“Every day after we close.”
“And do you sweep or use a suction canister?”
“Suction. It's quicker and more thorough.”
“I agree. And I'm also relieved. It means that what I found could only have been shed after you left here last night.”
“What did you find?”
I ignored his question. “Do not go past this area that I've cleared. Now, where was Lansho when you left?”
“Right there.” Rulli came over and pointed at the counter right in front of me. “You see? There is our order book. It's still out.”
I inspected the floor behind the counter and then, finding it clear, I moved upward, peering at every shelf inside the counter. They contained things like registers of sale, receipt books, boxes, and other wrappings. The paper wrappers were rustled, but there was no evidence to be found on them. At last, I lifted my head over the rim of the counter, staring across it.
Two blurry bodies were in the background of my sight. I ignored them. I had to maintain focus. And it paid off. Another scale. I retrieved the scale and placed it in a separate paper bag. After folding the bag shut, I put it with the other and stood up. The order book was the obvious place to start. I opened it and made a sound. I often make soft sounds when I investigate. They are automatic reactions. This particular sound was in response to finding something expected. I was so rarely surprised.
Except, it seemed, where the Dragon King was concerned.
But I couldn't think about him while investigating. Not even with him hovering nearby. I wouldn't. Except I made that sound.
“What is it?” the King leaned over the counter to peer at the book.
I lifted my head to stare at him.
He met my stare.
Neither of us backed down.
Rulli cleared his throat.
I glanced at him and relented. “There is a page torn out of the book.” I showed Rulli the jagged edges of separation.
“Then it's of no help,” the King concluded.
I went back to ignoring him as I pulled out a different kit from my inner coat pocket. This one was inside a slim box. I set the box on the counter while the two men went still, watching me. Inside the box were several items, but I only extracted two—a bottle of black powder and a short-handled brush. After opening the powder, I tapped a little on the order book, capped the bottle, and then ran the brush over the page. The black powder went into the tiny indentations pushed through from the missing page. Indentations that were not visible otherwise.
Writing emerged.
“Well done,” the King murmured.
“It's a common technique,” I murmured and then read the page. There were several entries for special orders, but only one wasn't a piece of jewelry. It was for a tube. No further description, but there was a reference number.
“What's this number?” I asked Rulli.
“Oh, that's for our design records.” Rulli peered at the number and then looked up at me. “Uh, they're in the back.”
“All right. Let me clear the floor, and then you can direct me to the files.”
I went through the same tedious procedure in the back room of the shop. It was a large space, divided into storage and work areas, so it took a while to inspect, but I never rushed.After that, I turned my attention upward, moving over shelves, countertops, and even the walls. The ceiling got a quick look as well. Even after all of that, I was reluctant to let Rulli in, so I had him stand in the doorway and point me toward the records.
Rulli and Lansho kept their designs in wooden file boxes, each one numbered and contained within a paper packet. I located the correct file and extracted the packet. Relishing the space between the King and me, I remained there, emptying the contents of the packet onto the top of the storage box.
This time, I was conscious of alerting my watchers, and I held back my confirmation grunt. It was as I expected—a tube made of henershen to contain Fire crystals. Henershen was a metal that could withstand high temperatures. Lansho and Rulli had unknowingly made a weapon that could mimic Dragon fire. Mimic but not replicate. Poor Lansho had paid the ultimate price for creating such an effective weapon.
I set the file down on a table and inspected the backdoor. There was no evidence of a break-in. Done with the scene, I collected the file and headed for the front door. The King and Rulli, who were watching me from the doorway into the shop, stepped back to let me pass.
“Thank you for your help, Rulli.” I lifted the design packet. “I'm taking this with me as evidence.”
