Roxie didn’t comment. She turned down a narrow corridor.
After a few twists and turns, they came upon a small reception area with a desk made out of what looked to be real, reclaimed wood, indicated by all the dents, discoloration, and age that couldn’t be recreated by printing. Another neon sign was mounted on the wall behind it, this one pale green.
It simply read The Underground.
A young man with shockingly violet hair standing at least six centimeters straight up and ink decorating every nanometer of his body, including his face, gave Roxie a short wave. “Hey, Rox. What’s up?”
Instead of answering, she gestured with a swoop of her arm for Mina to step forward.
“Hi, we’re looking for a man about this tall.” Mina raised her hand to her shoulder. “An older gentleman with gray hair styled like yours, but quite a bit shorter, no ink, stocky build. Came in about fifteen ago.”
The kid, who looked to be no more than nineteen or twenty, shot Roxie a look, his matching violet eyebrows shooting up. “Um, I’m not sure I can—”
“It’s fine, Bodie,” Roxie told him. “Go ahead and tell Agent Kane where the man is located and lead her back to that room. She’s allowed full access.”
The kid thought about it for a few seconds, then shrugged, standing. “Okay. He’s here. Follow me.”
Mina and Kaylee followed him down a short hallway. All the walls were red brick and all the doors reclaimed wood.
Bodie came to a stop and gestured. “He’s in there.”
“We’ll take it from here.” Mina nodded at the kid. “You can head back to your post.”
He shrugged again. “Man, I always miss out on the fun.” He shuffled away.
Mina rapped a knuckle on the door. “Federal agents, open up.”
A familiar voice replied, “Come in.”
She opened the door.
Norm sat in a chair next to a patient bed, checking his cuff. “You work quick, you know that?”
“Where’s your implanter?” Mina glanced around the small room as she and Kaylee entered, shutting the door behind them. There were no other doors, so the man or woman could not have hidden themselves.
“I let them off the hook,” Norm said, resignation in his tone. “No reason to get them in trouble when I’m the one who insisted on having it done. They owed me a favor. I was cashing it in after many years. Not their fault.”
“Swear to me you’re not already implanted.” Mina crossed her arms. “If you are, we’re heading straight to the Medi Center.”
“I’m not implanted. I swear it,” he replied, weariness radiating from him. “I had a change of heart at the last minute. When you called earlier, I was halfway here. I was determined to do this and handle everything myself. Waterbury is my perp, my problem.” He thumped his chest, anger sparking his words. “The reason you’re all embroiled in this mess is because of me.” He rubbed a shaky hand over his face. “But I knew you’d find me before I could get it taken care of. And even if you didn’t, my plan had so many holes in it, it wouldn’t have held rocks, much less water.” The ex-marshal had used up his steam. He slumped back in his seat. The look of defeat was intense.
For the first time, Norm was showing all of his eightysomething years.
Mina wanted to be angry, but she wasn’t.
Norm’s continued focus on Waterbury over so many years had changed something in him. This wasn’t a regular case anymore. The moment Waterbury had been set free, it’d reignited the obsession once again. Norm had a personal attachment to this case because of his niece, and it became even more personal after Waterbury tortured him. He wasn’t acting rationally. Therefore, he deserved their sympathy, not their anger.
“How come you didn’t contact me to let me know you changed your mind?” Mina asked. “That would’ve saved us some time.”
He shook his head, continuing to look miserable. “I only made my mind up about five minutes ago. I don’t know how you tracked me down so quickly. Are you sure you don’t have some bloodhound in you? Sheesh.”
“You left us a clue on your waste-room mirror, and we got lucky at Tanks,” Mina said. “You were sloppy when you typed in the address for Eclipse.” She arched a brow. “Or else you did it on purpose because you secretly didn’t want to die. I actually prefer that answer to anything else. It’s better if we don’t know.” She gestured for him to get up. “Come on. We need to get a move on. We’re taking you to Government One. We have a solid plan, and you play a prominent role. You’re due in front of a magistrate in ten so he or she can decide if what we want to do is warranted. Then the plan will be set in motion.”
