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thoughtfully as he paced back and forth between Garett and Korbian. “No, no. There’s no way we can keep their deaths secret. What we must do, however, is play down this magical angle. Convince the people these are common murders.”
    Garett gave a sigh as he listened to Ellon Thigpen. He once had held the man in some regard, considering him one of the few honest individuals to hold a seat on the Directorate. But even in the short time since the announcement that Thigpen would become mayor, Garett thought he noted changes. There was his dress, for one thing. As a wealthy merchant, Thigpen had always been well groomed and fitted. But of late he had taken to wearing robes from cloth-of-gold and blouses of the finest silks. Where before he had worn none at all, now his body fairly dripped with jewelry. Fat chains of gold and silver hung from his neck, and brilliant gems in elaborate settings ringed his fingers. “I’m making you responsible for this matter, Garett.”
    It took Garett a moment to realize that Korbian Arthuran had addressed him.
    “I’m much too busy with the details of the coming investiture ceremonies to personally handle this matter,” Korbian went on as he circled around his desk and moved past Garett to his office door. “Security measures for all the attending officials and the logistics of crowd control have to take precedence.” He put his hand on the door handle, but hesitated. He fixed Garett with a hard eye. “I know you can take care of this quietly.” He opened the door and tilted his head to indicate Garett’s next course of action.
    Garett paused long enough to glance at Ellon Thigpen. The mayor folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back on Korbian’s desk. His expression was cool and unreadable. He lifted his nose ever so slightly, though, as he realized Garett was observing him.
    “That’s all for now, Captain,” Korbian said pointedly to speed Garett on his way.
    Garett executed a half-hearted salute and exited his superior’s office. The wooden door closed behind him with a sharp thud, and for just a moment, the voice of Ellon Thigpen followed Garett down the empty hall. Garett smiled to himself, not bothering to hide the pleasure he felt as the lord mayor tore into Korbian Arthuran. For just an instant, he entertained the notion of creeping back to the door and setting his ear against it to overhear the tongue-lashing.
    Then he admitted to himself that, frankly, he didn’t care what the two men said to each other. The matter had been dropped into his lap, whether he liked it or not, as most such matters usually were. It didn’t surprise him. He’d been prepared for it. He only hoped that with the coming celebration to occupy them, Ellon and Korbian would stay out of his way and let him run a proper investigation.
    He worked his way through the labyrinthine Citadel and down to the next level. There were more people in the halls here as officers and soldiers checked in before reporting to their assigned watch houses in each of the quarters, as minor bureaucrats from the Halls rushed about with forms, as various other personnel went about their duties.
    Garett returned salutes and muttered distracted greetings without stopping for anyone as he made straight for his own office. Not until he kicked open his door without even bothering to try the handle did he realize how angry he felt. The door smashed back against the stone wall and rebounded. Garett blocked it with an elbow, went inside, and closed it quietly. In the privacy of his office, he stood stock-still for a moment and drew a deep breath.
    “It’s only because they know in their heart of hearts you’re still prettier than they are.”
    Garett hadn’t even noticed Burge lounging in his chair with his feet propped up on his captain’s desk on the other side of the room. The half-elf regarded him with a crooked grin while he drummed the fingers of his left hand absently upon his chest.
    “You should be in