Unsympathetic Magic - Laura Resnick [37]
“If you say so.” Catherine turned to me. “Jeff will show you around and explain how things work here. When he’s not available—which is often, I’m afraid, ever since he took this other job—you’ll probably have to come to me for whatever you need. I’m terribly busy, but will fit you in as best I can. Sadly, our administrator died unexpectedly a few weeks ago, so things are in disarray until we can replace him.”
“Darius was the administrator here?” I blurted.
Her facial register of emotions was subtle, but I saw that she was surprised. “You knew Darius?”
“Not exactly.” If Jeff could lie, so could I. “But Jeff was telling me earlier about his death. Very sad. He was only thirty-seven?”
Jeff gave me a sharp glance but remained silent.
“Yes,” Catherine said, revealing some sadness. “He was still a young man. It was a terrible thing. And we’re quite lost without him, I’m afraid. I didn’t realize how much we relied on him here until he was gone.”
I said, “A ruptured intestine, Jeff told me.” Now my former boyfriend turned his head and gave me a hard stare. “How did it happen?”
“I don’t know much about it.” Catherine shook her head. “I gathered that it was one of those anomalous tragedies. The sort of unpredictable physical disaster that can strike a person at any time. Even someone with access to good medical care in a wealthy society.”
“Had he been complaining of any symptoms?” I asked.
She seemed to search her memory. “Not as far as I know. Jeffrey?”
Jeff shrugged. “I hardly ever talked to him.”
“Was there a police investigation?” I asked. “I mean, someone so young dying so suddenly like that . . .”
She gave me a look that indicated she found the question peculiar. “I haven’t heard of any police involvement.” She looked inquisitively at Jeff. He didn’t notice, because he was looking at me.
I asked, “Did Darius get along well with everyone here?”
“I believe so.” Catherine’s cool tone hinted that I was fast wearing out my welcome now.
I knew I would feel silly asking my next question, but I also didn’t want to face Max’s disappointment if I didn’t ask it. “Did he have any enemies?”
“You seem very . . . interested in his death, for someone who didn’t ‘exactly’ know him,” Catherine observed.
“We met once, and it was a very memorable occasion,” I said truthfully. “Did he ever mention being afraid of anyone?”
“No.”
“Did he have any unusual religious practices? Or, um, interesting hobbies?”
Catherine said, “Jeff, I believe you have a class shortly?”
“Yes, I do.” He stood up quickly. “Let’s go, Esther.”
“Was Darius dating anyone?”
Jeff’s hand slid under my elbow, and he pulled me to my feet. “We’ve taken enough of her time, Esther.”
“I’m sorry.” I smiled at Catherine. “I tend to get carried away when the conversation turns to a subject that I find so interesting.”
“Thanks, Catherine.” Jeff hauled me to the door. “And this will work out well this time. I swear.”
He opened the door and shoved me through it.
I came eye to eye with a large snake. Its sleek head weaved toward me as its tongue flicked out at me.
I choked on a frightened gasp and staggered backward on my high- heeled boots. Losing my footing, I fell against Jeff, who staggered backward, too, as my weight hit him. We careened into the chairs we had just been sitting in. One chair fell over with a clatter, taking Jeff with it. My ankle turned as I tried to save my balance, and I flew sideways over Jeff and hit the floor. I banged my head on the corner of Catherine’s desk. The pain was excruciating.
I lay there in a fetal position, eyes squeezed shut, sucking in noisy gasps of air between my teeth as I tried not to pass out or burst into tears.
“Esther?” I heard Max call, sounding alarmed.
“Ungh,” was the only response I could manage.
I flinched and opened my eyes when I felt something touch me, but relaxed when I saw it was Max. He squatted down, helped me sit up, and tried to examine my head.
Then he said, “How many fingers am I holding up?”
“I don’t care.” I closed my eyes again.
He said patiently, “I’m trying to ascertain