Celta: Heart Secret Part 16

Gray Tabby swept his glance around the rest of the cats, probably hoping that they might protect him from Garrett. The cat had joined the band only a couple of weeks past, and Garrett thought it had watched for an eightday or two before that.

Garrett had never hurt a cat deliberatelya"trod on a tail that he hadnat seen, little incidents like that, but never had hurt one, or any animal. Would never hurt an animal. Well, would never hurt any sane animal . . . a mad cat or something, that was a different situation.

Gray Tabbyas claws flexed, sc.r.a.ped against the flagstones. Again he gazed at Garrett, then his eyes focused on the food trougha"yet holding enough for several mealsa"and back at Garrett.

Apollopa Park is a common area for many animals, the cat sent telepathically, this time with a cool and precise accent of n.o.ble Druidan, though the Flair power behind the thought remained slight. Very interesting.

I was trotting to the park to sniff the scents of those who den there. A quick flick of eyes at the rest of the band. I do not sleep with these others. I was looking for a nice hollow. Cool and dry and something that smells good. I prefer a burrow near herbs, chamomile or even lavender. A hardy fragrance herb garden was once planted around the old Temple.

Black-and-White snorted.

aGo on.a Garrett flipped a hand at Gray Tabby and he cringed. Garrett couldnat link deeply with this catas mind, either.

The cat continued. I went by way of the main street in the front of the park. The path you and Healer Artemisia took yesterday morning. There was a small family of intelligent racc.o.o.ns, a sire and dam and two kits, who were living at the park, but I thought that they might be moving.

aUm-hmm.a Garrett encouraged.

I did not want to interrupt. A racc.o.o.n mother is fierce.

aMost mothers are fierce.a I saw the bundle on the ground. Hesitation now. I do not think the prey was dead. But the dancing shadow was a threat. There was nothing I could do.

The cat could have yowled and summoned help, or run for help.

Perhaps if you had been available, I would have told you. But you were sick and Healer Artemisia was watching you and is too soft to deal with such a fellow.

Chills slid through Garrett at the thought of Artemisia confronting a crazed killer. Shead have immediately gone to the fallen man, would have Healed him. And been new prey for the killer.

Nausea burned up his throat, bittering his mouth. He dragged a breath through his nose. aYou did right,a he said, since the gray tabby trusted only him and Artemisia.

A shrug rippled through the cat, as if it didnat care for Garrettas approval, or, more likely, the tabby had already accepted that what was past was past and he couldnat change it.

Something the cata"all catsa"could teach Garrett. Something head have to learn.

The hunter danced until the prey died, then went back to him and gloated. Then the killer put a man-claw that was shiny and nasty and sharpa"next to the dead prey. Did not eat the prey.

Garrett frowned. aI donat recall seeing a man-clawa"a knife?a"by the body.a I do not know a knife that shape, said the cat stiffly. He rocked back to his haunches, licked a forepaw in arrogance, still watching Garrett. There was no man-claw by the body because a racc.o.o.n took it.

aAh.a Sleek Black, now done cleaning himself, ambled to the toes of Garrettas boots and stared up at him. With a c.o.c.k of his ear, he indicated the gray tabby. Gray Tabby ran from the green place and back to TQ and has slept there since. A sniff. Before sunrise this morning, he tells of hunter and prey. I went to see. A pause and a shiver. Killer was there. Fury. Search for the man-claw. Found den of ac.o.o.ns. Found man-claw. Kicked and kicked the burrow and all the ac.o.o.ns ran. Waved the man-claw. I did not want to stay. Returned to TQ for food.

aI understand,a Garrett said.

The gray tabby scratched cobbles again and Garrett looked toward him.

His big eyes got bigger; the whispery telepathic voice was back. I talked to you for a long time and gave you big news, yes?

Yes. Garrett nodded.

Then big news means big treats. A small pink tongue slipped over his muzzle. I havenat had furrabeast steak in a long time. A pause with intent scrutiny. They say you have nip.

aThatas right.a Garrett stood, stretched again. When he moved, his tunic released a slight herbal odor. Head sweated and his bespelled shirt was sending his perspiration into the air.

The gray tabby smiled.

