Roo said, “Get back to the office and make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be.” Luis nodded and departed. To Duncan, Roo said, “Head down to the inns near the gate. See if you can find anyone who knows anything about what happened. Especially see if you can find out who those farmers were that found Helmut. I want to talk to them.”
Duncan said, “You don’t think bandits . . .?”
“This close to the city?” replied Roo. “No. I think . . . I don’t want to think.” He took his cousin by the arm and moved him toward the door. “I’m so tired I can’t see, and this day is only half over.” He sighed. “Find out what you can. I’ll be here.”
Duncan patted his cousin on the shoulder and departed. Roo found the maid standing near the kitchen, her distress clearly showing.
“Mary,” said Roo, “bring Karli some tea.” As the girl hesitated, Roo said, “Thank you.” The girl nodded and returned to the kitchen.
Roo mounted the stairs and came to stand behind Karli. He hesitated, then put his hand on her shoulder. “I asked Mary to bring you some tea,” he said.
“Thank you,” she answered, but never took her eyes from her father.
The day passed slowly and as the afternoon shadows lengthened into night, Duncan returned. He had found nothing useful from any of those claiming to know something about the injured man fetched into the city that morning. Roo told him to return to the inns near the gate and start looking for someone spending money freely or boasting about sudden wealth. Roo had no idea what Helmut might have been carrying back from Darkmoor, but he knew exactly what the items he had taken were worth; whoever had robbed Roo’s partner had pillaged Grindle and Avery of more than two thirds of their current net worth. More than a year’s profits were gone.
Night came. Mary brought supper, but neither of them ate. They watched the still form of Helmut as he fought for life. His breathing seemed easier—at least, Roo thought so—but through the early hours of night the man barely moved.
Karli dozed, her head on the side of her father’s bed, while Roo slept in a chair he had fetched in from the sitting room. He stirred as he heard his name.
Suddenly awake, he came to stand over Karli as Helmut’s eyes flickered open. Then he realized it had been the old man speaking his name.
Karli said, “Father!” and leaned over him.
Roo said nothing as the girl embraced her father. The old man whispered and his daughter moved away, “He said your name.”
Roo leaned over. “I’m here, Helmut”
The old man reached out and whispered, “Karli. Care for her.”
Roo glanced back and saw the girl hadn’t heard what her father had said. Roo whispered, “I will, Helmut. You have my word on it”
Then the old man whispered a word. Roo stood up and he knew his face had become a mask of outrage, for the girl looked at him and said, “What is it?”
Roo forced himself to calmness and replied, “I’ll tell you later.” Glancing down at the old man, whose eyes were fluttering, he said, “He needs you.”
Karli moved to stand next to her father and took his hand. “I’m here, Father,” she whispered, but the old man had lapsed back into unconsciousness.
Just before dawn, Helmut Grindle died.
*
The ceremony was simple, as Roo knew the old man would have wanted. Karli wore the black veil of mourning and watched in silence as the priest of Lims-Kragma, Goddess of Death, pronounced the benediction and then lit the funeral pyre. The inner courtyard of the temple was busy that morning, for a half-dozen funerals were under way. Each was contained in a marked-off area of the temple park, but above the shielding hedges the smoke rising from other flaming biers could be seen.
They waited in silence, Karli, Roo, Duncan, Luis, Mary, and two of the workmen who represented the employees of Grindle and Avery. Roo glanced around and thought to himself that this was a modest enough turnout for a man who had spent his life selling riches to the powerful and influential of the Kingdom. A few notes of condolence from other businessmen had arrived over the last two days, but not one of those nobles who had been among Helmut’s best customers had deemed it appropriate to send even a single line of comfort to the merchant’s daughter. Roo vowed that when he finally died, the Kingdom’s rich and powerful would be in attendance.
When at last the corpse was consumed by flame, Karli turned and said, “Let’s go.”
Roo gave her his arm and escorted the girl to a rented carriage. Once she and Mary were inside, he said, “Tradition says I have to stand the employees to a farewell drink. We’re doing it at the warehouse. Will you be all right?”
“I’m fine,” Karli said. Despite her pale appearance, her voice was calm and her eyes free of tears. She had finished crying the day before and showed a strength that Roo found surprising.
“I’ll be along later,” he said. Then he added, “if you don’t mind, that is.”
“I’d like that,” she said with a smile.
Roo closed the carriage door and said, “Driver, take her home.”