The God Killer

  "No wonder she's spent so much time in bed recently," said Hawk. "Her mind was out and about, attacking us in a Dark Man body. But why did she kill Bode?"

  Fisher shrugged. "Maybe he found out about the God killings, and wanted to call it off. She couldn't allow that. She killed him the same way she killed the Beings. She must really have panicked when she found out the same two Guards who investigated Bode's murder had been seconded to the God Squad. That's why she tried to get rid of us when we first arrived. And why she kept attacking us through the Dark Men. We were so close to the answer all along, and didn't know it… But then, why did she tell us she had cancer?"

  "Trying for sympathy, I expect," said Hawk. "Hoping that would distract us from seeing her as the killer. It almost worked. You don't expect a dying woman to be a murderer. We've got to get back to the Squad and confront her."

  "What's the hurry? She's not going anywhere in her weakened condition."

  "Oh no? What's to stop her leaving her dying body behind and living on in a healthy Dark Man body?"

  "A woman living in a man's body?" Fisher wrinkled her nose. "That's kinky."

  "Don't knock it till you've tried it. Now let's go. I wouldn't put it past Rowan to have a few more tricks up her sleeve. And we can't afford another dead God."

  Chapter Seven

  Return of the Dark Man

  The Street of Gods was unusually quiet. The riot had cleared the air somewhat, and most people were licking their wounds and waiting to see what would happen next. Guards and sorcerers walked the length of the Street, keeping the peace, backed by armored contingents from the Brotherhood of Steel. But in the side streets and back alleys, the dark and shadowed places of the Street of Gods, plots were hatched and plans were whispered. The God War drew steadily nearer, awaiting only one last deadly spark. Anticipation filled the air like the smell of spilt blood, feared and desired in equal measure, as man and God looked each to his own position and saw how it could be worse or better. Change had come to the Street of Gods, and whatever happened, nothing could ever be the same again. Four Beings had been proved to be merely mortal, and no God could feel entirely secure after that.

  Hawk and Fisher trudged wearily back to God Squad headquarters, following the shortest route the Street allowed. Hawk yawned continuously, too tired even to raise a hand to cover his mouth. Given the Street of Gods' eccentric attitude to the passing of time, he'd long ago lost track of what hour of which day it was, but it had been a hell of a long time since he'd last had any sleep. His feet were like lead, his legs ached, and his back was killing him. Getting old, Hawk. He smiled sourly. He always got gloomy when he was tired. Still, the sooner he and Fisher wrapped up this case, the better. The more tired you got, the more likely you were to make mistakes. And making mistakes on a case like this could get you killed.

  The few people still out on the Street gave Hawk and Fisher plenty of room. Word of their victory over the rogue Being had spread, and priests and worshippers alike kept to their best behavior while the two Guards were around. Even the street preachers lowered the volume a little as they passed.

  God Squad headquarters finally loomed up ahead, and Hawk allowed himself to relax a little. The small nondescript building, with its old-fashioned lamp shining brightly over the door, looked actually cosy. Almost there, almost over. All they had to do was face Rowan with what they knew, and she'd crack. They always did, when you had them dead to rights. Some villains even seemed relieved as you took them off to gaol, as though they were as tired of the chase as you were. And anyway, Rowan shouldn't be too difficult to handle. When all was said and done, without the Exorcist Stone in her hands she was nothing more than a minor league magic-user with a side line in potions. With the suppressor stone to protect them from her magic, they should be safe enough. As long as they didn't drink anything she offered them. A sudden thought struck Hawk, and he stopped dead in his tracks, his mind working furiously. Fisher stopped too, and looked at him.

  "Hawk? What's the matter?"

  "I just thought of something. We've been assuming Rowan transferred her mind into a Dark Man, then used the Exorcist Stone against the Beings. Right?"

  "Right."

