Going back to this one, because I think I know whodunit now. Kind of important, in your murder mystery.
“The name of the deceased is Iomuel,” said the demon acting as liaison, not even bothering to look at his notebook. He’d probably had already memorized the important bits, out of sheer terror. “And mine is Forfax. The Embassy has assigned me to ensure that vengeance is inflicted.”
“This angel sees you, Forfax, and is named Vadriel,” I replied in the approved, frankly stuffy style. Then I unbent, just a touch. “And I’m here to see that justice is done. If we both get what we want, that’s fine with me.”
I could tell that this Forfax had been expecting nothing but stuffiness, which was fair. Heaven and Hell might be at peace, but it was a watchful one. Over-formality kept both sides from thinking about how great it’d be if we just started shoving flaming swords into each other again.
I peered at the corpse again, this time trying to get a feel for the psyche underneath the skin. “He was… Fallen, correct? And an Eldest?”
“Yes. Iomuel used to be elohim; pretty high in Uriel’s councils until…” he trailed off.
“Until the Great Rebellion, the War in Heaven, and the Fall of Lucifer,” I finished for him. I kept the satisfaction out of my voice, out of courtesy. And prudence, seeing as this demon had gotten killed while under Heaven’s protection.