Chapter 48: Hey There Delilah

Chapter 48: Hey There Delilah

The first thing to do was to head back to the Mausoleum and see if I could find the woman that Lydia had been seeing. I walked straight in that direction, drawing my usual stares, though the streets, in general, had been cleared in spite of the heavy foot traffic that usually filled Potts. People were afraid. That was good, it may help people stay alive if the killer wasnt just after a specific target as I suspected. I walked into the Mausoleum and made my way back to the chambers of the Honored Dead. They were all still huddled together in conference.

Solomon looked up at me as I entered. What have you discovered?

She was ripped apart by a deadmans teeth. Nix loaned a few Undertakers to ask if anyone was seen recently covered in blood. I didn't mention the handprints, they were strange and seemed too large, but they could have also been the result of someone sliding a bloody hand across a surface. I needed more information.

Lydia muttered Mama sadly. She never took it well when one shed raised passed, no matter how often it happened.

Julian, Lydia was apparently seeing a woman by the name of either Deborah or Deliliah, a white robe. I was hoping you could help me find them?

He scratched his chin. There is a white robe named Delilah, Ill send for her.

I shook my head. No, just tell me where to find her. It may be easier for me to catch her off guard that way.

Is she a suspect? asked Julian.

Everyones a suspect until I have more information. The death was violent though, which points to passion. Delilah is my first lead.

Julian nodded and called in an attendant. He gave her some quick instructions and pointed her to me. Shell take you to Delilah.

I nodded and fell in behind the white robe as she led me through the Mausoleum. We reached a small room with several desks, and walked to an empty one. The woman leading me looked around. Wheres Delilah? she asked the nearest person, a deadman wearing a leather necklace over his white hood.

She heard about Lydia and went home.

I looked at the man. Was she here all day?

He nodded. Yeah, she came in just a little bit after I did. She didnt even leave to have a meal, she just took it at her desk.

Interesting. Where does she live?

Westside, I think, near the herds.

Any particular mural or color on her house?

He nodded. Yeah, its light blue with patches of white, like clouds. Went there for a party once.

I took a long sip. It was refreshing and sweet, with a heavy amount of mint mixed into it. Id thought about attempting my own garden at my deadzone, but Id never been much for growing anything. Always better at killing. Besides which, I wasnt there enough to give it the care it would need to grow in the first place. I drank the entire cup and placed it down, turning my attention to Deliliah. First, I want to ask if Lydia had any enemies. Anyone who disliked her, or had ever gotten violent with her.

She shook her head. Having an enemy? In Potts? No, she knew everyone. I never saw a single person who didnt smile when she said hello. She choked up a little as she spoke.

Did she have any resources someone may have been interested in? Not like food or water, but maybe some old music? Art? Books? People in Potts were cared for in terms of food and shelter, but boredom was a powerful motivator, at least for me. There had been more than a few fights over old world media, particularly if it was a matter of who should have such items after the original owner passed.

"No. She had some old cookbooks she liked to collect, but nothing Ive ever heard of anyone else wanting. Most of the ingredients and spices arent exactly available anymore. She mostly just liked the anecdotes that the writers put before each recipe.

There was another angle covered. How long were you two together? I asked.

A month.

That lined up with what Nix had told me. I scratched at my teeth. There was a lot of rage in Lydias murder, so Id assumed a matter of passion, but nothing Delilah had told me seemed to indicate any enemies or jilted lovers. Still, if theyd only known each other a month it was quite possible that there were things Delilah didnt know about Lydia. Deadmen relationships moved quickly, and everyone knew everyone at least a little, but that didnt mean there werent secrets. Where did Lydia work?

She worked at a restaurant near the Mausoleum. The Last Meal.

I grimaced. The name schemes we used in the city were purposefully macabre, but that naming for the victims place of work was unfortunate. Thank you for your time. I stood up. And for the tea.

She nodded, and stood, collecting my cup, then walked me to the door. Before I could leave she grabbed my cloak. Are you going to find who killed her?

Yes.

Whatll you do? Turn whoever did it over to the Honored Dead?

I looked her in the eyes. No.

She gave me a firm nod and released my cloak.

I started to walk back toward the Mausoleum, it was getting dark and I wanted to give a final report before taking a rest. No sense in checking out The Last Meal if it wasnt staffed. Before I got too close an Undertaker approached me.

I realized that it was Rhea, who Id met when I was working with Deuxs caravan. I nodded at her, and she returned the acknowledgement. Whats up? I asked her.

We found someone who was seen covered in blood shortly after the murder.

Take me to them.