The Wrong Trail Knife

by Jane Fletcher

jane.fletcher@virgin.net

Disclaimers: Please see chapter one

Chapter fourteen — In the store-room

Pat was the only one in sight, sitting on the side of her bed, when the two of them reached the bunk house. She held several sheets of paper outspread in front of her, presumably a lengthy letter, yet instead of reading her eyes were fixed on the floor. Her expression held a frown which made her look confused rather than annoyed, however it changed to a quizzical smile at the sound of feet.

Bo gave a quick wave of greeting but, for once, said little. She undid the buckle on her knife belt, pulled open the door of her locker and thrust it inside. "I’ve… just remembered…" Bo mumbled, backtracking towards the door. "I’ll catch up with you in the mess." She turned and darted away.

Katryn removed her own knife more carefully and hung it on the peg inside her locker. After the long ride and work in the stores she felt in need of a good wash, however there was not time before dinner, and she would be busy afterwards.

"I hear you’ve impressed Tina with some fancy shooting." Sal’s voice called out.

Katryn stuck her head around the door of her locker, for the first time noticing the other ranger lying on her bed. Sal’s bunk was the one beneath Katryn’s, diagonally opposite Pat’s. "I, er… yes. We had some trouble with mountain-cats. I was the only one with my bow to hand."

"And you know how to use it."

Katryn shrugged, but there was no point in false modesty.

"That must have put Ellis in a nice mood." Sal said casually.

Katryn grinned and wandered over to stand by the bunk. "Oh, it did. I’ve lost all my free-time for the week."

"Of course she couldn’t admit you done well without admitting she’d made a mistake. Our sergeant isn’t very good at humility."

"I know, I wasn’t expecting congratulations."

"So how good are you with a bow?"

"I scored 528 on the field test at Fort Krowe."

Sal’s lips shaped into a soundless whistle.

"You’ve kept that quiet." Pat joined in.

Katryn looked back over her shoulder. Pat had put aside the letter and was standing by Katryn’s open locker, peering in at the contents as if she was expecting to see something remarkable there. Katryn felt a ripple of irritation at the blatant snooping, but there was no real privacy in the rangers, the lockers did not even have locks, and Pat was incapable of understanding her behaviour might cause offence. Katryn let it go. "It’s not the sort of thing that crops up in conversation. And Ellis insists we always practice on our own at the butts."

Sal grinned broadly. "That’s because she couldn’t hit a barn from the inside and doesn’t want to be shown up. I’m afraid she isn’t going to love you at all."

"And who’d have thought Wisniewski would be right?" Pat interjected.

Katryn gave a half shrug. "I think that was my advantage. If it had been the twentieth time I’d been dragged out to Three Firs ranch I might have not paid any attention to the smell."

"Smell?"

"Something Jan warned me about — the sign of a pack of cats. It was what alerted me and made me string my bow."

"So Jan was indirectly responsible for you getting one up on Ellis." Sal said. "That will please her when she finds out."

"Jan?" Katryn was surprised. "I thought she got on okay with Ellis."

Sal gave a bark of laughter. "She probably hates her more than any of the rest of us."

"She hides it well."

"She hides a lot of things does our Jan."

It was an unexpected insight, but before there was time to question further the bell for dinner rang out over the barracks. Sal swung her legs off her bed and stood up. Katryn pushed the door to her locker shut and then followed the other two out and across the parade ground.

**********

The brushes, rags, polish, and other items lay in a neat semi-circle around the spot where Katryn was kneeling. Her eyes ran over them for a last time, checking that nothing was missing, then she picked up a cloth and pulled the first saddle towards her. Her search for dried mud was just starting when she was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and voices. She looked up to see the members of B patrol entering the stable with Tina in the lead. Jan Sivarajah was also present but not, fortunately, Sergeant Ellis.

"How’s it going?" Tina asked.

"Just started."

"I could give you a hand."

Katryn was taken by surprise at the offer. "I… er… thanks. But Ellis has threatened to call by later, and she wouldn’t be pleased if she found you helping me."

Tina shrugged. "Tough — she’s never pleased about anything anyway."

"Well…" Katryn looked at the pile of saddles and harness, then shook her head. "No, it’s okay. My free-time is cancelled so I can’t leave the barracks. I might as well have something to do to pass the time. But thank-you."