  "But if the Exorcist Stone banished all the magic from the area, it should also have affected the homunculus Rowan was inhabiting. After all, that's how we beat the original Dark Man, remember? You fired up the suppressor stone, and he went out like a light. So if Rowan had used the Exorcist Stone, it would have knocked out the Dark Man she was using and thrown her back into her own body. Which means our whole theory has just gone up in smoke!"

  "Don't panic," said Fisher. "The Stone doesn't work that way. It isn't designed to affect everything in the area, or it would end up affecting itself, destroying its own power. It has built-in safety guards, like our suppressor stones, so that they don't affect themselves or the people using them. It's only common sense, after all. If you'd paid attention at the morning briefing when the suppressor stones were handed out, you'd have known that."

  "Sorry," said Hawk. "You know I'm never any good with technical stuff."

  "And you have the nerve to complain because I won't let you carry the suppressor stone…"

  "All right. No need to rub it in. Anything else I ought to remember about the stone?"

  "Yes…" said Fisher slowly. "Unlike the Exorcist Stone, our stones have only a limited amount of magic, and we've been using our stone a hell of a lot just recently. And before you ask: No, there's no telling how badly we've drained it, or how much magic there is left in the stone. These things are prototypes, remember?"

  "Great," said Hawk. "Just great." They looked at each other. "If we try and arrest Rowan, and the stone doesn't work, we're going to be in real trouble. Without the stone's magic to counteract hers, she'll just transfer her mind into a Dark Man body and disappear."

  "Then we'll just have to hope there is enough magic left in the stone to hold her," said Fisher.

  Hawk looked at her. "This case just gets better and better." He thought hard for a moment. "Look. How about if we get one of the others to use the Exorcist Stone? That should prevent her leaving her body."

  Fisher nodded. "All right. Who do we ask?"

  "Buchan. We can't trust Tomb. He's too close to Rowan."

  They continued on their way, frowning thoughtfully. Passersby gave them even more room than usual. The two Guards finally reached God Squad headquarters, and Hawk hammered on the door with his fist. Not the politest way to knock, but Hawk wasn't in a polite mood. There was a long pause, and then Buchan opened the door, sword in hand. He relaxed a little as he saw who it was, sheathed his sword, and nodded politely to them.

  "I was wondering what had happened to you two. Officially, we're still on emergency status, but things seem to have calmed down a lot now. The Street's quiet, and the Guard and the Brotherhood of Steel are out in force to make sure it stays that way."

  "I'll drink to that," said Hawk. "Is everyone here?"

  "Sure. Tomb and Rowan are talking upstairs. Want me to give them a call?"

  "Not just yet," said Hawk. "I think the three of us ought to have a word first. In the drawing room. It'll be more private."

  Buchan looked at him, and then at Fisher, his face cold but composed. He nodded stiffly, and led the way into the drawing room. Fisher closed the door behind them, and put her back against it so they wouldn't be interrupted before they were finished. Besides, she didn't want Buchan to have the option of leaving. He wasn't going to like what they had to tell him. Fisher couldn't blame him. It always comes hard to find someone you've trusted and fought beside is a traitor. Buchan looked at the two Guards evenly, his gaze firm and unyielding.

  "This is about Annette, isn't it?"

  "No," said Hawk. "Your secret's safe with us. It's irrelevant to our investigation. We need to talk to you, sir Buchan. We know who the God killer is."

  "You do? Who is it?" Buchan looked eagerly from Hawk to Fisher and back again. "Do you need my help
with the arrest? Is that it?"

  "In a way," said Fisher. "You'd better brace yourself, Buchan. You're not going to like this."

  Buchan frowned uncertainly. "What's going on here?"

  "It's Rowan," said Hawk. "She's the God killer. She killed all four beings, and the sorcerer Bode, too. Probably because he wouldn't go along with her plans."

  For a moment, Buchan's face was absolutely slack and empty. Then he shook his head in a dismissive gesture and laughed shakily. "You're crazy. You're out of your minds, both of you. It can't be her! She's one of us. Part of the God Squad. Has been for years. Besides, she's been ill; it couldn't be her."

  "It's her," said Hawk. "But she's not going to surrender herself easily. There might be trouble. We could use your help."

