Terra Incognita

66

Thessalus was as upset as Ruso had anticipated at the news of the gruesome discovery behind Rianorix’s house. “But I think Tilla’s telling the truth about him,” said Ruso, moving the scrolls to sit in the chair. “He didn’t do it. I think Gambax did.” He explained about the wine deal.

To his surprise, Thessalus laughed.

“I didn’t know about the wine,” he said, “but I had a fair idea about other things. Bedding, clothing, kitchen equipment, tools… Anything you can legitimately buy for the infirmary or any of the medical facilities along the border, all of whose supplies come through us, you can overorder. I’m pretty certain he was passing the surplus on to Felix and I suppose they were splitting the profits.”

“But when Felix took a stupid risk and supplied medicinal wine to the bar where you drank-”

“Ah. I’m afraid that’s where your theory falls down,” said Thessalus. Ruso stopped. “Why?”

“I couldn’t be seen to be drinking it, it’s true, but Gambax knew I dared not upset him because of what he knew about me and Veldicca. He probably told Susanna to keep the wine out of my way, but even if I did see it, what would I do?”

“Oh, hell. I don’t know. Maybe they fell out about something else. He was definitely on the loose out there when Felix was killed.”

Thessalus shook his head. “We’re running out of time, Ruso. And Metellus has his evidence. You have to decide what you’re going to do.”

Ruso scratched one ear. “I’ll try and get some sense out of Aemilia. Felix gave her a ring he didn’t receive until closing time that night. She must have been the last one to see him alive.”

“I mean about me. You can’t prove anything about Gambax, and you said Metellus has checked out everyone else who was in the bar. The only realistic chance of saving Rianorix is if I’m convicted in his place.”

Ruso reached idly for a scroll, perused the name, and put it aside.

He tried to frame his dilemma in one of those educational questions for bright young minds to ponder. A man is asked to lie so that an innocent colleague who does not have long to live can take the punishment of a man who has coincidentally stolen the first man’s.. gods above. By the time the tutor got to, What should he do? the students would be just as confused as Ruso himself.

He said, “If they convict you, what happens afterward won’t be pretty.”

Thessalus took a long breath. Finally he said, “I’m just hoping they’ll make it quick because I’m an officer.”

“You don’t have to-”

“And I’ve got more to go on now, remember. I can remember hitting him on the back of the head with a rock. I can remember hiding the head up near Rianorix’s house. I suppose he found it and didn’t know what to do with it.”

“Nobody’s going to believe that. They’ll know I told you.”

“They won’t know anything unless you tell them. They’ll be guessing. And they’ll do whatever’s politically convenient. Just get me in front of the governor, Ruso. Let me try and convince him. You aren’t going to let me down, are you?”