Though Emmon Filgers was deep in thought he still had a knack for
dodging through the busy streets of Montfort, and for avoiding any quick
fingers that might seek his coin. ~There was a white cat
mentioned.....Amberghylles has a white cat....~ he pondered as he
headed towards the coliseum, and if he was remember rightly few had had a
chance to follow up on that lead. Bryce Amberghylles had been very
unapproachable ever since the initial discovery of the bloated body of Ournel's
secretary. ~But what the hell is new?~ the investigator told himself,
~Over half the suspects are unapproachable or as dodgy as a greased
flounder.~

As he approached the tall, gleaming white walls of the Coliseum he
didn't hold out much hope of seeing the necromancer, but persistence was the
key to his profession (if it didn't prove fatal) - so he smoothed his tunic
and approached the guard. After all, two leads had now converged; if he
could gain a meeting with Amberghylles there would be questions about
the white cat, _and_ about a colorful mage.

"Good Day to you," he said in a polite, precise tone, "I wish to speak
with Mr. Amberghylles about a issue of some importance."

[Shiva]

 The barbarian woman looked him over silently for a few long seconds.
 "The necromancer is in there," she said, pointing towards the huge
brass
 doors that stood open. As she did the sunlight glinted off the seamless
 steel bracer she wore.  "Though I warn you, he's in a foul temperament
 today."

 [Emmon]

~Maybe I ought to pay attention to the omens about this job,~ the
blond-haired detective told himself, ~Half the suspects are scarce and
when I do find them they are either colder, literally, than the Hells,
or its a necromancer in a foul mood. And I'm getting a neck ache from
looking up ....~

Aloud he said, "I'll try not to take up much of Mr. Amberghylle's
valuable time...But it is a matter of importance, so if you could announce
me?"

 [Shiva]

She nodded and reached back to a small pull-chain.  Seconds later a
petite woman in silks emerged from the doorway.  The seamless metal band
around her neck matched Shiva's in design, except it was smaller.

"Escort this gentleman to see Master Amberghylles.  He's here on a
matterof some importance."

The girl nodded to her and then bowed to Emmon. "Follow me sir," she
said in soft voice.  Then she turned and led the detective through the
Coliseum's main entrance.  They walked the length of the main corridor
until they emerged into the central arena.

The area was bustling with workmen mostly zombies, but with a breathing
supervisor for each group of five or so.  They were busily dismantling
a vast array of decorations.  Standing in the middle of them was a
willowy man with long red hair.  His silken robe shimmered in the sunlight
turning a dazzling rainbow of colors.  At his side sat a large snow white cat
wearing a golden collar set with a huge ruby. "That is Master
Amberghylles," his guide told him, "Please wait here while I announce
you, sir."

[Emmon]

"I will," Filgers said, somewhat absently, though his eyes followed the
graceful woman as she went to her master. While he didn't claim to be a
saint he found that he had problems with the idea of such beauty being
enslaved.

[Bryce Amberghylles]

The graceful necromancer turned from the slave to eye Emmon with one
raised eyebrow.  He and his cat walked over to the detective. "I am
told you have important business?  What is it?"

[Emmon Filgers]

"I appreciate you seeing me," Emmon said, "It is of most importance
....having to do with the murder investigation which is ongoing."


[Bryce Amberghylles]

"A death," he said simply, "Well, death is my stock and trade.  Which
murder and how can I be of assistance?"

[Emmon]

Emmon nodded and said, "I'm helping in the Menagrem investigation, and
have had a report that one of our witnesses has been seen on your
premises. He is not in trouble, but is needed for his testimony."

 [Bryce]

"I was not aware that anyone here was involved in that matter," he said
curtly, "Besides, the man's guilt is hardly in question, I don't see
why they are going to so much trouble over his trial."  Bryce paused as a
trellis of roses was pulled down.  "Well, who is this witness your
looking for?"

[Emmon Filgers]

The stocky half-elf gave a small shrug. There were a lot of people in
Montfort who just wanted to see a good hanging and have the issue done,
but then, there were a lot of people who were determined to prove that
Montfort was again civilized. As for himself, he took a middle
ground. Montfort was a town of extremes; things from a demon's drunk
dreams crawled through the shadows, but those at its heart dreamed a
dream of pure light. And he had to give the rebuilders credit - they weren't
untried idealists; all of them had been forged in this hells' cauldron.

"I don't have a name, but I've been informed that he has been seen on
your premises. A stocky mage with black hair and a highly colorful taste in
clothing."

Emmon's gaze traveled noncommittally over the white cat. That would be
a tidbit he'd offer to the Guard; the cat was part of the investigation
into the murder of the Ournel's secretary, and not an aspect of the current
Menagrem trial. The investigator knew that the court hadn't had enough
evidence to charge Menagrem with the secretary's murder; so they were
going after him on charges of killing his girlfriend. But there were
alot of loose ends in regards to the royal secretary. Loose ends that would
be unhealthy for him to pursue.

[Bryce]

Bryce sighed.  "The Coliseum is not yet open to the public, and there
is noone in my service who matches that description.  I don't know who
told you to look here but they must have been mistaken.  Now if you'll
excuse me, I have quite a few expensive decorations to tear down." He began to
turn away from the detective.