  "Do you have proof? Hard evidence?"

  "Some," said Hawk. "Enough. Now, will you help us?"

  "I don't really have a choice, do I?" said Buchan. "If I don't, you'll tell everyone about me and Annette. Right?"

  "No," said Fisher. "We don't work that way. Your secret's safe, whatever you decide. But we really could use some backup on this."

  "You were right," said Buchan. "I don't like this. What do you want me to do?"

  "First," said Hawk, "go up and tell Rowan and Tomb we're back and want to talk to them. If they ask what about, you don't know. Wait till they're safely downstairs, and then while we're having our little chat, you get hold of the Exorcist Stone and activate it. Hopefully our suppressor stone will be enough to hold her, but I'll feel better knowing you're there."

  "There's not to be any rough stuff," said Buchan. "I won't stand for any rough stuff. Rowan's done a lot of good work with the Squad, in her time. She even saved my life once. She deserves better than this."

  "She brought it on herself," said Fisher. "How many Guards died out there in the riot tonight, do you suppose? The riot she helped bring about?"

  "That's enough, Isobel," said Hawk. "He knows."

  Buchan turned and headed for the door. He opened it and stepped out into the hallway, then stopped and looked back at Hawk and Fisher. "You'd better be right about this. If you're not, if you're only guessing… I'll break you. Rowan is God Squad. We look after our own."

  He shut the door firmly behind him, just short of a slam. Hawk and Fisher looked at each other, and then moved as one to the drinks cabinet. They both felt very much in need of a stiff drink, or two.

  "He means it, you know," said Fisher.

  "Damn right he means it," said Hawk. "This could easily turn very nasty, lass. It wasn't until Buchan asked about proof and evidence that I realized how thin our case actually is. We can show motive and opportunity, and demonstrate how it could have been done, but we'd be hard pressed to prove any of it in Court."

  "It's a bit late for second thoughts," said Fisher. "We can't put this off; we have to confront her now. All it needs is one more dead Being and all hell will break loose on the Street of Gods. Probably quite literally. We'll just have to face Rowan with what we know, and hope she'll break down and confess."

  "And if she doesn't? If she laughs in our faces, and tells us we're crazy?"

  "Then I'll swear blind it was all your idea, and nothing to do with me."

  "Gosh, thanks," said Hawk. "What would I do without you?"

  Rowan and Tomb faced each other across Rowan's bedroom. Rowan was in a towering rage, her face dangerously flushed, but Tomb stood his ground.

  "You did what, Tomb?"

  "I ran a scanning spell on you," said Tomb. "A full body scan. I was worried about you. It seems I had every right to be. You're ill, Rowan, very ill. You have been for some time. Your body's riddled with cancers. I'm amazed you're still able to function as well as you do. I can only assume your potions are effective painkillers, if nothing else." His voice broke, and his pose broke with it. He looked miserably at her, almost pleading. "Why didn't you tell me. Rowan? Did you think you couldn't trust me?"

  "I didn't tell you," said Rowan coldly, "because I wanted to avoid a scene like this. How many times do I have to say it, Tomb? This is none of your business. I'm none of your business. I have no interest in your feelings, and your interest in me is annoying when it isn't intrusive. I want you to stay away from me. Dammit, Tomb, get the hell out of my life and leave me alone!"

  "I can't. You're dying, Rowan. You must know that. Your condition is so advanced now there's nothing sorcery can do for you anymore. Healers aren't miracle workers. Why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have helped you…"

  "I don't want your help! I don't need your help!"

  "At least let me tell Buchan. We can handle the God Squad work between us for a while. You have to rest, take things easy. We'll look after you."

  "You'd love that, wouldn't you? You do so love to fuss over me. Well, I haven't time for that nonsense anymore. I have things to do, and not much time to do them in."

  Tomb looked at her blankly. "Things? What things? What can be more important than this? We're talking about your life, Rowan! If you rest and take things easy, you could have months ahead of you yet. There are still some things I can do, some things I can try. If you don't rest, you'll be dead in a few weeks."

