The Cracked Hourglass

The Cracked Hourglass - Part II

Chapter 6: Explanations

26th Faebruary 235 F.E, Larzene Square, Palkroso, Pallentein

The entire square had been cordoned off. Six guards, two at each intersection with the city streets, stood, rifles at the ready, guarding it from the curious bystanders and inquisitive city-goers that were now crowding around. A murder in the centre of the city? Their questions rang, silent. It was highly unusual; in the suburbs, it was almost normality, but here, at the beating heart, it had a degree of the alien about it. As Caldon and Anna walked towards the scene, he with his arms clasped behind his back, deep in thought, her with her swinging movements and air of confidence, they were deep in conversation.

“So Rodriguez was found murdered?” she asked. Caldon nodded.

“Indeed. I estimate it was around ten minutes after he left the tavern. The barman has been questioned but not been put into custody. The Guard are not treating him with suspicion, taking into account his proximity to the location”

“And how as he murdered?” she asked. Caldon came up the guards who, recognising not only Anna’s uniform but Caldon’s smug look, motioned for them to carry on. Their boots clattered on the cobbles.

“Well, I think it best you see for yourself” he murmured darkly in reply. They slowed their pace as they came to the fountain in the centre, the gleaming ornate structure which had a shade of the intimidating about it, considering the emptiness around it and sinister guards blocking all entry. “One other thing” she asked.

“Yes?”

“How exactly are we allowed in?” her words were curious.

“Well, being strictly technical Anna, we are not supposed to be here. The incident, as far as I know, is being handled by Detective Inspector Jaren Holsen, and I cannot stand the man – in fact, we bear a grudge against one another. So, luckily, he is not currently about. The guards seem not to really mind my presence – it’s the Inspector who dislikes it”

“An illegal crime scene, nice going Anna” she groaned to herself in annoyance. But for now, her reservations about investigating an official matter were gone. The body of Rodriguez was floating on the dirty, red-stained water, an island of dead amongst the liquid which supposedly gave life. The body was still wearing the same, trader-esque clothes that he had worn the night before. Anna gulped. His lips were puckered, and blood was dried around them, as if he had begun dissolving from the inside, his eyes bloodshot and lifeless, the pupils sunk and sad. His skin was almost pulled back from his bones, the stark sharpness of the bone in contrast to the pale, sunken nature of the dead skin. Again, Anna tried to stop herself from acting oddly. Caldon merely stood aside, his hand stroking his chin, arms folded, deep in concentrated thought.

“Well, Anna? Your opinion?” he asked. She leant down slowly and moved aside the wet, sagging clothes, looking for a clue or indication.

“No obvious wound or attempted wound. The amount of blood around the mouth is strange, too. I mean, if he had his throat or the inside of his jaw cut wouldn’t we notice?”

“Indeed” he replied “Also note the puckered skin around the lips. I have seen enough cases to know that only poison could have that effect on human skin” he noted. Anna nodded. 

“A fair observation”

“Thank you” he replied smugly.

“But surely if he was poisoned than the barman would be in custody?” Caldon thought about this for a second; and then he nodded.

“I thought that too. But if the barman had poisoned him, he would have died whilst we were talking. No, this was some serious necromantal power, and I mean high-level. Necromancers can kill by just about any means”