by Gary Gygax
"I was attacked, and that failed. So the next steps were to bum the governor's quarters and to eliminate Chemres. The killer also removed the evidence which the high priest was foolish enough to keep here, so he most likely knew about my visit, and he at least feared that I was onto something. That means he had more to go on than a mere conversation with Matiseth, for the hem-neter-tepi didn't even suspect that I had discovered his actual records," Inhetep told Inspector Tuhorus when the man returned a few minutes later. "Even my threat to expose him didn't move the high priest or shake his confidence in the least. Does that mean anything to you, Tuhorus?"
"No, I confess I see nothing significant in that, Inhetep. You have given me certain information I needed, however, and I wonder why you haven't acted sooner to bring in the criminals. That might have prevented the arson in the sepat compound and Matiseth Chemres being assassinated. How long have you known that Ten-gri is both an aerial spirit and a whirlwind?"
Inhetep's posture had been tense, his expression showing a growing puzzlement as Tuhorus spoke, but as the chief inspector came to the last question, the priest-wizard relaxed. "Oh, you refer to that bit of information. Why, I've always known that, sir. It's of no great import."
"There I disagree, Magister. I think we have our killers. I'm issuing orders to have Lord Sa-caxes, Vardin, and Tengri Ataman arrested immediately. If they are guilty, Inhetep, you must also be held accountable by your own admission."
The ur-kheri-heb looked at Tuhorus with disbelief. "Nonsense! But I'll not dispute with you. Go ahead and have those three brought in. While you're at it, round up all the others who were in the room when Prince Ram-f-amsu was murdered."
"Why? What on Yarth would that accomplish, Inhetep?"
"Let's just say I think you're overlooking something. Do it to humor me, or else because I am requesting it as an utchat-neb. I promise that you'll not be disappointed."
"Very well," the inspector said. "But I think you must now be held as a possible accomplice to Matiseth Chemres' death."
"That charge should not be made for the record, Tuhorus, for it will bring you nothing but embarrassment and discredit. Just mark it in your personal notes—and on a separate page which you can burn. I'll not be going anywhere, so you can always file it later if you deem it necessary."
Matiseth Chemres' murder was nearly as serious a matter as that of the governor, and Inspector Tuhorus seemed reluctant to do as the magister suggested. "That violates all rules, Inhetep. What if you choose to use your heka to disappear?"
"I might do that at this moment if I so opted, dear fellow. What use is an official report in that regard?"
"Very well," Tuhorus agreed reluctantly. "Shall we go to the prefecture?"
Magister Inhetep raised a finger. "In an hour or so, Inspector. Get your warrants out, and by the time everyone is rounded up and brought into your offices there, we'll be on hand for questioning. Meantime, however, there's a little more to do here, and then we can go back to the Reed-fields and have a decent bit to eat with Xonappi."
"This is no time for romantic frivolities, Magister," the police official said sharply.
"Ask yourself this, Tuhorus. What became of the three big tomes which are missing from the dead cleric's shelves? If you can't give me any answer, then I urge you to humor me with respect to the rest."
"The killer carried them out."
"Nobody was seen doing that, and there's not a trace of magickal residue here. Again, my good Inspector, what became of those three big books?"
There was no trace of their being destroyed anywhere in the high priest's apartment. They hadn't turned up anywhere in the temple complex, either. Tuhorus scratched his graying hair, looking quite uncertain. "Do you know where the volumes are, Inhetep?" he challenged.
"Certainly. Now come on. The poor child will be waiting for us and think herself abandoned. Besides, I hope Xonaapi will have some of the money I gave her leftover. . . . What will I say to Rachelle?"
ALL THE WITNESSES ARE GUILTY
Before they returned to the inn, the magister convinced Tuhorus that the girl should accompany them to the prefecture for the next questioning. "At least one of the men knows Xonaapi and is aware that the governor held her captive."
The chief inspector didn't much like that idea. He too, of course, knew which of the suspects had knowledge of the kidnapped girl: "The Cypriot, Pyronos—but what need is there for her to be present when we speak with the others?"
