Chapter 50: Wrinkles

Chapter 50: Wrinkles

When I arrived at Nicos there were still some lights on. Hers was one of the few houses that hadnt been painted or decorated in any way, which ironically made it much more noticeable. I went to knock on the door, but she opened it before my fist could hit it. She had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, and a bowl of some kind of soup in her hand. She gave a quick gesture with her head to invite me in, so I walked through the door. Her place was spartan, aside from some stacks of books and a few old pieces of art shed looted from a museum that were hanging crooked on the walls.

Glad to see youre still here in Potts, guess they decided not to exile you.

I shook my head. Not exactly. I was pleading my case, answering questions, but we got interrupted. Theres been a murder.

The cigarette in Nicos mouth drooped. A murder? Id have expected that kind of thing out in some regular human settlement, but not here. Who died?

A woman named Lydia. She was ripped to shreds, partially eaten.

An animal?

I shook my head. Teeth marks were distinctly those of a deadman.

She nodded, understanding without me needing to elaborate. They put you on the case or did you do that yourself?

A bit of both.

You broken anyones bones during your investigation yet?

I sighed. No. As a matter of fact Ive just had a few interviews. I dont need to use violence as much in a place like this.

Despite the fact that youd want to.

I opened my mouth for a harsh response, but shut it. I had been tempted to use a bit more force. It had certainly made things easier in all my other investigations, but this wasnt the place. Especially if I wanted to keep working for the good of deadmen and Potts in particular. I opened my mouth to speak, but this time had a more measured thing to say. Got any more soup?

She nodded, and pointed to the kitchen where I saw a small pot letting off steam. I approached it, and dumped the sliced pig heart Id received from Pete into the pot. I stirred it for a few minutes, letting it all heat, then poured some into a bowl. I didnt bother getting a spoon, instead I just drank it straight from the bowl.

Nico raised an eyebrow as I did. Mama would be furious if she saw you eating like that.

I dont know about that. Mamas pretty on my side lately.

Did she side with you at your meeting with the Honored Dead?

Yes, very strongly. I think I had three of them firmly on my team by the end of it.

Nico let out a breath, and I saw some of the tension in her face ease. Good. You belong at Potts as much as I do. Methods aside.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Well, Were in the middle of prep-

Now.

He nodded. Alrighty then. He gestured to the nearest two seat table and we sat across from one another.

We sat in silence for a few moments and I just looked at him and sized him up. He seemed nervous, and uncomfortable. That didnt necessarily mean anything, but I took note of it, and decided on an approach. Id wait for him to speak.

He squirmed a bit. This is about Lydia?

Yes. Unless theres something else I should know about.

He shook his head. No sir. Uh, what do you need to know?

Tell me about her.

He swallowed. Well, um, she was a good worker. She knew her way around both the people that came in, and the kitchen.

She get along well with everyone?

Yeah, yeah, I mean, you might even say she got along with everyone a little too well.

I started tapping the table with my fingers. What do you mean by that?

Well, um, she just had a lot offriends. Thats all.

I tilted my head. I met Delilah, are you saying she was seeing someone else?

He let out a nervous laugh. Well not just one person. I-I dont want to speak ill of her.

I stopped drumming on the table. She doesnt care. Shes dead. And if she did care, Im sure shed want whoever killed her to be taken care of.

Uh well there was Percy and Jean. Though those were all I know of.

And she was seeing them both at the same time? Along with Deliliah?

He nodded. From what I could tell, yes sir.

I picked at my teeth. That was a fresh layer. I let Mel get back to work after getting all the details on the rest of them. Then I interviewed everyone else one by one. I didnt get any more information than what hed told me, but it was best to be thorough. When I was done I left and made my way to the Mausoleum, and headed for the Undertakers section. I was done going from person to person, it was time to start rounding people up.