"If you’re sure." Tina conceded.

The other members of B patrol filed through the open doorway. Nikki and Pat moved further in and went to check their horses in the stalls, while the rest gathered around the spot where Katryn knelt. Their faces held a range of expressions from supportive grins to awkward sympathy, but none held any hostility — at least, not directed at her. They all clearly felt she had been badly treated by Ellis, and were prepared to make at least a token show of solidarity with her, however they were not at ease; alliances within the patrol were shifting and no-one was too sure where things were heading.

"You’re going into town?" Katryn asked — not a serious question, just words to demonstrate friendly interest, something that had been lacking in the past.

"Thought we’d check out a tavern or two." Sal answered.

"Just one tavern, and not for long." Jan said firmly. "We don’t want to be tackling cats with hangovers tomorrow."

"I didn’t know the cats drunk alcohol." Bo joked. Sal barged her with one shoulder.

The foolery softened the tension. Tina grinned and flexed her shoulders as if adjusting the weight of a rucksack. Jan picked up a rope that had been dropped just inside the door and began to coil it. Pat left her horse and came to stand in the doorway, resting her back against the frame and staring vacantly at the roof of the smithy.

"Did we decide where we’re going?" Nikki called over.

"Someone said the White Swan." Tina replied.

"Why there?"

"Not so far to stagger home." Bo joined in again. "Always assuming I can get something to drink." She added thoughtfully.

"Is that in doubt?" Sal asked.

"Could be… I’ve just realised I’ve left my money in my locker. My purse was on my knife-belt, I forgot to keep hold of it when I took the belt off." Bo explained.

"Clown! Go and get it." Tina shoved her towards the door.

"Right, I’ll meet you by the gates in a couple of minutes." Bo jogged away.

Nikki wandered over. "I don’t like having to leave my trail-knife behind. I wonder if I could hide it inside my jacket. Will they really search us on the way out?"

"That’s what Bergstrom said. And a knife isn’t easy to hide." Sal spoke up.

"I could slip it down my neck so it lay against my spine."

"That’s an old trick — you can guarantee the sentries will pat your back to check."

"And why are you so keen to take your knife?" Tina asked dryly. "You’ve already carved your initials on every bog-wall in town."

Nikki grinned awkwardly "It’s just... supposing someone has a grudge against rangers. The sentries search us on the way out to make sure we’re not armed, but no-one is searching the townsfolk when they leave home. It puts us at a disadvantage."

"Another good reason for the White Swan, it’s got two exits." Tina said.

"All taverns do — if you talk nicely to the bar staff." Pat’s voice came from the doorway.

"And we won’t ask how you know." Jan grinned and held up the neatly coiled rope. "This belongs in the stores. I’ll just go and see if the door’s open — Adebeyo might be working late." She trotted off and returned a few second later. "No… I’ve left it by the door. The next person in should see it."

There was further shuffling around. The rangers exchanged expectant looks. No-one seemed sure of what to say, but eventually Sal spoke. "So… are we ready to go?" She smiled apologetically at Katryn, to show there was nothing personal in her desire to leave the stable. There were a few grunts and nods of agreement, and then the rangers headed out. As each one left she smiled or waved goodbye.

Alone once more, Katryn sat staring at the open doorway. It was the friendliest exchange she’d had with her patrol comrades since the night she’d joined the 12th. She thought of the dozens of times she had watched them set out for an evening of drinking. For the first time she wished she was going as well.

**********

Katryn was half-way through the eight saddles when she next heard the sound of footsteps. She glanced up as Sergeant Ellis appeared at the entrance to the stable. Katryn started to scramble to her feet. "As you were." Ellis snarled.

"Yes, ma’am." Katryn dropped back to her knees. Her lips tightened in a line. It was unclear whether the order also meant to continue working. Of course she would be wrong either way; slacking if she gave Ellis her attention and ignoring her superior if she concentrated on the saddles. After a second’s pause she picked up the polishing rags — since she couldn’t win she might as well look at Ellis as little as possible.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"No, ma’am." Certainly not since you arrived. Katryn added to herself.

"Put that cloth down and pay attention me when I’m talking to you."

Despite the aggression in Ellis’s voice Katryn had to fight to keep the smile off her face. The petty vindictiveness was quite predictable. "Yes, ma’am."

