He smelt her stench, and felt the desire to rip her stomach open and pour that booze onto the streets.
But there was a time and a place for everything.
*****
“I told you the chicken was the best flavour,” Trimas said through a mouthful.
“I’m going to have to take you back to my homeland someday,” Zedek replied as he eyed his meal.
“Oh wow, that’s really nice of you.”
“Not really, I just want the chance to say I had the best recommendations twice every bell whatever we’re doing.”
Trimas paused, the crowd thickening before him. “I sense someone is unhappy with the fact I’ve been here before.”
“I wasn’t before, but it’s getting annoying now.”
“Okay, okay, fair enough. I shall tone it down.”
“Thank you.”
“But we have the food now so what do you think?”
“It tastes like chicken.”
“Well there we go. You can be filled with praise if you wish.”
“A lot of things taste like chicken.”
Trimas shrugged. “There’s a lot of people out for this funeral.”
“She was obviously well loved.”
“Or well feared.”
Zedek looked over at him. “Feared?”
“Yes.”
“People will come out in numbers for that?”
“You’d be surprised. Besides, aren’t your people like that?”
“No.”
“Well when you take me there…”
“I’ll write an entire two week menu and itinerary and tell you how right I was.”
Zedek smiled as he finished and turned to Trimas, who was staring into the crowd.
“You weren’t listening,” he sighed.
“Sorry, what?”
“You weren’t listening.”
“No, sorry, no, I thought I saw someone I knew.”
“A woman no doubt.”
Trimas snapped his head back. “What was that tone?”
“You have a reputation.”
“And since you’ve known me, how has that reputation gone?”
“Are you saying I’m some sort of … impediment.”
“No, sorry. No, I thought I knew someone out there…”
“Oh right, from when you were here before.”
“No, but … alright, no more of before. Let’s see if we can catch up to this funeral procession.”
They picked up speed and wound their way through the back of the crowds, which were breaking up. After a few minutes they managed to see the backs of the guards following the cart.
“Zedek,” Trimas began.
“Yes?”
“Try to look mournful. The total scorn written across your face might cause us some problems, and Elena has been warned about us fucking this up.”
“Oh, right, sorry. Is this better?”
“Did you have a pet?”
“No.”
“As a child.”
“No.”
“Well pretend you did and it just died. There, that’s better.”
“Why are we here anyway?”
“Oh, the least we can do. Besides, it’s not as if there’s any other entertainment going on.”
“Perhaps you could pretend to be mournful too.”
“That’s a deal.”
The pair now followed the procession, until Trimas grinned. “I see someone else.”
“Another woman?”
“Yes.”
“Here we go.”
“But not like that. Hey, Elena!”
Up ahead she turned and saw her friends, and walked back to them.
“Are you two always eating?” she asked.
Trimas smiled. “We were in a siege, teaches you to eat when you can.”
“Daeholf was in a siege. You two weren’t.”
“Yes, but we’re a close group now. All for, er, each other or something.”
Elena was under the distinct impression Trimas pretended to be something less than he actually was.
“Well we’re pleased to see you, spot anyone?”
“Thank you Zedek. But no, no one clearly a killer. As if that happens.”
“And you’re still not invited into the service?”
“No, not at all. There are limits to my redemption.”
“Good, then you can come for lunch,” Trimas replied.
Elena looked at the food in their hands. “More? You are joking?”
“Yes, I am really. Back to headquarters and a discussion on serial killers then?”
“A shame we can’t carry Daeholf into the air,” Zedek observed.
“We could tip him out of the window.”
“Hey!” Elena scolded Trimas after his joke.
“Or we could just get him some lunch and then carry on discussing.”
“A far better idea.”
“I k…”
“You promised.”
“Alright. Anyone know a good place to go?”
*****
“That looks ominous,” Zedek said, looking at the two guards standing calmly to attention either side of the entrance to Erik’s butcher’s shop as they walked back.
“I recognise the one on the left from the Governor’s mansion,” Trimas said.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“Let’s find out. Be ready to run,” Trimas said quietly. “Good day, gentlemen,” he said more loudly to the guards as they closed on where they were waiting.
“That’s them,” the familiar guard said to his companion.
“Come with us,” the other guard said to Trimas and Zedek, who had now stopped a few feet away.
“What’s this about?” Zedek said.
“Governor wants to see you,” the first guard said.
“Now,” the second guard added.
“I see,” Trimas said. “What if it isn’t convenient now?”
“The Governor would be disappointed,” the first guard said.
“And that would be unfortunate,” the second guard finished.
“I see,” Trimas said. “Why don’t I wait here with you whilst my companion pops inside to check on things then? He’ll be back shortly and we can all be off.” He stepped in close as he said it, a big man, looming.
