Blood Alliance

by Connie Suttle

  I see them, Bree told me as she looked through my eyes at the staff assembled in Haris' large reception area. Those two standing together on your right despise Haris. Tell Rigo to send them elsewhere or terminate their employment.

  I'll do that. Anything else?

  Nothing that stands out for now.

  See anyone who'd be useful on Rigo's staff?

  Three. Two women and the young man at the very back. They were the newest hires for the Prime Minister and won't mind handling the media and arranging meetings with other government officials.

  Noted. I'll tell Rigo to keep them for sure.

  Most of the others can be fit into slots in other agencies. Ask the new people to help with that.

  All right. Thanks for the info.

  No prob. Have fun. Be careful.

  Rigo walked in surrounded by State House constables, who saluted him and marched away once he reached his office door. Drake and Drew, armed with seemingly ornamental blades and dressed in State House uniforms, took their positions on either side of Rigo and followed him inside the office.

  "First Advisor Haris wishes to meet with the following people immediately," I announced. The entire crowd went silent and waited expectantly.

  "Durese Salvi," I called the first woman's name. "Heercie Yongha," I called the second woman's name. "Farel Mikkuls," I spoke the young man's name. "Please join me and the Secondary Advisors in the First Advisor's office. Everyone else, return to your desks. You will be notified shortly regarding the future of your employment with Corez's government."

  Murmuring began immediately as they shuffled away. Unwilling to take any chances, I placed additional shields around the reception area. I wanted no surprises while Rigo sorted out his new employees and diagrammed a course of action for our mission. Besides running the government, there was the public hunt for Fallah's killer and the secret search for those who'd laid the obsession on her.

  I was the last one inside Rigo's new office, so I shut the door behind me. Bree recommended you keep these three on as additional assistants, and they can help place most of the others in new jobs, I sent to him. She also said there are two who should be let go. When you fire them, place compulsion. Bree says they hate the real Haris with a passion, and that sounds like fertile ground for a conspiracy to me.

  Send them to me after this meeting is over. We'll see to that, first thing.

  Murazal

  Travis

  I should have known Zanfield would leave nothing to chance. He'd studied Ylisis' words, movements and mannerisms carefully and carried them out to an exacting degree.

  His hair was now a solid, auburn color, just as Ylisis' was, thanks to Perri's spell. We'd been deposited in the proper homes and suites where Ylisis' guards and assistants lived, and, when it was time for us to go to work, we went through the normal routines of breakfast and traveling to work.

  Perri, as Ylisis' fiancée, lived in a separate suite at the Presidential Palace. It was easier to guard her if she were there, rather than in her own home.

  Bro, you on the train? Trent sent to me.

  I am—third car from the engine, I replied.

  Be there shortly. In less than a minute, Trent walked through the open door, which shut behind him as he sat two seats down from me. This was the busy time for the train; it was loaded with people going to work.

  The man who sat beside me had to be in his one-sixties and not far from retirement. A comp-vid held loosely in one hand, he read an article on Prime Minister Fallah's death, which included Rigo's speech after his arrival on Corez. The news outlets were buzzing about the speech; some speculated that there was little evidence to go on in Fallah's death and that Rigo's promise could be an empty one.

  If they knew my mother, they'd back up in a hurry. Mom would solve this mystery if it were solvable, even if she had to bend time to do it. If she read the same article, that would be the same as offering a challenge.

  I wondered how Kell, Kooper and Opal would deal with Mom looking into Fallah's murder, because the ASD could, by law, be asked to investigate the unnatural death of any world leader.

  "You see this?" the man shook his comp-vid at me. "Even a blind man can see that Haris is involved in this somehow."

  "I think the ASD will have the final say," I said evenly, not wishing to pick a fight.

  "Hmmph. Bunch of helpless dinkies, in my opinion."

  "Have you always felt that way, or has something recent convinced you otherwise?" I asked.