Norm rose off the chair. “That’s good to hear. I should’ve contacted you. I apologize. I just feel all mixed up in my mind about this. There are so many emotions swirling around in there, it’s hard to grab hold of any of ’em. They’re like a bunch of eels in a bucket. They’re right there in front of you, but when you reach in to grab one, they just slide right through your fingers.”
“Ew.” Kaylee wrinkled her nose. “You gotta work on some better, hipper analogies. Nobody puts an eel in a bucket, much less more than one. You’re showing your age, old man.”
Norm chuckled.
Kaylee had managed to change the energy in the room with little effort. She was a pro.
“I am old,” Norm grunted. “And I like my analogies. They’re fitting.”
“Only to those who like to grab slimy fish out of buckets.”
“Before we head outside of this room,” Mina said to Norm, “I need you to swear that the implanter who was going to insert your fib was only doing so at your command, and it’s not something they do on a regular basis.”
“It was all me. Swear on my honor. What little there is of it left. I called in a favor. They do beauty implants for a living. Nothing more. I brought in the fib. And don’t even ask where I got it, because I’m not divulging that. Let’s just say the person who procured it for me was also doing me a favor.”
“Is it here?” Mina looked around.
“No. I destroyed it.” Norm settled a hand over his heart. “I swear it.”
“You’re a real pain in the backside, you know that?” Kaylee said. “But I’m glad you’re okay. Heading to the Medi Center and making them carve it out of you would’ve lost us valuable time.”
Mina gave the ex-marshal who was like family to her a long look. He met her gaze, appearing sincere. She chose to believe him, even if he didn’t exactly deserve that from her right now.
Kaylee opened the door, and they exited.
Roxie was waiting for them next to Bodie’s desk. The kid wore an expectant look.
“It seems there’s been no crime committed here,” Mina told them both. “Your independent contractor is off the hook. The implant was not procured by them, ordered by them, nor implanted by them.” Mina wouldn’t say they were perfectly clean, but it was close. Saying no to a federal marshal when you owe him something would be difficult for anyone.
Norm was likable and very persuasive when he needed to be.
“That’s right,” Norm echoed. “Don’t fire that poor girl. It was all me. She had nothing to do with it.”
“I see,” Roxie said.
“I told you Verna wouldn’t do something like that,” Bodie scoffed. “You owe me bronze ink, and I want Felix to do it.”
“Thank you both for your cooperation. It’s much appreciated,” Mina said.
Roxie moved forward, extending her hand once again. Mina shook it. “I was happy to help. You’re a good agent who takes her job seriously, and it shows. We were, and still are, thankful that you caught Cameron Tweed. Since his arrest, we have readjusted how we monitor our employees and how they treat their clients. We’ve added more cams and upped our privacy screening. All of those things have improved our business model, and that was thanks to your dil
igence. If you ever need anything, feel free to come back. We are open to your future investigations”—she winked as a slow smile spread across her lips—“and any inking needs you might have. We have a temp product that lasts for approximately three months. Can’t even tell the difference.” She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers, grinning.
Mina chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Hopefully, our paths won’t converge in a professional sense in the future, but if they do, I look forward to another positive interaction.”
They headed out a small side door across from Bodie’s desk and left him happily chatting about his future ink.
“Now why can’t every single person we deal with in the civilian world be as professional as Roxie?” Kaylee lamented. “Our jobs would be so much easier.”
“Now that’s just wishful thinking,” Mina said. “I’m calling a craft and reporting to McAllister. This plan is officially a go.”
Chapter 14
Mina checked her cuff for what felt like the fourteenth time as she paced back and forth in the middle of a bustling hallway full of litigators, civilians, and government staff.
