Fanuilh by Daniel Hood (ebook reader with highlight function TXT) 📗

visits. Did that mean that, even though they felt he could see into their souls, they felt secure enough with themselves to ignore it?

Was that what Fanuilh had seen in him? The thing that made the dragon entrust him with finding Tarquin's murderer?

Liam Rhenford, human bloodhound. Liam Rhenford, before whom men's souls are laid bare. Liam Rhenford, the perfect investigator.

Suddenly he laughed harshly, repressing the grandiose thoughts.

I'm just asking questions, he thought, grinning, and they just happen to be good ones. I'm carrying my Luck with me.He laughed again, and felt better. The narrow street with its border of high walls where the Necquers lived was just ahead.

"Master Liam, at th'appointed hour, as usual!"

Lares's bow was small out of familiarity and friendliness, not disdain, and the old man ushered him in with a smile.

Well, at least the old man isn't uneasy around me, Liam thought with relief, and offered Lares a smile in return.

"It's becoming a ritual, Lares. They set the tolling of the bells by me."

Lady Necquer awaited him in the same upstairs parlor, and started up with a smile when Lares announced him. She came to him and, taking his hands, kissed him formally on the cheek. Thinking of the questions he wanted to ask and his unfavorable comparison of her with Rora, he coughed nervously and reclaimed his hands as soon as he could.

"Well, Sir Liam," she said, sitting gracefully, "what discourse have you prepared for me this day?" Bright color suffused her pale complexion, and a smile broke out uncontrollably on her face. She seemed intensely happy about something, and he smiled mildly, infected by her mood.

"I'm afraid I haven't prepared any talk for this afternnoon. But you, I think, must have some news. If you grin any harder your face will split in two. What makes you so happy?"

Her grin widened until it took possession of her whole face, and she suddenly leapt up and danced around the room.

"Oh, Sir Liam, my husband comes home this day, and will not leave me again for winter entire! My heart is full to bursting!" She hugged herself, and Liam smiled at her childlike joy. He took a breath and spoke heartily.

Childlike joy. He took a breath and spoke heartily . .. "Soon. When does soon, be soon! arrive?" He'll dine with me this night!" She danced thought of further, Rora's twirling dancing in around the the theater, whole the exact room, and oppositehe of with Lady a radiant Necquer smile, s pure, she girlish danced past giddiness. his chair, Favoring laying hima hand "He is briefly in the on his city even shoulder. now, attending pressing business, but "That's he'll be excellent home soon, news, and madam, mine for and I the think winter!" I have some other that will increase your happiness."

"oh?" She came to a reluctant halt, her full skirts whirling around her, and beamed abashedly at him. "You must excuse me, Sir Liam. I'm hardly company I can think little else but Freihett. But come, your news." Eagerly, she came and offering sat her beside whole him on the divan a hand on his arm, offering her whole attention with a forced serious look that threatened to break into a wild grin at any moment.

"It so happens," he began slowly, "that I had occasion to speak with someone who I believe was causing you some discomfort."

She nodded, still seriously, but the smile threatened hugely. He went on.

"A young man, an actor, who was presenting unwanted attentions."

The threat of a smile vanished, and she took a deep breath.

"There are some things I know about him that could have caused him a great deal of trouble, and it so happened that I was able to ... well warn him off if you see what I mean. I don't think he will be bothering you again. I did not mean to pry, madam, but the opportunity presented itself. I know it was not my place"

Taking her hand from his arm, her voice was strained and eyes downcaset on her lap, where her hands were clasped fiercely. "No, it was not your place ... how did you happen to speak with him?"

Liam stood and took a few steps to stand before an elegant hanging. He fingered its tassels absently, his back to her. "I was well acquainted with a wizard named Tarquin Tanaquil. He .. died recently, and several things indicated that Lons was involved in the death. I spoke with him about his involvement, and took the opportunity to sugest he leave you alone."

"The wizard was murdered?" The strain in her voice was greater.

"Yes. And certain things indicate Lons was responsible." He turned to look at her, and almost flinched at the pain on her face. "Lons had commissioned Tarquin to make the Teeth vanish, but couldn't pay the price. The knife that was used was a stage blade. His guilt could be established with these."

"He would not do that," she whispered, almost choking on a sob. "He hasn't the strength."

Liam went and sat beside her. "I don't think so either. Tell me, why did you want him to get rid of the Teeth?"

Her words came slowly, with great difficulty. He writhed inside at making her talk about it, but was also grateful that she was speaking freely, and had not chosen to be angry with him. He had feared she would think he had tricked her, had wormed his way into her confidence just for information. But she seemed wrapped up in her sorrow and confusion.

"He ... he wooed me, professed undying love. The summer entire, while Freihett was at sea. He spoke with such heat, so truly ... he said he needs must, that he needs must ... know me. I gave him no encouragement, no sign of returning his feelings, but he pressed and pressed. And all while Freihett was at sea, and those cursed Teeth waited to take him down, to crush him beneath the cold blue."

She gasped at the intensity of her