The Red Hill (Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery Book 1) by David Penny

Author:David Penny [Penny, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Tree Print
Published: 2014-06-25T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“And she let you question her?” Jorge’s face showed disbelief and amusement in equal measure.

“For what little good it did.” Thomas kicked Jorge’s legs aside and dropped onto the bed. His body ached from the fight with Olaf, his mind from the verbal battle with Zoraya. The latter had been harder than the former. Zoraya was stubborn, convinced of her own invulnerability. Thomas had refused to back down, even when she resorted to tears. It made for an interesting meeting.

“Tell me what she told you.”

“Later. I need food and wine. What did you find out?”

Jorge smiled. “I can play coy as well as you. And I’m also hungry and thirsty. When we first went to your house you told me you didn’t drink wine.”

“I lied. Are we going downstairs? If that merchant is down there again I refuse to give him a game of Mancala. Losing once was bad enough.”

“But he gave me such beautiful clothes, ”Jorge said, holding his arms out and grimacing. “Nobody looks at me in these.”

“I believe that’s the point.” Thomas pushed off the bed. “Come on, let’s go downstairs, and I’ll tell you what I know.”

The stew was indistinguishable from the previous night’s, and no doubt would be tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow. The same girl brought them bowls and a jug of wine, today her scowl washed clean. Her pretty face reminded Thomas of Prea. The city was full of girls and boys like her, making their way the best they could. He pressed a coin into the hand of this one, hoping she didn’t misinterpret his generosity.

“Tell me,” Jorge said, reaching for his cup of wine.

“You first. Did you find anything out?”

“Other than the entire city believes the foolish tale a djinn did the killing, I know no more than I did this morning. And you—have you had more luck?”

Where to start, Thomas thought, and told Jorge of his meeting with Zoraya, because for him it felt the most significant event of his day, even above the tunnels.

Jorge listened without comment, sipping at his wine, staring out over the crowd.

“Did you ask her outright about Olaf?” he asked when Thomas had finished.

“I didn’t want to show my suspicions openly, but she knew the implication was there, and I saw in her eyes she understood what I meant.”

“They are lovers?”

“I don’t think so. Although…”

Jorge waited a moment. “Although what?”

“Olaf and I fought.”

Jorge laughed. He leaned across the table and gripped Thomas’s chin, turned his head to one side, the other. “No, it’s still attached. For a moment there I thought you said you fought with Olaf.”

“Afterwards Zoraya was excited.”

“As in sexually excited?” Jorge grinned.

“I believe so.”

“If only I’d been there I would have known for sure. So she’s aroused by men fighting. But does that mean she takes the general into her bed?”

“I wish I could say yes. It would make our job simpler. I pressed her, came at her from different directions, and although I discovered a little more she remains stubborn. But her stubbornness only makes me more suspicious.

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