Again I feel uneasy. The man did nothing wrong as far as I can tell, and Magister Thomas was worried about the venatre’s interest in finding the man. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t see him that well.”
Simon sighs like he knows I’m not being entirely truthful. “Will you keep watch for someone following you, though? And take steps to keep yourself safe?”
I nod before he can define how. “I will.”
“All right then.” Simon clears his throat. “Now I’d like to talk about the things youdidsee and hear.”
My eyes drop to the pile of rubble by my left foot. “I already told Lady Juliane everything.”
“I know,” says Simon. “But there are a few inconsistencies.” I look up in alarm, and he raises a hand to reassure me. “By that I mean there are things I don’t quite understand, and I think you can clarify. That’s all. You’re not in any kind of trouble.”
The more time you spend with the venatre, the more likely it is you will say something you don’t want to.
I chew on my bottom lip. “What do you want me to do?”
Simon relaxes a little at my tentative offer. “I’d like you to question people in the neighborhood with me.” He pauses. “You’re not a stranger in Collis. People will be more willing to talk to you. Then I’d like you to help me better visualize what you saw that night.”
In the corner of my vision, Mistress la Fontaine appears in the doorway to the kitchen. From the frown which creases her forehead, she’s been listening to the whole conversation.
It’s dangerous, but Iwantto help Simon. He genuinely seems to care, both about Perrete and finding the truth.
Magister Thomas is innocent; the truth cannot hurt him. And if I know what the venatre is thinking, I can lead him away from the architect if necessary.
“I’ll go.”