“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” said the young woman. “He doesn’t see visitors.”
Roo’s expression betrayed something, for after a moment the woman said, “What is it?”
Dash said, “Pardon me, ma’am. Who are you?”
“I’m Helen. Randolph’s wife.”
Roo closed his eyes and then took a deep breath. “I fear I have grave tidings for you and for your father-in-law.”
The woman’s knuckles where she gripped the door whitened. “Randy’s dead, isn’t he?”
Roo nodded. “May I come in, please?”
The woman stepped back and it was clear she was close to fainting. Dash moved and took her by the elbow, keeping her upright. Just then two children ran into the entry hall, complaining over a childish inequity. She separated the two of them, a boy and girl, looking to Roo to be about four and six. “Children,” she said, “go to your room and play quietly.”
“But, Mother,” said the boy, irritated at his complaint being ignored.
“Go to your room!” she said sharply.
The boy looked injured by the command, but the girl just skipped away, counting their mother’s deafness to the boy’s grievance a victory in the eternal sibling war.
When the children were gone, she looked at Roo and said, “How did Randy die?”
Roo said, “We had cornered Randolph and Timothy at the docks—they were trying to make off with gold they had taken from me—and Timothy tried to attack me. Randolph pushed him aside, and was killed by a crossbow bolt fired at Timothy.” Trying to think of anything that might lessen the sting the woman felt, he said, “It was over quickly. He was acting to save his brother.”
Helen’s eyes filled with tears, but her tone was one of anger. “He was always trying to save his brother! Is Tim alive?”
“No,” said Roo softly. He took a deep breath. “I killed him.”
As the woman turned, Dash said, “It was a fair duel, ma’am. Timothy died with weapons in his hand, tryng to kill Mr. Avery.”
“Why are you here?” said the woman. “Are you here to gloat over the fall of the house of Jacoby?”
“No,” said Roo. “I’m here because Duke James asked me to come.” He sighed, feeling more tired than he had ever felt in his life. “I had nothing against your husband, or you or your father, ma’am. It was only Tim I had issue with. Tim arranged to have my partner—my father-in-law—killed. Tim was trying to ruin me.”
Helen turned her back on them. “I have no doubt of that, Mr. Avery. Please follow me.”
She led them through a large hallway, and Roo saw that the house was much larger than one might think from the street, being very deep in its plan. Then they entered a garden at the rear of the house, surrounded by a large stone wall. An old man sat alone in a chair, bundled in heavy robes, with a large quilt over his knees. As they approached, Roo saw his eyes were blinded by cataracts, and then that part of his face was motionless. “Yes? Who’s there?” he said, his speech slurred and his voice weak.
Helen raised her voice. “It’s me, Father!” To Roo she said, “He’s hard of hearing. He had a seizure two years ago. He’s been like this ever since.”
She turned to face Roo. “It’s your chance, Mr. Avery. All that’s left of the once-great trading house of Jacoby is a blind, half-deaf crazy old man, a woman, and two children. You can kill us all now and put an end to this feud.”
Roo put up his hand and his expression was one of total helplessness. “Please. I .. . I have no wish to see any more suffering for either of our families.”
“No suffering?” she said, as again tears came. “How am I to make do? Who’s to run the business? Who will care for us? It would be far kinder for you to pull your sword and put us all out of our misery.” She began to cry in earnest, and Dash stepped forward and let her lean against his shoulder as she sobbed.
“Helen?” said the old man, his speech slurred by the affliction of his seizure. “Is something amiss?”
Roo went and knelt by the old man. “Mr. Jacoby?”
“Who is this?” he said, reaching out with his left arm. Roo saw that his right lay motionless in his lap. Roo took the left hand and said, “My name is Rupert Avery.” He spoke loudly.
“Avery? Do I know you, sir?” asked the old man. “Knew a Klaus Avery when . . . no, that was Klaus Klamer. What was the Avery boy’s name?”
Roo said, “No, I don’t think I’ve had the honor of meeting you before. But I . . . knew an old friend of yours. Helmut Grindel.”
“Helmut!” said the old man with a grin. Saliva dribbled from the side of his mouth.
Helen composed herself, and with a thank-you pat to Dash’s shoulders, she came and used a handkerchief to wipe the old man’s chin.
“He and I grew up in the same town, did you know that?” said the old man. “How is he?”
Roo said, “He died recently.”
“Oh,” said the old man. “That’s too bad. I haven’t seen him for a while. Did I tell you we grew up in the same town?”