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Authors: Simon Beaufort
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involved in
this
business.”
Geoffrey nodded. He, too, was already having misgivings about becoming embroiled in the matter. It boded ill that the Advocate considered it of sufficient importance that he would consider recruiting an agent whose allegiance lay with another, and anything that secured the interest of Edouard de Courrances was bound to have some sinister twist. But Tancred had gone to some pains to ensure Geoffrey performed this duty willingly. Tancred was a good general, and allowed Geoffrey considerable freedom to use his own judgement, a privilege that neither the Advocate nor Bohemond granted their knights. Geoffrey knew Tancred would applaud Geoffrey’s acceptance of the Advocate’s commission, since it would grant him access to far more places than Tancred’s authority would allow.
“And then there is the matter of the heart,” said Roger, looking ruefully at its gnawed remains on the floor between the dog’s protective paws. “And of who followed you last night. Speaking Greek, you say.”
“There is your answer,” said Hugh, snapping his fingers. “Words of wisdom from fools and children. The only clue you have so far is that your would-be assailants are Greek. One of the victims was Greek, also. Begin your investigation with the Greeks.”
“The woman you arrested was Greek, too, you say?” said Roger, glancing up at Geoffrey.
“But she was released because another victim was killed while she was being questioned by Tancred,” said Geoffrey. “Tancred is quite an impressive alibi. She was telling the truth after all.”
“Maybe,” said Hugh. “But perhaps her confederates staged another murder while she was being questioned, specifically to show she was innocent.”
“They would have to have acted very quickly,” said Geoffrey. “And it would have had to have been perfectly timed.”
“Well, so it was,” said Hugh. “Do you think it odd that so much time lapsed between the first three murders—Guido, Jocelyn, and Pius—but the next two—John and Loukas occurred on the same day?”
Geoffrey considered. But there seemed to be no kind of pattern to the murders at all, and Hugh’s point about timing might prove very misleading.
“The first step is to check the information we already have,” he said, considering the terse sentences written by Tancred’s scribes. “We need to visit the places where these men died, talk to the people who found their bodies, and make enquiries among their friends regarding their habits and acquaintances. That includes questioning the woman I arrested yesterday ourselves. We will see what new information that might bring to light, and if all else fails, we can begin to investigate the Greek community.”
“I do not like the sound of this ‘we,’” said Hugh disapprovingly. “Do not include me in all this, Geoffrey. Hunting down petty thieves in Nicaea was a far different matter than this sinister business. Nicaea was fun; this sounds like suicide. Hell, Geoffrey, you had not even begun your enquiries before a pig’s heart was pinned to your wall by a dagger that looks like the murder weapon, and a group of villains followed you through the street intent on mischief. I am sorry, but there is a limit to the obligations of friendship, and this is it. I will be more than happy to discuss and advise within the safety of these four walls, but count me out of seedy investigations in squalid houses in the company of murderers.”
“I had no idea you were so sensitive, Hugh,” said Roger, grinning. He uncoiled himself from the bed, his bulk belying the underlying grace in his movements. “I will accompany you around the hovels, Geoffrey. I am not afraid of squalor and murderers.”
“I am sure you are only too well acquainted,” said Hugh, surveying Roger’s dirty tunic and baggy hose with cool disdain. “Since you hail from the wild lands of the north, I am not in the least bit surprised. And I did not say I was afraid. But it is a
this
business.”
Geoffrey nodded. He, too, was already having misgivings about becoming embroiled in the matter. It boded ill that the Advocate considered it of sufficient importance that he would consider recruiting an agent whose allegiance lay with another, and anything that secured the interest of Edouard de Courrances was bound to have some sinister twist. But Tancred had gone to some pains to ensure Geoffrey performed this duty willingly. Tancred was a good general, and allowed Geoffrey considerable freedom to use his own judgement, a privilege that neither the Advocate nor Bohemond granted their knights. Geoffrey knew Tancred would applaud Geoffrey’s acceptance of the Advocate’s commission, since it would grant him access to far more places than Tancred’s authority would allow.
“And then there is the matter of the heart,” said Roger, looking ruefully at its gnawed remains on the floor between the dog’s protective paws. “And of who followed you last night. Speaking Greek, you say.”
“There is your answer,” said Hugh, snapping his fingers. “Words of wisdom from fools and children. The only clue you have so far is that your would-be assailants are Greek. One of the victims was Greek, also. Begin your investigation with the Greeks.”
“The woman you arrested was Greek, too, you say?” said Roger, glancing up at Geoffrey.
“But she was released because another victim was killed while she was being questioned by Tancred,” said Geoffrey. “Tancred is quite an impressive alibi. She was telling the truth after all.”
“Maybe,” said Hugh. “But perhaps her confederates staged another murder while she was being questioned, specifically to show she was innocent.”
“They would have to have acted very quickly,” said Geoffrey. “And it would have had to have been perfectly timed.”
“Well, so it was,” said Hugh. “Do you think it odd that so much time lapsed between the first three murders—Guido, Jocelyn, and Pius—but the next two—John and Loukas occurred on the same day?”
Geoffrey considered. But there seemed to be no kind of pattern to the murders at all, and Hugh’s point about timing might prove very misleading.
“The first step is to check the information we already have,” he said, considering the terse sentences written by Tancred’s scribes. “We need to visit the places where these men died, talk to the people who found their bodies, and make enquiries among their friends regarding their habits and acquaintances. That includes questioning the woman I arrested yesterday ourselves. We will see what new information that might bring to light, and if all else fails, we can begin to investigate the Greek community.”
“I do not like the sound of this ‘we,’” said Hugh disapprovingly. “Do not include me in all this, Geoffrey. Hunting down petty thieves in Nicaea was a far different matter than this sinister business. Nicaea was fun; this sounds like suicide. Hell, Geoffrey, you had not even begun your enquiries before a pig’s heart was pinned to your wall by a dagger that looks like the murder weapon, and a group of villains followed you through the street intent on mischief. I am sorry, but there is a limit to the obligations of friendship, and this is it. I will be more than happy to discuss and advise within the safety of these four walls, but count me out of seedy investigations in squalid houses in the company of murderers.”
“I had no idea you were so sensitive, Hugh,” said Roger, grinning. He uncoiled himself from the bed, his bulk belying the underlying grace in his movements. “I will accompany you around the hovels, Geoffrey. I am not afraid of squalor and murderers.”
“I am sure you are only too well acquainted,” said Hugh, surveying Roger’s dirty tunic and baggy hose with cool disdain. “Since you hail from the wild lands of the north, I am not in the least bit surprised. And I did not say I was afraid. But it is a
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