Lair of Killers by Will Molinar Page B

his name, but the man was huffing and puffing and out of breath.
    “M-my lord, there’s a situation… taking place in the wealthy quarter. You must come at once!”
    Cassius eyed him and stood up straight. “Pardon me? I must do nothing of the sort. Who are you to bark orders at me, foolish boy? I shall not be ordered about like some common servant. Mind your tongue.”
    The young man blanched and nodded. “P-pardon me, my lord. Forgive me, I did not mean to interrupt.”
    “What is the matter?”
    “It’s very serious.”
    Cassius frowned. “I’m sure it is. Now, be a professional, get a hold of yourself and act like a rational being. Explain it to me without the hyperbole.”
    In halting, fear riddled speech, the youth explained there was a major hostage situation developing in the wealthy quarter. Cassius listened with growing perplexity. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. When the aide finished, he leaned forward, expecting more.
    “Yes? And?”
    The aide looked confused. “My lord, I-I’m sorry.”
    “You should be. I’m wondering why this situation is being brought to my attention.” He glanced around the office. “Is this a police station? Am I the captain of some private security force I was not aware? Tell me what you expect me to do about this.”
    “My lord, I thought you would… do something.”
    “You thought what? You thought I would ride off on a horse like a valiant knight and save these people. Of course you did because you are stupid. This is a matter for the police or City Watch. Go bother them.” The man was about to speak again, but Cassius shooed him away. “Get! Off with you!”
    It was so very difficult to find good help these days. Perhaps he should replace his entire staff, in every department. What a bother.
    The rest of the day was spent doing much of the same, tossing off annoying summons from various persons coming and going to his office. He was forced to have a word with his top aide. Cassius called him inside and the man popped his head over the door.
    “Yes, my lord?”
    “If one more person interrupts my work with business outside the scope of this office, I shall have your neck strung up on the gallows. Is that understood?”
    “Um, yes my lord. It won’t happen again.”
    “See that it doesn’t. Now get out.”
    The man ducked away as if demons chased him.
    Cassius left late at night, tired and irritable, with a dozen guards riding towards his palatial mansion under a full moon and cool air. Several minutes later, a large group of torches came into their vision as they approached the gates to the wealthy quarter. Cassius’ lethargic mind was on pace with his tired body, and he didn’t quite understand what was happening. His guardsmen slowed and surrounded him, but this did nothing but obscure his view of the torches and men who held them.
    “Move, you men, move!” he said and swatted them aside. He couldn’t remember the captain’s name. “Captain, uh, Dower, what is going on? I am tired and wish to go home.”
    The barrel-chested man turned in the saddle. “It’s Gower, my lord. I don’t know what’s going on.”
    “Then why don’t you go and find out, Captain Gower? So I can perhaps go to bed sometime this week.”
    Gower nodded and scampered off, taking two men with him. Cassius crossed his arms over his saddle’s pommel and tried not to fall asleep. A few minutes later the captain returned, looking afraid.
    “My lord, troubling news.”
    Cassius rubbed his face. “By the gods, what is it now? Are people conspiring to keep me from my bed?”
    “The security men here,” the captain said and indicated the men with the torches. “They said some men have hostages. They’ve taken the quarter.”
    Cassius snapped further awake. “What? Where are the police? You there!” he said and pointed at the closest security man by the gate.
    The man trotted over. “Lord Cassius, the situation is being handled. And the police are—”
    “The