She and Kaylee stood in the civic area, near pedestrian level in Government One. Norm had been one-on-one with the magistrate for going on thirty minutes.
“You’re like a nervous mother about to be presented with a litter of marmots,” Kaylee said. “Have a seat.” She patted the polymold next to her. “Stuff like this takes time. It’s not like we’re waiting for a box of chocolate gooeys to be finished being printed. This is a big-time ask. It’s going to work out. I feel it in my bones. And my bones don’t lie. Well, most of the time. Sometimes they’re just creaky. But this isn’t one of those times.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am right. I feel it deep in the marrow. Not the crunchy outer part. It’s no-lie marrow. And it’s squiggling around in there, telling me everything is going to be okay.”
Mina made a face. “Norm’s not the only one who needs some new analogies. Squiggly bone marrow?”
Kaylee huffed, pretending to be offended. “I have magnificent analogies. They’re quirky and unique, just like me.” She patted her chest as she blinked rapidly.
Before Mina could reply, the door slicked open, and Norm walked out.
He gestured for her to enter the room. “The magistrate wants to ask you a few questions,” Norm told her.
“Me?” Mina asked.
“Yep. He has my audio. He asked if you were here, and I told him you were.”
Mina nodded. “Okay. Did he give you his verdict?”
“Not yet,” Norm answered. “But I have a feeling he’s going to approve the warrant. He’s being extra cautious, and I don’t blame him one bit. You didn’t give me all the details of this plan on the way over, but holy wow, if we can pull this off, it will be stratospheric, literally.” Norm was showing happiness for the first time in too long. “I’ve spent my entire life trying to get this guy boxed for life. And, for the first time, it just might happen.”
Mina turned to Kaylee. “Contact McAllister and let him know I’m in with the judge. Then contact Harmony and see where they’re at. As soon as I’m done, and there’s approval, we need to be ready to move.”
“Got it,” Kaylee replied. “Now go get this done so my marrow can stop squiggling.”
Mina entered the room. The reception area was empty. Usually, an air breather or a bot would be stationed behind the welcome desk. No one was here. Two doors were set on either side of the space. One had a blinking red light above it, one had a green.
Mina moved toward the green light.
Behind her, a door slicked open. “In here, Agent Kane,” a familiar voice beckoned.
Mina turned, smiling. “Judge Mackey. It’s nice to see you again.”
Judge Rudolph Mackey was nearly as old as Norman Webb and had held the position of Superior High Court judge for the last forty years. He had an impeccable record and was known to be exceedingly fair. Mina was pleased McAllister had chosen him to oversee this case and that he’d been available. His ruling on this would not come without consequences, which he would be aware of, and he had accepted anyway.
On the rare occasions that Mina had had to testify about one of her cases or provide evidence for a warrant, more than half of them had been with Judge Mackey.
“Sit, sit.” He gestured toward one of the big chairs in front of his large, but not overly imposing, granite desk. He wore his official robes in black with silver accents. This testimony was being recorded, the vid feed highly encrypted.
Mina sat. “Thank you for hearing the evidence in this case.”
“Comes with the job,” he answered genially, even though Mina could sense his tension. “A warrant to take something out of the sky is a new one, even for me, and I’ve been doing this for a long time. I know it’s been legally approved a few times, but this is a tricky space for us to occupy. I’ve heard the testimony firsthand from ex-marshal Webb against one Wilbert Waterbury and will take that into consideration. But what will put me over the edge in my decision to authorize bringing a satellite down is your testimony on the aftermath of the torture you witnessed and the involvement of, and subsequent threat to, the colonel-in-arms of the French Protectorate, Vincent Kramer.” He indicated the wall behind him. “As you know, you are being recorded. Everything you say must be the whole truth to the best of your knowledge. If it’s discovered that anything you say in this room was a deliberate lie, it will be held against you in a court of law. Highly sensitive details pertaining to your agency division will be struck from the official report, as deemed by law. Some things are mandated to stay secret. But in order to protect the integrity of this proceeding, and the fact that secret dealings are what could very well mandate this warrant, they must be recorded. To protect us both. I don’t need to swear you in, as you are already a sworn agent of the federal government, but if you would like, I can, just as a reminder.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Mina said. “I understand how this works, and I will be truthful and straightforward to the best of my ability.”
