An Apprentice Without Magic, page 21
part #2 of Magic Missing Series
“Do you like nobles?” Dickey said accusingly.
“I don’t know enough of them,” Sam said.
“Yes, you do. They are arrogant, spoiled, and self-serving. I have no use for them unless they help me solve a crime.”
“They can’t all be bad people.”
“As a group?” Dickey left the question hanging.
Sam had touched a nerve, and he didn’t say another word until they caught a hired carriage.
The pink pollen was the genuine stuff from all appearances. Antina could verify that, but Sam could tell the difference between the fine pollen fibers in Keeta’s sleeping quarters as opposed to the coarse pink thatch someone tried to use at the guard murders.
Dickey peeked inside the envelope. “I’ll take that. You might make it deteriorate with it in your coat pocket. Let’s go over your interview again, in detail.”
From then until they arrived at Antina’s shop, Dickey picked apart just about every word Sam had said interviewing the Grate woman. There were high points and low points. Dickey obviously hadn’t had to relieve himself, but had stationed himself within hearing distance the entire time.
~
Chief Constable Bentwick sat back in his chair and sipped a hot cup of tea. “This is becoming worse isn’t it?”
Dickey shook his head. “Thieving isn’t anything compared to murder, and Captain Benjoy Fork might be involved in both. I wouldn’t talk about extending that to Issak Bolt, however.”
Bentwick took a bigger drink and laid his teacup on its saucer. “I’ll approve your speaking with Pincer, but do not speak of Fork unless Pincer does, and even then, just accept what he says. We are treading on very treacherous ground.”
“With nobles, aren’t we always?” Dickey said.
Sam looked at both men. They always had to act so carefully around the privileged.
“I’ll get the paperwork started.” Dickey stood, and Sam followed.
Bentwick eyed Sam. “Stay for a moment, lad.”
Sam looked at Dickey, who nodded his permission and sat back down. His partner left the room.
“I read the report, Sam. You did well. I hadn’t expected such quick progress.”
“Not quick to me,” Sam said. “I am constantly reminded of my shortcomings.”
“That is how you learn more quickly. It is the same with your sword practice. Being the best in a group can inhibit your growth. Dickey is the best snoop I have. He also tolerates you the best out of all the other men. You might have noticed.”
Sam nodded. “I don’t think I am a snoop yet.”
“Of course, you aren’t. You have some fine qualities, but without experience, all you are is a bundle of potential. And you are getting some of that experience. You did well enough at the Piper Club, and Dickey thought you capable of playing along with Lady Grate on your own.” Bentwick chuckled and shook his head. “There aren’t many of her ilk who would try to trick a snoop.”
“She nearly had me fooled,” Sam said.
“I’m sure Dickey spotted her as soon as she opened the door. Snoops have to play along sometimes. It worked in this case,” Bentwick said with a smile.
“I have a question, sir,” Sam said. “Is Dickey a noble?”
Bentwick pursed his lips. “A noble?” He shook his head. “No. But he is of noble birth. There is a difference. His parents were both nobles, but the union was not within the bonds of marriage. It happens often enough. Dickey was pushed onto a nursemaid who brought him up under modest circumstances, but he was taught his manners, had a suitable education for a young man, and learned the language of his relatives.”
“His hatred of nobles is because of his birth?”
“Mostly,” Bentwick said. “His father, Lord Nail, died before he could inherit the family estate. Dickey was left with just enough money to provide himself with a university education.”
“Do nobles go to the university?” Sam asked.
“Some do if they choose to participate in a trade. The illustrious Issak Bolt and some of his family, like Benjoy Fork, went to university to prepare themselves for a life in the bureaucracy. Those of royal blood wouldn’t think of it.”
“Unless forced, like Harrison Dimple.”
Bentwick nodded. “He was certainly forced, and I think it did him a lot of good. His story isn’t over, Sam, at least I hope not.”
“Is that all, sir?” Sam said.
“It is. Keep it up. Dickey will keep picking apart your work, and I want you to continue to learn from it.”
