Severn shook his head. “I don’t want to be on Record as the Wolf making the request. I’m on probation. Even if I wanted the credit, I’m not technically allowed.”
“You don’t want the girl to know that you’re here.”
Severn didn’t prevaricate. “I don’t want her to know I’m here. She’s got a home here. She’s mostly happy. She’s safe.”
“You think she’ll flee?”
“Or try to kill me, yes.” Something in his face implied that death at her hands would almost be a relief.
“I will deal with the request.”
“You’ll make it?”
“Absolutely not. But I will have Helmat pass the information on as part of a joint investigation.”
“What does that mean?”
“They will have access to our files in the investigation—which will not affect you at all. We, however, will then have access to theirs, which might.”
In the morning, Helmat’s grimmest expression had taken up what appeared to be permanent residence on his face. Severn had barely stepped into the office when Rosen waved him over.
“I’m not sure what you did,” she whispered, “but Helmat is in a mood. He’s demanded to see you, first thing.”
“Is it the Tha’alanari or the Hawks?”
Rosen’s mouth opened, but no words fell out. “When Helmat is in this mood, no one asks questions that aren’t directly relevant to their mission. Even then, it can be touch and go. You’d better head to his office. He’s probably observing us through our mirror connections as we speak.”
Severn wasn’t surprised to see Elluvian in the Wolflord’s office. This time, however, Garadin wasn’t present. Elluvian’s eyes were blue. Helmat’s were the same brown they’d always been, but his brow was furrowed in a way that suggested rage.
“Both of your requests have caused disturbances,” the Wolflord said.
“You found the possibility amusing yesterday,” Elluvian pointed out. Severn wouldn’t have dared. “Which of the difficulties is currently enraging you?”
“We have another body in the morgue.”
Elluvian’s amusement was discarded instantly. “The Hawks found the corpse.”
Helmat nodded.
“Manner of death?”
“Not yet determined. There were no obvious wounds, no obvious broken bones. The person in question appeared to have died at home. It’s likely his body would have been discovered in the next few days, as he lived alone, but the Hawks were sent to speak with him.”
“On what grounds?”
“Do I look like the Hawklord?”
Both the Wolflord and Elluvian now turned to Severn, as if waiting for his input.
“They know we’re investigating,” Severn said. “Or they know we will be.”
“Give the boy a cookie,” Helmat said to Elluvian.
Severn turned to Elluvian. “The High Halls?”
Elluvian nodded grimly. “There is a possibility that the informant works for the Imperial Service, but Helmat thinks it unlikely, when the High Halls are already in play.”
The Wolflord’s eyes widened before they narrowed to slits. “Dismissed,” he said, clearly to Severn, as he turned to face Elluvian.