Inhetep was firm, saying, "The girl might be of no significance, or she might be vital. That's the reason we need her there. The reaction from each of them will tell us much, I think."
"Very well, I'll go along with you this time, Magister," the policeman said with evident reluctance as he and Inhetep came to the Reed-fields. Tuhorus wasn't certain what the ur-kheri-heb thought to discover in such a fashion. After all, it seemed to be an open and shut matter.
The exact motive and opportunity had yet to be proven, but the means and the ones responsible for employing them were pretty clear.
Xonaapi was impossible to miss. She was wearing a sea-green dress of silk which was very fashionable, with matching gold collar sandals patterned after the fashion of ancient /Egypt. The gown was more demure at the bodice than many seen on the avenues, but revealing at the leg with a long, gold-trimmed slit. With a face and figure such as hers, Xonaapi was noticeable and noticed. A half-dozen men were hovering around her when Inhetep and Tuhorus entered the inn's salon where she waited for them, enjoying light wine and attentive company in the meantime.
"Our apologies for keeping you waiting, my lady," the priest-wizard murmured as he and Tuhorus sat down at her table. "I am delighted to see that you made such marvelous use of your time shopping!"
The hovering cadre of salon scarabs scattered in disappointment, but the girl seemed not to notice. "I only got here a little while ago, and there were lots of people to talk to while I waited. Please don't feel guilty, Setne Inhetep. I'm happy you and Chief Inspector Tuhorus had time to do all the things policemen do!" She smiled disarmingly at both men. Her words dispelled the last of the lingering lotharios as well, for one mention of police was more than sufficient in that regard. "Do you really like this outfit, Setne?"
"He couldn't be more pleased, I assure you," Tuhorus told her, preempting the magister. "That is a very fashionable outfit, and you do it justice, Xonaapi."
"Wait until you see the other little things I bought."
Inhetep slumped in his seat. "Others?"
"Of course! Why, I had absolutely nothing, so I had to get enough for a few days. I bought this dress because it was ready to wear—only a few of the outfits I purchased were not in need of a seamstress. The rest will be delivered here tomorrow, because I asked that they rush the tailoring work. The shopkeepers here are so nice! When I told them that Magister Setne Inhetep and I were staying here at the Reedfields, there wasn't a one who hesitated about charging the cost and having someone work specially on things!"
Tuhorus grinned agreeably, watching Inhetep from the comer of his eye. "A lady must have proper apparel." Then he looked squarely at the ur-kheri-heb. "But I wasn't aware that you were so well-known here in On, Magister. . . ."
"Neither was I," Inhetep said in an undertone. "How large a sum will I need to cover your expenditure, Xonaapi?"
Seeing his expression, the girl gave him a reassuring look and patted his arm. "Not more than a few thousand dinars, Setne, and look! There's money left from what you gave me for incidentals."
He took the proffered purse and dumped its contents into his palm. Looking at the handful of copper and silver coins, Inhetep gave a wan smile. "Incidentals . .. Yes. Well, I suppose it has been a long time since I took anyone shopping," he said with a shrug. "Prices must have inflated drastically. I am most pleased you have now acquired a proper wardrobe, Xonaapi," he concluded almost hopefully. "As your rescuer and benefactor, it was my duty to see to that."
"Oh, thank you! Then I can spend tomo
rrow picking up all the rest of the things I really need—I haven't nearly enough for everyday wear, you know, and what if you take me to a regalia?"
"A beautiful woman such as yourself, Lady Xonaapi, must always look her best," Tuhorus encouraged. "It wouldn't do for you to be seen in inappropriate costume, and what would people think of the magister?"
"Let us see what is being served for dinner this evening," Inhetep said firmly, changing the subject. "Although I seem to have little appetite."
"You should have come shopping with me," the girl said happily. "I am absolutely ravenous."
