Part 10 (2/2)
”No, nor that one either.”
”Er...'How come n.o.bby ever got a job as a watchman?', sir? You say that a lot.”
”No! I meant 'Always act stupid,' Carrot.”
”Ah, right, sir. From now on I shall remember that you always said that, sir.”
They put their helmets under their arms. Vimes knocked at the door.
”Come,” said a voice.
The Patrician was standing at the window.
Sitting or standing around the office were Lord Rust and the others. Vimes never quite understood how the civic leaders were chosen. They just seemed to turn up, like a tack on the sole of your shoe.
”Ah, Vimes,” said Vetinari.
”Sir.”
”Let us not beat about the bush, Vimes. How did the man get up there when your people had so thoroughly checked everything last night? Magic?”
”Couldn't say, sir.”
Carrot, still staring straight ahead, blinked.
”Your people did did check the Barbican, I a.s.sume?” check the Barbican, I a.s.sume?”
”No, sir.”
”They didn't didn't?”
”No, sir. I did that myself.”
”You physically checked it yourself, Vimes?” said Boggis of the Thieves' Guild.
Captain Carrot could feel feel Vimes's thoughts at this point. Vimes's thoughts at this point.
”That is correct...Boggis,” said Vimes, without turning his head. ”But...we think someone got in where the windows are boarded up and pulled the boards back after him. Dust has been disturbed and-”
”And you didn't spot this, Vimes?”
Vimes sighed. ”It'd be hard enough to spot the nailed-back boards in daylight, Boggis, let alone in the middle of the night.” Not that we did, he added to himself. Angua smelled the scent on them.
Lord Vetinari sat down at his desk. ”The situation is grave, Vimes.”
”Yes, sir?”
”His Highness is very seriously injured. And Prince Cadram, we understand, is beside himself with rage.”
”They insist insist on keeping his brother in the emba.s.sy,” said Lord Rust. ”A studied insult. As if we haven't good surgeons in this city.” on keeping his brother in the emba.s.sy,” said Lord Rust. ”A studied insult. As if we haven't good surgeons in this city.”
”That's right, of course,” said Vimes. ”And many of them could give him a decent shave and a haircut, too.”
”Are you making fun of me, Vimes?”
”Certainly not, my lord,” said Vimes. ”In my opinion, no surgeons anywhere have cleaner sawdust on their floors than the ones in this city.”
Rust glared at him.
The Patrician coughed.
”You have identified the a.s.sa.s.sin?” said the Patrician.
Carrot was expecting Vimes to say, ”Alleged a.s.sa.s.sin, sir,” but instead he said: ”Yes. He is-He was was called Ossie Brunt, sir. No other name that we know. Lived in Market Street. Did odd jobs from time to time. Bit of a loner. No relatives or friends that we can find. We are making enquiries.” called Ossie Brunt, sir. No other name that we know. Lived in Market Street. Did odd jobs from time to time. Bit of a loner. No relatives or friends that we can find. We are making enquiries.”
”And that's all you fellows know?” said Lord Downey.
”It took some time to identify him, sir,” said Vimes stolidly.
”Oh? Why should that be?”
”Couldn't give you the technical answer, sir, but it looked to me like they wouldn't need to make him a coffin, they could just have posted him between two barn doors.”
”Was he acting alone?”
”We only found the one body, sir. And a lot of recently fallen masonry, so it looks as-”
”I meant meant does he belong to any organization? Any suggestion that he's anti-Klatchian?” does he belong to any organization? Any suggestion that he's anti-Klatchian?”
”Apart from him trying to kill one? Enquiries are continuing.”
”Are you taking this seriously seriously, Vimes?”
”I have put my best men on the job, sir.” Who's looking worried Who's looking worried? ”Sergeant Colon and Corporal n.o.bbs.” Who's looking relieved Who's looking relieved? ”Very experienced men. The keystones of the Watch.”
”Colon and n.o.bbs?” said the Patrician. ”Really?”
”Yes, sir.”
Their gazes met, very briefly.
”We're getting some very threatening noises, Vimes,” said Vetinari.
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