Read Online Ten for Dying (John the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries) by Mary Reed, Eric Mayer - Free Book Online Page B

you will never possess such things.” The way he sniffed as he pronounced “your line of work” made employment in the urban watch sound several steps below cleaning the public toilets.
    Blotches made no reply. Felix noticed he didn’t bother to open any of the chests. Was he thinking that a body wouldn’t have fit in any of them? He must have been told there would be a body here, Felix decided.
    He directed the guards back into the garden and along a roundabout path, intending to return to the atrium. As they followed Felix through the peristyle, Blotches stopped. “We’ve seen the dining room already. What about that hall?”
    “Oh, yes. I’m certain there’s nothing hidden in any of the guest rooms, let alone my bedroom.”
    Felix was obliged to open the doors to a series of luxurious, seldom-used rooms which he never bothered to inspect for months on end. He was half-afraid there might have been something left in one of the rooms, given he’d already found a body in his courtyard. Momentarily he considered pretending there was a valuable object missing, blame the guards, claim they’d distracted him to allow an accomplice to sneak in, create a scene. At least he’d buy himself time. But for what?
    “This is your bedroom, sir?” The quaver that had been evident in Blotches’ voice upon his arrival had turned to a tone of mockery. The two youngsters leered at each other. And no wonder. The bed and its sheets resembled the site of an earthquake, the air was thick with Anastasia’s exotic perfume, her cosmetics and a big silver comb were strewn on a bedside table.
    However, as they examined the wall hangings, searching to see if they concealed anything Felix found nothing comical about the scene. Because it lacked one important thing.
    Anastasia!
    She must have fled.
    Was it surprising? Why should a woman from the palace who’d only known him a few days let herself be implicated in who-knows-what?
    But she did know what. Felix had blurted everything out to her. All about the smuggling and the missing relic. He’d even stupidly told her just now about the dead man.
    If she tried to leave through the back gate, as she usually did, she’d be surprised to find her way blocked by a pair of guards.
    Or would she?
    Who had sent the authorities after him?
    What was he thinking? He didn’t suspect Anastasia, did he? After all she was…well…what was she? Except a tireless bed partner? Felix only knew she served at court.
    Even if she wasn’t involved in a plot against him, what would she do when the guards blocked her way? The easiest thing would be to tell them she had been going to report a crime.
    To report a dead man. A murdered man.
    “We’re done here, I said. Aren’t you listening?” It was Blotches.
    “Yes. I know. I hope you’re satisfied.” Felix found himself looking frantically up and down the hall as he left the bedroom, expecting more guards to appear at a run. “You’ve seen the whole house now. My servants will be in an uproar all day. I’ll accompany you back to the atrium.”
    Blotches looked down the hall.
    “That side passage.” He pointed his spear in the direction of the short passage to the bath. “We didn’t check there.”
    “Of course you did,” Felix snapped. “That was the first place I took you. Don’t you remember? You don’t think I have time to escort you around the entire house again, do you?”
    But the two guards were already striding away.
    “There’s nothing there.” Felix’s voice came out in a croak. “Wait, I think the door’s locked. I’ll need to get the key.”
    They rounded the corner and came to a stop in front of the closed door to the bath. As soon as they opened the door and stepped inside to where they could see down to the water level, they’d spot the floating corpse.
    Blotches tested the latch and gave Felix a meaningful look. “Unlocked. You have a bad memory this morning, sir.”
    Felix was certain the youngster was struggling to