of an appalling lapse in etiquette. Before we go any further, do allow me to introduce my protégés. This is Norman, whom you have met previously and seemingly do not remember.” Myfanwy shook her head. “Well, at least he did that much correctly. You see, Norman here is responsible for your current amnesia.” Myfanwy shot a look over her shoulder.
    “Oh, yes,” Grantchester continued. “He accompanied me, along with a few Retainers, to the Rookery in order to seize you, excise your personality, and remove you from the premises.”
    “For what?” asked Myfanwy.
    “There were a number of possibilities,” said Grantchester. “I was actually a little spoiled for choice. You’d be astounded at how malleable a person with no memories can be. If you put them in the right situation, they can be very open to suggestion.”
    “You were going to have me work for the Grafters?” she asked in horror.
    “Or fulfill various recreational roles,” said Grantchester carelessly. Myfanwy felt a dreadful nausea open up in her stomach, and it must have showed in her face because Grantchester burst out laughing. “I’m joking,” he said, wiping his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. No, no, we were going to run a battery of tests on you, and then dissect you.”
    “I see,” said Myfanwy, taking deep calming breaths.
    “Or at least something along those lines—it was all a rather sudden decision.”
    “And why did you suddenly decide to do this?” she asked. “Wasn’t it risky? Did you think no one would notice I was gone?”
    “There would have been an investigation, of course,” said Grantchester. “The disappearance of a member of the Court would have been probed in depth. Why, a Bishop would even have volunteered to pursue