The Waylaid Count (19)

 19

Where Did You Go?

From: Pops

To: Vixie

Dear Vixie,

I wish I knew where you  This mystery that has attached itself to my cruiseshuttle, and I am struggling to solve it especially without you to bounce ideas off. Although I have laughed at the police for their fruitless efforts, I have found my own to be no better. I do not wish my impeccable cruiseshuttle to be the subject of sinister rumors. 

I have worried my brain without result. I conducted that elaborate private investigation without result. The police told me that they were pursuing a clue, but it is always the business of the police to pursue a clue. Unfortunately, they seldom have more than a clue, and a clue without some sequel to it is a pretty stupid business. The only sure thing in the whole affair is that a cloud rests over my cruiseshuttle—the finest of its kind. The cloud is not interfering with business, but it is a cloud. I fiercely resent its presence—or rather my inability to dissipate it.

That said, I am writing because there have been many new developments here on the ship that I can’t wait to share with you. Mr. Salas Leviri wanted to speak with me alone a couple days ago. At first, I thought he really wanted to see Rocco for a menu request, but then I decided I would like to talk with Mr. Leviri. 

The great stockbroker entered my suite with a simple unassuming air. He was a rather short, florid man, dressed like a typical financier with too much jewelry and clothing too tight around the waist. In his hand, he held a gold-headed cane and an absolutely new silk hat. I believe Mr. Leviri purchases a new hat every day of his life, except possibly the holidays when shops are closed. He seemed to be slightly embarrassed, but at the same time his face disclosed a certain good-naturedness.

After the usual greetings, I decided he was an honest man. He was also to the point. He quickly asked me why we had stationed a private detective among the guests at his ball. 

I could not hide my shock at this question, and he quickly assured me that it was a small matter, but he wanted to let me know he objected on the principle of the thing. 

I assured him that I would never dream of hiring a detective for a ball unless the person renting the ballroom requested it. 

At that point, he informed me that there was a man at the ball not on the guest list. Someone at the ball informed him it was one of our waiters, but he did not do any waiting during the event. This waiter had apparently done his share of drinking and of watching the guests. 

I then realized he must be referring to Julbo, I then explained to him about how he had been fired and then claimed to have been a guest at the ball. 

He was satisfied by this answer, and when I asked if he knew of Julbo, he informed me he did not know him and he had not been invited to the ball, which satisfied my curiosity on that end. 

Mr. Leviri then asked why I had dismissed him, but, as you know, I had no real reason other than my general dislike for him and my belief he acted suspiciously. 

At that point, Mr. Leviri mused aloud as to why Julbo, who was by my statement, well-known—why he would think he could come to the ball unrecognized. Then, he quickly finished with all the formalities of a goodbye before heading to the door. However, upon reaching it, he stopped and asked about the strange things that had recently occurred. 

I asked if he had any information about those things, and he said he didn’t think he did exactly. At that, I asked him to return to his chair so we could discuss them. Once he had done that, I told him I was willing to put my cards on the table if he showed his.

He shocked me then by informing me that he had planned to meet with Count Yougen on Majriti, but he had not been summoned. In exchange for this information, he asked my motive for buying the cruiseshuttle, and I gave it to him. I thought he might not believe me, but with a smile, he told me he had once bought a similar item on the same lines. He further told me it was one of the best purchases he had made and hoped the Ritzavoy XI would prove to be a similar good investment for me.

He then explained that Count Yougen was due here the day Lodimmick died. He was concerned that not only had the Count failed to appear, but he had not seen anything about him that explained the reason in the news. It was then he revealed the Count was meeting him to procure from him a loan!

I was unaware that Mr. Leviri was in the business of loaning out large sums to the leaders of Majriti, but it appears that is one of his many trades. 

However, I believe it is an important clue to know that the Count was deeply in debt, despite his young age, and that Mr. Leviri was to be the only way he could see himself out of them. Further, I learned that the woman the Count is to marry was unaware of this state of his financial affairs, which is why he wanted to settle all of them through this loan before her family discovered it and called off the wedding. 

I questioned Mr. Leviri a little longer because it seemed to me that the Emperor would find out that the debts were not simply discharged but rather converted into a loan, but Mr. Leviri said he was an old hand at keeping things like this quiet, especially since the silence was only temporary and after the marriage it could leak out because General Skyna was so rich she could cover the loan. 

Most concerning to Mr. Leviri was that he could not sit on the money necessary for the loan much longer. The Count needs to show up immediately or risk losing it all. He believes that Lodimmick’s death is somehow tied to the missing Count because Lodimmick was a left-handed relation of the Count—although apparently few know that. He was made secretary and companion to General Ribereus just to keep him in the domestic circle. Apparently, Lodimmick’s mother was a woman whose misfortune was that she was too beautiful. 

What he could not put his finger on was why anyone should want to make Count Yougen disappear because the Count apparently doesn’t have an enemy in the world. 

As for me, the reason seemed clear: Suppose some other pauper Count was anxious to marry General Skyna and obtain her fortune, wouldn’t that Count have an interest in stopping Leviri’s loan to Count Yougen? Wouldn’t that Count have an interest in causing Count Yougen to disappear—at any rate, for a time?”

These are the conclusions I reached, Vixie, and I do wish you would let me know what you think of them.

Sincerely,

Your Pops 

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