“He said he had something for me. And I also need to speak with

him.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure he’s allowed through.”

He went to have a quick word with the men, then they went

inside.

“There was no sign of the door being forced, ” said Sakahara.

“And if someone tried to pick the lock, the alarm would have gone

off. So whoever got inside must have either had a key or they

teleported in. The alarm was turned off, but the apprentices swear

they turned it on when they left. Of course, it’s possible they’re

lying. Or just covering up for having forgotten to activate it. No

question about necromancy. The trace emanations down there are

pretty strong.”

They went down into the basement. Akiro caught his breath

when he saw the gory scene.

“It shook me up, too, ” said Sakahara. “Looks like the bodies just

exploded. It had to have been a spell. I can’t think of anything else

that could have done this. You feel it?”

Akiro nodded. The thaumaturgical trace emanations were very

strong, indeed.

“You think maybe Kanno got too close and the killer did him in?”

“Perhaps, but that doesn’t explain the other bodies. The

apprentices are all accounted for, I presume.”

“Yes. There were only two of them and they’re both okay. Scared

out of their wits, but okay. I don’t think they were faking it. They

were practically hysterical when I got here. Kitano said that

Cornwall and his associates had alibis for some of the killings?”

“Yes, they weren’t even in the country.”

“So there’s a chance this could be them.”

“It’s possible.”

“And if Fugisawa was with them, he could be here, as well.”

“That, too.”

“Damn. I hope not.”