Swordplay

Part 12

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a much longer Chapter since I'll be gone for Easter. My next posting will not be before the 2nd of April. Sorry.

_____________________________________________

"Done already?" Semra looked up from her file. "Let's go then. Buds insists that we visit the museum again. He's sure the director is hiding something from us."

Moira lifted an eyebrow. "I thought we were meant to questions service personnel and secretaries."

"Already done. They all knew immediately who we meant. Are you coming?" She grabbed her jacket and went to the carpisto with Moira.

"Why doesn't Buds come along?"

"He's picking up the unhappy paramour. Also, an informant said he'd seen the second night-watchman, and Buds wants to try to catch up with him. He's convinced that Pete Huudien is the key to the burglary. "

"Does he think he's one of the burglars?"

"A good gendarme never draws conclusions without all the facts and statements. It would be wrong to take someone off the list just because your gut tells you he or she wouldn't be able to commit a crime. With this credo, Buds and I made it to Maréchal after all."

She found Director du Mar in his bureau, where he was staring at his planar of his magicuter. He deactivated the planar and greeted them cordially.

"What can I do for you?" He asked when they had settled on the comfy chairs in a corner of his room.

Semra slipped to the rim of her seat and poised a pen over the notepad on her knees. "I ensure you that this meeting will remain confidential, but we have to understand why you were in the building the night of the burglary."

"Is that necessary?"

Semra frowned. "We could go to the station and have an official interrogation. But in that case, I can't guarantee privacy."

The director's shoulders sagged, and he sighed. After a while, he sat straight. "I've been working late for a couple of months. Financing Professor Solveigh's latest dig has been quite a burden for the museum's budget, and I had to find new sponsors." Director du Mar stared at the wall, rubbing his palms on his knees. "Two weeks ago, one of our patronesses got so drunk, I had to carry her to a taxi. Since my clothes smelled strongly of perfume and my collar was smeared with lipstick, my wife assumed I had an affair and threw me out. I've been sleeping in the bureau ever since." He pointed at two leather suitcases standing beside the sofa. "My wife will attest to that if you ask her."

Although he sounded very convincing, Moira couldn't shake the feeling that he was still hiding part of the truth. But she was sure he wouldn't tell anyone, not even under pressure.

Luckily, Semra seemed satisfied. She wrote a single word on her notepad. "You do have to understand that we need to know all facts to solve the case."

The director nodded. "Is that all? I've got a lot to do."

Semra put away her notepad and pen and got up. "Sorry. We didn't mean to keep you long. May we look around some more?"

"Of course. As I already told your partner, you've got free access to all parts of the museum." Visibly relieved, the director handed her the keys to the service rooms and connecting doors. "Please be considerate with out visitors. At the moment, negative publicity is something we don't need at all."

"We are aware of that." Semra turned to Moira. "You start with the basement. I am sure we didn't miss anything there, but like my gran used to say, twice is the charm."