Page 11 of A Drop of Corruption

“He didn’t mention what he put in the bank, I assume?”

“No, sir.”

“Did he talk at all?”

Klaida thought about it. “He asked me about my wife, sir. I remember that.”

“Your wife? What did he ask?”

“Just how she was faring. I thought it an odd comment, given that I hadn’t told him about her at all—nor that our wedding had been only two weeks ago. But the immunis pointed out that I had my ring on my thumb, and I kept touching it like I wasn’t used to it, so it must be new, he guessed. It seemed a clever thing, to know so much from just a glance. I supposed it was just something Sublimes like you, ah, could do, sir.”

I frowned. While nearly all Imperial Sublimes exhibited some unusual behaviors—myself included—axioms were not known for their social competence. Usually, the more they worked with more abstract numbers, the more aloof they grew.

I asked about the plug of iron. Like the others, he did not know of it.

“Did he show any symptoms besides his claims of stomach pain?” I asked. “Perhaps a palsy or tremor to his hands?”

“Palsy…no,” said Klaida, thinking. “But…he did tap against his leg, over and over again, as he walked. Like drumming. Like he had a tune in his head and couldn’t help but beat its rhythm against something. It was a little strange, sir. Does it mean anything, sir?”

I sighed and thanked him for his time.

—

For my finaltask I reviewed the vacant room beside Sujedo’s. I had old Hajusa unlock it for me, though he paused as he opened it.“We’ve not had many people stay in this chamber for some time, mind, sir. The room is quite wet. The way the tower leans, you see, all the water tends to gather here…In fact, all the rooms on this side are tricky to maintain.”

He opened the door and I peered within. It was almost an exact copy of Sujedo’s room, but every surface was overgrown with curling mold. The bed was bare wood with no moss mattress, and it, too, had been devoured by greenery. Even the closet was furred over with growth.

I looked to Malo, who stood at the door. “Smell anything unusual here?” I asked.

“Am I to be your hound?” she said. “But—no. Nothing but mold. It is the same as all the other molding rooms on this side of the building. We searched those when we first looked for Sujedo. There was nothing.”

I thanked Hajusa, he locked the room back up, and we departed.

Chapter 5

It was late afternoon whenwe finished up at Sujedo’s lodgings—too late for us to venture to the Treasury bank and interview the clerks there—so Malo and I began the long return to New Town.

“So?” asked Malo. “Have you dug out some clue or hint that I have missed?”

“I’ve hardly been here a day,” I said.

“Then that is a no. How kind you are, to allow me my pride.” She cocked her head, listening. “But let us dine, then. For I’ve had no food all day, and I can hear your stomach rumbling even now.”

I paused, feeling faintly violated. “You can?”

“Yes. You need broth. Otherwise you shall be of no use to me tomorrow.”

We turned onto the main street to New Town. Yet just as I was beginning to find the idea of a bowl of soup appealing, we heard a high voice behind us: “Ah—Signum Kol? Signum Dinios Kol?”

We stopped and turned. A short woman in an elegant but simple gray dress was wandering down a lane after us, hand raised. Again, she called out my name, her voice high and tremulous, like a distressed person seeking help.

I studied her, perplexed. As far as I was aware, there was no one in Yarrowdale who should know me, nor indeed know that I was here, save for my commanding officer and Malo.

I looked to Malo, who merely shrugged. “Idon’t know her,” she said. “Do you?”

“Not at all,” I said.

We watched as the woman approached. I thought I saw something to her eye—a sharpness, perhaps—that gave me pause. “Yes?” I said as she came before me. “Can I help you?”