The Stranger - Max Frei [234]
“But father doesn’t want you to think he’s ungrateful, so he asked me to come here and find Sir Max. And you, of course.”
I fished out one of my newly purchased rings and gave it to Melifaro.
“This is for you, Sir Mefilaro, as a token of friendship and gratitude.”
Melifaro admired the ring, and immediately tried to put it on. Oh, of course; my hands must be daintier than they used to be. My poor friend could only wear the ring on his left pinkie, and that with difficulty.
“Tell me, do you think I could see Sir Max?” Lady Marilyn asked dreamily.
Melifaro grew fidgety. It was truly a sight to behold! He came right up to me, put his hand on my shoulder, leaned close to my face, and informed me in a conspiratorial tone:
“You know, Sir Max isn’t here now. I’m not sure whether he’ll be coming back any time soon. And, really, it’s for the best. I wouldn’t advise you to meet him.”
Things were getting more and more interesting.
Could I really compete with his Hollywood looks, I wondered, brightening when I realized he was actually worried.
“But why, sir?” Lady Marilyn and I tried to appear very naïve. We opened our mouth childishly and batted our lashes.
“It would be very dangerous,” Melifaro confided. “Our Sir Max is a terrifying creature. You know they even made him wear the Mantle of Death. Can you imagine?”
“But Father said—” I began timidly.
“Your father is very sick, my lady. Moreover, he’s under the sway of his gratitude. I’m sure if it weren’t for the circumstances, he would never have allowed you to meet this terrible person. You know, Sir Max does nothing but kill people day in and day out. And not just criminals. The poor fellow can’t control himself. Just two days ago he spat poison at a lady as sweet as you! He was under the impression she was speaking to him disrespectfully.”
“Why didn’t they lock him up in Xolomi?” I asked, trying with all my might not to laugh.
“Oh, you wouldn’t believe it, lady. It’s all due to the intrigues of Sir Juffin Hully, our Venerable Head. Sir Max is his favorite, and the chief always protects him. If you only knew how many corpses of innocent people they have burned in this very office! I’m a brave man, I like to take risks—that’s the only reason I haven’t resigned from duty. My colleagues, every one of them, are asking for voluntary retirement.”
Melifaro was on a roll. He told one fib after another, and couldn’t stop. I covered my face with my hands and tried to laugh soundlessly. For better or worse, I succeeded.
“What’s wrong, miss? Did I scare you?”
I nodded silently. Saying something out loud was more than I could manage. Another word and I would explode with laughter.
“Oh, but this is the Secret Investigative Force, the most fearsome outfit in the Unified Kingdom. Worse things can happen here, you know. Compared with Sir Juffin Hully, Sir Max is a puppy.”
Aha! I thought. It’s not enough that I’m a “cold-blooded killer”; now I’m a “puppy,” too. Oh, you’ll pay dearly for this, Sir Melifaro. You’ll pay for this with your life. To lie so brazenly to a poor country girl!
“I’m the only normal person in this office,” said Melifaro, putting his arm around me. “Why are you so upset? This is Echo, Capital of the Unified Kingdom. You must get used to it. But life in the Capital has its pleasant sides. And if I’ve upset you, I am obliged to rectify my mistake. Let me show you Echo by evening. I’ll treat you to a dinner you’re unlikely to get anywhere else. How about it?”
What a ladies’ man, I thought with contempt. Gosh, do women fall for such cheap tricks? Or does he think he’ll get away with it just because the girl is from County Vook?
I shook my head.
“I can’t, sir. We barely know each other.”
“But that’s what I’m suggesting, that we get to know each other better.”
Melifaro smiled disarmingly. “Honestly, miss, you’ll have a good time. I promise.”
Lady Marilyn and I smiled timidly. “Well, if you promise to behave—”
“Of course! I’ll call on you just after sundown,” said Melifaro, and glanced cautiously at the door.
Indeed,