Ellis lent against the door-jamb and studied her. For a long while the only sound in the stables came from the horses, but then Ellis’s lips pulled back in a parody of a smile and she took a key out of her top pocket. "I’ve borrowed the key to the stores from the quartermaster. I thought I’d have a little look around in there."

That will be nice for you, ma’am. Katryn bit back the words. From Ellis’s tone she was clearly supposed to deduce something, although Katryn didn't have a clue as to what.

"Do you think you’ve done well for yourself today?"

I’ve saved Tina’s life and I’ve started to make friends with the rest of the patrol. Aloud Katryn said, "Obviously not ma’am."

"Obviously?" Ellis’s tone made it a question.

"If I’d done well you wouldn’t have cancelled my free-time, ma’am."

A flush of anger darkened Ellis’s face, but there was nothing in the words she could object to, and Katryn was careful to keep any sarcasm from her voice. Ellis glared and said, "It takes more than a few lucky shots to make a marksman."

"I know, ma’am."

"And it takes more than a grey and green uniform to make a ranger."

"Yes, ma’am."

"You’ll never be a proper ranger. You should have stayed in the militia."

Katryn clenched her jaw. At last there was something she and Ellis were agreed on. The sergeant left her position by the door and crouched down so her face was scant centimetres away from Katryn’s. "Why did you leave the militia?"

"Personal reasons."

"And you wouldn’t like to share those reasons with me?"

"No ma’am."

Ellis nodded, as if the answer was significant. "You weren’t running away?"

"From what?" Katryn’s anger started to kick in.

"You tell me." Ellis moved back slightly. "You turned down promotion. You must have been frightened about something catching up with you." There was gloating in Ellis’s eyes. She stood up. "Carry on with your work. I’ll talk to you again later — after I’ve checked the stores."

"Yes, ma’am."

Katryn watched Ellis’s back disappear down the passageway between the store-room and the rear of the mess-hall. Anger gave way to confusion and apprehension. The sergeant had been hinting at something — but what?

**********

The daylight faded into a gentle dusk. Katryn considered fetching a lantern to finish her work, but there was little left to do, just one final set of reins, so instead she opened the other half of the doorway and sat in the entrance with her back to the light. Ellis had not returned and Katryn was not complaining. She felt quite happy. The work had been gently therapeutic, allowing her time to think, but not as tedious as sentry duty.

Allison had occupied a fair chunk of her thoughts. Now her heart was starting to heal Katryn knew she’d been over-hasty. She should have listened to Captain Kalispera. Katryn winced as she remembered their last, uncomfortable conversation. There’d been no attempt from Kalispera to hide her resentment. Joining the rangers had been a mistake. It was not the life Katryn wanted, but perhaps it would be possible to fit in and make a place for herself in the patrol — once Ellis had gone.

Finally Katryn put down the polishing cloths and held up the harness to catch the last of the light. The leather was clean and supple. It wouldn’t satisfy Ellis but there was nothing Katryn could do about that. Ellis would be able to pick fault with the work of the blessed Himoti herself.

The sound of footsteps made Katryn flinch, but she immediately realised there was more than one set of feet making the noise. This was soon confirmed by the sound of voices. B patrol was returning from the tavern. She looked over her shoulder to see the strung out group walking towards her. Tina and Sal were the first to reach the stable.

"How’s it going?" Sal called out while she was still a few metres away.

"Just finished."

"Good timing, we can help you tidy up."

Katryn smiled and got to her feet. She felt numb from sitting so long on the ground. Her hands were sticky from the wax polish and she restrained the impulse to scratch her nose.

Tina bent down to pick up one of the saddles, saying, "I hope you got mine nice and shiny." Her tone was deadpan, but Katryn could tell she was teasing.

Jan, Bo and Pat strolled in next. They also lent a hand with the job of placing the saddles and harness in the tack-boxes. There was little left to do by the time Nikki arrived, last and breathing heavily as if she’d had to run to catch up. Mainly out of habit they checked the state of the horses, and then swung the stable doors shut and began to wander back to the bunk-house.

Katryn was passing the mess-hall when a voice from the rear called out, "Hey, isn’t that the door to the stores open?"

