The warriors knife, p.6
The Warrior's Knife, page 6
“I see,” he replied with an air of cold disinterest. “Well, you asked for thirty minutes of my time, and DCC Maras recommended to my aide that I cooperate, lest you set up camp in front of my door, so please go ahead.”
“Thank you, Ser Houko. You met with Envoy Shovak exactly once, the day of his death. Correct?”
“Yes, it was only that one time, a meet and greet to open the negotiations on a festive note.”
“Who was in attendance?”
“On the Shrehari side, Shovak, and his man Thopok. I had Gerri Kazan and Almas Mostrom with me.”
“Kazan being your security director and Mostrom the head of opportunity development for the Rim Sector.”
He nodded. “Correct.”
“Yet your delegation has several more members. Why didn’t they attend?”
“Shovak wished to keep the meet and greet small. He only brought Thopok and a pair of bodyguards with him to Aquilonia. The Shrehari don’t believe in ostentation and apply the same moderation to the size of an envoy’s retinue.”
“But you brought two of yours to his one.”
“It was expedient, considering the shape of the negotiations. Both Gerri and Almas were to be deeply involved. Shovak understood.”
“And what shape would that have been?”
Houko didn’t immediately reply, but his stony gaze never left my face. Then he said, “On the advice of ComCorp’s legal division, I cannot answer questions relating directly to the substance of the negotiations between ComCorp and representatives of the Shrehari mercantile consortium known as Quch Mech. However, you may rest assured that Envoy Shovak’s unfortunate demise was in no way related to our discussions.”
I held his stare for a few seconds, just to show that I understood the game he was playing. We weren’t yet at the point of demanding the release of commercial secrets.
“How can you be sure, Ser Houko? Few murders are random, especially in an enclosed habitat. And on Aquilonia in particular, they’re remarkably infrequent thanks to the Cimmerian Gendarmerie.”
Granted. I was laying it on a bit thick. Pullar was probably doing a sterling job keeping the worst of the riffraff in line. But I knew the place had a violent crime rate not too different from any other environmentally sealed habitat in this part of the Commonwealth. A station that attracted crooks looking for illicit gains inevitably found itself with regular shootings or stabbings. Just not of VIPs.
“Envoy Shovak was here to meet with you,” I continued, “so it stands to reason his death could be linked to ComCorp’s outreach efforts. Don’t you think?”
“Doubtful,” he replied in a skeptical tone. “But I suppose you must consider every possibility, no matter how outlandish.”
“What can you tell me concerning Shovak and his employers?”
“Very little about Shovak. None of us had ever met him before, nor had we been in communication with him before his arrival. Our first contact with Quch Mech occurred via subspace radio perhaps eight or nine months ago. Then we set up a low-key meeting between a ComCorp representative and one of theirs in a neutral place, which I’d rather not name at this point. These talks culminated in an agreement to meet here on Aquilonia for substantive negotiations. That’s when Shovak’s name first surfaced. And before you ask, I have no idea how or why his employer selected him, but since the Shrehari are very status conscious, he would have been roughly my equivalent, which means quite senior.”
“And Quch Mech?”
“One of the mercantile groupings allowed to trade with private Commonwealth businesses through the personal approval of the Shrehari Kho’sahra, their military dictator. They deal in a wide variety of goods and are more akin to an import-export broker by our standards. I gather the imperial government doesn’t want direct business-to-business contacts between their people and us. If you want more details on the Shrehari side of these negotiations, you must ask them. As I said, I’m not in a position to discuss our end of things without authorization from our legal department.”
“Did Shovak seem to feel threatened in any way?”
Houko’s humorless laugh raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
“How,” he asked, “would I be able to interpret anything other than his words? Picking up Shrehari behavioral cues isn’t my forte. He seemed in good spirits.”
“And Thopok?”
“He acted with more discretion than his boss did and seemed rather subdued. But considering the nature of their societal taboos, at least the ones I know about, I wasn’t surprised to see an underling behave with reserve in the presence of his betters.”
Something told me Houko knew more about our nonhuman guests than he was willing to admit, perhaps even more than I did, but that wouldn’t be unnatural, all things considered. ComCorp didn’t become one of the most influential zaibatsus in human history by appointing cretins to senior positions.
“Will Shovak’s employers be sending another envoy to pick up where he left off?”
Houko gave me a noncommittal shrug. “That remains to be seen, and it may likely rest on the results of your investigation. If our potential Shrehari partners don’t feel proper justice is served, they may decide we’re not honorable enough to become business associates.”
“In spite of your conglomerate’s formal title?” I had to repress an ironic smirk.
“Indeed. Trust is hard to gain in Shrehari society, more difficult than among humans, but much easier to lose. Seeing their envoy murdered on a human station will have damaged what little we’ve built up so far. And second chances are uncommon.”
“I’m sure you’ll find other opportunities. The Empire is large.”
