*
When they reached the Golden Egg, Mustardseed was waiting outside Oberon's old office. He led them into the room, where the queen sat solemnly at her husband's desk. She was now wearing a smart pin-striped suit, tailored for her figure but reminiscent of the one Oberon had worn. She had a framed photo in her hands. She looked tired and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. Oz stood by, watching her with concern. When he noticed the group he rushed to join them.
"Mustardseed, your mother is having a difficult day," he said. "I'm sure I can handle any of this business for her."
"No," Titania said without looking up. "Step forward, son, and bring your friends."
Mustardseed led the family forward and then bowed to his mother.
"This was a happy day," she said holding up the photograph. "We walked through Central Park, amongst the humans. I thought we'd have an eternity of those moments. Now he's gone and there are so many things I wish I had said."
Titania was quiet for a moment. Though Sabrina was bursting to tell her what she had discovered, she knew that silence was the best thing she could offer the heartbroken queen just then.
"I'm told that my husband's murderer has been killed," Titania continued. "Your family's reputation for excellent detective work has proved true."
"We owe you a debt of gratitude," Mustardseed added.
"Actually we have our doubts about Cobweb," Granny said.
"Indeed?" Oz said.
"My granddaughter has given this some serious thought and has some interesting questions that don't have answers," the old woman said, gesturing for Sabrina to step forward.
"You are Puck's chosen protector, I understand," Titania said.
Sabrina nodded, sniffing her still-pungent hair. "For better or worse."
"You don't believe that Cobweb killed his father?" Titania said as Moth entered the room. The fairy girl flashed Sabrina her usual angry look.
Sabrina shook her head. "Cobweb didn't act like a murderer. First, he was working with Oberon to rebuild Faerie. He told me that he and the king were working on a homeless shelter and a hospital. He told me that he respected and supported Oberon."
"He was lying, fool!" Moth cried.
"Sure, a person can say anything, but what they do is different. We chased him all over town. When we were nearly killed in the subway he came back to check on us. Then when the pirates kidnapped us he came to try to rescue us."
"Not the acts of a murderer," Mustardseed said.
Sabrina nodded. "We think it was someone in the Scarlet Hand. No one here seems to know who they are, but back in Ferryport Landing they've caused a lot of trouble. They're responsible for kidnapping my parents and want to take over the world. They left their mark on Oberon's body."
"But you have no idea who this other murderer might be?" Moth asked.
"No," Granny Relda added.
"Then you are no further along toward discovering his killer than when you started!" Titania cried. Granny stepped forward. "Not exactly. Cobweb gave your husband a glass of wine with poison in it. If we can find out who poured that wine, I believe we'll know who the true killer is."
The queen shook her head. "And how do you propose to learn that?"
"The same way we learned who gave Oberon the poison," Sabrina said.
"Scrooge!" Daphne cried. "He talks to ghosts."
"We can go to see him again and this time we'll talk to Cobweb's spirit," Sabrina explained. "You could come, too. You could talk to Oberon."
Titania rose from her chair. "Is this true?"
Sabrina nodded. "I seem to have the ability to let ghosts take over my body. It's no picnic, but I'd let it happen again so you can tell him a few of those things you never got a chance to say."
"Mother, I've heard talk of Scrooge's talents," Mustardseed said. "Suppose the girl is right. Suppose Cobweb is not the true killer. If that is true, the murderer still walks amongst us. Cobweb could reveal his name."
Titania nodded. "Take me to Scrooge. I'll need a few moments to prepare."
Mustardseed smiled and turned to the group. "We'll join you in the restaurant."
Sabrina and her friends left the office and headed back down the hallway. Moth stopped them and sighed as if she were exhausted. She looked at Sabrina and gritted her teeth.
"Puck could emerge at any moment from his vessel. As his protector, it is customary for you to perform a sacred task."
"What kind of task?" Sabrina asked.
"You must toast the emerging king with a special elixir. It is quite an honor."
"I really can't," Sabrina argued. "We're leaving any minute. Can it wait?"