Snakes belong in the grass -- Mr. White/Jamie

"How did she die?" there was ice in his voice.

He sighed.

"Between you and I only, it was an attack o' th' Sabbat. Because I can see it bothers ye, though I dinna for th' life of me know why ... an' make no mistake, only those there and ye will know the true details ... two Salubri, two Tzimisce, a few Assamites, three vozhd, an' one verra powerful sorcerer tha' turned himself t' wind and vanished."

He rattled them off mechanically, as though he had said them repeatedly to himself, or someone else.

"All meant t' make sure a Tremere could no escape."

He considered. "Such a potent grouping is rare in the Sabbat. They are more likely to throw dozens of recent embraces at us like cannon fodder."

"Is there any evidence that Joseph had ties with the Sabbat?"

He nodded.

"Aye. Th' groupin' was, as I said, a tactical strike against th' wee Warlock specifically. All clans tha' were present have cause t' hate th' Tremere. From what I understand, she died a hero. She sacrificed herself t' save a Brujah."

He shut his eyes for a moment, then sighed. "I dinna ken all o' th' lad's ties. But, I'll be speakin' wi' th' Giovanni, on th' off-chance I can ask him directly. Even dead, Joseph would no give up a chance t' gloat, if he can. But it's a long-shot, at best. Still, I intend t' try."

He looked thoughtful. "I've heard tales o' him makin' deals wi' Danya o' th' Red List. So havin' Sabbat ties would no surprise me."

His brow furrowed again. "I have heard tell of the Camarilla executing Kindred who were only rumored to have connections with the Anathema."

He nodded.

"Aye. From wha' I understand, th' lad was Blood-Hunted for killin' his Seneschal. He managed t' somehow survive it, convince th' new Prince t' let him live in th' city. Th' new Prince let him stay. He then went an' got caught tellin' Danya t' call him. It's why he fled t' Paris wi' his little Toreador whore."

He shrugged. "I also heard tha' they were goin' t' decide his fate soon at some conclave. He died before they could manage it, though."

"You have details on his death?"

He nodded.

"Aye. Apparently, th' whole house he was stayin' in turned against him. Th' floor and walls caved in, th' house flooded an' was on fire."

He paused. "It were queer, really. But I'm told tha' a certain form o' magic, tha' of th' Tzimisce, could do tha'."

"That is distinctive." White pondered.

He nodded and shrugged again.

"Aye. But tha' took place in France, best I can tell. I'm no surprised tha' Joseph managed t' piss off a Tzimisce, to tell th' truth. So I'll speak wi' th' Giovanni, see if we can't figure out wha', if anythin', Joseph may ha' done to her. Other than tha', I need t' know wha' th' rest o' my city is up to."

He nodded. "Yes. But Kolduns? Those Tzimisce with that gift are fairly rare."

He shrugged.

"Aye. But it's no unheard of."

"True. But if one was responsible for both his death, and Kolduns also took part in Griselda's, that would be quite the coincidence."

He smiled.

"Aye. It's why I think it's Joseph's doing. If he angered th' Koldunists, an' they saw fit t' end him. Who knows what they could ha' found about Griselda in their searches. Once upon a time, Joseph an' Griselda were verra, verra close."

His eyes darkened. "I understand."

"Who within the Domain would you like an eye kept on?"

He smiled.

"Lad, I need ye t' keep an eye on everyone. I want my Primogen also watched, an' kept safe. But, ye are t' be sneaky, find th' connections an' secrets tha' they do not wish t' be spread for me. Ye are verra much a spy for me, Mister White. I'll no tell ye differently. I would not wish ye t' spend more time on any one individual more than th' other. Th' trust I have for th' people of my city notwithstanding. I could be putting my trust in th' wrong people, aye?"

He nodded. "Highness, have you heard anything lately about alligator attacks on Kindred of this Domain?"

His brows rose, then he frowned.

"Nay. I can perhaps send someone t' ask Mist. She's a verra old Gangrel what lives in th' swamp. She lives with th' alligators. But in th' years she's lived here, she's no sent any of her friends after any o' th' Kindred. I can send someone, or ye can go ask her yourself. She keeps to herself, but she's pleasant enough."

"If you can tell me how to reach her, I would be obliged."

He frowned. "I must have been the same night as Griselda..." his voice trailed off.

He smiled.

"Head t' th' swamp around th' western border. Dinna worry about findin' her; she'll find ye."

Then he frowned. "Wha' must ha' been th' same night? Someone tried t' set th' Elysium on fire th' same night tha' she was attacked."

He frowned, then suddenly pulled up his dress shirt. The massive scar damage was still visible.

"It was very powerful and vicious, supernaturally so. I hope you do not take offense when I say it was as fast and strong as a Brujah."

His frown deepened. He leaned closer, examining the man's stomach.

Then he grunted.

"Where did this happen, lad?"

"My former haven."

He shook his head with another frown.

"Nay, lad. What part o' town?"

He leaned back, still frowning.

"And aye. Go see Mist. Soon. She will have more answers than I on th' subject."

White would answer with the neighborhood.

"I do not think there will be a Masquerade concern. The beast was out of sight the moment it left."