We moved to the meeting room.


    I helped Val carry the barrel, which we put in the corner as we sat down on either side of Master James, who took his seat at the head of the table. Val was on his right and I was on his left.


    The original group who was here this morning was back, except for Winey, who was dead and Eveth, who was doing something else.


    “This is preposterous!” Lewiu was covered in dirt. How am I supposed to get any work done if I keep getting called in here?”


    Master James smiled at the miner, “If you truly believe that this is such an inconvenience, then I will bring you back to the Island with me once this is all over and you can personally complain to the Council.”


    The gray haired man lost the color in his face. “I…um… I’m not put out that much. I just don’t like this back and forth game.”


    “I assure you, this investigation won’t take long.” Master James looked at Helru, “I’d like you to get me a list of people who weren’t at the wall.”


    “It was none of my people.” Lewiu crossed his arms. “There’s only one way in and out of the mine and I was standing in it until a few minutes ago.”


    “Everyone who wasn’t working for that slavedriver was at the wall.” Gili crossed her arms in front of her as she leaned back in her seat, “We shut down almost the whole town.” His eyes narrowed, “Except for ya,, Narder.” She leaned forward. “Ya went to go see why Winey hadn’t shown up.”


    “I didn’t kill him. Honest!” Narder looked around the room for an ally.


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    Fyga scooted her chair away from him. She touched something on her goggles, but I couldn’t see that it did anything.


    “”Seriously! I found him like that and went to get help!” Narder pointed at Felge, “What about you?” You were still with him when I left with the barrel and your men!”


    Felge’s face got red, “Why would I want him dead?” He slammed his fist on the table. “We had just signed a deal that stated that I would be the sole person to transport his cure around the continent!” He fished his hand into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. He threw it on the table. “Winey and I were about to be the richest people in the world!”


    “What happened when you left?” Master James reached over and began reading the contract.


    “Winey said he had some things he wanted to show the Bokor and he’d be along.” Felge sat back down in his chair. “He was alive when I left him.”


    “What about the rest of you?” Master James offered the contract back to the balding man.


    “I was at the wall with my people getting ready for the show.” Gili pointed her thumb at the barrel in the corner.


    “Since the Bokor went north…” Berthre nodded at me, “The Wranglers did a loop to the south. We got back just before the Bokor did.”


    “I’ve been here all morning dealing with administrative things.” Helru shook her head, “There are multiple assistants who can vouch that I didn’t move until the Bokor came back.”


    Master James looked at the blonde doctor. “What about you?”


    “I was with patients.” Wreda swallowed and adjusted her glasses. She looked nervous, but I felt nervous and I hadn’t killed Winey. This was a little too intense for my liking.


    “How long was it between when you saw Winey?” Master James looked at Narder.


    “A little over an hour.” the young man replied.


    Master James nodded. “Does anyone have any of the crystals, or…” He looked at Lewiu, “Can you find me one?”


    The mining boss shrugged, “I don’t have one on me, but I’m sure one will turn up soon. They aren’t common, but the next one I find is yours.”


    “Splendid!” Master James stood up. “Now, if you would kindly direct us to our lodging, my companions and I have a lot to discuss.”