It’s the same bastards you’re used to,” Theo told her, “but they have a lot less power in Dalgerra. They’ve got money, but they’re equal in the law.”


    The architecture is lovely,” Clarisse offered, attempting to loosen her posture and failing,


    We’re in the oldest part of Saint’s Landing. Most of the buildings are hundreds of years old, and anything new is required to build in the traditional style. Architects spend years trying to get a design approved.”


    It must be quite the achievement then, to say you’ve had a design approved here.”


    Yes. A lot of architects from other cities come to work on houses here.” Prestigious ones, of course. The only way to get permission to build here was to be commissioned by somebody who could afford to build here, and none of them took chances on upcoming talents.


    Do architects need licenses as well?”


    No, but their designs do need to be approved through city hall.”


    How did you handle it?” Theo asked her, “When nobles committed crimes, I mean? I’ve heard it’s almost impossible to prosecute a noble in Avairne. It must have made your job quite difficult.”


    It was, but there were ways to manage it. If a more important noble pushed the case, it became impossible to bury. If the crime was against a noble of higher status, I could pass evidence to them or their family to bring forward. If not, there were a few nobles willing to stand up for what was right, though none that could take every case without losing credibility.”


    You weren’t in trouble for passing on evidence to civilians?”


    Not at all. Who would deny a noble something they wanted? In fact, I was written up a few times for refusing to divulge information on cases to nobility.”


    And when there was no noble to back you up?”


    In that case, all I could do was pass the evidence to whoever I could. Passing it to a parent would rarely lead to prosecution, but they sometimes seemed to keep their child in line, even if it was only to protect the family’s name. Passing it to a fiance, or the fiance’s family, could also be effective.”


    I’m glad I’ve never had to make such a choice,” Theo said. “The dead were lucky to have you on the case.”


    Thank you.”


    You must worry what will happen now that you aren’t there.”


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    It’s been three years, Mr. Dryden. I did my worrying, and it’s not as if I was the sole voice of reason in Avairne. I am simply thankful to be able to continue my work. It doesn’t matter where. The weight of a life doesn’t change across borders.”


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    <hr>


    Good morning,” he said, trying to match their dignified somberness, “my name is Theodore Dryden. I’ll be taking the lead on the case. I promise I will be doing everything in my power to bring your son justice.”


    Thank you,” Mrs. Handfellow said, a crack in her voice finally betraying her grief. “Please catch whoever did this.”


    Is it alright if I ask a few questions? We’d like to learn a little more about Caspian.”


    Of course. We’re honored that somebody from the Dryden family would choose to look into our case.”


    You mentioned that Caspian was out at night quite a bit. Do you know who he was usually with?” Theo asked.


    He was a cheerful young man. Liked to go out drinking after work with some boys he grew up with,” Mr. Handfellow said. “Let’s see. Eric Aldercy, Basil Morris… I think the Montague boy. Henry?”


    Hugh,” Mrs. Handfellow offered. “They’d stay out late quite a bit, and he’d go to work in the morning so we just assumed we’d… missed him.”


    Is there anyone he’d had issues with?”


    Of course not! Caspian was a sweet, quiet boy. I can’t think of a single soul that hated him,” Mrs. Handfellow said.


    To your knowledge, was Caspian involved with anything illegal?”


    What a disgusting thing to ask,” Mr. Handfellow hissed. “Of course not! My son is the victim of a horrible crime, not a criminal!”


    I’m sorry, sir. These are standard questions. I mean no disrespect towards him.”


    Well, he wasn’t!” Mrs. Handfellow told him.


    What about enemies of the family?”


    None that would go after Caspian. He asked for us to pass the family business on to Flora a few years ago. He was quite taken with map making.”


    Detective Dryden, may I ask something?” James said from the doorway.


    Go ahead.”


    Forgive me for being blunt, but I’d like to know why Mr. Handfellow is using influence casting on detectives.”


    Don’t blame my husband for your emotions just because you’re unstable,” Mrs. Handfellow hissed.


    I’m afraid there’s a misunderstanding. Caster James has recently joined my team as a tracer. I believe her comment was based on magical signature, not supposition.”


    Well, then you’ve added a poor tracer to your team. I’d like her to leave,” Mrs. Handfellow said. Mr. Handfellow was still clearly in concentration on the cast, as a sudden shift in emotion right after the accusation would only make them look more guilty.


    Sir? Should I step outside?”


    I believe we both should. This clearly will not be a productive meeting.”