'Of course.' She got up and started to walk to the door, her dress swishing on the carpet behind her. She paused halfway, looked over her shoulder, biting her lip. She went to the cabinet and opened it, pulled out the bottle and the glass. She shrugged her shoulders. 'I need something.'

'Don't we all,' whispered Glokta at her back as she went out.

Mauthis stepped through the door a moment later. The same sharp bones in his face, the same cold eyes in deep sockets. There was something changed in his demeanour, however. A certain nervousness. A certain anxiety, perhaps?

'Why, Master Mauthis, what an almost unbearable honour it is to—'

'You may dispense with the pleasantries, Superior.' His voice was shrill and grating as rusty hinges. 'I have no ego to bruise. I prefer to speak plainly.'

'Very well, what can I—'

'My employers, the banking house of Valint and Balk, are not pleased with your line of investigation.'

Glokta's mind raced. 'My line of investigation into what?'

'Into the murder of Crown Prince Raynault.'

'That investigation is concluded. I assure you that I have no—'

'Speaking plainly, Superior, they know. It would be easier for you to assume that they know everything. They usually will. The murder has been solved, with impressive speed and competence, I may say. My employers are delighted with the results. The guilty man has been brought to justice. No one will benefit from your delving any deeper into this unfortunate business.'

That is speaking very plainly indeed. But why would Valint and Balk mind my questions? They gave me money to frustrate the Gurkish, now they seem to object to my investigating a Gurkish plot? It makes no sense… unless the killer did not come from the South at all. Unless Prince Raynault's murderers are much closer to home…

'There are some loose ends that need to be tied,' Glokta managed to mumble. 'There is no need for your employers to be angry—'

Mauthis took a step forward. His forehead was glistening with sweat, though the room was not hot. 'They are not angry, Superior. You could not have known that they would be displeased. Now you know. Were you to continue with this line of investigation, knowing that they are displeased… then they would be angry.' He leaned down towards Glokta and almost whispered. 'Please allow me to tell you, Superior, as one piece on the board to another. We do not want them angry.' There was a strange note in his voice. He does not threaten me. He pleads.

'Are you implying,' Glokta murmured, scarcely moving his lips, 'that they would inform Arch Lector Sult of their little gift to the defence of Dagoska?'