Jupiter’s Bones. Faye Kellerman

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СКАЧАТЬ She was led to the chamber, flanked by two gendarmes in white robes, each one looking very grave. One had facial hair, the other was clean-shaven, but both had close-cropped haircuts. The bearded man knocked on the door. It was answered by a smoky, female voice asking who was there. After Marge identified herself, the voice told her to come in. Beard opened the door, but didn’t dare cross the threshold—as if restrained by an invisible net.

      Marge went inside, then took a moment to look around. Spare but bright, the room held a double bed, a Shaker-like chair and a bookshelf. Venus was propped up by pillows, her legs stretched out atop the bedcover.

      Talking to her guard, she said, “You may go now, Brother Ansel.”

      The man hesitated, then spoke in a nasal voice. “Are you sure you want to be left alone with a violator, Mother Venus?”

      “Yes, I can manage. Thank you for your consideration. You may go.”

      “As you wish.” He left, throwing Marge a hostile look as he shut the door. The two women made eye contact.

      Marge said, “Thank you for seeing me, Ms …”

      “Just call me Mother Venus. Or just Venus.” She’d been reading a paperback. She put it down in the spine-up position, and pointed to the chair. “Have a seat.”

      “Thank you.” Good-looking, Marge thought. Even with red eyes and no makeup, her features were striking. Appearing to be around thirty, Venus had shoulder-length, chestnut hair that framed an oval face. Translucent green eyes were shaded by enormous lashes. Her silken complexion was wan—to be expected—but Marge detected a hint of pink at the cheekbones. She wore a bright blue robe that plunged at the neckline and fell open mid-thigh, exposing graceful legs. She wasn’t wearing a bra, but even without the support, she had cleavage. Her feet were bare and her left ankle was adorned with a gold bracelet. She lowered her gaze, then flung the bottom of the robe over her uncovered legs. Crossed and recrossed her ankles.

      Marge felt funny addressing her as Venus, although if one needed a model for the goddess of love and beauty, this one could fit the bill. She craned her neck and managed to read the paperback’s title—Faith and Beyond. She couldn’t make out the author. Extracting a notepad from her jacket, she said, “Would you mind if I took some notes?”

      “Why would I mind? I have nothing to hide.”

      Marge digested her words, translating them. She has something to hide. “I’m sorry if I have to probe into sensitive areas—”

      “You’re just doing your job.” Again, Venus recrossed her ankles.

      “What are you reading?”

      The question seemed to momentarily stump her. She glanced at her side and picked up the paperback. “This?” A shrug. “Something in Jupiter’s library. The metaphysical part is interesting, but the science is complex.” She tightened the robe around her neck. “That was Jupiter’s forte—science … physics … cosmology. The very origins of existence. But you know that already, don’t you.”

      “Yes, we know who Jupiter was.”

      “He was a great, great man.” Venus’s voice tightened. “I can’t believe …” A sigh.

      Marge said, “How long have you lived here, ma’am?”

      “Venus, please. Ma’am is for your world, not ours.”

      “Venus, then. How long have you been here with Jupiter?”

      “Around ten years. When Jupiter took me in, I was really messed up—drugs, alcohol, two abortions. I had no faith, no beliefs, no … nothing. Just a self-destructive idiot. Jupiter saw right through me.”

      She looked at the ceiling.

      “Anyway, this isn’t relevant to your investigation. I’m telling you this because …” Tears fell from her eyes. “You don’t know what a savior he was. I truly mean that. That’s what Jupiter did. He dropped a brilliant career as well as fame and fortune to save souls. More than that, he taught others to save souls—me, Bob … Pluto. You wouldn’t know it, but Pluto has rescued many homeless under Jupiter’s guidance.”

      More tears. She wiped her face with the corner of her robe. “I suppose you want to know about this morning.”

      “Please. Had he passed away when you found him?”

      “Yes …”

      “How did you know?”

      Venus wiped more tears. “He wasn’t moving! He wasn’t breathing! His heart … it had stopped.”

      “You felt for a pulse?”

      She licked her lips. “Actually, no. I …” She closed her eyes and opened them. “I thought he was sleeping. It was time to get up for morning ablutions and prayers. I went into the room and called out his name. When he didn’t answer, I went over to the bed and … and shook him a little. He …” She stopped to catch her breath. “He fell over when I touched him. His head … falling over the mattress …”

      She swallowed.

      “I screamed. Pluto … Pluto came in. After that, I really … don’t … one of my attendants ushered me out … brought me back to my room … waited with me. Later, Pluto came to me with the news.”

      Marge engaged her with sympathy. “Do you remember what time it was when you came into Jupiter’s room?”

      She spoke with effort. “The usual time. Around five.”

      “You say he …” Marge tried to be as gentle as possible. “You say he fell over when you shook him. Was he lying down or propped up—”

      “Propped up. Jupiter often slept semiupright. He had a sinus condition. Being completely prone stuffed him up.”

      “And when you found him, he seemed to be asleep.”

      Venus nodded.

      “Eyes closed?”

      Again, Venus nodded.

      “Anything odd about his position?”

      “Meaning?” Venus asked.

      “Did he appear to be comfortable? Were his limbs contorted, or was anything awry in the room?”

      Venus shook her head no. “Everything seemed … fine.”

      “Did you see bottles of medicine at his bedside? Things like painkillers or sleeping pills—”

      “Jupiter didn’t take painkillers or sleeping pills. He didn’t ascribe to any sort of Western medicine.”

      “Did you see any needles—”

      “No,” Venus answered. “No needles. Although Jupiter sometimes injected himself with vitamins.”

      Marge took in her words. “We didn’t find any syringe.”

      “I keep them in my СКАЧАТЬ