His dark gaze harden. “Perhaps, but if we’re forced to abandon these particular negotiations, we stand to lose a great deal, Chief Superintendent, and would need to find another partner who might be less trusting from the start. Imperial trade with the Commonwealth requires Kho’sahra backing, and I doubt he’d look kindly on allowing Quch Mech to continue working with us. Our chief executive officer would undoubtedly voice his displeasure. An incalculable amount of money is riding on our success, as are a lot of jobs.”
I didn’t need to ask to whom the ComCorp brass would complain, and it wouldn’t be DCC Maras. If it involved enough money, the Secretary General’s office would have a quiet word with our Chief Constable, although using the term incalculable seemed overwrought.
Zaibatsus of ComCorp’s size amassed their wealth and power by tracking every bit of income and every expense to the last cred. They knew the value of each deal. Either he was trying to impress me, or they really were contemplating a more significant trade arrangement than I could fathom.
“Rest assured that I have as much interest in bringing this case to a suitable conclusion as you do,” I replied, knowing I sounded terribly trite. But what else was there to say?
“Of course, Chief Superintendent.” He inclined his head. “I didn’t mean to imply that you weren’t fully invested in resolving this deplorable matter to everyone’s satisfaction. The Constabulary has a well-deserved reputation. What is it they say? You always get your suspect?”
“Only in bad fiction, Ser Houko. Can you think of any reasons why someone wanted Shovak dead?”
“Perhaps you’re dealing with a murderer who hasn’t accepted that the war is long over. But I understand you already have someone in custody. You might ask her.”
“We have a person of interest, Ser Houko, nothing more.”
“I see.” But his tone made it clear he didn’t. “I thought Major Pullar’s people had caught the individual in question red-handed, so to speak.”
I gave him my coldest smile. “Just as you have commercial matters you cannot discuss with outsiders, we in the law enforcement community can’t discuss ongoing investigations with members of the public. Not even if they’ve graciously accepted to answer our questions.”
Houko nodded, as if to acknowledge the point, then said, “And yet Thopok told us about his finding a human female at the scene of the crime, with the murder weapon in hand. Frankly, I fail to see why you’re investigating at all.”
“Our person of interest denies doing the deed. And if she’s guilty, the imperial and Commonwealth governments will want to know why. Relations with the Empire can be rocky at times. Therefore, it would be best if we made a full report back to Envoy Shovak’s superiors. After the meet and greet, did you and your two subordinates return straight to the Excelsior?”
“We did. None of us had contact with the Shrehari delegation afterward until Thopok notified us of the unfortunate incident the next morning.”
“Is there anything about the meeting itself, or about the negotiations, in general, you can tell me that might shed light on Shovak’s death?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Chief Superintendent, but nothing comes to mind. None of us is in any way connected to this deplorable matter. I’m sure Major Pullar has already consulted the Excelsior’s records and those of the station’s surveillance network and confirmed that we were here when the murder occurred.”
I glanced at Pullar who nodded. It could mean nothing, of course. Aquilonia seemed to have an alarming number of maintenance issues, especially when it came to sensors. And as for the hotel’s records? Who would gainsay a VP of the conglomerate that owned the Excelsior’s parent company?
“Thank you, Ser Houko. I’d like to speak with Gerri Kazan and Almas Mostrom at their earliest convenience.”
The ComCorp VP gave me another dose of his emotionless stare, then said, “I’ll tell them to contact Major Pullar’s office. If that is everything?”
“It is. For now. In this kind of investigation, it’s normal for us to interview witnesses several times as further information becomes known.”
Houko stood and, with nothing more than a curt nod, he rejoined his aide, then both vanished into a waiting elevator cab.
Pullar gazed at me with a quizzical expression. “I’m not sure we obtained much by way of fresh evidence from this conversation, Chief Superintendent. We didn’t even use up a full half hour of his time.”
“It wasn’t about gathering new evidence but getting a feel for the man. The negotiations between ComCorp and the Shrehari could be at the heart of this case. Otherwise, why kill a minor commercial envoy from that friendly Empire next door? You know, the one whose ass we kicked seventy years ago? Shovak isn’t the first Shrehari to visit on a peaceful mission. I’ll bet he isn’t even the first one this month, and as far as I know, none of the others ended up lying in a puddle of their own blood.”
Before he could reply, Pullar’s communicator vibrated for attention. He held it up to his ear and then nodded. “Thank you.” Tucking it away again, he said, “Ser Houko’s aide just advised me that Almas Mostrom is on his way down.”
“That was quick. I guess Houko wants us out of his hair as soon as possible.”
— Twelve —
Mostrom proved to be a younger and suaver copy of the ComCorp vice president, and just as unhelpful. But he was a real bullshit artist if I’d ever seen one. His story matched Houko’s almost word for word, but at least he tried to sound as if he wanted me to believe there was substance to his statement.
When we finished with him, he said, “I understand you wish to speak with Gerri Kazan next. Shall I send her up, or were you planning on seeing her at another time and in another place?”
His tone and the way he worded that last sentence led me to believe he knew Gerri and I had a past. I caught just a brief spark of amusement in his eyes.
“If Sera Kazan is available, please ask her to join us.”
“I shall. Enjoy your day.”
As we watched him enter the lift, Pullar said, “Would you prefer I not sit in on the next conversation? My presence might be a hindrance.”
