'A teleport? Certainly not. Such spells take a great deal of power and skill to bring off correctly. One small mistake in the arrival coordinates, and you'd have a very nasty accident. I can see what you're getting at. Captain Hawk, but there's no way the assassin could have teleported into William's room and out again. I have wards set up all over the house to prevent just such a thing. I have my enemies too, you know. Even I couldn't teleport in this house, without first dismantling the wards.'
'I see,' said Hawk. 'Perhaps we should discuss Councilor Blackstone's enemies. It's common knowledge he was unpopular in some quarters, but can you suggest any names? Especially anyone who would profit by his death.'
'There's no one in particular,' said Gaunt, frowning. 'There are any number of people in Haven who'll breathe easier, knowing that William is dead, but I can't think of anyone insane enough to murder William in my house. They must have known that I would take this as a personal insult.'
'I see your point,' said Hawk dryly.
'There is one thing,' said Gaunt, and then he hesitated. Hawk waited patiently. Gaunt looked at him steadily. 'I really don't know if this is at all relevant. I feel rather foolish even mentioning it, but; William had an argument recently, with Adam Stalker. I don't know what it was about, but it must have been serious. They've hardly spoken to each other for weeks.'
'You did the right thing in telling us,' said Hawk. 'I shouldn't think it means anything, but we'll check it out, just in case. I think that's all for the moment, sir Gaunt. You can rejoin the others in the parlor now. And tell the witch Visage we'd like to see her next.'
'Of course,' said Gaunt. 'I'll send her in.' He got to his feet and crossed to the door. It swung open before him, and then he hesitated in the doorway and looked back at Hawk. 'What should I do about dinner?'
'Serve it if you like,' said Fisher. 'But I think you'll find most people have lost their appetite.'
Gaunt nodded, and left. The door swung shut behind him. Hawk looked at Fisher.
'How am I doing?'
'Not bad,' said Fisher. 'Just the right mix of authority and politeness. Do you believe him about the anti- teleport wards?'
'Makes sense to me,' said Hawk. 'Every sorcerer has enemies. And again, it's something we can check with Visage. If there are such wards in the house, she should be able to detect them.'
'Good point. Now, what about the keys? Gaunt said there were no duplicates, but he could be lying. If he did have a duplicate, he could easily have let himself in, killed Blackstone, and left again, locking the door after him.'
'No,' said Hawk firmly. 'I don't buy that. It's too obvious.'
'So what? Look, there's already one hole in his story. He said that during the time of the murder he left the parlor with the guests and went into the kitchen. He poured out the soup and basted the meat, and then had his premonition about Blackstone's death. It doesn't add up, Hawk. Between everyone leaving the parlor and us breaking the door down, there had to have been at least fifteen to twenty minutes. I remember looking at the clock in the parlor. Now, it doesn't take that long to pour out some soup and baste a joint of meat. So what else was he doing?'
'Another good point,' said Hawk. 'But I still can't see Gaunt as the murderer. If he'd wanted to kill Blackstone, surely he would have found a more subtle way than to stab the man under his own roof. Remember the Hook? Two hundred and forty-seven dead, and nothing to connect any of them with Gaunt. The forensic magicians couldn't find a single shred of evidence against him, and it wasn't for want of trying. I think he injured their pride.'
'All right, I see what you mean.' Fisher stirred uneasily in her chair. 'But it could just be misdirection, so that we wouldn't suspect him. Remember how Gaunt used his magic to move that chair without touching it? Perhaps he could use a knife the same way. Or open a lock, just as he opened and shut that door, just by looking at it. If by some chance we find proof that Gaunt is the murderer, we'd better watch ourselves. If we start getting too close to the truth, he might decide to do something subtle about us.'
'Great,' said Hawk. 'Just great. This case is getting more fun by the minute.'
There was a hesitant knock at the door, and then the witch Visage came in. She shut the door quietly behind her and looked uncertainly from Hawk to Fisher. Hawk nodded at the empty chair, and Visage sank into it. Her face was still deathly pale, and she kept her eyes modestly downcast. Fisher looked at Hawk, who nodded slightly.
'We need to ask you some questions,' said Fisher.
'Yes,' said Visage. Her voice was little more than a whisper.
'Where were you when Blackstone was killed?' said Fisher bluntly.
'In my room, I suppose. I don't know exactly when William died.'
'Gaunt said he sensed the killing,' said Hawk. 'Are you saying you didn't feel anything?'
'Yes,' said Visage. She raised her head and met his gaze for the first time. 'Gaunt is much more powerful than I'll ever be. He's a sorcerer.'
'All right, so you were in your room,' said Fisher. 'Did anyone see you there?'
'No. I was alone.'
'So you can't prove you were in your room.'
'No.'
'Earlier this evening you said you knew why Katherine Blackstone was acting strangely,' said Hawk. 'But you didn't get around to telling us then. Tell us now.'
'Why don't you ask Bowman?' said Visage.
Hawk and Fisher glanced quickly at each other.
'Why Bowman?' said Hawk.
Visage smiled slightly. Her green eyes were very cold. 'You must have seen him and Katherine together. They're not exactly subtle about it.'
'They do seem very friendly,' said Fisher.
'They've been lovers for at least six months,' said Visage flatly. 'That's why she's always laughing and smiling. She's found another fool.'
'Did Blackstone know?' asked Hawk.
'I don't think so. William could be very good at not seeing things he didn't want to.'
Hawk frowned thoughtfully. 'How long have you been working for Blackstone?'
'Four, five years. Since his first campaign in the Heights area. I protected him from magical threats. He's always had enemies. Good men always do.'
'You gave him the amulet he wore?'
'Yes. As long as he wore it, no magic could harm him.'
'You mentioned enemies,' said Fisher. 'Can you give us any names?'
Visage shook her head firmly. 'William wasn't killed by an assassin. The only people in this house are Gaunt, his guests, and you. There is no one else. I'd have known.'
'Are you sure?' said Hawk.
'Yes. At least;' Visage frowned slightly. 'There is a part of this house that is closed to me. I can't see into it.'
'Where?' said Fisher, leaning forward.
Visage looked at the left-hand door. 'Gaunt's laboratory. It's surrounded by a very powerful shield. He's always been very jealous of his secrets.'
'Could someone be hiding in there?' asked Hawk.
Visage shook her head. 'No one could have left that room without my knowing about it.'
'Then why mention the room?' said Fisher.
'Because it disturbs me,' said Visage.
For a while no one said anything. Visage's words seemed to hang on the air. Hawk cleared his throat.
'Gaunt said this house was warded against teleport spells. Is that true?'
Visage nodded soberly. 'Of course. It was one of the first things I checked for when I entered the house. It's not unusual; all sorcerers have such protections. Why are you wasting time with all these questions? Edward Bowman killed William. Isn't it obvious? Bowman wanted Katherine, and they both knew William would never agree to a divorce. It would have destroyed his political career.'
