Read Online A Death in the Venetian Quarter by Alan Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

whether we should urge the Emperor to fight the invaders or to reconcile with them. We have to decide if our advice will drive him to do the exact opposite and what it is we really want. What about lunch tomorrow?”
    â€œFine. I’ll meet you by the Pillar of the Blind.”
    He waved and hurried off.
    The Great Horologion in the square indicated that it was one o’clock, which meant that I had gone close to thirty hours without sleep. I decided that was long enough and headed home for a nap.
    Â 
    I woke in time for dinner, staggering in to the derisive applause of my companions.
    â€œWe were debating whether or not to rouse you,” said Rico. “Much depended on the quality of the food and if we wanted to share it with you. Fortunately, Plossus did the cooking tonight, so there’s plenty to go around.”
    â€œIt’s heartbreaking when one’s sincere efforts are rejected so cruelly,” sighed Plossus. “They did not teach us cooking at the Guild.”
    â€œThat is sadly apparent,” said Aglaia. “You’ll have to get Rico to give you some lessons. Good morning, my love. Have something.”

    â€œThanks,” I said. “What’s the word from Blachernae?”
    â€œThe fleet is harbored at Chalcedon, across the Bosporos,” said Rico. “They’ve occupied the Emperor’s palace there and are raiding the area for provisions. The Greeks are following them from the opposite shore but, lacking fins and gills, are confined to standing at the edge of the straits and yelling rude things across the waters. Had I known that was all it took to be a soldier, I could have been a general myself.”
    â€œThe Emperor?”
    â€œStill here, but he rides tomorrow.”
    â€œWell, unless his horse can swim, I doubt that we’ll see any battle then,” I said.
    â€œWe will if Euphy finds out Alexios is planning to ride himself,” said Aglaia. “She still needs him alive right now.”
    â€œIsn’t marriage wonderful?” mused Plossus.
    â€œEnough of the wars,” she said. “What’s going on with your investigation?”
    I filled them in on what Plossus and I had seen and learned. The other two listened with interest.
    â€œYou say that this Ranieri had to exert himself to push these crates?” asked Aglaia. “Even using a dolly?”
    â€œSo that every sinew was taut and defined,” I said. “You would have enjoyed watching him, my dear.”
    â€œThat aside, it occurs to me that silk, even in bales, is still light.”
    â€œThat occurred to me as well,” I said. “Something else was in those crates.”
    â€œDo you know whose storeroom they came from?” asked Rico.
    â€œNot yet,” I said. “But I’ll find out. Would you all be up for some burglary, perhaps tomorrow night?”
    â€œAll of us?” said Aglaia delightedly. “What fun!”
    â€œTwo for performing to distract the crowd, and two to break in. I was thinking Rico and myself for the criminal part of the affair. I
spotted some serious padlocks on the doors, and he’s the best lock-picker of all of us.”
    â€œThen, milady, I shall have the honor of escorting you tomorrow,” said Plossus with a deep bow. She returned it, smiling.
    â€œThere’s still the matter of the woman,” I said. “Anybody know anything from the description?”
    â€œNo,” said Aglaia. “But I’ll gossip with the ladies tomorrow and see what I can find out. You know, you still haven’t said how you thought Bastiani was killed.”
    â€œPoison, I assume,” I said.
    â€œBut if it was poison, when was it given to him?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t know yet,” I said. “There was no sign that he had eaten or drunk anything in his room, so I figure that he had been given it before he came home.”
    â€œI don’t agree with that,” she