January 7, 1 a.m.
14 Valyrian Way
@krakenmaronâ
Jeyne carried a small tray through the family quarters of the Prime Ministerâs residence. On it sat a covered dish, a fifth of Northern whiskey, and an empty glass with a perfectly spherical ice cube. Neither the guards nor the detectives moved to intercept her and she turned away from the corridor that led to the room Balon Greyjoy had been found murdered in. It was quiet in this part of the house, too quiet, especially as she knew that the din was much louder in the rooms where the guests currently resided.Â
She expected sheâd be interviewed near the end of the evening. As the principal planner for the event, theyâd likely want to make sure stories lined up - including her own - and sheâd seen little reason to wait around, especially when they knew how to find her. Sheâd seen Maron Greyjoy taking control of things and she knew that heâd need to be a pillar for his family, especially his mother, though she wondered if he was remembering to take care of himself. It had been clear that there was no lost between the Prime Minister and his middle son, but something as sudden as a death, with its macabre details, would shake even the hardest of hearts.Â
[ And if she was being entirely honest, she knew that law enforcement would be looking for motive, for opportunity. It would not take a rocket scientist to figure out that aside from the obvious suspects - the Targaryens - there would likely be suspicion cast upon the Prime Ministerâs sons. ]Â
Jeyne found him in a room near the back of the house and she knocked lightly on the door that was already somewhat ajar. After setting the tray on a nightstand, she shut the door, leaning against the back of it, head tilted to the side. âSo would it make your life easier if I just told the detectives we were fucking back here when your father was killed?âÂ
It was silent for a second before Jeyne lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. âThatâs too much isnât it?â She shook her head and gestured to the tray. âI brought you something to eat.â
This house was huge, because of course it was, and despite Maron had never lived here and visited excruciatingly rarely, there was a room that his mother had set aside that she called âhis room.â In reality, heâd slept in it precisely once before vowing to stay in rented apartments whenever he deigned to visit the capital these days. It was easier that way, but that wasnât to say he hadnât found himself grateful for a place to go where he couldnât be disturbed.
He sat on the floor at the foot of his bed, his back against its edge, shoulders hunched and his head resting on his hand as he spoke on the phone to one of his superiors at Dragonstone. It would be longer than expected before he was back at the base seeing as his family were going to need him now more than ever, and without Balon around he had no reason not to stay here to support them.Â
When he heard footsteps in the hallway, he said his respectful goodbyes to his commanding officer and hung up the call, looking up with a smile of relief at the flash of crimson that he could see in the crack in the door.Â
âItâs actually a better alibi than Iâve currently got.â He sighed, wondering if he should locate Robb Stark somewhere in this crowd for when the moment came that interrogators turned their attentions to him. âBut I think your father might kill me if I was to let you lie to the Military Intelligence on my account.â Besides,Â
He chuckled. âItâs fine.â And telling of what Maron wished had been happening at a back room at this party when the chaos went down. âReally? Uh, thank you.â It hadnât been something he was expecting, but he appreciated it more than she could know - he felt so isolated here, and to know somebody had wondered not only where he was but how to help him was a little overwhelming.Â
âHowâre you holding up?â He asked, looking up at her with protectiveness palpable on his words, nodding for her to come in if sheâd like. âI know this canât be easy for you... not when so much of this event was on your shoulders. Iâm sorry this has all happened while youâve been involved with my family. Let me know if you need anything to keep things under control.â He paused, reaching for the covered plate and putting it on the floor next to him so he could idly pick at its contents. âA friend of mine here tonightâs a lawyer - Iâd like you to have him with you when you speak to the cops. Just to be safe. If you donât mind.â