Murder in the Place of Anubis by Lynda S. Robinson Read Free Book Online Page A

will."
     "You witness against all three. Yet you say you slept  the night." Meren traced the carving on the back of the chair and waited.
     Beltis pursed her lips. "My slave girl, she says the brothers went out after the evening meal and didn't return until almost morning. If my poor lord was killed in the Place of Anubis, they could have set upon him."
     "All the servants will be questioned," Meren said. "I'll  find out where each of you was during the night. Each of you." When Beltis appeared undisturbed, Meren continued. "You were screaming about a necklace being taken when I found you all in Hormin's office."
     "Yes, lord, I tell you Djaper took it, or Imsety, or  Selket. They all hated it that the master bestowed gifts upon me. This was a broad collar of great beauty and cost. It was of gold and lapis lazuli and red jasper." Beltis chewed on her lower lip and scowled. "The master promised it to me, but it's gone."
     Meren said nothing. His men would take inventory of Hormin's possessions and question the household to confirm the family's claims. He resumed his seat, taking care to move the chair so that he was too far away from Beltis for her to pounce on him again. Having basked in the favor of ladies far more sophisticated, intelligent,  and lovely than Beltis, he had no desire to be mauled.
    "You fought with your master," he said. "On the day of his death you quarreled with him and ran away to the tomb makers' village on the west bank."
    Soft laughter bubbled up at him, and Beltis laid her head to one side. "A quarrel between lovers, my lord. We had many, and always my master begged me to forgive him. He needed me. Why, if he had to do without me for even one night, he was as engorged as a stud ox."
     "Spare me your stories of Hormin's lust. What was  the quarrel about?"
    "I wanted matching bracelets for my new broad collar, and he wouldn't have them made." Beltis tossed her head. "I am a woman of great beauty, and I deserve jewels and fine robes. Hormin made me so angry. He could have given me twenty bracelets if he weren't so greedy. I was angry, so I went away. After all, he is— was so much more generous after a few nights without me."
     Meren began to think that Hormin was not only a  hot-bellied man, but a fool as well.
     "You see, lord, my father is a sculptor in the tomb- makers' village, so it is not far for me to go. I went there yesterday after Hormin slapped me, and I waited for him to come for me. He did, and we made up our quarrel. He even took me to see his tomb before we left. It's on the edge of the nobles' cemetery. Then we came home."
     "And during all the time you were together, Hormin  never spoke of going to the Place of Anubis, or of anyone who had threatened him?"
     "No, great lord." Beltis raised her voice. "But I'm  sure that Selket has accused me. She hates me for being beautiful while she is ugly and old. The brothers are the  same. Imsety is stupid, and Djaper hates me."
     The concubine's rancor swelled as she related her trials. "They will all tell you lies about me, but I'll tell you the truth. Djaper hates me because I spurned him when he would have lain with me and because my son displaced him in the heart of Hormin. I tell you they killed my master so that my son and I wouldn't take their place in his will."
    "Enough."
     Meren shoved himself out of his chair. He took  Beltis's hand and helped her rise. As soon as she was up, he dropped her hand and went to the door. While he was opening it, he spoke again.
     "While he was with you, did Hormin spill perfume  on himself?"
    Beltis furrowed her brow. "No, my lord."
     Meren stepped out of the bedchamber. He looked  back at Beltis, and saw that she had resumed her posture with her breasts pressed forward. Determination seemed to be a great part of her character. Meren surveyed the gleaming nipples, then let his eyes slowly drift to Beltis's face.
     "You say the wife and sons of Hormin are guilty of this murder.