The mummy took some time getting situated. Something about the way he answered questions made him sound more like he was recording a history instead of responding to Happigo.
"I did not go anywhere after dinner. I stayed in the dining room, examining some of young Venetti's sculptures. Mmm. Quite new things. Mmm."
Corund, in person, had a vampire-like quality of mystery. Anyone with a bandaged face, masking all the muscular movements that grant an insight into a mind, might be considered mysterious. Corund radiated agelessness, and was a living lexicon of the rise and fall of entire peoples. The ancient gems seated in his rings hinted at the legendary adventures of times past. His eyes were painted with the drying of rivers, the shifting of seasons, the swelling of seas and the rotting of forests. It was possible that this was the oldest living creature in the world. Here he sat, reduced to nothing but an answer box for a momentary inquisition--an event that a thousand years hence would barely register in his memories--and Happigo felt a little diminished.
"Corund..." Happigo started, not sure how to address him. Mummies usually had and used one name, with no honorific titles. "To be blunt, did you see anything? Hear anything? Have you any idea who might have done this?"
"Well, if the pup had enemies, I was unaware of them. I doubt young Venetti would be so bold, and they were fine friends. The two siblings hardly knew him. And, mmm, why would a maid as loyal as Nist, and with her particular intentions, ever do such a thing to a friend of her mistress?"
"There was nothing out of the ordinary?" Happigo asked wondering when Corund had become the investigator.
"I'm afraid that no, mmm, I can't really say I noticed anything unusual. Although...was it something that I heard break? Yes, I think that good creature in the kitchen smashed something. I'm not sure."
Happigo tapped her fingers on the armchair. After a moment, she smiled gently. "Thank you, Corund. If you'll excuse me, I must see the victim now."
She stood and took a bow. The mummy stood as well, and also bowed. It took a moment. Mummies had a glacial quality of movement.
When he was gone, Happigo glanced down at Lily. "Hey. Hey, alpha. What's with that look?"
LIly crossed her arms. "I don't much care for their kind. I mean, not as people. They're fine as people. They just all smell wrong to me."
"Is there a word for that?" Happigo asked, half-jokingly. "Scentist?"
Lily blinked at Happigo. "No. Not like that at all. I was terrible at school. That's why I'm doing this with you."