“Okay, let’s begin. You’re a federal agent within the Corruption Investigation Unit,” Mackey said. “Is this correct?”
“Yes,” Mina confirmed.
It wasn’t something usually acknowledged out loud, but as Judge Mackey had just explained, this was an exception. Mina wasn’t sure if all the magistrates knew about their department, but many of them did.
“The CIU is overseen by a select committee and is legally allowed to operate with exemptions and modifications to current laws pertaining to privacy, acquiring data, secrecy, more so than other departments. Meaning your division is granted a more liberal interpretation of the law, especially when you’re involved in a case pertaining to high crime in federally held positions. Are you aware of this fact?”
“I am aware, yes.”
Judge Mackey inclined his head. “Because of this, CIU Director Duncan McAllister is entitled to ask for permissions that other directors can’t, such as bringing a private satellite down to Earth to be investigated.”
Mina hadn’t factored that in, but now that the judge had mentioned it, it made sense. It also indicated why McAllister hadn’t balked at their request. He knew his parameters better than she did. And it was true—the CIU had been created as a secret agency to fight crime particularly, but not exclusively, inside the government. It came with special legal benefits, such as their get-out-of-a-box-free card, being able to obtain a warrant for a quiet B&E like on the Tedesco case, and infiltrating the workforce with their identities masked—and apparently bringing satellites back to Earth.
“Even though this is within Duncan McAllister’s rights to request and comes with full upper committee approval,” Judge Mackey continued, “it behooves this court to consider all of the evidence before we make a decision to take what i
s likely a multimillion-dollar piece of equipment out of the sky. You are here to provide some of that documented evidence, Agent Kane. So let’s get to it.” He picked up a pen and a piece of paper, rather than reaching for a board. “Ex-marshal Norman Webb cited you as the agent who figured out where he’d been taken after he was kidnapped by one Wilbert Waterbury. Is this correct?”
“Yes.”
“How did you figure this out? Be as concise as you can.”
“I had just finished a case in which Norman Webb was hired to provide bodyguard duties. I discovered that Webb had confided to someone close to that case that if he went missing, it would likely involve a perpetrator connected to him who had just been released from a box. I narrowed that down to two likely candidates and zeroed in on Waterbury because he and Norm have a shared past.”
Judge Mackey nodded. “I heard all about that, and it’s been documented. According to Norman Webb, you found him a little less than twelve hours after he’d been taken, and thusly tortured, by Waterbury. When you entered Waterbury’s residence, you did not have a warrant—”
“I did not enter Waterbury’s residence. A private citizen did,” Mina corrected.
“Ah, yes, this is where the colonel-in-arms of the French Protectorate comes in. Not exactly a private citizen to many—or most—but technically he is while on American soil.” At that moment, a green light inset into his desk began to blink. Judge Mackey reached out and pressed a button connected to a small box on his desk. “Perfect timing. Please send in the witness,” he intoned to someone on the other end.
The door behind Mina opened a few moments later, and Vince walked in.
Mina had trouble masking her surprise.
Judge Mackey noted it. “I apologize for not telling you sooner that the colonel would be joining us, Agent Kane,” the judge said. “But everything we’re doing today requires a level of security that rivals any other case I’ve participated in. Director McAllister has been in contact with the Protectorate over the last few hours and was able to arrange a cloaked transpo for the colonel. It was necessary to have him here to complete this warrant request.” The judge turned to Vince, greeting him. “Welcome, Colonel Kramer. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m happy that you could come in on such short notice to make a formal deposition.”
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