Brian McClellan: Murder at the Kinnen Hotel

“Is this thing over?” Adamat asked. “For certain?”

“It is,” White said. “The powder mage has been eliminated and I’ve passed on the rest of this business with Aleksandre and the Kemptin family along to underlings.”

“Genetrie was beheaded this morning,” Adamat said, noting the small announcement at the bottom of page four of the newspaper. “You’ll take care of her son?”

“I’m not a wet nurse.” White paused, then the very corners of her cheeks lifted a fraction of an inch. It took Adamat several moments to realize it was a joke. Was that … a smile? “Another thing I’ve passed on to subordinates,” she went on. “But yes. I keep my word.”

Adamat breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” White looked around, as if seeking a waiter, then seemed to think better of it. “Are you sure you don’t want more out of this? You served the cabal well. We have a reputation as vengeful and violent, but we also reward those who deserve it.”

“I was doing my civic duty,” Adamat said, ducking his head.

“I could give you a job. Something that suits your talents. It pays much better than working for the police.”

“I …” Adamat paused then laughed at himself for even considering it for the slightest moment.

“Is something funny?”

“No, I’m sorry. I have a wife and we’re hoping to have children soon. I hope I don’t offend when I say that I’d rather not work for the cabal.” And I don’t want to be beholden to them, either. Rewards always come with strings attached .

“I think I understand.” White stood and brushed off the front of her jacket. “I’ve made sure that Walis does not come after you or your family in reprisal. I realize that your talent prevents you from following my advice, but I suggest that you forget this entire affair.”

“I would very much like to,” Adamat said. “And thank you.”

White gazed through the window, as if examining something far away. “Farewell Detective Adamat. I have met very few good men. I think that you are one of them. Do nothing to change that.”

Epilogue

The memorial service took place in the middle of the week at one of the small Kresim chapels just outside the old city walls north of Adopest. The weather as cold and blustery, but the sun shone through the chapel’s stained-glass windows and warmed the pews and altar. Upon the latter sat an urn decorated in gold and silver leaf.

Adamat entered the chapel, careful not to let the door slam behind him, and turned to find the chapel empty except for one lone figure sitting on the foremost pew with head bowed. He felt his heart fall. Had no one come? He made his way up the rows and up to the front, where he sat down next to Ricard Tumblar.

They sat in silence for several moments. Was Ricard praying? Adamat wondered. That was uncharacteristic of him.

Finally, Ricard raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot, but face lined with grief, the front of his suit rumpled. He cleared his throat, looked over his shoulder at the empty chapel, and cleared it again.

Adamat slipped him a thin leather case. “Your cheque book,” he said. “Aleksandre admitted to having a forger duplicate your signature. Am I late?”

“What? Oh, no. Melany’s family is all in Deliv. I’m the only one in this damned city who knew her.”

“I’m sorry, Ricard.”

Ricard dragged one sleeve across his nose. “If you thought I had commitment issues before, it’s only going to get worse from here.” He snorted, a half-laugh half-sob, and took a moment to regain his composure. He shook his head. “Adamat, I’m sorry about that thing with Cora.”

Adamat grimaced. This was neither the time nor the place. “My poor cousin, Ricard. You broke her heart.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“But you should have expected it. She was wounded so deeply she left the country. She won’t even return my letters, probably because I’m the one who introduced the two of you.”

“I’ll try to make it up to her. To you.”

“Honestly, you might do more bad than good. Let it go,” Adamat said. “I’ll try to do the same.”

They sat in an awkward silence for several minutes before Ricard wiped his eyes once more and sat up straight. “I heard about your promotion. To full detective. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Adamat said, allowing himself a small smile. “Though I’d rather it not come about as a result of such unfortunate circumstances.” He gestured at the urn on the altar.

“It didn’t,” Ricard said firmly. “It came about because you brought justice to someone who otherwise would have had none. And saved my neck from the blade besides. I was curious about one thing, if you’re allowed to talk about it.”

“Go ahead.”

“There’s a rumor going around that you gave Commissioner Hewi her promotion. How did that get started?”

Adamat shook his head. “I did no such thing. I only delivered her the news. The Iron King himself approved the appointment.”

“But you had something to do with it, didn’t you?”

“I … “ Adamat hesitated, wondering what exactly he was allowed to say. “I convinced certain parties that Hewi was politically unambitious, which is true, and easily controlled, which may be less than true, and that she could be replaced easily. Which I doubt will happen any time soon. She seemed like the best woman for the job.”

“You’ve never ceased to amaze me, Adamat.”

“And you, me.” Adamat shifted in his seat, uncomfortable talking about the case any further. “You’ll send the ashes to Melany’s family?” he asked.

“I will. Along with some gifts. Money and the like. I don’t care if it comes across as tacky.” He let out a long sigh, and Adamat wondered if perhaps Ricard had really loved this woman as deeply as he claimed. Adamat didn’t doubt the sincerity of the grief; Ricard could be an emotional man.

Adamat reached over to squeeze Ricard’s shoulder. “I heard about the vote.”

“We wouldn’t have won,” Ricard said. “Even with Viscount Brezé’s support. I knew that deep down.”

“You came close,” Adamat said, though “close” might be a generosity. They were dozens of votes short of passing the legislation that would legalize small unions.

“Closer than before.” Ricard turned to Adamat and nodded firmly. “I’m going to keep trying. Even if they jail me and try to disgrace me. I’m going to do it, Adamat.”

“Form a union?”

“More than that. Even if it costs me everything to do it, I’m going to drag Adro kicking and screaming into the modern era.”