Nights of Villjamur - Mark Charan Newton [36]
Jeryd noticed the covered canvases in the corner. “You dabble in the arts, Miss Daluud? We allowed to take a look?”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” she said. “I’m rather shy of some things.”
“Miss Daluud, would you be so good as to explain your dealings with Councilor Ghuda on the night in question?”
Tuya looked quickly between the two officers, before her gaze settled on Jeryd. “I was drinking by myself in that place next to the street iren.”
“The Amateurs Tavern?” Jeryd inquired.
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“And you go there regularly?”
“Quite a bit. I like its character, and the view from its windows. When the first of the winter rain comes in from the sea, it makes the cobbles and the roofs all around it shiny black.”
“Huh.” Jeryd liked her engaging description. This woman obviously loved the city, but he needed questions answered. “What time was this exactly?”
“About seven, maybe even eight. I always take a book in there with me, and the time passes.”
“So, you were in the tavern sometime after seven.”
“Yes, and I was sitting alone to begin with, but after a while someone asked if he could join me.”
“This was Delamonde Ghuda?” Jeryd prompted.
Tuya sighed, “Despite my scarring, he seemed to find me attractive. What can I say? Men seem to think I’m something special.”
“And are you?”
He could see then that something shifted in her mind. Whether or not she now had respect for Jeryd, he couldn’t be sure. “I’m sorry. And then what happened?”
“He sat down opposite, and I thought he was handsome. We discussed literature for a while, and he kept ordering drinks for both of us. He was altogether quite a charmer. I was lonely. He was intelligent. You’re a man of the world, so you know how these things happen.”
“Indeed.” Well no, actually, he reminded himself. It’s been far too damn long since I’ve done any of that. Jeryd sat down on the other chair, confirmed that Tryst was noting every detail. “And you came here afterward?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“What time was that?” Tryst asked.
“About ten.”
“He was obviously a quick operator,” Jeryd observed.
Tuya’s laugh was surprisingly hearty. “I was lonely and he seemed fun. We came straight back here.”
“You didn’t notice anyone or anything strange on the way?”
“No. Nothing at all. Not that I was paying a great deal of attention.”
“Okay, then what?”
“We came back here and … you know.”
“You had intercourse?”
“Yes, investigator, but I prefer to call it making love.”
“A little quick for love, don’t you think?” A mild feeling of pique overcame him.
Tuya played with the ends of her gown.
“What time did he leave you?” Jeryd said.
“He was here until early the next morning. I was pretty much asleep when he finally left.”
“And you didn’t hear or see anything you would consider out of place?”
“Nothing more than you’d hear on any ordinary night. Drunks quarreling down below. Horses’ hooves on the cobbles.”
There was something about the way she smiled—she didn’t seem happy when she did it. Jeryd stood up, looked at Tryst. The young aide got up and pushed his chair back.
“I think that’s a start, anyway,” Jeryd said. “We’ve got a few more people to interview.” He didn’t actually have any immediate plans, but he wanted to make her sweat a little by creating the illusion there was a lot to follow up on.
“You’re off already?” Tuya said. “Surely I must be your main suspect?”
“If we need to ask you some more questions, I assume we can normally find you here?” Jeryd glanced once again at the antiques filling the room.
“Yes, although you might be advised to knock and wait first.” She winked at Tryst.
Jeryd stifled a laugh at the lad’s embarrassment.
“So what d’you reckon?” Tryst asked as they were walking down the spiral staircase. His voice echoed hollowly against the bare stone.
“Too early to tell. The Councilor had a lot of enemies.”
“Maybe his wife found out about this fling?”
“In just one night? Doubtful. This was a one-off thing, surely. Lonely woman, rich crafty man. I’ve seen it all too many times.”
“Well, maybe my date with Ghale