Nights of Villjamur - Mark Charan Newton [66]
“Beula Ghuda? I’m Investigator Jeryd. Would it be all right for me to ask a few questions relating to … to your recent loss?”
“Yes, of course, investigator,” she said. “Please, step inside.”
Inside the house seemed as grand as the exterior, overloaded with what Jeryd considered were pointless ornaments and bad taste. To be rich in Villjamur seemed a waste of money: all they did with their wealth was buy unnecessary objects. The city having not been under threat for so long, the Empire having expressed its dominance far and wide, the result was that the wealthy citizens of Villjamur had become more attached to their material comforts, and the gap between the richest and poorest had only bloomed.
Beula Ghuda sat him down in an over-warm room full of jeweled lanterns, colored lights. Rich fabric, desirable brand-weave from Villiren, was draped from each corner of the ceiling to the center point. There was a large window of the highest quality glass, from which were views over the summit of the city walls to the snow-flicked tundra beyond. The room smelled of stale incense, and he guessed by the number of books lying casually around that Beula was something of a lady of leisure.
“How are you managing?” Jeryd began tentatively.
“Oh, so-so.” She gave an ironic wince that he didn’t find unattractive. “Truth is, investigator, we were not really that close—in the end.”
He was surprised by her matter-of-fact response, but it made what he had to say a little easier. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “Yes, these things happen.”
She perched herself on the edge of a cushioned armchair of a style so typical of the era of the previous two Emperors, Gulion and Haldun, with motifs glorifying combat carved into its thick wooden side-panels. She clasped her wrist with the other hand and stared to the floor for some time. He gave her some time to gather her thoughts.
Eventually, she glanced up. “So, how can I help you?”
“Were you aware of his final movements?” Jeryd said.
She looked right past him. “No.”
“I’m afraid it’s not what a wife would want to hear.”
She shrugged.
“He was last seen leaving the apartment of another woman. She has confirmed that they spent the night together.” He held her gaze for as long as she would allow.
“I understand, investigator,” she said. Then added, “What was she like?”
“You mean the woman he was with?”
“Yes, the woman.”
“She was a prostitute by profession, although I believe it wasn’t something he paid for in this instance.”
“That’s a relief,” she murmured bitterly.
Jeryd contemplated her words. It wasn’t as if he actually understood the female mind these days. He gave her a moment before he spoke again.
“You know of anyone who might want him dead?”
“Other than me? Is that what you mean?”
“No, I mean because of his activities within the Council, mainly.”
“Well, there were plenty who were jealous of his success, but he was a popular man other than that.”
“Were you aware of any controversial new policies he was campaigning for?”
“No, regarding his work, he never really talked much to me. You know, for such a popular man, he wasn’t all that popular here at home.”
“If you don’t mind me saying, you seem fairly comfortable with his death.”
“I’m a strong believer in Astrid, investigator. I therefore believe in rebirth, and that he’ll be reborn soon in a position reflecting his behavior here in this past life. You know, investigator, I did love him in my own way.”
Jeryd felt sympathy and some concern. He himself wasn’t much of a religious type.
“Over the last year or so I was hurt that he stopped coming with me to church. He wouldn’t pray in the Bohr section, and seemed to forget all about spirituality. I’d even almost say he’d discovered something else.”
“Something else?”
“Yes. As if something took his mind. I say this only as I’m a moral and spiritual woman, but it was like he stopped being the man I knew, and began operating with a different set of beliefs entirely.” She stood, turned to the window. “Just look how much it’s snowing now!”
Jeryd stepped alongside her, looked out