admission, however, as the unseen saviour on the rooftops chose this moment to
dump the assassin’s body to the street. The two men studied it with disdain.
‘Though I appreciate your intervention,’ the Hell Hound commented drily, ‘it
would have been nice to take him alive. I’ll admit a passing curiosity as to who
sent him.’
‘I can tell you that.’ The hawk-masked figure smiled grimly. ‘It’s Kurd’s money
that filled that assassin’s purse, though it puzzles me why he would bear you
such a grudge.’
‘You knew about this in advance?’
‘One of my informants overheard the hiring in the Vulgar Unicorn. It’s amazing
how many normally careful people forget that a man can hear as well as talk.’
‘Why didn’t you send word to warn me in advance?’ ‘I had no proof.’ The black
man shrugged. ‘It’s doubtful my witness would be willing to testify in court.
Besides, I still owed you a debt from our last meeting… or have you forgotten
you saved my life once?’
‘I haven’t forgotten. As I told you then, I was only doing my duty. You owed me
nothing.’
‘… And I was only doing my duty as a Rankan citizen in assisting you tonight.’
Jubal’s teeth flashed in the moonlight.
‘Well, whatever your motive, you have my thanks.’
Jubal was silent a moment. ‘If you truly wish to express your gratitude,’ he
said at last, ‘would you join me now for a drink? There’s something I would like
to discuss with you.’
‘I… I’m afraid I can’t. It’s a long walk to your … house and I ‘~ have
duties tomorrow.’ .
‘I was thinking of the Vulgar Unicorn.’