The Stranger - Max Frei [130]
“Thank you for removing the body so quickly,” I said, taking my seat. “You’ll think it’s funny, but I’ve never killed anyone before. I’ve never even gone hunting. Juba Chebobargo’s doll doesn’t count, I suppose. It’s a loss of innocence in a way, so please be kind.”
“No one removed him, son,” Kofa said in a quiet voice. “He simply disappeared, as soon as you left. The blood on the carpet stayed, though. They’re already cleaning up the mess.”
“How’s it going, Sir Max?” Juffin shoved a mug of hot kamra over to me.
“You already know. Fine, I guess. It’s strange, though. The World hasn’t completely come back to me, if I may express it that way.”
“I know. But that will soon pass. You did everything just fine. I didn’t expect you to manage as well as you did.”
“I’m wearing the Mantle of Death, after all,” I laughed. Laughter is the best way I know to return you to your senses.
“Sir Juffin, I need a drink,” Melifaro announced. “I thought I was used to everything in this job at the Refuge for the Mad. Now I understand that I desperately need a drink. Right this second.”
“I’ve already sent a call to the Glutton. Do you think you can hold out another two minutes?”
“I’m not so sure. First those pagan rites of yours, then the disappearance of the primary material evidence. And you have no intention of explaining anything, I suppose?”
“No, I don’t. I’d be glad to, but . . . we had to do it that way, old chap. Take my word for it.”
“Really? Or maybe it was just a new form of entertainment, and I’m lagging behind? Sir Kofa, you, at least, might try to calm my nerves.”
“I need a drink, too,” Kofa Yox said, smiling good-naturedly. “Then I’m at your service.”
“This is no Secret Investigative Force. It’s some kind of orphanage,” I snorted. “So I kill a guy. Just one, mind you. He disappears afterward. It’s really no big deal! Besides, I think I need a drink, too. I’ll join you.”
“My team has taken to drink,” Juffin moaned. “Lonli-Lokli is my last hope—where is he, by the way?”
“Did you call, sir?” Lonli-Lokli appeared suddenly at the door. “Have you still not found our killer?”
Turning around to look at him, the four of us burst out laughing. At first it resembled mass hysteria, but in a few seconds we really did begin to find it funny. Shurf stepped into the office, sat down in a chair, and regarded us with warm interest, waiting until we had regained our composure. Then he asked:
“So, what about the murderer?”
“Everything has been taken care of, since Max killed him and the corpse disappeared,” Melifaro informed him, laughing heartily again.
I didn’t have the strength to join in his merriment. Luckily, the messenger with a tray from the Glutton Bunba was already at the door. Excellent timing!
I had never in my life thought I would be capable of drinking a whole mug of anything at one go, much less Jubatic Juice. Evidently, however, the body knows its own needs. If necessary, it will perform miracles.
“Sir Juffin,” Lonli-Lokli urged calmly. “Perhaps you will tell me.”
“Melifaro is absolutely right, Sir Shurf. That’s just about how it all happened, save a few spicy details.”
“Max, why did you do it on your own? And in such a primitive manner?” objected the professional in Lonli-Lokli, somewhat scandalized by the shoddy job of a dilettante.
“I’m bloodthirsty, Shurf,” I admitted eagerly. “Sometimes I just can’t help myself.”
This time it was Juffin Hully who laughed loudest of all. I think it was just relief for he realized I was finally myself again.
“But that’s very bad, Max!” Lonli-Lokli exclaimed in alarm. “With your abilities you need to learn to exercise self-control. If you don’t mind, I’ll demonstrate some simple breathing exercises that will aid in the development of your self-control and peace of mind.”
For the sake of my “official friend” I tried to be more serious.
“Thank you, Shurf. I’d love to see them. But to be honest, I was just joking. Later I’ll explain everything that happened. Everything I can, anyway. I’m afraid it isn’t much.”
“If this has anything to do with a