Garrett liked the fresh odor, too. It occurred to him that he could now buy a wardrobe of bespelled clothes. Of course, when he was sneaking around on his job, he would like the odor absorbed.

Come inside and Iall give you your treats, Garrett said.

Me, too! said the young female. I gave news of stalker and prey.

Also true, Garrett said.

Sleek Black watched Garrett with narrowed eyes. I should have a treat for data about the racc.o.o.ns. I also ranged the dens of the rich in n.o.ble Country.

Anything regarding the murder around there?

Saw, smelled, felt no angry hunter, Sleek Black conceded.

The slightest tension in Garrett relaxed. Nothing worse than setting himself against a FirstFamily n.o.ble.

With a draft of cool air, the back door of the building opened and a fashionable woman came out. Gray Tabby and another cat scattered. A couple went back to the trough and slurped more food. The rest gathered near Garrett.

The woman, a mind counselor who officed in the building, tsked and frowned. aReally, Garrett, how often have I asked you not to hold your little meetingsa"a She broke off as her eyes widened and she took in the sight of him. Obviously noticing his appearance had changed a bita"head lost weight. Head hoped the lines in his face hadnat gotten deeper, but since she stared, the grooves must be more noticeable. A hint of slyness slipped into her eyes, and when she walked toward him, it wasnat her usual professional stride, but one that had her hips swaying. aIad heard that you had helped out Primary HealingHall . . . and gotten a grant from the FirstFamilies. I hadnat quite thoughta"a Sleek Black rubbed against her bloused trous.

aWhat! Get away from me, you filthya"a With a scowl and a short exhalation of breath, she abandoned her flirting and hurried away.

Garrett glanced at Sleek Black. aNice going.a Sleek Black purred. Thank you. I get good treats, too?

aFor sure,a Garrett agreed. He opened the back door and Gray Tabby zoomed from the alley and inside, followed by the female cat whoad seen the murderer stalk Eryngo, and Sleek Black. The fat brown female tabby wedged through the door opening, too.

aYou want a treat, too?a She revved a purr. I have been following your lady for you. I hopped on the public carrier and We went to Primary HealingHall. I napped in the sun in the trees until she came out. Then she went home last night and ate with her Family.

Garrett stood motionless, hand on the door latch to the storage room. Sleek Black swiped at his ankle to get him moving again. Garrett should have stopped the plump female from her report on Artemisia but couldnat find it in himself to do so.

The cat wrinkled her nose. It was a long walk. They put out food for Me. Food was good but not as good as yours. And then she and sister walked to the Healing pool and sat and swam. Then they went back home and went to sleep. This morning I ate there, too, and went to HealingHall and watched you both.

Sounded like the cat had missed the most stupid things Garrett had done. Just as well. And he was learning information. Artemisia lived with her Family near a Healing pool. Her home must be close to a HealingHall. Which one?

Whap! Sleek Blackas paw hit Garrettas ankle hard. TREATS!

He pulled out some dried furrabeast steak bites on three plates. Gray Tabby wrinkled his nose, but when the others gobbled with an eye on his plate, crunched the bites down. After they were done, Garrett led the little parade back to the courtyard and put a pinch of catnip in front of each of the three.

The plump female licked it up, then fell on it, wriggled, and went to sleep, paws up. Gray Tabby snorted it in, then gamboled about the yard. Sleek Black rolled and rubbed on his, then ran away on his own cat business, tail waving.

In the distance a Temple rang NoonBell and Garrettas stomach grumbled. He didnat want one of the casual meals he kept here. A hearty lunch would be good. He wondered if Rusby had had his feedings and checked on the bond with his FamCat, felt a low-level hunger in the kitten, too. Have to find a place that would welcome Fams. Laevas wife, Camellia DaHawthorn, had Fams . . . and two tearooms/restaurants that served food. He didnat want to go back to the original, where head inadvertently killed a guy, but Darjeelingas HouseHeart had substantial enough meals for a man.

Rusby? he projected mentally. Got back an image of his kitten stretching hind end up and yawning.

Yes, FamMan? Food soon?

Thatas what I was going to tell you. Stay there and Iall teleport, then weall go to Darjeelingas HouseHeart.

We will?

It serves Fams.

He sensed his kitten c.o.c.king his head, purring. I would like to be served.

