He left the bar, and I still wasn’t sure what we’d really been talking about.
SIX
Questions Without Answers
I went wandering through the deserted corridors of Coronach House. Going nowhere in particular, just thinking. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Baron had been trying to tell me something and I’d missed it. I couldn’t believe he was so ready to run out on his job. For all his flexible morality and constant readiness to look out for his own best interests, he’d always been dependable when we worked together. Had he discovered something about the principals or the killer that made him believe he had no choice but to run for his life? Did he foresee some threat or danger coming that I’d missed?
Of course, it had been some time since I’d last seen him; but given some of the things he and I had faced together in the past, I wouldn’t have thought there was anything that could break his nerve. Though anyone can break if they’re hit hard enough.
Had Baron known about the creature in the cellar? Was that why he’d sent us down there? Did he expect it to kill me? Or was I supposed to kill the creature because he couldn’t? Did he think it would scare me so much I’d agree to leave with him? He should have known better than that. I walked faster, as though I could leave behind all the questions that were worrying me. Would Baron run now, on his own? Or would he hang on until he could convince someone else to go with him and keep him company? Running might not seem so bad if he wasn’t the only one doing it.
I was frowning so hard my forehead ached and my hands had clenched into fists. None of this made any sense. I’d known Baron under a dozen different names and identities, fought beside him and against him; and whether I was guarding his back or trying to stick a knife in it, I’d always known where I stood with him. We’d fought in underground wars and hunted with hell hounds, gone on pub crawls with gods and monsters, and brought the hammer down on alien incursions. And I never once saw him flinch. So why was he so determined to run? And why did he think I’d go with him?
All right, I’d run from the creature in the cavern. But that had been more in the nature of a tactical retreat. I’d always intended to go back and face it again, once I’d fixed the odds so they were more in my favour. It was Baron who taught me to never let your enemy set the terms of engagement. I couldn’t believe he’d changed that much, so I must be missing something. What did he know about what was really going on in Coronach House that I didn’t?
Angry voices caught my attention as I entered the reception area, and I sighed quietly because I recognized both of them. Penny and the Major Domo were standing at the foot of the stairs, deep in something that wasn’t actually a conversation; more an armed stand-off. They were right in each other’s faces, and the only reason they weren’t shouting was because some things need to be said in a conversational tone in order to have the full and proper impact. The two women were so wrapped up in scoring points off each other they never even saw me coming. I looked around in case there was a bucket of cold water handy.
‘You don’t give me orders!’ said the Major Domo.
‘I’m trying to solve your problems,’ said Penny. ‘Since you don’t seem able to.’
‘You are the problem!’ said the Major Domo.
‘Ladies …?’ I said tentatively, and then gave them my best innocent stare as they both turned to glare at me. ‘So … what’s up?’
‘You went off without me!’ said Penny. ‘Leaving me to deal with this impossible woman!’
‘This is my House!’ said the Major Domo, glaring impartially at Penny and me. ‘I will not have my orders defied by people under my authority!’
‘We’re not under your authority,’ Penny said sweetly, moving to stand beside me. ‘We speak for the Organization. Isn’t that right, Ishmael darling?’
‘We do,’ I said cautiously. ‘But preferably in a calm and supportive way. We’re supposed to work with people on the ground, not antagonize them. Unless we feel we absolutely have to, of course. What’s the current problem, Major Domo?’
‘My staff are still refusing to come out of the dining hall!’ said the Major Domo. ‘Despite all my best efforts to persuade them.’
‘Persuade?’ said Penny. ‘You mean threaten and intimidate. Honestly, Ishmael, I’ve never heard language like it. And I’ve worked in publishing.’
‘I think the staff and chauffeurs are safe enough where they are,’ I said judiciously. ‘At least they aren’t getting under anyone’s feet or causing trouble. And as long as they’re locked in, we always know where to find them. There! Problem solved! What’s next? Ah … yes. Major Domo, I need to talk to the principals. All of them, right now. It’s time I got some straight answers.’
The Major Domo looked like she wanted to laugh in my face, but didn’t. ‘You really think you can give orders to the Baphomet Group? You don’t have anything like the authority.’
‘The Organization does,’ I said. ‘Be so good as to inform the principals that if just one of them fails to cooperate, the Organization will send in a full security team to shut this meeting down, and drag them all off in chains to the nearest interrogation centre.’
My voice was cold, determined, and packed full of menace; and the Major Domo didn’t so much as blink. She just nodded shortly, turned her back on Penny and me, and set off up the stairs. Penny waited till she was sure the Major Domo was out of earshot, then looked at me thoughtfully.
‘Can you really do that? Can the Organization really do that?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said cheerfully. ‘Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.’
‘You do like to push your luck, don’t you?’ said Penny.
‘I do,’ I said. ‘I really do.’
‘Where’s Baron?’ asked Penny, with the air of someone who’d only just happened to notice he wasn’t with me.
‘Sulking, somewhere. We had words.’ I could feel my frown coming back. ‘He wanted to cut and run, before things here get really bad. And he wanted me to go with him.’
