things back,’ Ethman added in a weak voice. It seemed as though the words had slipped out involuntarily, or that at the last moment he’d decided to say something else.
‘So you were all here at the time of the murder?’ Darius waved his hand casually, gesturing towards the communal areas.
‘Yes, sir.’ The dwarf shuddered, clearly unable to shake off the horrific memory.
‘Did anyone new turn up that day? Anyone suspicious or out of the ordinary?’
‘Business as usual. Merchants come in almost every evening, and the mercenaries accompanying them often look rather shady.’ The innkeeper shrugged. ‘Nothing out of the ordinary happened; everyone was just thinking about a cold beer.’
‘And nothing happened earlier in the day?’ Bleist pressed on.
‘No, I don’t recall anything like that.’
‘Do soldiers often come here?’ Darius changed the subject.
‘Once or twice a month.’ The innkeeper fell into thought. ‘It depends on how their patrols and supply deliveries go. They were here two weeks ago, so it’ll probably be another week before they turn up. Not counting the ones who came for the body, of course.’ He added quickly.
‘The soldier you saw arguing with the victim, can you describe him?’ Earl turned to the Watchmen this time.
‘Tall, slim, dark hair and an unremarkable face.’ McKinnon spread his hands apologetically, as if to say he hadn’t noticed anything else.
‘Has anything changed in Mr Rocha’s behaviour since you arrived here?’ Darius pressed on. ‘Apart from what you’ve already described to me, of course.’
‘Not really.’ McKinnon shook his head vigorously.
‘He kept glancing at the door.’ Ethman suddenly interjected.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well… While we were sitting down here, he kept glancing towards the entrance, and every time anyone came in.’ The Watchman shrugged. ‘I thought he was waiting for something. Maybe he’d sent a message to his family? Or something like that.’ The young man looked flustered.
‘About his family,’ Darius looked at the priest. ‘The reverend probably knows all the townsfolk best. Where can I find Roch’s family?’
The priest looked surprised that the officer was
