Terra Incognita

45

Ruso had intended to consult Metellus before making any further inquiries into the murder, but finding himself alone with Gambax he decided to carry on his fictitious inquiries into night duties. After surprising his deputy by congratulating him on the cleanup, he said, “You said when you came back from Susanna’s the other night, Thessalus was on duty but he was called out. I suppose in that situation you would cover for him?”

“Nobody asked me, sir.”

“I’m not complaining. In fact, I heard you were called out yourself.”

Gambax looked puzzled. “No.”

“I must have been misinformed. I was told you went out again just before curfew.”

“Oh, that. Like I told Officer Metellus, I went out to find Felix. I was worried about him.”

This was a surprise. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was a friend of yours.”

“He wasn’t. I was supposed to be meeting him over at his quarters, but he wasn’t there. After that business at Susanna’s, I thought I ought to go out and see if he wanted company on the way back.”

“That was remarkably decent of you.” Perhaps he had underestimated Gambax. Or perhaps on that night Gambax had reached that stage of drunkenness where all the world was his friend and he couldn’t understand why people had to keep fighting when they should all be looking out for their mates. “You went on your own?”

“I didn’t want to make a fuss, sir.”

“And I assume you didn’t find him?”

“I went over to Susanna’s and across to the brothel and down to the inn. You can ask Metellus; he’s confirmed it all. I wish I’d looked harder now, but his roommates said he often stayed out all night and not to worry.”

“I see. Just out of interest, what were you supposed to be meeting him about?”

“Aminaean wine, sir. I heard that Felix had a supplier and I wanted to get ahold of some.”

“For yourself?”

“For the infirmary, sir. I’m a beer man myself.”

“Very good,” said Ruso. “So did you ever find out where he was getting it from?”

Gambax had not. Felix had a vast range of business contacts. Yes, since the doctor mentioned it, most of the people in the bar probably had known him, but he had no idea why anyone other than the native would have wanted him dead.

“One last thing,” said Ruso. ‘I hear you told Susanna that Doctor Thessalus wouldn’t approve of Aminaean wine?”

Gambax frowned. “Did I? I don’t think so, sir. She must have misunderstood.”