Lynda Robinson - Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing

"Of course," Kysen said. "Shall I have the cook send food to your chamber? I don't think you want to eat in the hall with Idut."

After the evening meal, Kysen left Meren to deal with a pile of correspondence and went upstairs to the office. He was going over the results of questioning the servants and slaves when Iry arrived, escorting Wah. The man had been an ubiquitous presence at Baht. He hovered over Idut dispensing sympathy, compliments, and gifts. He listened to Great-Aunt Cherit's numerous stories of people long dead, nodding and feigning interest. He had tried to gain interviews with Meren, even tried to waylay him during Sennefer's fatal illness. Meren had remarked with venom that if Wah tried to leave as Ra and Hepu had, he might be tempted to let him go.

Now Wah trotted into the office, eager as a hound, his ever-present basket of dates in one hand, the other wiping runny kohl from his eye. Kysen offered him a stool and took Meren's chair. He had to force himself to do this, for his impulse would be to take the stool. But Meren wouldn't have approved. His rank as a royal inquiry agent demanded that he present an air of authority. Iry settled himself nearby to take notes.

Wah gave the charioteer an apprehensive look before folding his long frame to fit on the stool. "Such terrible happenings, dear Kysen. I've tried to comfort your aunt and the Lady Cherit. They need me, since you and your father are so busy trying to find the evil one responsible for these deaths. Poor Anhai and Sennefer. Have you found out who it is? I hear the Lady Bentanta is confined to her chamber, as is Nakht-um, Ra, that is."

"The charioteer Reia tells me you agreed with reports that during Hepu's Instruction at the feast Bentanta left with Anhai."

"Yes," Wah said as he popped a date in his mouth. "I saw them quarrel. Quite a few people did. And later they left together, which I thought odd considering how little tolerance they seemed to have for each other. Forgive me, but I don't understand why the Lady Bentanta was here at all. I know Idut said she was visiting Sennefer and Anhai when the invitation arrived for the feast."

This was why Meren disliked Wah. The man probed and pried and busied himself in affairs that didn't concern him, and he wouldn't stop talking. Kysen found himself trying to strangle the arms of his chair and grinding his teeth.

"Did you see Anhai at all after Hepu finished his Instruction?"

"No, but I saw Sennefer." Wah laughed. "I remember being able to spot him no matter how thick the crowd because he had a fresh unguent cone on, and it was lopsided. It was a wonder it didn't fall off before it melted."

"And this was after Hepu had finished?"

"Oh, yes. Sennefer was talking to one of Antefoker's daughters. The poor girl was blushing and hiding her face behind a fly whisk. I never did understand how Sennefer escaped being garroted by some irate father or abused husband."

"Do you know of anyone like that who might have wanted Sennefer dead?"

"I hear there were many," Wah said, giving Kysen a curious glance. "But I thought Sennefer died of poison wine, Lady Bentanta's pomegranate wine."

"And your servants at the guest house say you retired from the feast along with Nebetta and Hepu, before Sennefer."

"Am I under suspicion?" Wah drew himself up, but failed in his attempt at dignity; in his position on the stool, his knees stuck up nearly to his ears.

"I'm merely making a thorough inquiry," Kysen said.

"Well then, I retired after thanking Idut and your father for an enjoyable feast, and I slept through the night. You may ask my servant."

"I have," Kysen said. "And I've made other inquiries. You were with my aunt for most of the feast, and you even remained in the hall listening to Hepu's entire Instruction."

"I found it most rewarding. Your uncle is a man of high character and honor."

"You think so?"

Wah bit into another date and contemplated the remaining half fruit in his fingers. "I've tried to speak with your father several times without success, my boy. I'm worried about your aunt and your sisters. It might be safer for them if I took them to Memphis until you've solved this crime."

"You?"

"After all, I'm Idut's proposed husband. It's my duty to look after her, and as a future member of the family, I'm concerned for the well-being of my little nieces."

Kysen had no intention of letting this date-munching place-seeker get his hands on his sisters. "I thank you, Wah. I'll put your suggestion to my father. In the meantime you'll continue to lend your support to Aunt Idut by remaining with us."

"Of course. My, you've been busy making so many inquiries. I had no idea you'd checked my every movement at the feast."

"Not just you, but yes, we have. We know that you rose late after the feast, after Anhai's body was found, and that you spent the morning lending comfort to the family. I also know that you didn't speak with Sennefer until everyone went to the garden to eat. He fell sick while you were nearby, on the couch."

"You're surpassing thorough." Wah set his date basket down on the floor. "So you already know that I didn't come near poor Sennefer."

"But did you see anyone go near Sennefer's wine cup when he was in the garden?"

"Oh, I suppose most of the family went near it, but only Bentanta remained close to him long. But what of Ra? I hear he claims to have been asleep most of the day."

Kysen rose, causing Wah to do the same. "My thanks for your help, Wah."

"It was my duty, especially since I'm soon to be a member of the family. Soon I'll be your father's brother and your uncle. Be certain I'll do everything I can to protect the family. In the future I hope to be of great service. Would you like a date?"

"No, thank you."

"You will speak to your father about my taking Idut and your sisters away?"

Kysen ushered Wah out of the room. "As soon as possible. A pleasant evening to you." He closed the door before the man finished speaking.

"Iry, I don't know when I've felt my time more wasted than when talking with that fool."

"Yes, lord, but at least the task is done."

"Get some rest. We'll leave after everyone's asleep."

Kysen took the record of Wah's interview from the charioteer. Iry left while he was placing it in a document case along with the dozens of others made during the course of their inquiries. There was a basket of ostraca, pottery shards on which the men took notes. He picked up one that recorded the statements of a kitchen worker, then tossed it back into the basket.

Because of the two deaths, he hadn't mentioned the situation at the haunted temple to his father. Some of the guards reported that Nento was growing more and more agitated. The long hours in the dark spent listening to the wind and the calls of hyenas were wearing down his courage. He jumped at the slightest sound. He refused to remain in the temple alone with his royal charges, insisting upon at least two guards for company.

The men had assured Kysen that Nento was alarmed about nothing. The only sounds that broke the silence around the temple were those of jackals, hyenas, lizards, and Nento's cries of alarm. The only movement was that of the wind. Kysen was going to talk to Nento tonight and tell him he was welcome to return to Baht. It would be amusing to see the man try to decide which was more dangerous, the haunted temple or a country house in which two people had been murdered.

Indigo darkness surrounded Meren in the garden at Baht. Although it was several hours after sunset, the sun's heat remained to envelop him in a stifling cocoon. His bare skin stuck to his chair, and no amount of fanning brought relief. He alone sat beside the reflection pool and watched the moonlight play over the still surface of the water and illumine the lotus flowers floating nearby. Still dismayed at his fight with Ra, he had sought privacy here after dining in his chamber. The recently healed wounds Tanefer had given him ached and stung with renewed intensity. It had been difficult to conceal his pain from Ra and the others.