Chapter 86 Bones.

New Larrin’s Courthouse was, like the city itself, divided and segregated based entirely on wealth and station. Though laws were said to be applied evenly, this was more a gesture of equality than a practical equality.

For the rabble it was the lower depths of the courthouse, crowded and smoky, with petty criminals rubbing shoulders with murderers, gruff bailiffs, weary attorneys, and judges who just wanted to get through the caseload of criminals and fill the gibbets before dinner time.

Here, the philosophy was everyone was guilty of something, so justice was served, regardless of sentence.

The nobility, wealthy merchants, knights, and landowners of course couldn’t be hanged willy nilly. Someone important might object.

They were entitled to legal redress in the upper courts. These were alabaster halls that echoed with footsteps. The bailiffs wore fine dress uniforms, and the judges were rested, attentive, and frequently attended the homes of those called before them.

The attorneys wore new robes and the most expensive powdered wigs. This was the court of Countess Vargaras. The one to which Ava Copperman was called for arbitration.

"We will accept this opportunity," Groan Bones said, adjusting his dusty wig, their footsteps echoing in the solemn halls. "It might be that this is a matter of intimidation – an attempt to deny the freedom of the press by other means – in which case it might be possible to settle without a full trial and then move on."

"I don’t like the sound of that," Ava said, frowning.

"I don’t either," Slade growled, hurrying up the stairs alongside Ava. "Why is this happening at night? Because Riza will be there. She might make her move."

"I know Judge Meloch," Bones said. "He’s an old hand, but he respects the law. He would never allow a defendant to be killed by the plaintiff’s lawyer during arbitration. It’s bad look. And Riza wouldn’t dare anger the judiciary."

"After, then," Slade said, fingering a wooden stake hidden inside his duster. "Be on your guard at all times."

Bones sniffed. "Always good advice. Particularly after what occurred last night."

Ava furrowed her brow and tried to sound tough. "Don’t worry, I’ll be on the lookout for any bloodthirsty barristers when we’re coming and going. Now... wait a second. What happened last night?"

Bones took his pocket watch out and inspected the face. "Ah, we’re running late. You really don’t want to annoy Judge Meloch."

"I think we can wait for this," Slade said, grabbing Bones’ sleeve. "Let’s hear it, old man."

"Hm," Bones said, pulling his arm free. "Very well. I’ve just had word that the Silver Griffons were over at Lady Primrose’s estate. It seems the fine lady was slain. Drained of blood."

"Oh my gods!" Ava gasped, hands flying to her mouth. "And Thorag?"

Bones shook his head. "If it is any consolation, he died bravely. But not even an orc is a match for a vampire."

"Bitch! She killed them both," Slade growled, his enlarged canines growing larger and fur sprouting between his eyebrows.

Ava turned to Slade, almost collapsing as he caught her in his powerful arms. Her eyes stung, but she managed not to cry. Thorag had been at the heart of one of her biggest stories. He had been a formidable lover. And now, he was dead. Because of her.

"My condolences, Ava," Bones said with all the compassion of a block of wood. "I was expecting something like this. Underhanded tactics are common in these high stakes cases and Lady Primrose was perhaps the only person alive who could corroborate your full story. But I really must insist we continue into the courthouse. We cannot keep Judge Meloch waiting."

Ava swallowed, nodding grimly. That’s right. There would be time for tears later. Setting her face, Ava pushed out of Slade’s arms and followed Bones once more down the empty halls. Bones at last found the door he was looking for, nodded at Slade. "Wait outside," he said.

The hunter started. "What? But..."

"Riza is not stupid. She won’t attack us here in the Palace of Law. And this is a meeting between only those involved in the case."

Slade growled, but reluctantly nodded. "If I hear anything going wrong in there..."

"Yes yes," Bones said, idly waving as he opened the door and led Ava inside.

It was a plain room, but gloomy. The curtains were drawn and candles were arrayed along special alcoves around the walls, their dim light glittering off gold enamel and finery. Four chairs faced each other, with one set at the head of the table. The far ones were occupied.

Riza von Lazarus rose as they entered. Dressed all in black, she exuded a grim elegance, the same red ribbon around her throat, a small hat shading her eyes with a dark veil. Her monocle gleamed like a silver disc in the light of the candles.

Beside her was Countess Vargaras, as lovely as Ava remembered. She had a more mature beauty than the cool, ageless loveliness of Riza.

Slightly plump, her gown flattered her large breasts with a low cut and a tight bodice. She sat with steely primness, her lips pursed as she looked at Ava, but there was enough venom in that look to put down a bull elephant.

And yet, that was nothing compared to the hostility that crackled when Riza and Groan Bones’s eyes met.

"Bones," the vampire said, smiling, showing the pearly white of her fangs. "How good to see you. I was afraid someone had tried to bury you again."

"Riza," the zombie said stiffly. "I see no one has done us the service of staking you."

"I’d hate to go to the grave before you, my dear sir."

"Likewise of course."

Bones stepped forward, coughing, a bit of dust escaping his mouth as he laid out his briefcase, but Ava couldn’t wait a moment more and jumped forward, slamming her hands down on the table.

"Why did you kill Lady Primrose?" Ava demanded.