Interrogating a Suspect

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 20th February 2010

Characters: Zandan, Miriek
Description: Zandan asks Miriek a few questions.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 5

Zandan and a few of his selected men had been interviewing people about
Barric's death the whole morning and a large part of the night before. They
had narrowed down the suspects to a handful of men that seemed to be very
unhappy and had lost family members. Corowal was finally performing the
burial ceremony. It had been postponed by Barric's death. The Captain paid
no attention to the Lord Holder's eloquent speech. His attention was on the
audience. Besides, he had heard it or something similar before. Everyone
still at the hold had gathered in one place for the final goodbyes. It was
the perfect opportunity to scan the crowd, see who looked unusually nervous
or guilty, whose hands looked like they had been hitting something....

Miriek was one of the people in the crowd. He was doing it for his loved one
that was in that pit. He wore gloves, but so did many due to the winter
weather. He listened to the Lord Holder, wondering absentmindedly who the
new minor holder would be.

Zandan had a list of names, people whose locations were unknown during the
time frame of Barric's murder. Miriek's name was on the list and he stopped
to stand next to the man. He studied the man with an intense gaze.

Miriek noticed someone near him and glanced over. When he saw the guard
knots, he got to thinking before he looked again at Corowal. Perhaps now
that his love was dead, he could go to the main Hold.

"When this is over, I want to talk with you," Zandan bent over to whisper to
him. Of course, he was inviting all suspects for an interview, sooner or
later.

"Very well." Miriek was outwardly placid. Inwardly, he wondered just what
Zandan knew. With his lips a thin line, he listened to the last of Corowal's
speech.

~*~

When things were over, he turned to where the other man stood. "I have tasks
to do. If we can hurry this."

"I have a few questions to ask," Zandan said. "And this will take as long as
it takes," he kept his tone deliberately calm and spoke slowly.

Inside Miriek sighed. Another bully that thought he was stupid. Playing
along, he merely nodded. "Go on ahead then sir."

"Where were you last night between the six and eighth candlemark?" Zandan
asked.

"Drinking," he answered simply. He'd just lost his wife, after all.

"Really? With whom?" Zandan asked. Did he spot a trickle of sweat on his
forehead?

"Well Durell was there, but after about the sixth mug, I don't rightly
remember." Miriek shrugged. He *had* drunk quite a bit that night before
everything happened.

"Let me see your hands," Zandan asked.

Miriek offered him the gloved hands without a second's thought. "Whyfore?"
he asked curiously. He hadn't been the one beating Barric. His hands would
be clean.

"Just checking something," Zandan replied. He grabbed his wrist and turned
his hand up and down. He grunted, disappointed that his knuckles weren't
bruised.

Inside Miriek laughed at him. Outwardly, he looked confused. "Did you have
something else to ask, sir?"

"Not right now. Just don't leave the hold," Zandan replied and leaned
backwards.

"Aye sure. Good day to you." Miriek ambled off, to do his daily tasks.

Last updated on the March 6th 2010

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Interrogating a Suspect