Despite themselves, the guards stepped back slightly. “That’ll be fine,” the second one said.
Trimas turned to Zedek and gave him a nod. Zedek acknowledged and walked into the shop. Trimas watched as he had a quick word with Erik. Zedek looked back and indicated that things were okay before disappearing out the back. Erik was still glowering at the guards.
“Have you compensated the butcher for his loss of business?” Trimas asked, looking back at the guards.
“Loss of business?” the first guard said.
“It doesn’t seem that there’s many customers inside,” Trimas observed.
“So?” the second guard said.
“Why do you think that is?” Trimas said.
“Ah,” the first guard said.
“What do you want us to do about it?” the second guard said.
“Compensate him,” Trimas said.
“You’ll have to take that up with the Governor,” the first guard said.
“It wasn’t him that decided to stand by the door of the shop, turning away customers though was it?” Trimas said.
“Um…” the first guard said.
Trimas fixed his gaze on the second guard, stepping closer to him and making him look very uncomfortable. He stared into his eyes.
“I’m not sure,” the second guard said, looking to back up but hitting the wall.
“I’m sure the Governor will recompense you when you tell him what you did,” Trimas said, not moving away.
The first guard rummaged in his pocket. “Here,” he said, offering a few coins in his hand. “This is all I’m carrying.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Trimas said pleasantly, stepping
back. He waved to Erik, who came to the door, frown deeply embedded. “For your losses,” Trimas said, giving him a number of coins, clearly more than had been given to him by the guard. The first guard noticed but said nothing.
Zedek returned and gave them an odd look. “Am I missing something?” he said.
“No, all fine,” Trimas said. “Are we good?”
“All tucked in,” Zedek said.
“Our friend was hurt, as I’m sure you know,” Trimas explained. “Shall we then?” he added, motioning along the street.
The second guard gave him a slight glower as he eased out from the wall. “This way,” he said.
Zedek took up position by Trimas. “After you,” he said to the other guard. The guard looked at the pair of them, shrugged and joined his colleague. They started walking in the direction of the Governor’s residence, the two in tow.
“What do you think he wants?” Zedek said quietly as they walked.
“Elena got reinstated so I don’t think we’re in too much trouble,” Trimas said.
“Except perhaps with your new friends the guards,” Zedek said.
“I was making a point,” Trimas said.
“It’s our fault though, they were here for us,” Zedek pointed out.
“They didn’t need to be dicks about it though,” Trimas said.
“I suppose not,” Zedek said.
They walked the rest of the way quietly, trying hard not to look like they were being shepherded.
They arrived at the residence not much later, their escorts getting them in without any trouble barring a brief search for weaponry at the door. They were left standing outside the office whilst the guards went in to report. After a minute they emerged, not looking very happy.
“You can go in now,” the guard they knew said. Trimas smiled at him as he and Zedek entered the office.
The Governor, as expected, was sat behind his desk, looking busy.
“Ah, gentlemen. Glad you could make it,” the Governor said, rising to his feet and walking around his desk towards them. He wrinkled his nose. “Have you two been running around in the sewers or something?”
Trimas frowned, wondering if something had got back to him somehow. Zedek sniffed at his clothing. “What makes you say that?” he said.
“You need better soap,” the Governor said, retreating behind his desk.
“It does linger a bit,” Zedek said.
Trimas sighed. “A proper visit to a bathhouse is on the list,” he said.
“I hope you found what you were looking for down there anyway,” the Governor said.
“Sadly not,” Zedek said.
“Ah well. I imagine that’s probably the sort of thing you end up doing a lot of,” the Governor said.
“As little as we can manage,” Trimas said.
“I’m glad you’re getting to explore the city in its fullest. You’ve not been here long and you’ve already been places and seen more than most of the residents.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Zedek said.
“You’ve already solved your first case in the city too,” the Governor said.
“Um, yes,” Trimas said.
“Though it was a shame that the watch misunderstood and arrested you,” the Governor said.
“Yes, well,” Zedek said.
“You’re probably wondering why you’re here then,” the Governor said.
“We’ve got an idea,” Trimas said.
“Perhaps,” the Governor said. “How would you like to become employees of the city?”
“What?” Zedek said, surprised.
Trimas frowned. “We have information. You want to keep an eye on us,” he stated.
The Governor smiled. “I see you have some familiarity with the way power works.”
“What did you have in mind?” Zedek said.
“The three of you will be retained, attached to the watch. If somewhat loosely.”
“Three of us?” Trimas said.
“Your injured friend too of course,” the Governor said.
“So it is about information,” Zedek said.
“Let’s say that we have a common cause at the moment,” the Governor said.
“How long would this be for?” Trimas said.
“You have somewhere else to be?” the Governor said.