Garrett gave a short laugh. Thing was, head never admit it, but head like to be served this meal, too. No pulling something from the no-time. Iall be there in ten minutes.

All right.

Garrett wanted to list a lot of donat goes but didnat want to put ideas into his Famas small head. But before he went to lunch, he wanted to take the call from Laev.

He strode back to his office and hitched a hip on his desk, scried Laev TaHawthorn.

The GreatLord answered, aHere.a aYou called? And I hope you took some messages about new cases for me.a A smug expression settled on Laevas face. aI negotiated fees for a few.a aWhat!a Laev lifted his brows. aYou were grossly undercharging for your services.a Garrett narrowed his eyes. aTell me you didnat soak any lower- or middle-cla.s.s people.a aI didnat soak any lower- or middle-cla.s.s people.a Laev smiled. aBut they were impressed when I told them you were on a secret mission for the FirstFamilies. You have two cases from that strata.a A throbbing pause. aFour from the n.o.ble cla.s.s, one GraceLord, two GrandLords . . .a Another pause where Laev turned serious and his mouth hardened. aAnd a vital commission from the FirstFamilies Council I was requested to present to you.a aAh. I donat mind charging the FirstFamilies Council a lot, soaking them.a A short nod from Laev, but strain around his eyes.

aItas about the Modoc Eryngo murder, right?a Garrett said. aThe FirstFamilies Council is accustomed to using Captain Winterberry as an investigator in high-n.o.ble, high-profile cases, and heas got a big conflict of interest in this one.a aYou are a detective,a Laev said drily.

Garrett lifted and dropped a shoulder. aNot difficult to deduce.a One side of Laevas mouth tilted in a half smile, then, in a habitual gesture, he tapped his fingers together. aAs a matter of fact, the FirstFamilies Council likes the idea of not using an official Druida guardsman as an investigator.a Garrettas scalp p.r.i.c.kled.

Twenty-one.

Warning buzzed in the back of Garrettas mind as he stared at his friend GreatLord Laev TaHawthorn. aI canat be bought by the FirstFamilies.a Garrettas mouth flattened, then he smiled and crossed his arms. aEspecially now I have enough gilt that I never need to work again.a Another tap of Laevas fingertips and upraised brows. aVery good. Iam sure you will have to meet with a contingent of usaa"he meant the younger generation of lords and ladies on the FirstFamilies Councila"aand define your concerns and boundaries, but we know you to be a man of honor.a That statement flicked Garrett straight on the raw. He hadnat acted with honor toward Artemisia. He kept his face impa.s.sive but saw a considering weight in Laevas eyes. But whatever Laev thought, he was Garrettas friend.

aIam glad the FirstFamilies Council approves of me.a Garrettas turn to use a dry tone.

aWe want you to make finding this murderer your first priority. Captain Winterberry will be in charge of the guards as they do their standard investigation, but he will report to you. We expect you to ensure that Winterberryas feelings do not cloud his judgement on this. We would prefer not to officially remove him. He is a good man and handled the original case, so has vital information.a Laevas expression soured. aAnd several of the FirstFamilies believe the fligger Eryngo got what he deserved.a aMurder is not necessarily a good answer. Should have let the councils take care of the man,a Garrett said.

aYou sound more like Captain of the Guards Winterberry than Iad antic.i.p.ated,a Laev said.

Garrett recalled the greatest n.o.bles also had a habit of duels and feuding to settle problems. Well, he didnat care about that and sure wouldnat interfere.

aIall take this case, since Iam already involved, but donat think Iall be the FirstFamiliesa pet.a Laevas face went bland. aOf course not. Later.a He ended the scry.

Garrett rubbed at his face. Had he insulted his best friend? Maybe. But since he meant what head said, he couldnat really take it back. His stomach rumbled again.

There was a quick pop and Gray Tabby was there, staring up at Garrett and licking tiny shreds of furrabeast from his paw.

aYes?a Garrett asked.

Gray Tabby looked away. Garrett . . . Gray Tabby whispered.

Yes?

As if reluctant to go on, the cat flexed his claws once or twice. Finally he said, The hunter was happy and proud. I do not like people who are happy and proud and kill for fun and not for food.

aI hear you,a he replied. aWhata"a But Gray Tabby teleported away to someplace safe.