  "Hmmph. That bunch stood aside and let the entire planet of A'pelur get blown to bits."

  "Ah." I wasn't about to say that I'd personally been there until just before it did blow up, and there was nothing else to be done about it.

  "Did you lose family or friends?"

  "Hmmph. Oldest daughter married a damn idiot from there."

  "What was her name?"

  "Sharal. Sharal Sawin. Dead and gone, with not a bit to say farewell to."

  Randl, I sent, is there someone named Sharal Sawin on Sirena now? From A'pelur?

  She's here—her husband isn't.

  Well, her dad is sitting next to me on a train, bashing the ASD because they didn't save her or the planet.

  I'll make a note to have a visit with her.

  Thanks.

  "I'm sorry about your daughter," I told the man as our train pulled into the State House station. "What did you say your name was, again?"

  "Didn't. Name's Tedri. Tedri Clurk. Work in the Water Purity Department at the State House."

  "Tedri, I hope your day is a good one."

  "Well, thank you, I suppose. Not often I talk to anybody about my girl."

  I let him get off the train first, so I could exit with Trent.

  He may not have talked to you if you were dressed in your uniform, Trent informed me as we stepped onto the decorative swirls of colored stone at the State House's landing. Conversation between the crowds disembarking from the train echoed against the hard surfaces surrounding us.

  You heard that? I replied.

  Yeah. Hope his daughter wants to see him, or he'll go to his grave thinking she's dead.

  Randl will sort it out, now that he knows about the problem. Maybe we should convince Zanfield to invite him to a function or something.

  Good idea.

  We walked along a corridor in the State House, which led to a trans-vator going to the First Advisor's suite of offices on the top floor. Our wrist chips caused the security scanner to beep when we boarded the car, noting our arrival and granting permission to access the top floor.

  The guard's office held desks, a bathroom, changing room and personal lockers, so we could dress in our decorative uniforms. We no longer appeared as Falchani and I was glad about it; no self-respecting warrior would dress in orange and green, with tassels hanging from the grip of their blades.

  "Nobody's going to mistake us for anything other than the High Guard," Trent mumbled as he fastened the top buckle on his knee-high boots. "For real."

  "Incentive to get in and get out, then," I reached out to smack his arm. Instead of the usual, dull, decorative blades the other guards carried, our swords gleamed, sharp and straight, in the artificial light of the changing room.

  Our blades slipped into scabbards simultaneously. We preferred having swords at our backs rather than at our sides, but we'd been taught both ways, so it wouldn't be a hindrance.

  And, as people would only see the hilts of the blades, they'd never know they were authentic weapons.

  "Ready for day one?" Trent grinned at me.

  "Yeah. Let's get this show on the road."

  State House, Corez

  Lissa

  I followed Rigo; Winkler and Gavin followed me as we headed to the First Advisor's office for a scheduled meeting, first thing. Drake and Drew, already dressed in purple and green, like grapes with green leaves tossed in, stood outside the wide outer door, guarding it against imaginary intruders.

  Nice outfits, I told them as w
e passed through.

  Inside the conference room and to the right were several department heads, mostly from security and investigation units, waiting there for us. At least they'd had drinks and snacks available to them.

  "My apologies for keeping you waiting," Rigo announced, although we were on time for the meeting.

  You see them? I sent to Bree.

  Yeah—nobody guilty in this bunch—not of the murder, anyway.

  Good. Thanks. I can take it from here.

  "We have the preliminary findings from the crime scene," a man to Rigo's right said, pushing a comp-vid across the opaque glass tabletop.

  "I see," Rigo lifted the comp-vid and expertly flipped through the screens, which showed pictures and descriptions of forensic evidence. "No indication of poisoning, although there are several poisons which cannot be detected," he mused while reading.

  "There were marks on her body," a woman on the left spoke up. "No clear death wounds, according to the coroner, but marks, nonetheless."