“Perhaps. We’re a long way north, I’m not sure the weather agrees with me,” Trimas said.
“I can understand that. Let’s see how you feel after the Nightwalker has been caught.”
“So that will be our responsibility?” Zedek said.
The Governor smiled. “I think that makes sense”.
“What about Elena?” Trimas said. “Do we report to her?”
“Nothing so formal. You’ll be like the special projects attachment. With a particular special project at the moment,” the Governor said.
“So we’ll be reporting to you then?” Zedek said.
“I think that might look a little odd. But I would like you to report to my staff.”
“I see,” Trimas said. “Do we have some time to think about it?”
“I’m sure there could be other offers,” the Governor said.
“I see,” Trimas said. He looked at Zedek.
“I’m not sure we have much choice do we,” Zedek said.
“Excellent,” the Governor said. “I’d better not delay you any further then.”
Trimas sighed. “We’ll report when we have something.” He stood to attention, giving it a slightly sarcastic edge.
The Governor gave him an odd look. “Now that I’ve had time to look at you in daylight, I’ve a feeling I have seen you before somewhere.”
“I’ve just got one of those faces,” Trimas said. He motioned to Zedek. “Time to be on our way.”
“Dismissed then,” the Governor said.
*****
“Come out! Come out and pay me!”
The landlord hammered his fist on the door until it hurt, then decided he’d stick to shouting. He was very good at shouting.
“I know you’re in there!”
Which, he was forced to consider, was a lie. He didn’t actually know where his tenant was, just that the payment was late and there was a clear criminal plan not to pay it.
A sore hand was put up to a heavily bearded face, and the landlord considered his tenant. Tall, thin, eccentric, what did you expect from an artist, didn’t they never eat, or maybe just paint, or whatever it was.
Never had any money, that was true.
Except, a small part of his brain shouted at him, it wasn’t true. Vesek had always paid on time before now, which made the man hiding and defaulting all the worse.
“Open up!” he shouted again, and not for the first time wished he had been the kind of landlord that rented out terrible, rotting rooms with no locks, instead of gaining his clientele by having doors they could secure.
He’d been told thieves had skeleton keys to doors, and supposed he should have hired them to refit the place.
Right, maybe he should kick the door down. If the man wasn’t hiding behind a bed, he could take everything of any worth, and if he was hiding behind a bed…
Well someone would get stabbed wouldn’t they. And we all knew who that would be.
Yes, Vesek was tall and thin, the landlord was short and round and together they looked like a poor stage pairing, and no doubt the fat man was the butt of the jokes. Vesek might not have looked strong, but he had long arms and the man barging in was a large, circular target.
Yes, kicking the door in would end badly.
This was a comfortable thought, one bypassing the question of whether he could kick said door open, or whether he’d break a toe.
Again.
There was nothing for it, he was going to have to speak to some neighbours.
A hand banged on a different door. “Open u…”
The door flew open, and a hawk of a woman stood there glaring.
“I was…”
“Ma
king a racket and disturbing everyone in the building. I want ten per cent taken off my rent.”
And that was why he avoided speaking with these tenants.
“Have you…”
“Have we seen Vesek? He could have strangled a cat in there with the noise you’ve been making.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I haven’t. He’s talented, he’s probably out.”
“He could be hiding.”
“Why would he hide in his room?”
“Er…”
“There’s a whole city, if he didn’t want to pay you, why would be hide in his room?”
“I can smell his paints!”
“They, like your shouting, will be in this building long past our deaths.”
“I could throw you out you know.”
“Do you know much about law then? Do you…”
“Yes, yes, you’re a retired lawyer.” I will never rent to them again. Ever. Even if the world would end otherwise.
“You’ll need the guard to break it open.”
“I can break it open myself.” But she had a point. If the guard got stabbed, then … he probably wouldn’t get paid then either.
“No, you need the guard.”
“Yes, yes, laws, always laws.”
“For the body.”
The landlord stopped waving his hands, and looked intently at this woman. “What body?”
“Didn’t Vesek always pay his rent?”
“Yes.”
“Did he ever miss any?”
“No.”
“Or was late.”
“Neither that either.”
“Right. So your second best client after myself stops coming out and stops paying…”
“What is your point?”
“Well he’s dead isn’t he. He’s in there dead.”
Throat drying, the landlord looked over at the door. This made a certain, horrible sense.
“Oh.”
“Get the guard, smash it open, and remove the corpse before it starts smelling so much it overpowers the paint.”
“True, very true.”
“Does this advice get me ten per cent off?”
“Not unless he’s in there.”
The landlord stamped down the corridor, out of the building and looked around. Should he go to a guardhouse or wait for one to pass?
“Everything alright?” a stern voice said from behind his left ear.
Knives of Bastion (An Empire Falls Book 2) Page 48