him, and his father, too. He has his sentimental streak.
Thats nice. He hadnt been sentimental when hed been my supreme commander. Of course, I hadnt gotten to know him.
He takes care of his own. Dellwood opened the Generals door, seated me in the room where Id met the old man before. Old Kaid was stoking the fire. Wait here. Ill have him out in a few minutes. The temperature was obscene.
Sure. Thanks.
It was more than a few minutes but the old man was worth seeing when he came out. He had a smile on. His cheeks had gained some color. He waited till Dellwood and Kaid departed. Good evening, Mr. Garrett. I take it youve made progress?
Progress, General, but I dont have any good news. Had his health improved because the poisoner had backed off with me around?
Good news, bad news, better get on with it.
I went into the city this morning. I put some acquaintances to work tracing the missing items through those people who deal in articles that stray from home. Theyre competent. If the thief disposed of anything through those channels, theyll find out and get a description of the seller. I do need instructions. Should they recover the articles? If theyve been sold, you could be at the mercy of the new owners.
Very good, sir. Very good. Yes. By all means. I want to recover whatever I can. I expect youll have problems getting them back from someone whos taken a fancy to them. He smiled.
You seem in good spirits, sir.
I am. I am indeed. I havent felt this well in months. Maybe years. Not your doing but it did start after your arrival. Youre good luck. If I keep improving at this rate, Ill be dancing within the month.
I hope so, sir. Sir, that brings me to the bad news. But first a confession. I didnt come out here just to unmask a thief.
Ah? There was a sparkle in his eye.
Yes sir. Sergeant Peters believes someone is poisoning you slowly. He wanted me to find out who. If its being done at all.
And? Youve found something? He seemed troubled now.
No sir. Nothing like that.
That pleased him.
On the other hand, theres no negative evidence. And one has to wonder about your recovery. It pleases me but Im suspicious by nature.
And this is your bad news?
No sir. Thats nastier. More pervasive, if you will.
Go on. Im not one to slay the bearer of ill tidings or to ignore them because they arent what I want to hear.
Let me preface this by saying Id like to read your will.
He frowned. Peters asked for a copy. Was that your doing?
Yes.
Go on.
Im afraid it may be written so as to encourage villainy. I was starting to sound pompous. But it was hard to be one of the boys with General Stantnor. If the number of heirs decreases, does the take for the survivors increase?
He gave me the fish-eye.
I gather half goes to Jennifer and the rest to everyone else. Sixteen people originally. After this morning, only eight. Meaning the take for survivors has doubled.
He looked at me hard. I thought he might throw me out, earlier protests to the contrary. Support your suspicions, Mr. Garrett.
I dont think the four men who left you could have. One, maybe. Two at the most. But people arent built to walk away from so much money. Four?
I can see that. Maybe. What else?
Whoever put the arrow into Hawkes set it up ahead of time. The deer was too long dead to be a fresh kill. The sniper rode away on a horse. Would a peasant who has to poach have a horse? And the horseman headed this way after the ambuscade. Though thats circumstantial. I lost the trail part way here.
He was quiet for a long time. His color deserted him. I pitied him then.
On a more personal level, two attempts have been made on my life since Ive been here. I dont know by who.
He looked at me but didnt say anything.
Unearthing that wasnt part of my brief. But I thought you
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