The offer surprised me, but it shouldn’t have. Pullar had hidden depths he worked hard to conceal for some reason.
“Perhaps it would be best.”
“In that case, I’ll return to my office. If you join me there once you’re done, I can show you one of the better eateries on Aquilonia.”
“I’d like that, thank you.”
“Until later.”
And then I was alone but pregnant with a growing sensation of both trepidation and dread as my memories of Gerri and our acrimonious split bubbled to the surface. I tried to imagine what our reunion would be like, but when she stepped out of the lift, I realized nothing could have prepared me for the new Gerri.
With her pixie haircut, carefully sculpted face, and an expensive suit that seemed to be the corporate uniform, she looked a far cry from the hard-edged Flying Squad inspector I remembered. Even her gait had changed from a cop’s deliberate pace to an elegant stride that screamed ‘I own this place.’
When I stood, and our eyes met, I expected a spark of electricity at the renewed contact with someone who used to be my closest friend and confidante. But instead, I felt a piercing cold that sank my heart. Why I half-expected this to be a friendly reunion, I didn’t know. Gerri stopped once she’d passed the sound screen and examined me without showing a shred of feeling.
“I heard you went from the Flying Squad to the Firing Squad,” she said by way of greeting. “Congratulations. It’s a good place for a rat, though I should thank you for making me look outside the Service. I’ve done so much better for myself with ComCorp. If I had stuck around, I’d be a washed-up chief inspector by now, with about as much advancement possibilities as you. Instead, I enjoy a gratifying and lucrative private sector career. You have no idea how lucrative. And I need not put up with bureaucratic garbage or your brand of hypocrisy.”
“Hello, Gerri.” I had to clamp down hard on my sudden urge to babble and somehow break through her icy demeanor. “I’ve been fine, thanks for asking. Please take a seat.”
A mocking eyebrow slowly crept up her smooth forehead, and her full lips twitched as if she knew about my discomfiture and found it amusing.
“As you wish, Chief Superintendent.”
So that’s how it would be. The urge to reach out passed with breathtaking suddenness.
“Has Ser Houko informed you of what I’m after, Sera Kazan?”
“He has. And I’m sure he’s informed you we cannot answer questions relating directly to the substance of the negotiations between ComCorp and representatives of the Shrehari mercantile group known as Quch Mech.”
“Without your legal department’s authorization. Yes, I understand.” The same words used by her boss and also parroted by Mostrom before he answered my questions. “Were you involved in the talks between ComCorp and the Shrehari that culminated in Shovak and his entourage coming to Aquilonia?”
“Not the original discussions, but I had a hand in preparing for their visit, as part of my normal duties.”
“What do you remember of your meeting with Envoy Shovak?”
“He was hospitable, jovial, and relaxed. We spoke of trivial matters. Shrehari don’t mix business with ethanol.”
“And Thopok?”
“Watchful, withdrawn but utterly correct. His job as an aide was not to take part in the festivities. But I’m sure Yan and Almas already told you that.”
I nodded. “They did, but you used to be an investigator so you know I’m required to crosscheck. Did you sense anything amiss, with either Shovak, Thopok, or their surroundings? And I’m asking the former investigator now, not the potential witness.”
She seemed to give my question serious thought, and then slowly shook her head. “Nothing. It was a standard meet and greet between a Shrehari commercial envoy and a ComCorp delegation.”
“You’ve experienced many such meetings?”
“A few. The Shrehari are very security conscious. More so than we are, and I attend initial talks with new business partners regularly. Having me there gives them a measure of confidence that we take things seriously.”
“Even though you’re female?” I tried not to sound too skeptical. After dealing with the taciturn Thopok, I had a hard time seeing how Gerri would reassure his sort. Though more muscular and taller than I was, she didn’t have the size and strength to earn a Shrehari’s respect.
“I’m always introduced as a former Constabulary officer. Their equivalent is the much-feared Tai Kan so you can imagine how they see me the moment their brains make the connection.”
“Ah.” That certainly made sense. And it might explain Thopok’s reluctance to speak with me. “Since you can’t discuss the details of your relationship with the victim and his employer without permission from ComCorp’s legal department, is there anything you can think of that might help my investigation. You used to be a good cop, so I’m sure that if you came across something of interest, you’d have noted it, even if it wasn’t consciously.”
Her cold eyes seemed to say, not bloody likely as she shook her head. “Nothing, although I question the PCB’s involvement. According to Thopok, the Gendarmerie already holds the culprit, with enough evidence to convince any jury.”
“Circumstantial evidence,” I replied without thinking. A flash of amusement momentarily warmed her icy demeanor as if she’d caught me in a mistake.
“Being found with the murder weapon in hand and covered with the victim’s bodily fluids is hardly circumstantial. Has the PCB addled your instincts? I suppose hounding good officers out of the Service doesn’t need a nose for clues.”
The cold blade of her contempt sliced through me. It hurt. Gerri’s smile returned, showing pleasure at an insult striking home. I barely managed to smile back, although mine probably showed more teeth than it should.