The meal was large and costly, taking up almost two hours. Because of time, the three took a carriage from the inn to Tuhorus' office in the ugly pile which housed the Metropolitan Prefecture of On. The building stood as one of four around a small, parklike square which served for the city's administrative, judicial, and service bureaus accommodations. Even though there were over a hundred thousand inhabitants to care for, the sepat itself was responsible for everything outside the boundaries of On, and even some of the matters within the community, so the city government was not as large as would have been required for such a place outside /Egypt. Thus, the law enforcement arm, the Metropolitan Prefecture, was smaller than might be expected. River policing, for instance, was in the hands of the royal military, while the governor saw to surrounding law enforcement, taxation, tariff control, and so forth. Of the two hundred people in the prefecture, Inspector Tuhorus was the third in rank, coming after the prefect himself and the vice prefect.
"I had thought to find a larger and more elaborate accommodation for you, Inspector," the wizard-priest commented after they were in Tuhorus' office. "You are deputy prefect, aren't you?"
"Acting Deputy," Tuhorus corrected. "The senior of inspectors is always posted to that spot, Utchat-neb. Unlike your service, as well you know, Inhetep, this is the position which handles the ninety percent workload which is non-political. The Utchatu is reversed, isn't it?" he asked rather bitterly.
The magister wasn't disturbed. "More political, surely, but true ability also counts for much." Inhetep let it go at that. "This is assuredly of no interest to Xonaapi, for shop talk is never particularly intelligible to one not involved. May we now begin the reexamination of the fourteen?"
"I am excited, Inspector Tuhorus," the girl told him, almost as if she were contradicting Inhetep. "To be involved in so important a matter as this is beyond anything I have ever dreamed."
"You'll find police work rather dull and repetitious, I fear," Tuhorus responded, but the girl's words had made him feel important. "You are sure you don't mind this?"
"Oh, no! It is my duty, and I want to help all I can. And I am anxious to see the ones who are responsible for my being held captive brought to justice, too!"
"It's important that we have a few minutes with each group separately, I think," the magister said. "But then I want to have them all brought together so we can exactly duplicate the murder."
"The fire . . ."
"Of no import. I'll employ heka, and nobody will doubt that they are once more in the dead governor's chamber."
Tuhorus nodded. "Very well. I'll have the Par-thians sent in first."
"With all due respect, Tuhorus, may I suggest that we delay that? I know you are convinced that they are the culprits, but I think we should speak with Lord Pyronos first—especially since he was likely the one who was involved with Lady Xonaapi's procurement, shall we say. Will you again humor me in this regard, Inspector?"
When he saw the girl's expression, Tuhorus agreed. "Very well. I am uncertain as to how she fits into this, so I'll go along with you, Magister."
In a few minutes, the dark-haired Cypriot was ushered into the policeman's office. When he saw Xonaapi there, Pyronos started and his skin paled a little, but he held his composure well enough thereafter. "Inspector Tuhorus, Magister Inhetep, I haven't the pleasure of making the lady's acquaintance."
Neither of the detectives needed to respond to that statement, for the girl flushed and said, "That's a lie, sir! You . . . you were very forward and said I was gorgeous, too! Then you said I could never be forgotten! You know very well who I am: Xonaapi, and a noble—"
"Thank you, my dear lady," interjected the priest-wizard. "You see, Lord Pyronos, it's no use to try and dissemble. We are fully aware of your part in this."
"I had nothing to do with Prince Ram-f-amsu's murder!" the Cypriot cried angrily in reply to Inhetep's words.
Magister Inhetep smiled wolfishly. "Did I mention murder? I am speaking of something worse—treason and espionage."
"Treason isn't applicable, sir. I am a noble citizen of another kingdom. As to espionage, since when is it a crime to assist a noble governor of an /Egyptian nome in his efforts to become chief minister?" Lord Pyronos evidenced both arrogance and underlying fear as he spoke.
Tuhorus tried to hide Ms confusion as he assessed the Cypriot's statement. He looked at Magister Inhetep, saying, "There's danger in 'your charge, sir. The king of Kypros is an ally of /Egypt."
Inhetep stepped in. "Exactly, Chief Inspector. He will mislike, to put it gently, one of his own nobles being involved in activity bent upon disturbing that status. Come, come, Pyronos, You were aware that Ram-f-amsu's plans verged on treason!"
