Valentin was still there when Darus returned. He'd settled, somewhat, and was busy sorting through papers when the flicker of movement on the screen alerted him to his compatriot's return. He glanced about, then leaned into the mirror, as though proximity to the Window would hide the words he spoke from prying ears.
"You're back." the lawyer remarked, "Is he...?"
The auditor didn't wait for Aurin's response. He didn't need to; not really. There was only one thing he could have been going to do, and he wouldn't have returned at all if he hadn't done it. Valentin's gaze flickered briefly down to the surface of the table, to his own fingers resting on it- a classic sign of a moral conundrum. But he resolved it quickly. This was not the first time Valentin Valentin had been party to death in his employment, and in his own calculation this one was particularly needful.
Still, his breath shook a little as he closed his eyes and steadied himself. A man resigned to death, perhaps, but not inured as yet.
"It's the right move. I imagine the butler will cover it up for now, as he can't risk the notoriety of an official inquiry. Without that damn clown, perhaps this shopkeeper's insurgency will die quietly in the cradle."
He would have to hope for that. The Inquisition were particularly restless, just now, with the membership all eager to find something to bring them to prominence. A toy rebellion and the discipline of an entire city would be just the thing for some ambitious young Inquisitor. And then? Well, Valentin knew Aurin was good at his job, but he doubted anyone was good enough to get away from that pack of baying hounds once they'd scented blood.
No, safest by far to finish this purge.
"Change of plans, Darus." Valentin's voice had recovered now, fully, and he'd regained that cold edge which made him sound like he was about to spring a thousand-aven fine on someone. "I'm going back to the capital, and with ample evidence of fraud. A few months, and I'll be back with an entire bureau to do a proper audit." He spoke the word with unnatural relish.
"Here's what we're going to do- I'll drive the remnants of the Allstead Shipping Company out into the open, and they'll panic. That's when you show up again, offering them and their money a way out of the country. Got that?" Valentin waited for any objection, then nodded. "I'll be in touch."
The Window closed, and the night was dark and quiet once more.
