13. Griff #2
“That reminds me of this recent encounter I had at the Beakeasy. Do you know the restaurant, Inspector?” When Griff shook his head, the High Chancellor appeared shocked.
“Really? Why, they have the best stews in all of Sanjarka! You simply must try it the next time you’re out.
Now, where was I? Ah, yes! So, I was at the Beakeasy when out of the blue, this gorgeous woman approached me.
I thought she was the server at first, but instead of taking my order, she sat right down at the table across from me.
I could hardly believe it! Naturally, my guards went to remove her, but I waved them back.
I must admit, I was intrigued. Who was this beautiful woman, and what did she want… other than me, of course.”
High Chancellor Dewani guffawed, and the rest of the crowd joined in. Griff and Cal shared a look.
As the High Chancellor continued his story—which Griff doubted had any basis in reality—he casually removed his aura blockers. Using his power was tough here with so many people crammed into such tight quarters, but he did his best to focus just on the High Chancellor.
The man’s aura was a hectic hodge-podge of flighty oranges and yellows—much as Griff had predicted when they’d first met at the Siren’s Call.
He searched carefully for anything else that might hint at a darker nature or hidden depths.
But the High Chancellor’s aura appeared as vapid and substance-less as the High Chancellor himself.
He and Cal tried several more times to draw him back into conversation or entice him to talk about anything more significant than his nighttime exploits and sexual conquests. But it soon became apparent it was a lost cause.
After watching a while longer, they gave up and moved on.
Despite what he’d said earlier about not dismissing potential suspects, Griff had to admit that the High Chancellor would be near the bottom of his list. It was hard to imagine the man caring about more than where he’d get his next drink or lay.
They resumed their circuit of the ballroom, keeping an eye out for any of the other councilors. They’d nearly reached the back when Cal tapped Griff on the shoulder and pointed. Griff muffled an internal groan when he saw that it was High Judge Septima who Cal had spotted.
Griff considered steering past her, but the investigator in him wouldn’t allow him to risk compromising their case like that. He couldn’t dismiss the High Judge as a potential suspect any more than the High Chancellor…no matter how little he wanted to talk to her.
Best to just get this over with.
High Judge Septima was chatting with several nobles Griff didn’t recognize as he approached. When she spotted him, however, she excused herself to join Griff.
“Inspector. I hope you’ve been well since the show.”
“Keeping busy,” Griff grunted. Once again, he tucked his aura blockers into a pocket so that he could observe the High Judge’s aura.
Reading auras was far from an exact science. There were usually multiple reasons why someone’s aura might shift or adopt a particular appearance. But he’d still found it a useful tool for plenty of past interrogations.
“How about you?” he asked. “Any tough cases keeping you up at night?”
High Judge Septima hmphed. “Always. But I do my best, along with the other magisters, to interpret the law’s proper intent.
” She peered at him with a slight frown.
“I recall you being quite good at that yourself. Do you remember that time you argued in favor of reinstating capital punishment? Your mother was quite impressed with how well-reasoned your argument was…even if she disagreed with your position herself.”
Griff tightened his jaw. He jerked a nod. “I remember. Though my stance has evolved over the years.”
“Naturally. A good magister recognizes that laws must change alongside the society they are meant to represent. And you, Griffin—you would have been a great magister. Speaking of, have you given any more thought to what I said at the Siren’s Call?”
Griff had to admire her persistence, no matter how much it frustrated him. “My answer remains unchanged, High Judge. I am perfectly content in my current work.”
“But your mother—”
“What my mother would or would not think isn’t my concern anymore, and it certainly isn’t yours.”
He met the High Judge’s stare, the air growing tense between them. Before it could erupt, however, Cal inserted himself into the conversation.
“You know, I once dreamed of becoming a magister myself. Didn’t have the mind for it, though. I have nothing but the highest respect for what you do.”
High Judge Septima furrowed her brow. “I’m sorry, but do I know you? You look familiar.”
Cal sketched a quick bow. “Lord Heneford, at your service. We met briefly at the theater, though I daresay I’m not important enough to make an impression on such an esteemed personage as yourself.”
