That had the intended effect. A grin spread across his face, and his shoulders pulled back as he pushed his chest out.
“I’m flattered,” he said. “I didn’t realize folks as far away as…uh…where were you from again?”
“The land of palm trees, gators, and emerald waters. The Florida gulf.” I pointed up to the massive picture of Balthazar, adopting a sorrowful tone. “I’m very sorry to hear about your dean and high priest.”
The group grew somber.
“He was a great man,” LeGault said, swinging his braid over his shoulder. A metal band with a bright ruby was clasped at the bottom of the braid.
“It’s a shame.” That was the truth. I’d never met the man, but from what Veronica told me, he was a good person. Just, honest, kind, and brilliant. As far as I could tell, the world was worse off without him.
“Any word on who the culprit might be?” I said, snatching a glass of champagne off a tray that levitated past us.
The whole group shared a loaded look before Karmody spoke.
“We do have a suspect, possiblytwo,” he explained. “We believe the two worked together to commit the foul crime.”
“Interesting,” I said, taking a sip. It appeared I’d been added to the list of assumed murderers.
I shook my head in disgust and decided to play my hand. “I don’t understand it. A great man like that? Who would want to hurt him? I mean, wouldyouhurt him? Oryou?”I asked, pointing first at Karmody, then at LeGault. The question wasobviouslyrhetorical and asked in a way that put no emphasis or belief in them beingactualsuspects, but their answer would be real. My gift would tell me what to believe.
“Of course not,” Karmody said, true sadness in his tone.
True.
“Right,” LeGault said. “I can’t see why anyone would want Balthazar dead. As you said, I would never have a reason to hurt him. I wouldn’t have touched the man in violence even if he told me to.”
True. Well, that took two names off the suspect list.
After a few more minutes of small talk, I excused myself. I needed to work this room.
“Well?” Veronica’s voice said in my ear.
I had to stifle a flinch of surprise. During my talk with the group, I’d almost forgotten she was listening.
“Well, what?” I said, hiding my lips with my wineglass as I lifted it to my mouth.
“Were either of them the murderer?”
“They’re clear,” I whispered.
“Oh, good. I’ve always liked Professor Karmody. I mean, Idid.You know, before he chased me through the mansion, blasting spells at me.”
Guided by my memory, I joined a few more groups, speaking with Professors Coolidge, Burgess, Blinken, and Updike, along with a few others. After over an hour, I’d come to the conclusion that most of the staff were in the clear.
“Would you like to have a drink?”
I turned to find a woman of about fifty with a short, blood-red pixie cut. Her lipstick almost perfectly matched her hair.
“Well, hello there.” This fake persona I was putting on was exhausting me. I was not theboisteroustype. More the strong, silent type.
“You look like a dashing gentleman,” she said, her breath heavy with alcohol and her eyes half lidded. The lady was drunk as a skunk.
“Art Bryant,” I said, putting a hand out.
She took it, wrapping her long, red-nailed fingers around mine.
“Genevieve Anderson,” she replied. “I’ve not seen anyone so scrumptious in a while. Where do you come from?”
