"But you don't know what?" #51 | | |
"No. I'd only just left the building when the accident happened. All I saw was poor Alceten being run down." #52 | | |
"It doesn't sound like you had much time to see what was happening. I hear it was raining too. Heavy rain. Visibility can't have been that good. How can you be sure there was no driver?" #53 | | |
Zinlantol rises to her feet. "If you have no official business at the King's Record House, I think it's time for you to leave." #54 | | |
We stare at each other. I take in her dress, the plain woollen drape that covers her shoulders, and a thin metal band on her ring finger, all of them cheap. But then there's the valuable queenstone earrings. #55 | | |
"Nice earrings," I say. "A present from a friend?" #56 | | |
The record keeper abruptly spins on her heel and walks off, disappearing from view through a door marked 'private.' I walk towards the entrance, past the statue of Saint Quatinius. I think he might be staring at me. #57 | | |
"That's what I do," I tell him. "Bully middle-aged women for a living." #58 | | |
The soldiers outside the door ignore me as I leave. They're discussing the tournament. #59 | | |
"Elupus will win it again," says one "I've got my money down already." #60 | | |