[Emmon]

The detective's gaze lightly traveled over the remnants of decorations.
He had heard something had gone wrong, seriously wrong, with the mage's
wedding plans.

"Would your guards keep taps on the infirmary's patrons?" he asked
before Byrce could completely turn his attention to the dismantling.

[Bryce]

The necromancer turned and grabbed the girl who had led Emmon here by
the arm.  She gasped as he jerked her around and up like nothing more than
a child's ragdoll.  "Go find out if there's been anyone in the infirmary
who matches the description of this missing spellcaster."  Then he dropped
her.  The girl uttered a quick "Yes Master" and rubbed the already
darkening bruise as she all but ran towards one of the various gateways
that ringed the arena.

"You will have an answer in a few minutes."


[Emmon]

Only years of experience kept Emmon from taking a swing at the
necromancer, and it wasn't fear of magic or guards that stopped
him. Growing up dockside had taught him that you couldn't save
everyone. But.....if he ever got something dirty on Amberghylles he'd
happily hand it over to whomever would hurt the necromancer worse.

A sick little twist in his conscience made him ask himself, ~Then why
are you working for Menagrem's defense attorney? Do you really have any
doubts that the weasel killed his lady?~ The only answer he could give his
conscience was, ~What I'm digging up probably won't clear him....it
just will give him a fair trial. And that counts too.~ His conscience wasn't
impressed.

Aloud he spoke neutrally, and said, "Thank you. That will help
considerably."

[Bryce and Azriel]

Bryce turned and stormed over towards one of the work crews, where he
began to shout at the supervisor loudly.

The white cat looked up at Emmon and licked one paw.  "He's not
normally this short-tempered, but with the wedding falling through and all..."

[Emmon Filgers]

Filgers recovered from his shock quickly. He had never been one to let
information go to waste.

After a quick swallow he said, "Oh, I could see where that would make a
gentleman short-tempered.....I had heard a little about that but have
been rather busy since." He nodded and took on the attitude of someone
trying to pass a wait with some good conversation, "Originally it was the talk
of the town....A lavish wedding at the same time as the festival, with the
bride's gown being done by one of the best seamstresses in town." No
need to mention that Councilwoman Crisir held that honor due to the fact
that there were so few dressmakers in town.

Emmon shrugged and eyed the talking cat with friendly curiosity. "Then
..all of the sudden.. nothing...."

[Azriel]

"Well, you know how things can be," the cat replied calmly, "The bride
changed her mind and left.  Returned to her people from what I've
heard. So who is this man you're looking for?  Not another suspect surely."

[Emmon]

The investigator nodded, "Women can be so fickle sometimes...." He
pretended like he was thinking of a past lady or two, and after shaking
his head he added, "Not a suspect. Just a needed witness."


[Azriel]

"A witness?" she asked with a note of surprise, "I thought they had
enough witnesses to bury that despicable thug.  Or does this have something to
do with his other victim?"

[Emmon]

~Wouldn't you love to know, cat,~ Emmon thought; realizing that a
talking cat opened up whole new vistas on the secretary's murder. "Well they
want to be thorough and fair with this being the first case to be tried by
the new court in Montfort...."

He weighed his options and decided to stir the water a little, "As for
the other victim - that case is still open. The mage I'm looking for was at
the fire but who knows what his full involvement might be."


 [Bryce, Azriel and slave]

"Well, Netit Vanit deserves justice as much as that little girl does.
I hope you find what you need to hang them both around Mr. Menagrem's
worthless neck."

Just then, the slave emerged from the gateway.  She crossed the sands
to where Bryce stood, and then the both of them rejoined Emmon and Azriel.

 "Sir," the slave began breathlessly, "There are no records of anyone
 matching the description you gave of being in the clinic that day or
 night."

 "So," Bryce interjected, "I believe that concludes your business here.
 I am sorry we could not be of more help."

 [Emmon]

"Thank you," Emmon said gently to the slave girl, and then turned to
Bryce and said, "And thank you, Mister Amberghylles, for you time and your
help."

He started to turn and then stopped, and asked, "Would you mind if I
stopped back tomorrow? It just dawned on me that this mage may have
become a patient later on, and it would be of _great_ help if I could find
out."

[Bryce]

"Where is your office?" Bryce asked, "I'll have Azriel check to see if
this man has ever been to the clinic and bring the information to you
later."

[Emmon]

Filgers grinned and said, "Just drop it by the Dragon's Inn...for
Emmon." He chuckled, "I get better food there."

No need to let them, or anyone, too near his home territory, and
anyway, he might get one of the waitresses to eyeball the cat. There'd been
speculation that the white cat seen with Netit Vanit had been Byrce's,
but there had been no absolute proof.

[Bryce]

"The Dragon's Inn it is then.  She'll bring you the information as soon
as she finishes checking the records."

[Emmon]

After thanking Bryce Amberghylles again Emmon took a wandering route
back to his office at The Rampant Jackal to write up his notes. And since it
would be a while before he could meet William at the Dragon's Inn the
investigator took a little time to stroll over to the Tower Guard. He
thought it prudent to drop a friendly word in their ear that Mr.
Amberghylles was back around - with his lovely, _talking_ white cat.