Murder in Megara by Eric Mayer Page A

into the water. “Before you say anything, Cornelia, yes, I will investigate this wretched matter. Now let’s say nothing more about it and just sit together for a while and enjoy the scenery!”

Chapter Fourteen
    The cooling effect of the tepid bath didn’t last as long as it took John to interview Peter. By the time he left the room where Peter remained in bed, although now propped up on pillows, he felt as sticky and uncomfortable as he had before.
    The old servant seemed confused. His memories of the previous night were at some points fragmentary and at others nonexistent. He paused often, fumbled for words. Except for the accident and the likelihood he was still suffering from the shock of it, John would have suspected he was being evasive.
    â€œYou don’t need to be concerned, master. The Lord was watching over me. I have tried hard to remember everything and I finally recalled that while I lay in the bottom of the pit I dreamed that an angel in robes emblazoned with golden crosses stood watch over me.” A look of bewilderment crossed his face. “Before that I could only remember the nightmares that came afterward. I must have been safely at the monastery by then, nearly awake and feeling my bruises.”
    Hypatia had stood in the doorway looking on with disapproval, her arms folded. “Perhaps his memories will come back when he has recovered, master,” she offered when John had given up his questioning.
    There didn’t seem to be anything to be learned that hadn’t been divulged earlier when Peter arrived home. Peter had left the house in a dark humor. Hypatia followed but failed to find him. Peter fell into a pit and was rescued by a monk from Saint Stephen’s Monastery who had ventured onto the estate to see what the commotion at the temple meant. Peter had remained at the monastery for hours, explaining why neither the City Defender’s men nor the workers sent out by John had located him.
    â€œYou haven’t recalled anything you didn’t tell me this morning, Hypatia? Nothing has come back to you? Perhaps some detail you forgot due to your concerns for Peter?”
    â€œNo, master.”
    â€œYou are sure you saw no one else on the estate while you were searching for Peter? You didn’t hear anyone?”
    â€œNo. Nothing.”
    John heard a hesitancy in her voice. “This isn’t just about Theophilus. Whoever murdered him probably meant, at the very least, to drive us out of Megara. For all we know Peter was also attacked. We’re assuming he fell into the pit by accident but he can’t actually recall how he got there so we cannot be certain.”
    Hypatia glanced over her shoulder into the room where Peter was lying and lowered her voice. “I talked to Philip, master. You know the watchmen were out and about as usual. I asked him if he had seen Peter, but he hadn’t. I’m afraid Peter would misinterpret matters if he knew about my talking to Philip.”
    â€œWhere did you and Philip have this talk?”
    â€œHe was patrolling the ridge overlooking the sea, not far from the temple.”
    â€œHe hadn’t noticed anyone?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œI will have to question him. He might have seen something after you parted.”
    Hypatia glanced nervously back into the bedroom again and John’s gaze followed hers. Peter lay with his eyes closed, looking old and frail.
    â€œIf Peter remembers anything else, let me know. He may be more inclined to speak to you. And be careful and aware of your surroundings, Hypatia. Pretend you’re back at the palace.”
    â€œYou think Peter’s in danger?” Her dark eyes widened as she grasped John’s meaning. “If someone attacked Peter or pushed him into that pit, because he saw something…”
    â€œWe need to be alert to every possibility.”
    He went back out into the oven of the courtyard. Why had she been so reluctant to