I am WAITING, Rusby yelled down their bond.

And Iam coming now.

Good, I am hungry!

Garrettas gut emitted another sound. I am, too.

For a while, Artemisia wandered through the trees of the Healing Grove next to Primary HealingHall, letting the greenness soothe her and the heat of the sun allay her pain.

Garrett hadnat followed her. Her smile was small and tight as she considered that shead given as good as she got. She shouldnat be glad of that, of inflicting pain, but she wasnat a priestess or a saint or a doormat.

He was gone from the grove and the building when she returned. Organizing her caseload soothed her even more, and visiting her new patients took her mind off anything else.

Soon it was time to meet her sister for the midday meal at Darjeelingas HouseHeart. Artemisia took the public carrier. She arrived first and was glad, since she wanted to use a private room. Camellia Darjeeling DaHawthorn, the owner, was one of Tianaas best friends so Artemisiaas request was granted.

Shead just opened the door to a small room that held three booths and a couple of tables when her sister hurried in. Tiana gave an absent wave to her friend Camellia behind the cashier counter.

As Artemisia was sinking into a chair at a table for two, Tiana grabbed her hand and moved them to a booth for four.

Artemisia raised her brows. aWho else is coming?a Tiana beamed. aOne of my colleagues. Youave met him before, Leger Cinchona. I think youad be a good couple.a aAll right.a But Artemisia felt twitchy. She had to bring up the murder. She said a Word to close the door and added a chiming alert when it opened. aI forgot to ask where you were the night before last and early the next morning. At home?a That could be tricky to explain.

Tiana stared at her, and sat, smoothing her priestess robe around her. aWhy does it matter? Surely no one could suspect me of the murder.a She narrowed her eyes. aOr you.a aThe victimas name is Modoc Eryngo. He was the last Black Magic Cultist who sacrificed those people years ago.a aWhat!a aYes.a aBut . . . but that has nothing to do with us!a aApparently he was the one who made the trail connecting usa"our Family as cross-folka"to the crimes. That trail was more threatening than we thought; I believe Father spared us that knowledge.a aHe would.a Tiana frowned, then nodded as she worked out the ramifications of the information Artemisia had given her. Her eyes, as green as Artemisiaas, searched her expression. aYou have a solid alibi. You were watching Garrett Primross. And in the sentient Turquoise House.a aYes, I should be all right.a Her sister didnat seem to hear Artemisiaas doubts. Again Tiana nodded. aI attended a long spiritual vigil with the priest and priestess of GreatCircle Temple. The highest spiritual people in the land.a Tianaas lip curled. aLet anyone try and contradict that.a Artemisiaas breath whooshed out of her. She sat. aGood.a The door dinged as someone tried to open it. Tiana gestured the spell gone. aCome in, Leger!a she called with enthusiasm.

A man about their age with long blond brown hair and a welcoming smile walked in. When his gaze lingered on Artemisia, she knew her sister had begun her matchmaking plans. Good.

Artemisia studied him, too. He was slender, with a narrow and interesting face engraved with a few linesa"a thoughtful man, all to the good. She would not compare him physically to Garrett. Not make the same stupid mistake her HeartMate was in holding on to the past.

Leger came over to them. Before he could slide in next to Tiana, she rose. aIall be leaving early.a She winked at both of them. aSo you can talk and get to know each other.a She gestured and a laughing Leger took the inside booth seat.

Artemisia found herself smiling. It was refreshing to be with a man who wasnat brooding, someone open. Someone who frankly liked the way she looked and was disposed to like her.

Their conversation was casual and they ordereda"Tiana no more than a sandwicha"and Artemisia understood why her sister thought Leger might be a good match. All three of them had a common point of view on life.

From what he said, she understood that he knew her Family lived in the secret sanctuary of Druida, so she was comfortable being with him. One secret she didnat have to hide.

But . . . he was too comfortable. He reminded her of her father. Not even an incipient tickle of attraction.

And after Tiana left, there was a short silence as they studied each other. Leger seemed to acknowledge the fact that she wasnat flirtinga"and maybe that he found her too comfortable alsoa"with a lopsided smile. They began to speak of Tiana and a career in the Temple.

Leger grimaced in dissatisfaction that he had not received his own Temple a.s.signment yet.