forge a new path, investigate alone, tell his own stories. He wanted to be Christ and the four Evangelists at once. Now we receive news that he has been accused of lying, murder, and torture. His final case, which was supposed to have been the culmination of all his wisdom, is a murky matter; unexplainable, which Craig himself has refused to clarify. And if the version in which he actually killed the guilty party is confirmed, we can be sure that his act is a threat to all we believe in. Who would bother following clues if they are authorized to commit torture and summary execution?”
Caleb Lawson left his question f loating in the air. I bit my tongue to keep from interrupting. We acolytes were not allowed to speak. Arzaky would have shut him up immediately, but he wasn’t there. His absence gave Lawson the authority. Castelvetia followed his words indifferently, looking at his polished nails. The others were too perplexed to respond. Businessmen, criminals, and police chiefs had spread all sorts of rumors about them, but a detective had never been accused of murder by one of his own.
“But perhaps I’m being unfair. Craig deserves someone to defend him, someone who was with him during those dark days. If no one objects, I would like to give the f loor to Sigmundo Salvatrio.”
Dandavi pushed me and I stumbled forward. Caleb Lawson approached me.
“Salvatrio, what do you think of the accusations against Craig?”
I remembered the body of Kalidan the magician, with his arms open. In my memory the cloud of f lies still buzzed, I feared that the recollection would draw them in to surround me now.
“Craig was my mentor, and I owe everything to him. He would never do something like that.”
“You didn’t, at any time, think that not having an assistant could cause him to get lost in the method, lose his mind?”
“It is true that Craig worked for many years without an assistant. But some time ago he established an academy devoted to investigation. We students said that he had created it just so he could groom the finest of us to become his assistant…”
“Or a detective.”
“He didn’t say anything about detectives or assistants. We just wanted to believe it could happen.”
“And who was chosen to be his assistant?”
“No one. The finest of us was murdered. Everyone knows that.”
“Weren’t you the best?”
“No.”
“Then how did you end up here?”
“Because I was loyal to the end. Because I stayed with Craig when all the others abandoned him.”
My words raised a murmur of approval. While all the detectives were well known in their field, they had been through many difficult moments: press scandals, unsolvable murders, traps set by criminals. An assistant’s faithfulness was never more valued than when a detective had been discredited.
“And you came here as a messenger.”
“Yes. To bring the cane.”
“Isn’t it possible that Craig’s message was more complex than just bringing an artifact? Isn’t it possible that the infection that has taken over Craig’s mind has spread to you?”
“What infection?”
“The attraction to crime. The temptation to cross the line. We’re all tempted sometimes.”
“I’m drawn to investigation. Ever since I was a kid I read the adventures that you detectives starred in and I dreamed of doing the same one day.”
“But kids grow up. And when they do their dreams change, fade, or become sullied.”
“I still long for the same things,” I replied, without knowing for sure if I was lying or telling the truth.
“Acolytes are quiet and stay in the corners, and you, the newest one, are the most invisible of all. Which is why I wanted to get to know you better, before asking you this question: did you visit Paloma Leska the night of the crime?”
“Who?” I asked, even though I knew very well who he was talking about.
“The Mermaid. Did you think she was a real mermaid? Her name was Paloma Leska.”
“I won’t deny it. I went to return a stolen object.”
“What was that object? And who had stolen it?”
“It was a photograph. And I stole it. I thought it might be useful for the investigation.”
“And you found the body and didn’t say anything?”
“The body? No, the Mermaid was alive. She still wore her green costume. I’ve never seen a woman as alive as she was.”
“And can you prove that you didn’t kill her?”
“No! But why would I kill her?”
Caleb Lawson stopped looking at me and addressed his public.
“I want this young man to be suspended immediately and denied entrance to our meetings from now on.”
“He’s Arzaky’s assistant. Arzaky is the one who should decide that,” said Magrelli.
“Arzaky isn’t here, so we’ll be the ones who decide. This young man was at the scene of the crime at the moment it was committed. We’ll have to inform the chief of police as well…”
That jarred me. I wouldn’t fare well with Bazeldin, who would do anything to get rid of Arzaky.
“I’m innocent. It would only take Arzaky a second to prove my innocence.”
“But he’s not here, and you have no witness to confirm that, when you left, the Mermaid was still alive.”
Not only was my membership in the circle of assistants about to be taken away, but it also looked like I was headed to jail. I had entered the world I had read about as a child, but my storyline had unexpectedly digressed. I spoke without thinking, “Yes, I do have a witness.”
“Who?”
Was I slow to speak? It seemed like there was an incredibly long silence, but time passes differently in dreams.
“Castelvetia’s assistant.”
Castelvetia stood up. I didn’t look at him. He came toward me, to shut me up.
“She’ll tell you the truth. Greta-”
There was a murmur of surprise. Caleb Lawson smiled. His tense body seemed to relax, his public prosecutor stance disappeared. In that moment I understood that I had been tricked, that they didn’t care about the accusations against Craig. Lawson was just waiting for that word, the proof that he needed against Castelvetia.
“She. Greta,” repeated Lawson triumphantly.
Castelvetia looked around him. There were no longer any traces of affectation in him. He had abandoned his posture, and his elegant mannerisms had fallen away like a cape descending to the ground. His hands, which had seemed to be mere objects of contemplation, were now claws. His voice had deepened.
“She isn’t an assistant in the strict sense of the word. Besides, I was about to inform The Twelve Detectives about the presence of my collaborator, once the problems we are currently dealing with were resolved.”
“Having a woman as your assistant breaks all our rules,” said Caleb Lawson. “I propose that Castelvetia be suspended. I’ll remind you that the voting is by simple majority…”
Lawson raised his hand. So did Madorakis and Hatter.
“I support the motion,” said Magrelli, “but only as a precautionary measure.”
There were nine detectives present; only one more vote would ensure his suspension. Rojo hesitated, but eventually raised his hand.
“And now I call for a vote on the precautionary separation of Arzaky, and his assistant as well…”
Would The Twelve Detectives have voted against Arzaky? I don’t think so. They wouldn’t have dared go that far. Before anyone had the chance to make that mistake, his voice was heard.
“What are you doing, Lawson?”
The Englishman jumped.
“Arzaky! Where were you?”
“I’ve been in a lot of bad places these past few days, and throughout my life. But this is the worst place of all. In every dive there are rules of conduct; here it seems that the only norm is humiliation and dishonor. You wanted your revenge against Castelvetia? Well now you have it. Why go after my assistant too?”
