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Stories from the Verse
Old Verses New
Chapter 87: Kondor 71
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Chapter 86: Brown 29
When the detectives arrived, they found Kondor and Krannitz still on the loading dock. "What's this about?" the older one asked.
"I believe that Mr. Krannitz has our missing Vorgo," Kondor said. He then proceeded to explain his theory of the crime once again. He did not go into as much detail, but did add that when he left, Krannitz was working with the maintenance crew to clear the stage.
"That's a very interesting theory, Mr. Kondor," the detective said after a moment. "So, according to you, the Vorgo must be in that table?" He pointed to the trick table from which Kondor had emerged.
"I would say so. It's possible that he has another prop with a trick compartment which he used, but I don't remember any other likely objects on the stage that night. And although he might have moved it since, anyone here would have recognized it so he probably would have thought it safer to leave it where it was until he was well away from the museum. Besides, no one ever suggested before today that he might have it, so he hasn't been under any pressure to take the chance of moving it."
"Mr. Krannitz," the other officer said, "would you mind opening the compartment in that table?"
"This is ridiculous," Krannitz said. "I don't think I have to do this."
"No, sir, you don't," said the first officer. "But we can certainly detain you for questioning, and I believe we have enough to warrant searching your equipment. So if you're not guilty you might as well just open the compartment and show us that it's empty and we're on the wrong track entirely, or if you're guilty you can stand here with Detective Robards while I go down town and talk to a judge."
"No," Krannitz said. "I did it. It's where Kondor said."
"Krannitz the Stupefying, you have the right to have the advice of counsel hereafter, and you have certain other rights which may be explained to you by a qualified attorney. Please come with me."
And so it ended. Kondor showed them how to open the compartment, revealing the stolen sphere, and Krannitz was taken away.
Somewhat belatedly, Professor Merrick arrived; the police had called him, he said, and he wanted to know what was happening. Kondor explained it.
"You took quite a risk, coming here alone, didn't you?" Merrick asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Better men have tried to kill me. What would he have done?"
"I guess. I'm still impressed."
"Of course, now I've got a problem."
"What's that?"
"I was going to take him up on his offer to be his apprentice. Now I need a job."
Both stood silently for a moment, staring out into the drive.
"Come by my office in a few hours," Merrick said. "I might have something for you."
There is a behind-the-writings look at the thoughts, influences, and ideas of this chapter, along with eight other sequential chapters of this novel, in mark Joseph "young" web log entry #110: Character Redirects. Given a moment, this link should take you directly to the section relevant to this chapter. It may contain spoilers of upcoming chapters.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
