John, former Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, has been exiled
from Constantinople to a rustic estate John has long-owned in Greece, not far
from where he grew up. But exile proves no escape from mystery and mayhem. The
residents of nearby Megara make it plain John and his family are unwelcome
intruders. His overseer proves corrupt. What of the other staff—and his
neighbors?
Before long, John finds himself accused of blasphemy and murder. Now a
powerless outsider, he’s on his own, investigating and annoyingly hampered by
the ruthless and antagonistic City Defender who serves Megara as both law
enforcer and judge. Plus there’s that corrupt estate overseer, a shady pig
farmer, a servant’s unwelcome suitor, a wealthy merchant who spends part of his
time as a cave-dwelling hermit, and the criminals and cutthroats populating
such a seedy port as Megara.
Complicating matters further are two childhood friends whose lives
have taken very different paths, plus the stepfather John hated. John realizes
that in Megara, the solution to murder does not lie in the dark alleys where
previous investigations have taken him, but in a far more dangerous place—his
own past. Can he find his way out of the labyrinth of lies and danger into which
he has been thrust before disaster strikes and exile turns into execution?
EXCERPT:
“It was because of the demons, sir! Released swarms of demons, they
did, what with all their digging round that pagan temple! Should have been
destroyed a long time ago, if you ask me.”
The City Defender
glared at the captured arsonist, a man named James. “Demons, is it? Explain
yourself."
“Sir, I am a
law-abiding seller of fish. Well-known for the excellence of my wares, landed
fresh each day. Don’t sell anything over a day old. Work hard, pay my taxes,
attend church faithfully, and—”
“Yes, yes, a pillar of
the community. But what has this to do with your criminal behavior last night?”
John, newly returned
from Lechaion, was present as injured party as the City Defender conducted an
arraignment interview. The arsonist was a rough-looking man, his upper arm and
shoulder wrapped in bandages. The door of the whitewashed room stood open to
allowing the mixed odors of the city to enter on the rectangle of strong
sunlight lying across a mosaic floor depicting a pastoral scene.
But not enough sunlight
to dispel the darkness of Megaran justice unfolding before him, John thought.
“And then there was
those unspeakable rites they was doing in that ruin,” the seller of fish
continued. “Orgies, sir. Blood. Torture. Bound to free demons. And as we all
know, they can take over a man, hook their sharpened claws into our souls,
cause us to do terrible things we would not dream of, could not dream
of, as sober and responsible citizens.”
The man appeared ready
to burst into tears at the thought of what acts he might be capable of doing
while in his possessed state.
“And so those others
with you, companions you say you cannot identify, were all possessed by demons,
leading to the crimes committed last night?”
The accused man nodded
violently. “And my wife is worried about what I might do next. What if I get up
at night and murder everyone in their beds? What if I start selling fish I know
to be unfit to eat? What if I suddenly attack Halmus, who has done so much for
Megara?”
The City Defender
raised his hand for silence. “So your defense boils down to the fact you and
your fellow conspirators were possessed by demons forcing you to set fire to
this man’s property and assault his servant?”
The fish seller nodded.
“I see,” the City
Defender went on. “I have heard this defense before and there is much in what
you say. Given your sterling character, I find it to be acceptable. I am
accepting it on condition you consult your church on appropriate ways to free
yourself of the demon possessing you. In addition I order you to make a large
donation to the church. No compensation is due to the owner of the property
under the circumstances. If he can collect
it from demons he is free to do so. You may go.”
The seller of fish
bowed, mumbled his gratitude, and scuttled away.
John hid his
consternation.
“Now,” said the City
Defender, “about the charges levied against you."
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