Page 90 of The Study of Poisons
“No need for our nightcap, Valek. I’m too tired.” He headed inside.
Glad to have the extra time, Valek turned to go, but Millicent stopped him.
“The food taster left a little while ago, sir,” she reported. “She didn’t have the captains with her, so I thought I should let you know.”
“Good call. Do you know where she was going?” Why would she leave and risk getting killed?
“No. But she went that way.” She pointed to the left.
Not helpful and Valek didn’t have time to track Yelena down. He’d have to trust she could protect herself and hope she didn’t run into Mogkan. At least she now had a switchblade thanks to Janco—not that it had helped her when Mogkan attacked.
“Thanks,” he said and hurried away.
As he jogged to his office, he contemplated various reasons Yelena would leave without an escort. Perhaps she planned to meet up with Ari and Janco for another training session. Or she grew bored and wanted some exercise. Valek should bring an extra set of weapons to their suite so she could practice without leaving. His inner caveman agreed.
Valek paused before he unlocked his door. The sliver of black wood that he’d inserted into the jam had fallen to the floor. Someone had picked the locks. Either a person with a death wish, or an assassin lying in wait? Or a thief that was long gone?
He pulled his dagger and inserted his key. Swinging the door wide, he braced for an attack. No one stood inside, but someone could still be hiding. There were certainly plenty of places. Ready to defend himself, he crossed to his desk. Then he smelled the lovely scent of lavender and relaxed. Valek had found his intruder. Yelena. Janco had said she was quick to learn how to pick locks. The captain had cleared teaching her the technique and gifting her the knife with Valek, who thought both were a good idea.
Impressed by her ability to pick his three complicated locks, he sat in his chair and glanced around. Another sliver of wood lay on the floor underneath his poison cabinet. Ah, she wished to learn the recipe to her antidote. He applauded her efforts. Valek would do the same in her position. Scanning the piles of books and boxes, he guessed she hid behind the conference table. Fun.
A knock sounded.
“Come,” said Valek.
“Your, ah…package has arrived, sir,” Inrick said.
“Bring him in.” Valek stood.
Inrick escorted a tall man with wide shoulders and a big bushy beard. Now gaunt, Tentil had probably been muscled and robust before his stay in the Commander’s dungeon. The chains around his wrists and ankles clanked as he approached Valek’s desk. The foul stench of excrement and body odor chased away the lavender aroma.
“You’re dismissed,” Valek said to Inrick. No need to get another agent in trouble if the Commander found out.
Valek studied the man and resumed his seat. “Well, Tentil. Are you aware that you’re next in line for the noose?”
“Yes, sir,” he whispered, gazing at the floor.
Valek pretended to read his dossier like he’d done with Yelena. “You’re here because you killed your three-year-old son with a plow, claiming it was an accident. Is that correct?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. My wife had just died. I was unable to afford a nanny. I didn’t know he had climbed under.” The man’s voice was pinched with pain.
“Tentil, there are no excuses in Ixia,” Valek chided.
“Yes, sir. I know, sir. I want to die, sir. The guilt is too hard to bear.”
“Then dying wouldn’t be adequate punishment, would it?”
Tentil glanced up at him in surprise.
“Living would be a harsher sentence. In fact, I know of a profitable farmstead in MD–4 that has tragically lost both the farmer and his wife, leaving behind three sons under the age of six. Tentil will hang tomorrow, or so everyone shall believe, but you will be escorted to MD–4 to take over the operation of a corn plantation and the job of raising those three boys. I suggest your first order of business should be to hire a nanny. Understand?”
“But…” Tentil gawked at him.
“The Code of Behavior has been excellent at ridding Ixia of undesirables, but it is somewhat lacking in basic human compassion. Despite my arguments, the Commander fails to grasp this point, so I occasionally take matters into my own hands. Keep your mouth shut, and you will live. One of my associates will check on you from time to time.”
The man swayed and Valek worried he might faint. Another knock sounded.
“Come,” Valek said. “Perfect timing as always, Wing. Did you bring the documents?”