“I will, sir,” Sam said. He saluted the chief and left.
Chapter Twenty-Four
~
F inding Gerrold Pincer was not an easy task, Sam thought as they gently picked their way through the Baskin nobility to find the man. He had numerous addresses where he wasn’t. Sam hoped they would find one where the man lived.
“How do we get hold of him?” Sam said. “It has been five days, and we still can’t track him down.”
Dickey sighed. “I suppose it is time to give up.”
“We can’t just give up,” Sam said.
“Give up and visit Lady Grate. She must have some way of communicating with her fiancé.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of her.”
“I thought you thought a lot of her,” Dickey said. “You said she is unique among nobles, or something like that.”
“I guess,” Sam said, not wanting to talk about the concept of nobility.
Knowing why Dickey resented nobles made it easier to understand his partner’s attitude, but he wondered why Dickey didn’t leave Baskin and live where he wouldn’t be confronted with nobles all the time.
They arrived at the Grate mansion and proceeded to the front door. Sam took off his dripping hat, and Dickey tossed his pollen umbrella into a receptacle next to the front door.
A female servant answered. “Servant’s door, please,” the woman said in court language.
“Keet said we could use the front,” Dickey said with the touch of a smirk on his face.
“Oh. If the lady said, you could…” She bit her lip and curtseyed. “Please come in while I summon her.”
They entered the foyer. “Please remain here until I return, or the Lady comes to greet you.”
Dickey looked around. Sam wanted to ask him if he knew about his relatives, but the expression on Dickey’s face was anything but wondrous.
Lady Keeta Grate entered the room dressed like the noblewoman she was. Her face was made up showing off her pollen-enhanced features, and she gave them a dazzling smile.
“Constable Nail, I didn’t think I’d see you so soon. Come sit with my fiancé and me.” She winked at Sam. “That includes your partner. We will speak in court language.”
They followed her to a salon of some kind, Sam guessed. A man, perhaps slightly older than Dickey, slumped in an overstuffed chair thumbing through the pages of a book. As Sam got closer, he could see each page had a picture.
“Servants?” Gerrold Pincer said. He smoothed his long blond hair and snapped the book shut. “Why are they disturbing us?”
“May I introduce Captain Dickey Nail of the Royal Constabulary and his partner, Apprentice Constable Sam Smith?”
“Sparkling spectacles,” Gerrold said. “Isn’t that a bit too ostentatious for an apprentice? Is that real gold?”
“It is, but a very thin coating,” Sam said. “It helps me to see pollen better.”
“Sam is a pollen specialist of sorts,” Dickey said. “And you are?”
“Dickey Nail?” Gerrold said sitting up. “Are you the snoop who has been snooping around trying to find me?”
“I am,” Dickey said. “Actually, we are. Sam is my partner.”
“A child.” Gerrold glanced a Sam. “A common name, yet the boy speaks passable court, for a servant. Yours is more than passable, Nail.”
“I will take that as a compliment,” Sam said.
“As you wish,” Gerrold said, flicking his hand.
“What brings you to my doorstep, Captain Nail?” Lady Keeta said.
“I hope not to offend you, Lady Keeta, but it is Gerrold that prompted my visit. It seems he has many addresses and lives at none of them.”
“Only the latest one,” Gerrold said. “Not all lords have mansions.” He looked around the room. “Keet has a marvelous house. Don’t you, Keet?”
Lady Keeta colored at the comment. “I do my best to keep it up.” She smiled at her fiancé, but it contained little mirth. She looked at Dickey. “Is it about the theft?” she asked.
“It is,” Dickey said. He gave Lady Keeta a bow before turning back to Gerrold. “Will you answer a few of my questions?”
“Certainly,” Gerrold said. “My lovely fiancé has already told you most of it.”
“Really?” Dickey said, turning to Lady Keeta. “What did you tell him?”
“Most of what I told to your apprentice.” She smiled at Sam.
Dickey nodded. “Lady Keeta said you were being entertained at…” Dickey pulled out a notebook and looked at a blank page, as far as Sam could tell. “Lord Benjoy Fork’s residence.”