  "I'm looking at those now—she was bound, hand and foot—is that correct?" Rigo lifted his eyes from the screen to study the six officials around the table.

  "Yes, that does appear to be so, but those were certainly not death wounds."

  "Of course." Rigo went back to the comp-vid. "No asphyxiation, no injection wounds, no noted poisons. Have there been any other deaths similar to this one?"

  "No, First Advisor. My department has carefully searched all records going back fifty turns. Nothing like this has been reported."

  "Your name?" Rigo asked.

  "Parak, First Advisor. I'm Assistant Director for the Records and Reports unit of the Department of Investigations."

  "Good work, Parak."

  "Thank you, sir."

  "May I make an observation?" The woman to Rigo's left spoke again.

  "Go ahead," Rigo nodded.

  "It's no secret that Prime Minister Fallah had strayed from her usual ah, course, recently," the woman began.

  She's Anila Milli, Chief of Investigations, I sent to Rigo.

  "That is an astute observation, Chief Milli," Rigo told her. "One that has been remarked upon by others. Do you believe this may have resulted in her death?"

  "I think it's possible," she replied. I could see that she was pleased the First Advisor knew her name.

  "As do I. Regardless of straying off course in recent days, Prime Minister Fallah was a good public servant, and we will put forth every effort to solve this murder. Someone who committed murder is still among us and needs to be brought to justice. Is there anyone here who disagrees with that decision?"

  "None, Sir," came from the man on the right.

  Farram, Chief of Police for the city, I told Rigo.

  "Thank you, Chief Farram," Rigo said. "Going forward, I expect all of you to work together and share information. This isn't a contest between departments or services. This is a quest for justice and must not be hindered for any reasons, including personal ones. Now, I have a special request for you, Chief," he told Farram. "I wish to visit the crime scene with the Second Advisors and my assistant. Can that be arranged today?"

  "I was going to stop by on my way back to the station," Farram said. "You're welcome to accompany me."

  "I think we'd all like to come, Sir," Chief Milli said.

  "Then we'll go. Jezra, arrange for transport, please."

  "I'll have it available in less than fifteen," I said.

  "Very well. That will give us time to refresh ourselves," Rigo turned toward me.

  Drew, honey, I sent to him. Get us a bus to carry twelve to the crime scene.

  Where the First Advisor goes, we go, he pointed out.

  I'm counting on it, I replied.

  The hoverbus provided was quite plush and was normally utilized to haul visiting diplomats and their families. I doubt it had ever made a trip to a crime scene during its existence.

  "Why or how the Prime Minister left the State House is still under investigation," Parak explained after Rigo questioned him. "We've watched every recording from every device, in and outside of the State House, with nothing to show for it. We've found nobody walking away or driving or taking the train," he added. "It makes no sense."

  "Are there any wizards, witches or warlocks living on Corez?" I asked.

  Parak blinked in surprise when I asked the question, rather than Rigo.

  "Jezra has a mind for solving puzzles, Assistant Director," Rigo reassured him. "Answer all her questions, as she will only share the answers with me."

  "Ah. Very well, then. I have done some research in that area, and have a list of names, although their past personal and work histories don't point to them as suspects. I'll send it to you now," he tapped on his comp-vid. In no time, I had a list of fewer than thirty power-wielders to go through.

  None of these names make me itch, I sent to Rigo.

  Folding space or skipping seems the only way she could have left the State House, Rigo observed. Someone we don't know about, most likely.

  "I'd also like a list of names, with images, of all visitors to the State House, who had interaction with the Prime Minister within the past three months," Rigo told Parak.

  "I'll have it for you this afternoon."

  "Very good. Ah, we're here," Rigo announced as the hoverbus stopped, then slowly lowered itself to the wide walkway outside the brothel, where the Prime Minister's body had been found.

  I hope there's still some scent left that hasn't been disturbed, I told Rigo as we stepped off the bus.