‘Cut and run?’ said Penny. ‘He doesn’t know you very well, does he?’
‘That’s just it,’ I said. ‘He does.’
Penny didn’t quite know what to make of that, so she just shrugged and slipped her arm through mine.
‘He hasn’t exactly contributed much to this case, has he?’
‘No …’ I said. ‘And that’s odd. He’s easily as experienced as me when it comes to dealing with the more dangerous corners of the hidden world. I would have sworn he was one of the few people in the House I could depend on.’
‘You make him sound someone special,’ said Penny.
‘He was,’ I said. ‘At one time all kinds of subterranean groups would line up for the chance to bid for his services. Just knowing he was on the case was often enough to make the other guys surrender or quietly disappear. He had a reputation, whereas I was just a rumour.’
‘Then what’s he doing here, slumming it as Head of House Security?’ said Penny. ‘A high-and-mighty title for someone who’s basically just a glorified bouncer.’
‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘He wouldn’t tell me. Or perhaps he tried and I didn’t listen.’
Penny waited until it was clear I had nothing more to say, and then squeezed my arm against her side comfortingly. The Major Domo came striding back down the stairs to join us. She addressed me directly, ignoring Penny.
‘I’ve spoken to the security guards, and they are talking to their principals.’
‘You’ve been all the way up to the top floor and back down again?’ said Penny. ‘And you’re hardly sweating at all! You must be in really good shape, for a woman of your age and weight.’
The Major Domo allowed herself a brief condescending smile. ‘I used my phone.’
‘Then why go upstairs at all?’ I said.
‘Because I wanted to speak privately.’ The Major Domo sniffed loudly. ‘You seem to have made something of an impression on the security men, Mister Jones. They have pr
omised to do their best to deliver their principals as soon as possible. I have suggested a suitable meeting place. This way.’
She strode off without looking back. I looked at Penny, she looked at me, and we both shrugged pretty much in unison before setting off after her. We deliberately didn’t try to keep up with the Major Domo, so she was forced to slow her pace to accommodate ours. You can’t let some people get away with anything. We ended up at the room the Baphomet Group used for their very private discussions. I supposed it made sense. It had to be the most secure room in the House. The Major Domo unlocked the door, stepped back, and invited us to enter with a grand gesture. I strolled into the room as though it had been my idea, with Penny sauntering grandly along at my side.
‘I could make myself available to assist with the meeting,’ said the Major Domo.
‘Most kind,’ I said. ‘But that won’t be necessary. The principals will speak more freely on their own.’
The Major Domo looked like she was about to take umbrage, but I forestalled her with a raised hand.
‘Because they are almost certainly going to be talking about things they won’t want other people to know about. Things that it wouldn’t be safe for someone like you to know.’
The Major Domo nodded stiffly, conceding the point; and left, shutting the door quietly but firmly behind her.
The moment she was gone, I set about searching the room. Remembering what the undercover reporter Emily had said, about secretly recording the Group’s discussions. Penny quickly caught on and helped me look, but there wasn’t a single listening device to be found anywhere. So either Emily had been bluffing, to strengthen her position, or someone had removed them. Someone professional. I abandoned the search, and Penny and I pulled up chairs and made ourselves comfortable. Because the one thing we could be sure of was that the principals wouldn’t hurry themselves to join us. Very important personages always like to make the little people wait; to remind them of their place.
In the end, only four of them turned up. January and March came in together, looking like they owned the place and were thinking of selling. January was a sharp-faced young woman with a blonde buzz cut and an almost brutally cut business suit, while March was a middle-aged man who dyed his remaining hair and looked like he’d slept in his suit. I studied them thoughtfully, remembering how they’d both emerged from the same room after the gunfire had stopped. They both glared at me, because I hadn’t stood up when they entered. I nodded cheerfully back at them. They tried glaring at Penny, but she just waggled the fingers of one hand at them, entirely unconcerned, and they gave up.
August walked through the door so quietly and unobtrusively it took me a moment to realize he’d arrived. Another middle-aged man, a grey little person with a grey personality and a suit to match. He looked at me, and then at Penny, as though we didn’t matter. Then he looked at January and March in the same way.
December was the last to arrive. The oldest member of the Baphomet Group was smartly turned out in an old-fashioned suit, as though his valet had only just finished dressing him. He looked tired and drawn, but still carried himself with a certain dignity. He nodded at the other principals, and looked coldly at me. Saying nothing, leaving it to me to make the running.
‘Where are the others?’ I said.
‘We are only responsible for ourselves,’ December said heavily. ‘No one member of the Group has authority or influence over any other. That’s the way it’s always been.’
‘Excuse me for just a moment,’ I said.
I went back out into the corridor where, just as I expected, the Major Domo was still hovering.
‘I have only four principals,’ I said. ‘And I need the other seven to complete my set. So be a dear and contact the other principals’ security people. Tell them to get their principals down here right now, by force if necessary, or I will come up there and do it for them. In a way I guarantee the principals will not thank them for.’