Katryn and the others back-tracked slightly and peered up the alleyway. It was hard to be certain in the poor light, but it did look as if the doorway was ajar.

"Perhaps Adebayo had to get something in an emergency?" Bo suggested, uncertainly.

"Such as?" Pat asked.

Jan took the lead. She squeezed passed the knot of women and walked the few metres to the doorway. Pushing it open she stuck her head in and called, "Is everything okay? Do you…" Her voice cut off so sharply that it brought the rest running. They crammed through the entrance. It was even darker in the store-room than outside, but not so dark as to hide the sight of Ellis, lying on the floor at the other side of the room, a dark patch of blood staining the flagstones under her and the hilt of a knife protruding from her back. Everyone froze.

"Go and get Lieutenant Bergstrom." Jan snapped the order at Nikki. The sound of her voice lifted the paralysis. Bo stumbled forward and crouched to check for a pulse in Ellis’s throat. After a few seconds she stood up and shook her head. Tina moved to the rear of the stores and rattled the door violently. "Locked." She called back.

Katryn stared in horror at the body. Now her eyes were adjusting to the light she could tell the handle of the knife was unmistakably that of a ranger’s trail-knife. A cold, dead weight was forming in her stomach. In her ears she could hear her own words from the morning, I’ll kill her. I swear it, I’ll kill her. She did not need to turn her head to know the others were already casting sideways looks in her direction.

There was a bustle at the entrance as Nikki returned, bringing with her not only Bergstrom, but the quartermaster as well. "By the Goddess…" Adebeyo’s muttered oath was the only sound.

Bergstrom stepped forward. "Have you sent for a healer?"

"No ma’am. There’s no pulse. Hassan checked." Jan replied.

"It might be an idea to see if they can learn anything. Panyani — go and summon one from town. And somebody get a lantern." Bergstrom crouched beside the motionless figure, waiting until yellow lamp-light blossomed. "Have you seen anyone hanging around the stores this evening?" She threw the question over her shoulder.

"No ma’am." Jan hesitated for the briefest moment. "We’ve been in the White Swan. Private Nagata is the only one who’s been in the barracks."

"And you, Nagata. Have you seen anything?"

Katryn took a deep breath. "No ma’am. I’ve been working in the stables. Sergeant Ellis came to see me about half an hour ago. She said she was going to the stores. I didn’t see or hear anyone else until the rest of the patrol returned."

"It’s a ranger’s trail-knife in her back." Bergstrom acknowledged the obvious. "And there’s no sign of a fight or a break-in. I’m afraid that leaves us with limited suspects. Quartermaster, if you stay here, Corporal Sivarajah and I will see if we can find out whose knife is missing."

Once they had gone the atmosphere in the store-room was ominous. Nothing was said, most simply stared at the body on the floor. Katryn could not bring herself to meet the eyes of the others. She did not want to know which of them had murdered Ellis. She certainly could not find it in her to blame the culprit, she only wished it had been done while she herself was somewhere else. It occurred to her that she was probably the last person, apart from the murderer, to see Ellis alive.

That the murder weapon was left behind was an absurd blunder on the killer’s part, for which Katryn was very grateful. Without its evidence things would have looked awkward for herself. Her own knife had been left hanging in her locker. It had to still be there, but her nerves felt frayed as the wait for the lieutenant’s return dragged on.

At last there was the sound of footsteps. Bergstrom strode through the door. Jan slipped in behind her. The lieutenant’s eyes flitted quickly over everyone there, and finally came to rest on Katryn. "Private Nagata. Can you explain why your knife is missing?"

Katryn opened her mouth, but no sound came out. I’m dreaming, she told herself. It’s a nightmare and I’ll wake up in a second. Every eye in the store-room fixed in her. "No… no ma’am. I left it in my locker when I went to the stables… I don’t know where it’s gone."

"Oh, I think we know where it’s gone." Bergstrom’s gaze shifted purposefully to Ellis’s back. "And, unless you can tell me different, it would appear nobody apart from you had the chance to put it there."

"No, ma’am. I didn’t do it." Katryn barely kept the panic from her voice.

"Really?" Bergstrom’s tone was grim. "Well this is definitely something for the captain to deal with. Hopefully she’ll be back soon. You can save your story for her. Sivarajah, Agosta — escort Private Nagata to the lock-up."

continued in chapter 15

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