Triple Strength

86. Questions: Tabitha

I took the plunge and got Hearing Aid. It is only Level 1, but even the passive increase at that level was noticeable. It will take a while to level, but it will only improve. I will wait for the other sense option to see if I can figure out how Nyx senses things.

Appā insisted on coming to Mayakku’s interview. He was her father, so he had a reason, and it helped Mayakku’s nerves. I was just grumpy that they were picking on her rather than finding the real culprit, which was me. We rode into the city. The gate Watch noted us down. These were the only Catkin in the City that I was aware of, so we were noticeable. We rode all the way to the Watch HQ and tied the horses up outside, making it obvious we were there.

We announced ourselves at the desk and were shown to an interview room. My new hearing heard the door lock after we entered.

I said loudly to Appā and Mayakku, “People like this like to make us wait and waste our time. Trying to make us nervous. However, we are not under arrest, and we don’t have to be here, so we will give them an hour and then we will relocate and wait at the cafe next door. If they aren’t done by Lunch, we will offer to come back as I am meeting Major Sione of Military Intelligence for lunch, and I am not going to be late. I am speaking loudly so the listener next door can give fair warning to her superiors.”

Appā and Mayakku looked at me a bit strangely. Appā got up and went to the door and tried to open it and found it locked. He looked at me, and I just shrugged. We sat at the small table, and I pulled out a pack of cards, and we played a few friendly rounds. Five minutes before my hour was up the door opened, and a human in civilian dress came in, followed by the dwarven sergeant from the night raid.

“Hello, gentlemen, shall we deal you into the next hand?” I asked before they could say anything.

The Sergeant acted predictably and started getting angry, “This is not a gambling house!”

He was heading toward the table, but the civilian, or rather the investigator, stopped him. “No, and please put the cards away so we can get this interview done. I am Investigator Whitby.” There was only one more chair in the room, and he took it, leaving the Sergeant to stand. We packed up the cards and looked at him.

“We are investigating a serious burglary of Enchanters Supreme. What was stolen was specialist enchanter equipment and supplies. We believe it was stolen to order. Mayakku, I believe you are a Journeyman Enchanter?” Whitby started.

Before Mayakku replied, I butted in, “I have an objection. If this were an official investigation by the watch, then Master Enchanter Störst would not be in the room next door listening to this interview. The fact that she is means this is a political and commercial attack, not a proper investigation into a crime. We are not talking anymore while she is there.”

“She is there to advise on specialised enchanting matters for no other reason,” Whitby replied.

“Bullshit. You would have an independent professional if that was the case.” I stated.

“This interview will proceed, or you will be detained for obstruction of an Official Investigation.” Whitby countered.

“I am happy to proceed once Störst leaves,” I said.

Whitby looked at me very carefully. He was an intelligent man. I hated intelligent people opposing me. “What is your relationship with Mayakku?”

“I am her employer. Personal Contract.” I replied.

“Mayakku. Do you want this person to represent you?” Whitby asked.

“Yes,” Mayakku replied without hesitation.

“Very well, Sergeant, clear the room next door completely.” The Sergeant started to protest, but Whitby shut him down, “Do it!”

After the Sergeant left, it didn’t take Hearing Aid to hear the loud protests in dwarvish. After about five minutes, I nodded to Whitby, and he started with the normal questions. He started with the basics of identification, professional qualifications, and where you were the night of…. Etc. Then the sergeant came back and stood by the door. I am pretty sure Whitby could see Mayakku's status and had some sort of truth-sensing or crime-sensing Skills, but he never let on what information he was getting.

Then he asked technical questions about specialisations that Mayakku didn’t have, vast enchantment arrays and specialised weapon enchantments. He didn’t need independent specialist advice; he knew what he was doing. Mayakku was innocent and knew nothing, although she suspected a lot. She relied on her innocence, which was what she needed to do.

Once Whitby finished asking Mayakku questions, he turned to me. “You said you have a lunch meeting with Major Sione. Is that true?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“What is it about?” he asked.

“It is confidential,” I replied.

“After today, there will almost certainly be pressure to expel you from the city,” Whitby said to me.

I smiled and ensured the sergeant saw it, “No doubt about that. Störst doesn’t like having competition. Even if her enchantments are so crap, a thief can march right through them.” I knew the Sergeant would relay that on to Störst. I think Whitby knew that as well and frowned slightly.

“You don’t seem worried about that,” he said.

“I own a caravan. Moving on is what we do. However, we will only move on when we want to. If we were forced to move on anytime in the next month, for instance, we would miss the Duke’s Birthday Gala for his granddaughter.” He looked puzzled. I continued, “It would mean the Comedic Rhythm would also be moving on and hence not performing, and I know he is making such a big thing about it.” I could tell they had both heard about the city-wide Gala, and Comedic Rhythm was a top act.

“You have a contract with them as well?” Whitby asked.

“They will be hired away easily enough.” the sergeant muttered loud enough for us all to hear.

I smiled wider, “That will be fascinating to see, as I am one of the key performers. Political games are so tiresome. Instead of playing political games, maybe you should do your job and catch a thief. You are obviously finished with Mayakku, so we are done here.”

The Catkin and I stood up. Whitby had more questions, and I was pretty sure they were for me, and I did not want him asking them. The Sergeant actually changed the topic by saying, “We will not be letting Modrica live.”

“Really, Whitby, will you let the Watch commit murder?” With a mild application of Intimidating Aura, I turned to the sergeant and said, “I will let you know one of Modrica’s many secrets. If you attack her, you also attack her, Krvne Sestre.”

He paled, and I think Whitby was also shocked. Krvne Sestre or blood sisters have survived battles they did not expect to and are usually of similar fighting levels even though the Skills may differ. I just told them there were two Modrica-level fighters in the Caravan, and Modrica wiped the floor with them on her own. They will assume it is one of the other Orcs. That sort of misdirection is one of the main weapons of Modrica’s Krvne Sestre.

I let us out of the Interrogation room, and I don't think they even noticed I unlocked the door. I left the sergeant's keys at the main desk, and we rode to the warehouse. I left the Catkin and the horses there. They knew not to leave without an escort. Next up is Military Intelligence.