“Captain Fork of the City Guard,” Gerrold said. “Do you know him?”
“We have run into each other,” Dickey said. “I was unaware he was Lord Benjoy Fork.”
“Ah, yes. He is from a working noble family. His uncle is the Minister of Justice, don’t you know,” Gerrold said.
“I do know that,” Dickey said. “You were very intoxicated when you arrived at Lady Keeta’s residence?”
Gerrold pinched his eyebrows together and rubbed his forehead. “I must have been. Everything was hazy. It was like I was told to come here, but I can’t remember another thing.”
“Do you remember who brought you here?”
“It had to be Fork or one of his servants.” Gerrold closed his eyes. “I remember a woman. An older woman.” He shook his head. “Nothing more. Next thing I knew, I was shaken awake by this beautiful lady.” He smiled at Lady Keeta, who smiled back, but less warmly.
“No idea who the older woman was?”
Gerrold shook his head. “Not at all.”
“Thank you. Your answers have been very helpful, Lord Pincer,” Dickey said.
“For the life of me, I can’t see how,” Gerrold said.
“Let us say they fill in some blanks. Feel free to tell Captain Fork those very words.” Dickey looked at Lady Keeta. “Thank you for letting us impose. We will see ourselves out.”
“Through the front door, Captain Nail,” Lady Keeta said.
He bowed to Pincer, and then to Lady Keeta. “Through the front door, then.”
Sam was eager to get out the door. He jammed his hat on his head. Dickey retrieved his umbrella, and they both proceeded down the drive.
“You didn’t arrest him,” Sam said.
“For what? With what evidence? No, I used him to get a message to Captain Fork,” Sam said.
“What message?”
“That we know Banna Plunk was likely there. That we know Captain Fork is an integral part of the theft ring. I wonder just how bright Fork is.” Dickey shook his head. “Lord Pincer remembered more that Fork intended.”
“And we can’t do a thing?” Sam said.
“Neither can he once we write this up. Another jewelry theft in a noble house, and all fingers will point to Captain Fork. Chief Constable Bentwick can do that much. I think the thefts will stop with the one in Lady Grate’s abode.”
~
Sam left the constabulary early in the afternoon for another session learning Vaarekian. The thefts had stopped, just as Dickey had forecast, and it had been a few months since they had interviewed Gerrold Pincer. The snoop business was at a lull in the last throes of winter, so his partner said he could go home early.
Emmy hadn’t minded ambling in the garden, once Tru had moved his forge to Antina Mulch’s workshop. Sam looked forward to some time with his dog after his language session.
“You are here early,” Antina said when Sam walked in. The customer turned to Sam at Antina’s comment.
“Sam Smith, isn’t it?” Lady Keeta Grate said in court language.
“It is,” Sam said. “I’m here for court language lessons.”
The lady smiled. “I can’t think of a better teacher. I wondered where you had picked up such good diction.”
“You remember?” Antina asked.
Keeta smiled. “Of course. Captain Nail and Constable Smith were instrumental in exposing my ex-fiancé as a thief.”
“You weren’t supposed to know that,” Sam said.
“My connections were better than Gerrold’s.” She looked at Antina. “Do you mind if I sit in on your lessons?”
“We speak in court the entire time,” Antina said. “I’m afraid it is all elementary stuff.”
“I can do elementary,” Keeta said smiling.
They sat down in Antina’s alcove and began to talk. Sam wasn’t excited about showing off his mediocre command of Antina’s home language, but if Lady Grate wasn’t bored, he supposed she could add some local vocabulary, which she did.
The session came to an end.
“Five months!” Keeta said. “You have done so well.”
“I have studied hard and practiced with Antina.” Sam thought it was easier than school, since he had only one subject to concentrate on. His apprentice training was done on constabulary time, except for his early morning exercises with the regular constables.
“Continue with it.”
Sam shrugged. “I don’t get to use the language very much since I’m not a noble.”
