Page 71 of Storms & Sacrifice
Suddenly, the doors to the waiting room behind us swing open, and everyone turns to see Murbank entering.Why didn’t she just tell us he wasn’t in?If he’s surprised to see us, he doesn’t show it, which doesn’t give me a good feeling.
“It is alright, Tholoma. I can make some time for the captain.” The smile he gives us is innocent enough, but I don’ttrust it.
Satisfied with her boss’s response, Tholoma returns to her seat behind the desk, still glowering. Murbank steps around us, pulling out a ring of keys to unlock his office door. I watch him slip them back into his right pocket before opening the door and holding it open, motioning for the three of usto enter.
Shit, this office is nice,lavisheven (I bet Mikey would be proud of me for knowing that word). Huge paintings of landscapes line the walls, the largest hanging over a fireplace that is twice as big as the one at Khazak’s house. On either side of it are huge bookcases, tall enough to reach the ceiling and filled with very expensive looking leather-bound books. At the center of the room is a massive wooden desk, the legs and sides carved into intricate patterns and polished brightly. A number of small stone orc busts sit atop the desk and on the bookcases, though I can’t place any of their faces.How loaded isthis guy?
“I am terribly sorry, gentlemen,” Murbank apologizes as he walks around his desk to take a seat. “Between the council voting on recovery efforts and preparing for the charity gala, I have not had a moment to read your messages. Will you both be in attendancetonight?”
“I do not believe either of us were aware there was an event taking place tonight.” The question catches Khazakoff guard.
“This is the first I’m hearing of it,” Ragnarconfirms.
“Damn, I must have made a mistake when preparing the guest list with my secretary.” He sighs. “I hope both you and your avakeshes will be able to make it. We are raising money to support the families affected by thebombings.”
“Of course, sir. We would be happy to attend,” Khazak answers.We will? Sounds like a real stuffy shindig.“Now, if I could get to—”
“Yes, please. To what do I owe the pleasure of the ranger captain and his trusty deputy coming to see me in person?” His eagerness to speak with us is throwing me off. He’s up tosomething.
“It is regarding the recent attacks, I am afraid, as well as your former employee, Thog Grimrock.” Khazak finally takes a seat in front of the man’s desk, Ragnar sitting to his left while I continue to stand behind them.
“Such a tragedy.” Murbank shakes his head. His feigned sincerity is starting to make me feel sick. “To think, if only he had not committed that robbery and been imprisoned, he might still be alive today.”
“We actually have reason to believe he wasn’t working alone,” Ragnar spills, and I’m thankful that’s all he says.
“Really? How interesting.” He might be a good actor, but it’s not hard to tell he knows something is up. He wants to know what else we know.
“Yes, and I am afraid we also learned of some new information regarding Mister Grimrock’s situation.” Khazak tries to take back control of the conversation. “Namely, that he seemed to be in a large amount of debt after attempting to purchase and reopen his father’s old weapon factory. Debt that you now own along with the factory itself.”
“Ah. You see, before the rebellion, his parents and mine were close friends.” His tone is still calm, but it’s changed. “Even afterward, my mother and father did their best to make sure Thog and his mother were taken care of. When he fell onto hard times, I could not help but offer assistance to my old friend.”
“Would you mind explaining a little more about your relationship?” Khazak presses on this new bit of information. “He was your employee as well as an old friend?”
“Yes, when it became apparent that he risked losing it, I stepped in and purchased the factory myself.” The councilman stands, walking to one of his bookcases as he speaks and adjusts one of the statues. I watch his movements carefully. “I gave him a job at my shipyard so that he could pay off his debt. When he was finished, I planned to sign over the factory. Pity we never made it to that step.”
“That is very generous of you, sir,” Khazak comments, turning in his chair to watch the councilman. “Seems rather odd then, that he would risk all of that by stealing from the very job yougave him.”
“Yes, well, desperation can drive a person to do many things, especially the less fortunate.” There’s something about the way he says it, some undertone of smugness, that just rubs me the wrong way. What the hell does this guy know about what poor people go through?
“I understand you visited Mr. Grimrock a number of times in prison,” Khazak comments as he stands, walking toward Murbank but still leaving plenty of distance between them.
“Despite his actions against me, I still considered the man a friend.” He approaches Khazak, starting to lose his patience. “I also ensured his mother and younger siblings would be supported despite his imprisonment. Something that I continue to do now evenafterhis death. Is that a crime,Captain?”
“No, sir. Merely trying to piece together the man’s motive and see if there is a connection to his death in the other night’s attacks.” Khazak remains calm and collected despite the increase in hostility, though Ragnar is now standing as well.
“Seems like nothing more than a very unfortunate coincidence to me, Captain.” Murbank faces Khazak, standing about an equal distance both to Khazak and me. “Even if he had not passed, he confessed and was sentenced months ago, and the case closed. I am not sure why you are still investigating this,especiallywhen I know there are a number of open cases you and your rangers have yet toresolve.”
“I apologize if I have caused any offense, sir.” Khazak bows his head slightly, still sounding perfectly calm. “I merely want to ensure I am being as thorough aspossible.”
Alright, I don’t really know why I do what I do next. Okay, that’s not true: I knowwhy.I just haven’t fully figured out what the rest of my plan is yet. I can tell that this conversation is wrapping up, and westilldon’t know anything besides the fact that this guy is a fucking creep. So, with neither man’s gaze actually on me, I take a step forward—and immediately trip over myself, falling right into Council Murbank.
“Oh gods! I amsosorry, sir,” I apologize as I quickly try to right myself.
Murbank looks at me unhappily and maybe a little confused—and so does Khazak, actually—but itdoesn’tlook like he felt my hand slipping into his pocket or that it’s any lighter.
“Well, if there is nothing else you men need, I have a very busy day ahead.” Murbank straightens himself and looks at the door. “Please let me know if there is anythingelseI can do for you; otherwise, I will see you alltonight.”
“Of course, we would not miss it.” Khazak gives his most professional smile. “Thank you for your time.”