She must have heard something in my voice, because she didn’t argue. Just nodded quickly and got out her phone. I went back into the meeting room, and closed the door.
The four principals sat together on the same side of the long table, facing me and Penny. Trying to look like they were in charge of the meeting. Though they might have to be here, their expressions said, they had no intention of saying anything that wasn’t in their best interests. I decided to start with January and March, because they looked the least interested in talking.
‘Isn’t this nice?’ I said. ‘All good chums together. Let’s start with a simple one. Where were you two when October was killed?’
‘Go to hell,’ said January, her voice cold and clipped. ‘We don’t have to talk to you.’
‘You have no authority over us,’ said March, trying to sound confident and missing by a mile. ‘You’re just a jumped-up little functionary.’
I smiled, and they both stirred uncomfortably in their chairs.
‘I speak for the Organization,’ I said. ‘You know what that means. So don’t even think about mentioning lawyers or business privilege, or any of that happy crappy. Tell me what I need to know, right now, or I will make your lives a living hell.’
January and March looked at each other, and then January nodded stiffly, while March sulked.
‘Well?’ I said.
‘All right!’ said March. ‘If you must know, we were together. In my room. The truth is … we’ve been having an affair.’
He put an arm round January’s shoulders. I saw her stiffen, just for a moment, and then she smiled at me defiantly.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘That’s right. We’re having an affair. And it’s none of your business.’
‘Horse pucky!’ Penny said loudly, and both principals jumped, just a little. Penny smiled nastily at January and March. ‘They don’t have the right body language for lovers. She’s practically shrinking away from him, and he’s sweating too much. I’ve never even seen them exchange glances, never mind hold hands. So try again, sweeties. You can’t fool Auntie Penny.’
‘No more lies,’ I said to January and March, making my voice harsh and brutal. ‘Either you talk to me or you talk to the Organization’s interrogators at Ringstone Lodge.’
They both sat up straight, March’s arm falling away from January’s shoulders. It was obvious from their faces that they’d heard of the Lodge, and the kind of things that go on there. Even though, strictly speaking, they shouldn’t have. Ringstone Lodge is where the Organization sends people to get the truth out of them. By any means necessary.
‘Oh, all right,’ March said crossly. ‘No need to make such a fuss. The truth is … we’ve been holding secret meetings. Plotting together, combining our knowledge and resources so we could seize the advantage at Group meetings. A purely business relationship to give us a bit of an edge.’
December stared at them, aghast and outraged. ‘That is completely unacceptable! It goes against all the rules and traditions of the Baphomet Group! Each member has always been obliged to sink or swim through his or her own efforts; it’s the only way we can be sure of arriving at purely impartial decisions. No previous generation of the Group has ever stooped to such behaviour!’
January sneered at him, her mouth taking on an ugly shape. ‘And that’s why you’re on the way out, old man! You’re the past, and we are the future. You think business is a game, while we know it’s a war. Where everything is justified and the sharks wait for those who sink.’
December was so shocked he had to fight to get his words out, but he’d barely started before he had to break off again as the door slammed open and the Major Domo came hurrying in. She hesitated as she realized all the principals were glaring at her, and then quickly turned away to look at me.
‘I’ve contacted the security people on the top floor, and put the fear of God into them. Or, to be more accurate, the fear of the Organization. They’ve all sworn they’ll get their principals moving as soon as possible.’
‘Hold everyt
hing!’ said Penny. ‘Now that is interesting …’
‘What is?’ I said.
‘Something’s going on between August and the Major Domo,’ said Penny. ‘I don’t know why I didn’t see it before, but it’s obvious now we’ve got them both in the same room. It’s all in the body language. The way they move; the way their bodies orient towards each other, almost unconsciously. The way they look at each other and then quickly away, in case someone’s noticed. Take my word for it, Ishmael: if anyone in this room is having an affair, it’s August and the Major Domo. Who would have thought?’
‘I’ll take your word for it,’ I said. ‘You always spot these things before I do.’
December looked from August to the Major Domo, and then back again. January and March looked intrigued, and grateful that the spotlight had moved on to someone else. The Major Domo was trying very hard not to look flustered. August just sat where he was, with no change of expression.
‘Well?’ December said harshly. ‘Is this true, August?’
August looked at the Major Domo, and she moved quickly over to stand beside him, one hand resting possessively on his shoulder.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It’s true. We’re together.’
‘How did that happen?’ said Penny.
The Major Domo looked at her defiantly. ‘We met. There was a spark. Love isn’t just for the young.’
‘But it’s not just sweet talk and larking around, is it?’ I said. ‘You’re both too … businesslike for that. You’re both getting something out of this relationship.’
‘August has promised to buy Coronach House and give it to me,’ said the Major Domo. ‘So it can finally belong to my family again. In return … I encouraged my staff to keep their eyes and ears open around the principals and report to me everything they learned. So I could pass it on to August, and he could use the knowledge to his advantage. We’re both of us alone in the world. We have to take our support where we can find it.’
Very Important Corpses Page 17