  I worry the scene may have been contaminated by too many investigators, Gavin chimed in.

  I feel the same way, Winkler noted. The scene is muddied now, scent-wise, unless I miss my guess.

  Still, there may be something to be found, Rigo said calmly.

  "We've checked the recorded images of all who came and went during the time of the Prime Minister's death," Parak volunteered as we walked inside the square, six-level, nondescript building which housed a legal brothel.

  "Somebody was making a statement by dumping Fallah here," Chief Milli sniffed.

  "I think the same," I told her. "Parak, are there any security cameras on the roof of

  this building, or trained on the roof of this building?"

  "None on this building. I'll do a search of those surrounding it."

  "I'll order satellite recordings if necessary, during the appropriate time," Rigo murmured.

  "I'll go through employee records at the State House," I said. "When we get back."

  You'll send them to Quin?

  Of course, along with the visitor records from Parak.

  Very good. If any of them have a whiff of Sirenali influence about them, we must know that quickly.

  Right there with you, dude.

  You call me dude?

  I called you dude, dude.

  I think I like it.

  Gavin sure didn't.

  I saw the corners of Rigo's mouth curl. Hah—I cracked an old vamp, and it felt like a victory.

  The room was at the top of the building and undergoing renovations when the body was discovered. I walked in with Rigo, and the hologram of where the body was found still shone on the floor.

  Paint containers and the reno-bot were in a far corner of the room; it hadn't even started putting color on the walls before the body was left there.

  Rigo's head turned and his eyes met mine. Before anyone could stop us, we went straight for the paint-bot.

  Randl would be helpful, right now, Rigo said as he and I sniffed around the paint-bot.

  How would we explain what he can see? I asked.

  No idea.

  I may have another idea, but we'll get to that later. Let's do more sniffing, then go back and send those images to Quinnie Bee.

  Too many people in here for me to sort through all the scents, Winkler informed me after only a few minutes.

  Any evidence has been collected by forensics already—I'll look into that, Gavin offered.

/>   I may do some time-bending tonight, if you guys want to come with me, I sent.

  I want to come, Winkler said right away. We can get information from the room before anybody else invades it.

  I will most certainly come, Gavin insisted.

  As will I, Rigo agreed.

  "The body was found in this pose," Parek showed an image to Chief Milli. "I think Fallah was killed somewhere less ah, hospitable."

  "Than an empty bordello undergoing renovation? What do you have that supports your theory?"

  "Forensics just found the tiniest spot on one of the Prime Minister's fingers—it was originally classified as a burn, but someone decided to look again, because if it were a burn, it would have to originate from a very small point of heat. What the assistant coroner found is that in this tiny instance, that part of the body was exposed to acid."

  "How small?" Rigo demanded.

  Parak handed his comp-vid to Rigo.

  "What do you think?" He held the comp-vid so I could see the image displayed.

  "It's like the tiniest droplet splashed right there, and only one, unless there are similar spots elsewhere?" I frowned at Rigo.

  "No other spots have been found," Parak said. "The acid is a corrosive, obviously. Preliminary findings suggest berolic acid."

  "Berolic comes in crystal form," Rigo said. "A single crystal, perhaps, somehow came in contact with her finger?"

  "If it is berolic, then I assume so," Parak agreed. "I had no idea you knew so much about acids."

  "Curiosity, mostly," Rigo said. "Who has access to berolic acid? It's a controlled substance."

  "I'll do research," Parak promised.

  "I hope you have employees who can help," I said. "Your duties are stacking up, Assistant Director."

  "I have two assistants. They can trace sales of the acid while I tend to other things. The Director is on family leave with a new wife."

  "Then I shall send a note of congratulations," Rigo said. "Come—I think we've seen enough for today."

  Make sure I get a pic of the Director, then, I grumped to Rigo. For now, nobody is above suspicion.

  Tiessa, I also wish to see this Director. His absence is rather convenient, after all.