  Rowan looked away from him. "A few weeks," she said quietly. "I didn't realize it had got that close. Are you sure?"

  "Yes. I'm sorry, Rowan. My scan was very thorough, and there's no room for doubt. Please. Let me help you."

  "No." Rowan lifted her head and faced him squarely, perfectly composed. "I've chosen my way and I'll stick to it."

  "And if you're wrong?"

  "Then I'm wrong!" Rowan smiled suddenly. "Trust me. Tomb. Whatever happens, I'm not going to die."

  "Rowan, you have to face this. You can't just turn your back on it…"

  "Oh, shut up! Get out of here, Tomb. Find something else to do instead of pestering me. I have some thinking to do."

  There was a knock on the door, polite but firm. Rowan strode past Tomb without looking at him, opened the door, and glared at Buchan. "What do you want?"

  "Hawk and Fisher are back. They're waiting in the drawing room. They want to talk to us immediately. Apparently they've made a breakthrough on the God murders."

  "What kind of breakthrough?" asked Rowan.

  "They didn't give me any details. But they seemed quite excited."

  "This better be important," Rowan said, sweeping past him. "I have things to do."

  Tomb and Buchan followed her out of the room, each lost in his own separate thoughts.

  Rowan stormed into the drawing room and threw herself into her favorite chair. Hawk and Fisher stood together, their faces professionally calm, their hands resting on their sword belts. Rowan studied them both.

  "Buchan said something about a breakthrough. What have you found out?"

  "The truth," said Hawk. "It took us a while, but we finally got there. We know who the God murderer is."

  Tomb entered the room just in time to hear that, and brightened up a little. "Well, that is good news, Captain. When can we expect an arrest?"

  "I think you'd better sit down, sir Tomb," said Fisher. "Our news isn't exactly pleasant."

  Tomb's smile faded away. He made no move to sit down, and studied their faces closely. "What is this? I don't understand."

  "Rowan does," said Hawk. "Don't you. Rowan?"

  The mystic met his gaze unflinchingly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Captain."

  "All right," said Hawk. "We'll do it the hard way. Rowan, you're under arrest for the murder of four Beings, and the sorcerer Bode. You will come with us to Guard headquarters, where arrangements will be made for your trial. If you wish to make a confession, pen and paper will be provided."

  Hawk glanced at Tomb. The sorcerer was staring at him blankly. Rowan hadn't reacted at all, except for a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  "You must really be desperate, if you're reduced to making blind allegations like that," she said calmly. "What proof do you have? Where's your eviden
ce? I have a right to know why I'm being charged."

  "There'll be time for that later," said Fisher.

  "We'll talk about it now!" snapped Rowan. "I'm a member of the God Squad, in good standing. We have friends in high places. They won't stand by and let you lay all the blame on me, just because you're getting nowhere and the pressure's on you to make an arrest."

  "That's right," said Tomb quickly. "I think this has gone quite far enough. You must be mad, both of you. How could it be Rowan? She's been very ill, and was actually confined to her bed when the killings took place! I understand the pressure you must both be under, but I'm damned if I'll let you get away with this…"

  "That's enough!" Hawk's voice cut sharply across the sorcerer's bluster. "That's enough, sir Tomb. We have a job to do, and you're not making this any easier for anyone. We know how the murders were committed, and we know why. And if you weren't so blinded by your feelings for Rowan, you'd have probably worked it out for yourself long ago. Rowan, it's time to go. Is there anything you want to take with you, or anything you want to say?"

  "I don't think so," said Rowan.

  "You're not taking her anywhere!" said Tomb. "I told you; she's ill. She's in no condition to be locked up in some filthy cell. I won't allow it. If she has to be kept somewhere, until she can be proved innocent, she can stay here, under house arrest."

  "I'm afraid we can't allow that," said Fisher. "We have to follow procedure."

  "This is all irrelevant anyway," said Rowan. "None of you have the power to hold me anywhere."