Griff was astonished to see the severe High Judge actually smile. “Nonsense—we are all equal in the eyes of the law.” She started to turn back toward Griff, but before she could resume their argument, Cal cut in again.
“If I could have a moment of your time, I’d love to hear your perspective on the recent smuggling epidemic.”
That seemed to catch the High Judge’s attention. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Cal feigned surprise. “Really? My own contacts in the port authority warned me it was getting quite out of control. Rumor has it that the Brotherhood has been ramping up their operation. And not just the usual illicit fare either: dangerous magical artifacts, even ones tainted with voidflame.”
Thank the Light for Cal’s quick thinking to steer the High Judge away from her usual rhetoric. As Cal spoke, Griff focused on the High Judge’s aura, watching for any shifts that might signify strong emotions or attempts at deception.
High Judge Septima frowned at Cal. “Such rumors have not yet reached my ears. If true, that would be serious indeed. Please, tell me everything you’ve heard.”
Griff wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed at her lack of a reaction. Her aura barely shifted, the vibrating blue hues Griff caught attributable to curiosity. Either she didn’t know anything about the void orb still safely stashed in Cal’s thief’s mark…or she was a master liar.
Griff watched and listened for a while longer as Cal chatted with the High Judge, keeping an eye on her aura.
Still nothing. Raised voices drew his attention, and he turned to glimpse High Commander Pern and High Merchant Teodoro having a heated discussion nearby.
From what he could make out of their roiling auras, whatever they were talking about had them both riled up.
A moment later, the High Merchant threw his hands up in the air and stormed off, practically shoving his way through the crowd. His aura churned with streaks of furious red and violet. Excusing himself from Cal and High Judge Septima, Griff hurried after him.
“High Merchant, wait! I need to speak with you!”
At first, Griff thought the High Merchant would ignore him and keep walking. Then, he skidded to a halt, whirling toward Griff as Griff caught up with him.
“Whatever Pern sent you to say, don’t waste your breath. I’ve made my position quite clear.”
Griff did his best to focus on the High Merchant’s roiling aura as he replied. “The High Commander didn’t send me, sir. I just wanted to—”
“Save it, Inspector!” The High Merchant’s aura writhed like a nest of tangled serpents as he tugged furiously on his mustache.
“People like you and Pern are all the same! You’d sooner see this city drown in a sea of blood than accept the possibility of change.
I’ve had my fill of warmongers for the night. Now, get out of my way!”
Shoving past Griff, High Merchant Teodoro stormed off through the crowd, vanishing through an archway.
Griff stared after him, thoroughly confused. What in the Light had all that talk of blood and warmongering been about? He hadn’t been able to sense much from the man’s aura except his rage, which had seemed genuine enough. Could this have anything to do with the void orb?
He debated pursuing the High Merchant in search of answers before deciding to let him go for now. Tonight was about gathering intel, nothing more. He didn’t want to risk pushing things too far. Perhaps he could learn more about the argument from the High Commander.
Squinting in a vain attempt to tune out the sea of auras, he retraced his steps through the crowd. Thankfully, High Commander Pern hadn’t moved from his spot off to the side of the chamber. Griff had almost reached him when Sasha stepped in front of him.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Sasha said. “With the mood he’s in, he’s as likely to fire you as he is say hello. Unless it’s urgent, best to leave him be.”
Griff glanced past him to where the clearly agitated High Commander was pacing in place, then turned to Sasha. The protector’s pale aura jittered in fits and starts. Griff didn’t blame him for being on edge—not after the argument he’d just witnessed.
“Thanks for the head’s up, but I’ll take my chances.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Sasha muttered as Griff stepped past him, approaching the High Commander.
“Um, sir.”
High Commander Pern whirled, fixing him with a furious glare. When he saw who it was, some of his anger ebbed. “Inspector Denton,” he said, his voice tight. “What can I do for you?”
Griff thumped his fist against his chest in a quick salute. “Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I couldn’t help overhearing your argument with High Merchant Teodoro. Is everything all right?”