“HE PULLED A GUN ON you?” Mary Ann shrieked, “What the actual hell is wrong with him?”

Carlos shrugged, “I mean, he is crazy as fuck, so I don’t see why you are that surprised.”

“Crazy, yes,” Alice nodded, “But homicidal? That is news to me. There was a manic glint in his eyes and a nervous tick that I don’t remember being so pronounced.”

Jay frowned, “Do you think he’s afraid of something?”

Alice nodded, “Or someone. Hatter obviously didn’t want us getting too close to him. But there was no way that he could have the White Pawn there at the lake. It is far too public a place. And his side-kick The March Hare was nowhere to be seen. That I found especially odd.”

“Odder than a gun aimed at your chest?” Mary Ann shook her head, “Hatter isn’t a killer, I would stake my life on it. Someone is pulling the strings and he is merely the puppet.”

Carlos spoke up, “We need to locate The March Hare.”

“We?” Jay raised a brow. “I thought you were kidnapped against your will?”

It wasn’t lost on Jay that when he and Alice returned, Mary Ann had been in the other man’s arms.

Carlos gave that signature shrug, “I could help. I mean, if you needed it.”

He was staring straight at Mary Ann.

Alice smothered a smile, “We appreciate that Carlos.”

Mary Ann blushed all the way to the roots of her red hair, “That would be nice.”

**

THEY RETURNED TO THE dirigible and set out for March Manor which was unfortunately located across the way from Hatter House. The adventurers were hoping to arrive before the Hatter did. But traveling by airship was not always the fastest way to go, and they knew they would be cutting it close.

They sailed away from the Wood with No Name, past the Village of Animals, and the Giant Fields. It was decided that they would land in Hope Village and go to Mach Manor on foot. Everything was going perfectly until they arrived at The March Hare’s home.

Indeed, someone had been there before they arrived. The smell of iron was strong in the air, and Jay knew immediately that familiar smell of fresh kill. He tried to stop Alice from going inside the Manor, but she was far more determined and slipped around him.

The March Hare was in residence at the March Manor, or at least pieces of him were. It was as gory a crime scene as one could possibly imagine. Alice felt bile trying to force its way up her throat.

Mary Ann ran out as fast as her legs would carry her.

“I don’t understand,” she was shaking, the shock taking over her sense, “They were supposed to be best friends. Why would the Hatter do something like that? I don’t understand!”

Alice had followed Mary Ann out into the fresh air, “Maybe it wasn’t the Hatter?”

“Did you not see what was on the floor?” Mary Ann wailed, “One of those ridiculous hats covered in blood. How can it be anyone else?”

Jay and Carlos walked out of March Manor closing the door behind them.

“Carlos, you take Mary Ann and fetch the authorities,” Jay commanded. “Alice and I will remain here until you return. Maybe there is a clue that we are failing to see,”

Carlos whitened, “The nearest authority is the Castle of Hearts, I won’t go to those horrible people. They are responsible for the death of my family.”

Jay’s jaw tightened, “And mine. The red queen orphaned my brother and me and trapped me to try and force my shifter side to serve her evil purposes. Do not go there, take the time to go to Diamond Keep. The White Queen will send aid.”

Carlos nodded and took Mary Ann by the hand. They walked back to the dirigible and boarded. With the help of Jolly and the other Jubjub’s they were soon in the air and floating out of sight.

Jay had waited until Carlos and Mary Ann were out of earshot to speak with Alice.

“I don’t think it was the Hatter,” he said in a low voice.

Alice wrinkled her brow, “Why? Didn’t you see the hat that was on the floor? That has to be one of Hatter’s creations.”

Jay cocked his head, “We just saw the Hatter a few hours ago and he was wearing a silk green top hat. The one in there is ruby red with a black stripe. Why would he come all the way back here and change his hat before killing his best friend?”

“Because he is bat-shit crazy?” Alice suggested.

Jay tried not to smile, “I won’t argue with you there. But it seems to be that the Hatter has been framed.”

“So, we need to discover who The March Hare’s enemies are and if this death is connected with the kidnapping of the White Pawn. My question is, why did the Hatter pull the gun on us?”

There was a voice from behind them, “Maybe the Hatter was aware that someone was trying to frame him? Maybe the Hatter is scared that he will be next if he doesn’t protect himself? Maybe the Hatter doesn’t know who to trust?”

Alice turned and signed when she saw the Hatter standing there in his green silk top hat with tears running down his face.

“They k-killed him,” Hatter barely got the words out. “My b-best friend!”

Before Jay could stop her, Alice went over and hugged the strange man.

Jay wanted to grab and shake her. The man had pulled a gun on her not more than twenty-four hours ago and she was now patting his back and letting his snot get on her shoulder.

Black smoke spiraled from his nostrils.

“Calm down, Jabberwocky,” Alice insisted when Hatter pulled back in fear. He seemed every bit as shaky and nervous as he had at the lake. “We need to talk about things, Hatter, can you do that?”

He looked much older than Alice remembered him to be. The lines of his face stood out against his pale complexion. The Hatter looked worn and defeated.

“Yes, Miss Alice, of course,” he turned and began to amble back to his house, “Come along, I will put on the tea kettle.”

Jay and Alice exchanged glances. Alice's eyes clearly stating that he was being a jackass, and his telling her that he didn’t give a damn.

She yanked on his arm and he grudgingly followed her to the Hatter’s house. DM for Door Mouse, let them in and scurried off to the kitchen to prepare their tea. Hatter was already sitting at the dining room table in his favorite high backed plush purple chair.

Alice thought it was a bit ostentatious but didn’t say anything. The poor man was obviously bereft.

“Can you tell us what happened, Hatter?”

Her careful tone seemed to wake him from his daze, “Goodness, Alice! Whenever did you arrive? Let’s have some tea!”

Alice blinked and turned to Jay, “Erm, Hatter, what about The March Hare?”

Hatter frowned, “What about him? I didn’t invite him to tea, I invited you—obviously, that’s why you are here. Unless, tell me, dear, is it your birthday?”

Jay blew out an exasperated breath, “Hatter, what do you know about the disappearance of the White Pawn?”

“The princess?” he repeated blankly.

“Yes,” Alice scooted her chair a little closer to the Hatter, “She is missing.”

Hatter seemed to ponder it, “I haven’t the foggiest, but we should ask The March Hare, where is he by the by?”

Jay sighed, and in it, Alice heard the words ‘I told you so’ as clear as day—so she ignored him.