The Cypriot was about to heatedly deny the magister's words, but something in the priest-wizard's eyes made him throw up Ms hands and say, "Very well. I confess that the dead governor promised his assistance—and that of /Egypt, too—to my king in the seizing of Tyrus. That was in return for trade concessions and treaties. Such an arrangement would certainly strengthen both realms, for all benefit of the promised arrangement would be shared between Kypros and your Pharaoh."
The police inspector was about to speak, but Inhetep waved him to silence. "Your liege, King Nikos, agrees with all of this?"
"Well .. ."
"As I said, Lord Pyronos: treason! Your assistance in Ram-f-amsu's meddling in the affairs of state of sovereign places, and your own work without your king's permission, is certainly treasonous."
The Cypriot stood up and paced back and forth in agitation. "Now, you can say that, Magister, but had Tyrus fallen to Kypros, King Nikos would never have pressed the matter. Likewise, your own great Pharaoh would have gladly received the stream of wealth coming to him from our trade—the whole of the merchandise shipped from the port of Tyrus would have come south to /Egypt's ports, including On."
"That's what you claim now, sir, but I think you know otherwise. Even a blind man could see that the prince had ambitions above and beyond mere monopolies of trade with your nation."
"What makes you so sure of that, Inhetep?" the Cypriot asked narrowly.
"Your acquisition of Lady Xonaapi is ample proof."
Tuhorus had closely followed the exchange, and he now joined in. "The number of individuals involved likewise could not but fail to alert you, Lord Pyronos. Tyrus aside, trade is a two-way exchange, and Ram-f-amsu was spinning a great web to catch all manner of flies such as you. The Yarban commerce through /Elana, for instance. That would come by sea, or overland through Phillistia, and neither you nor your king would benefit therefrom. Was Xonaapi a gift to the Yarbans? or others more distant?"
The girl was staring at Lord Pyronos, as much in anticipation as with dislike. "Yes, lecher, for whom was I destined?"
"Ram-f-amsu never actually said," Lord Pyr-onos admitted heavily.
"You determined some time ago that the prince had plans which were more extensive that he had informed you, isn't that so, Pyr-onos?" asked the priest-wizard.
"I'm not a fool!" the Cypriot shot back angrily.
"But you are. You involved yourself with Ram-f-amsu," Inhetep countered. "Furthermore, I think you also showed a lack of wisdom by remaining leagued with the prince after you discovered that his ambitions extended to far more than becoming chief minister of Pharaoh. That you aren't a complete dupe is shown by your sudden reversal here and now."
"Reve
rsal?" The query sprang from Inspector Tuhorus' lips.
"Yes," the magister said, still looking at the Cypriot as he replied to the puzzled detective. "Lord Pyronos wasn't cooperating with Ram-f-amsu any longer. None of his ships were sailing on behalf of the governor, and no finance was forthcoming—isn't that so, Pyronos?"
"That is correct," the man admitted. "I was attempting to remove involvement of any sort— my own and that of my kingdom, for I disliked the direction which Ram-f-amsu seemed to be taking."
"Did you now?" growled the policeman. "Why not just sail home to Cyprus, then?"
"Blackmail, dear Tuhorus," supplied Inhetep. "King Nikos would certainly have punished Lord Pyronos in some way—stripping away his lands and title being the least."
Tuhorus stood and pointed at the fellow. "So. If that's true, you had a strong motive for slaying the governor, didn't you?!"
"He was a swine who needed killing," the Cypriot shot back, "but you must look to another in that regard. I didn't murder Ram-f-amsu."
"Your name is an interesting one," interjected the magister. "What does it mean?"
"Mean? Why nothing at all. It's just a name."
"Odd ... I somehow connected it to the house of the Grecian thaumaturge, Pyronostus, who is said to have learned the secrets of ancient Babylonian fire magick. Didn't he eventually become a noble of your island?"
"Inhetep, that was centuries ago. Perhaps he was a forefather of mine—so what?"
The priest-wizard smiled. "The governor's palace was destroyed by an efreet, a fire elemental of the most malign sort. The magi of Babylonia are adept at summoning and controlling such beings, are they not?"
