I sip my wine. I like Demelzos. I wish I had some better ideas for helping. #101 | | |
"How are you going to make things up to Makri?" she asks, unexpectedly. #102 | | |
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"I understand she's insulted you weren't there to lead her into the arena." #104 | | |
I stare at Demelzos, surprised. "How could you possibly know that?" #105 | | |
"My kitchen maid is walking out with General Hemistos's stable boy. She brings home a lot of gossip." #106 | | |
I shouldn't be surprised. Servants usually know everything. "I thought I'd buy her flowers." #107 | | |
"Flowers?" Demelzos raised her eyebrows slightly. "That doesn't seem like enough." #108 | | |
"Makri is very susceptible to flowers. She grew up in a gladiator slave pit and never got any presents. A bunch of flowers can have a powerful effect." #109 | | |
The Baroness nods. "I can understand that. I take it you've done this before?" #110 | | |
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"This time you might need something better. Here - " The Baroness takes a small object from a drawer and slides it over the table. It's a notebook, I suppose, though calling it that doesn't really do it justice. The pages are made from the highest-grade vellum and it's bound in black leather, with a small queenstone jewel set in the centre, and a silver clasp to hold it shut. I doubt if even Lisutaris has anything quite this fancy to write in. #112 | | |
"You said she likes to study. Does she have anything nice for taking notes?" #113 | | |
"No one has anything this nice for taking notes." #114 | | |
"Give it to her," says the Baroness. "She'll forgive your offensive behaviour." #115 | | |
I look at her suspiciously. "Why would you care about that?" #116 | | |
"I don't like to see things go badly between you and your young lady." #117 | | |
"Makri is not my young lady." #118 | | |
The Baroness laughs. "Really? Then why have you been buying her flowers?" #119 | | |
"Unfortunate circumstances which are difficult to describe." #120 | | |
"How many women have you ever bought flowers for?" #121 | | |
"None. But you've got entirely the wrong impression." #122 | | |
The Baroness looks amused. It's annoying. I thank her for the book, and tell her I'd like to talk to Merlione before I leave. #123 | | |
"She should be in her rooms. I'll have a servant take you. It would be best if you were quick. My husband will probably be home soon. Do I owe you any more money? The retainer only covered a few days." #124 | | |
"It doesn't matter. You lent me more money for gambling." #125 | | |
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I follow Demelzos's servant though the long, white-plastered walls of her summer mansion, wondering what's got into me that I'm refusing money from a client. I glance at the book I'm carrying. Makri will probably try and break it over my head. #128 | | |
Here in her her own rooms, safe from stray arrows and death threats, Merlione is again the confident young woman I first encountered. There's no hint of discomfort in her eyes as she greets me. I suddenly find that irritating. Everyone else is discomfited, why shouldn't she be? #129 | | |
"What aren't you telling me?" I ask her. #130 | | |
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"There's something about this affair you're not telling me. I want to know what it is." #132 | | |
"Why would I be withholding anything?" #133 | | |
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" #134 | | |
"It sounds like you think I'm lying," says Merlione. #135 | | |
"You could put it that way if you want. So what are you lying about?" #136 | | |
Merlione's dark eyes flash with anger. "This is ridiculous," she says. "What sort of investigator are you? I'm the one who's being threatened." #137 | | |
"I think you have an idea why." #138 | | |
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"I've been down all the usual channels, Merlione. Lovers, rivals, finances, family feuds, blackmail. No one's telling me anything. People don't get murdered for no reason. Well, not Baron's daughters anyway. Someone has a reason for trying to kill you and I'm starting to think you know what it is." #140 | | |
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Merlione's cheeks flush with anger. At least I've discomfited her. "Perhaps you're just not a very good investigator." #143 | | |
"I'm number one chariot at investigating. Everyone says so. Tell me what you know." #144 | | |
"I don't know anything." #145 | | |
""Do you mind that your brother inherits everything and you get nothing?" #146 | | |
Merlione looks at me in surprise. "What? Why would I?" #147 | | |
"Why wouldn't you? It's your mother's Queenstone mines that are keeping the family going. Now she's giving one to Orgodas for his wedding. And when your father dies Orgodas will inherit the rest. Does that make you angry?" #148 | | |
"What if it did?" Merlione's voice is raised. She's angry all right, though mostly at me. "What does this have to do with anything?" #149 | | |
"I don't know. Maybe it's a clue. Tell me about it." #150 | | |