Antina chuckled. “Maybe you will travel to Polistia. Then you would be prepared to speak to the inhabitants.”
Sam nodded. “Perhaps I’ll see what commands work on Emmy.”
“You order some woman around?” Keeta said.
“Emmy is my dog. She is a Sanchian hound and from either Ristaria or Vaarek. They speak the same language.” He looked at Antina. “They do, don’t they?”
Antina nodded. “I’m surprised you haven’t tried that before now.”
Sam shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll try tonight.” He glanced at one of the clocks in Antina’s shop. “It is time for me to go.”
“Don’t forget to study,” Antina said.
“You can come to my house and practice any time you want. Bring Captain Nail with you.” She gave Sam a dazzling smile and left the shop before Sam.
Antina watched the woman enter her waiting carriage and disappear from view. “She didn’t get around to paying me,” Antina said. “But she is good for it. You can’t help but like the woman, but I am worried about her.”
“Worried? She is noble. Why worry about one of them?”
“Lady Keeta Grate is unconventional in a social environment that abhors such a thing. At some point, her willfulness will catch up to her. She is in a prominent position.”
“I certainly don’t know how to act around her. I won’t take her up on her offer, that is for sure,” Sam said.
“Perhaps you should, for Dickey’s sake. I would say she is using you to meet up with your partner another time.”
“Oh,” Sam said. “The finer points of boy-girl relationships have eluded me. No one wants to be around someone who can’t do a thing with pollen.”
“I like you to be around me,” Antina said with a pout like a much younger woman.
“You know what I mean. We are friends…are we not?”
Antina smiled. “We are, and I know what you mean. Do you want some lessons on how to deal with the opposite sex?”
Sam felt his face heat up. He was in very uncomfortable territory. “I don’t know if it would be appropriate for a woman to teach me.”
That brought a laugh from his language teacher. “Talk to Dickey about such things, or Tru. He knows how to charm ladies.”
“He does?” Sam said.
Antina nodded. “He keeps such things from you, but I think Dickey would give you a more balanced view.”
Sam hadn’t thought about getting training on how to act around girls. He had originally thought such a thing would come naturally when the situation arose, but he had just enough experience to know that he didn’t fully trust his instincts. Lady Keeta oddly affected him, and he felt a bit flummoxed around her.
“Okay. How do I act around ladies?”
“Don’t do anything stupid. It is hard to accomplish, but women generally don’t like fools. Lady Keeta finally found out that her ex-fiancé was one.”
Sam laughed. “I thought he was a bit odd when I met him, but I have no way of comparing nobles with commoners.”
Antina pursed her lips. “Ah, that is a complication.” She put her hand to her chin and then brightened up. “How did the women at the Piper Club tell you to treat their patrons?”
“Like lords,” Sam said.
“Then, to an extent, you treat a girl you like as you would a lady, but not quite. You need to be friendly, not subservient.”
Sam wasn’t so sure Antina was the right person to give him general advice. “I’ll think about who will school me in that kind of thing,” Sam said.
“To be honest, I might not be the best person. It has been too long since I have been active in the matters of love.”
“I’m not so sure I’m ready for love, just for being comfortable around someone,” Sam said. “I’ll think about it.”
Sam walked home thinking of Lady Keeta and her obvious pursuit of Dickey Nail. In a way, Sam wished he was a bit older, but she wouldn’t be interested in him, not being noble. Dickey had noble blood, and Sam wouldn’t be surprised if Keet knew that.
He sought out Emmy. She was a female that he had no problem with. She licked his face and tried to look behind him. Sam produced meat scraps he had purchased at a butcher shop on the way from Antina’s that he frequented often.
Sam tossed the meat on the weedy grass and watched his dog devour her dinner.
“Come,” Sam said in court language, as he stood by the back door.
Emmy lifted and tilted her head.
“Come,” he said again. Emmy raced to Sam and knocked him down to lick his face.
“Easy, girl,” Sam said. He got to his feet, wiping his face off with the sleeve of the coat he still wore.
