Table of Contents

Chapter 1    Poisoned

Chapter 2    The Inquiry Begins: Chef Target's Kitchen

Chapter 3    The Inquiry Continues: Lady Monica's Pillow

Chapter 4    The Final Inquiry: Commander Reed's Duty

Chapter 5    The Verdict

Chapter 1

Poisoned 

"King Martin won't wake up!" Queen Martha screamed. 

    Everyone in the castle began to scurry towards the cries of the queen.

    "Lady Monica, Mr. Target, Mr. Reed!! Someone help the king!!"

    They all dashed, to come to the queen's aid. Lady Monica arrived first.

    "Let me check his temperature," Lady Monica said to Queen Martha. Once she checked it, she cried, "Oh no! He's waaay too cold." 

    They grabbed a stack of blankets and piled them on King Martin.

    "Call the doctor," ordered Queen Martha. Lady Monica immediately called the doctor and she instantly came. 

    Dr. Ashford checked out the king and said to Queen Martha, "I need to speak with you privately.

"The queen dismissed everyone and was left alone with King Martin and Dr. Ashford.

    Dr. Ashford explained, "King Martin's temperature has elevated. His fever is high. He will not be awake any time soon. Make sure you and you alone give him this medicine. Do not allow it out of your sight. Monitor him closely."

    "I got to him in time, but it's going to take some time for him to recover. Watch him closely and let me know if he gets worse." Then she moved closer to the queen and whispered,  "King Martin has been poisoned!"

    Queen Martha was horrified. "Who would do this to the king?"

    Just then, they heard a big thud on the other side of the door. A hush fell in the room. The queen went to the door and swung open the door. Nobody was there.

    "We'll discuss this later," Queen Martha assured Dr. Ashford. "I will get to the bottom of this."

Chapter 2 

The Inquiry Begins: Chef Target's Kitchen

After Dr. Ashford left, Queen Martha was determined to find out who poisoned King Martin. She stayed by his side all night, keeping a close eye on him, to be sure his condition did not become worse.

    The following day, she arose early to begin her secret inquiry into the cause of the king's poisoning. She did not reveal to the staff what Dr. Ashford told her about the king. Queen Martha wanted to catch the culprit herself.

     Dr. Ashford came by to check King Martin's status.      "I'm afraid there hasn't been much change since last night, Queen Martha."

    Very worried she inquired, "Is he going to be alright?"

    "We need to find out what happened to him."

    "Thank you, Dr. Ashford."

    Queen Martha began to formulate a plan and gather information. She entered the kitchen to find Chef Target placing some unmarked bottles in a cabinet.

        "Hem-hem."

        "Your Majesty," Chef Target quickly announced. Startled by her presence, he bowed swiftly, "what can I do for you, Your Highness?"

        "I am retracing King Martin's steps to see what caused his illness," she said, making sure not to reveal her true intentions.

        "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied with a confused look.

    "What did King Martin have for lunch yesterday?"

        "Well," Chef Target hesitated, "he didn't want his usual lunch, so I prepared a special meal for him. I have been working on some new recipes."

        "I see."

    "He only ate a salad for supper. He tried my new salad dressing."

    "Hmm, thank you, Chef Target."

    "Would you like to try one of my new breakfast recipes, Queen Martha?"

    "No, thank you."

    With that, Queen Martha exited, pondering the information she gathered from Chef Target. A special recipe? A new meal? What were those bottles Chef Target was placing in the cabinet when I entered? Why was he startled by my presence? A new salad dressing? She tried not to reach any conclusions until she spoke with the other staff members.

Chapter 3

The Inquiry Continues: Lady Monica's Pillow

    Before she questioned anyone else, Queen Martha decided to look in on King Martin. She wanted to see if he was awake. She entered his bedchamber to find her lady-in-waiting standing over King Martin with a pillow in her hand.

    "Lady Monica?"

    Almost dropping the pillow, Lady Monica turned to face the queen, "My Queen." She bowed awkwardly to Queen Martha.

    "What are you doing?"

    "I came to make sure King Martin was comfortable."

    Queen Martha pointed, "What are you doing with that pillow?"

    "I-I was adjusting his pillows. He didn't look like he was resting peacefully."

    After responding to Queen Martha, Lady Monica placed the pillow on the chair beside King Martin's bed. She picked up a towel and a container of some sort of cleaning solution from the small table beside his bed, and instantly headed toward the door of the bedchamber.

    "I'll go now, Queen Martha, so I may finish my work."

    She bowed to the queen, and took her leave.

    "Very well. Thank you, Lady Monica."

    Queen Martha rushed to King Martin's side. She pressed her hand to his forehead. Some of her fears were abased when she realized his fever was gone. She smiled slightly, and whispered in his ear, "You're going to be alright, dear." She almost thought she saw a hint of a smile on his face.

Chapter 4

The Final Inquiry: Commander Reed's Duty

    Queen Martha was yet puzzled. Hmmm. Chef Target prepared special meals, released new recipes, and stored unmarked bottles. Now, Lady Monica is acting strangely. Why was she in King Martin's room unannounced? What was she doing standing over him? Why did she have a pillow in her hand? If she was making him comfortable, why did she leave the pillow in the chair? What was she doing with the towel and the bottle of solution?

    There were so  many clues, but Queen Martha was no closer to solving the mystery.

    The queen knew she was going to have to monitor King Martin a bit closer, in order to make sure he was safe. With only one more person to investigate, she proceeded to the front doors of the castle.

    Just as she made her way down the hallway and around the corner, she heard a noise coming from King Martin's bedchamber. The last time she entered the king's bedchamber, Lady Monica was standing over him.

    She rushed back to his room, thinking that she would find Lady Monica back inside. To her surprise and shock, Chef Target was walking out with a tray containing a glass of water and one of the unmarked bottles from the kitchen.

    "Chef Target?" she questioned, her eyes widening.

    "Your Majesty," he bowed carefully, so he wouldn't drop the tray in his hands.

    Perplexed, she probed, "Is King Martin awake?"

    "Unfortunately, he is not, Your Highness."

    "Then, why are you in here?"

    "I was hoping he was awake. I prepared a special snack for him, just in case."

    "Oh," Queen Martha replied suspiciously, "he's not going to need that now. Please take that back to the kitchen, Chef Target."

    The queen stood and watched to make sure her command was obeyed.

    Once Chef Target was out of sight, Queen Martha headed towards the front doors of the castle to finish her inquiry.

    "Commander Reed?" Her Majesty investigated.