Captain LeCoup led C and D Patrols out to deal with a large pride. On the fourth day, they met up with half of the 12th Squadron, which had been similarly dispatched from the Clemswood barracks. The tiny hamlet where their paths crossed was not big enough to shelter everyone, so the Rangers from the 23rd Squadron went farther up the valley to the next lonely cluster of dwellings. That night, Captain LeCoup and her two sergeants returned for a joint briefing. The women from the 12th were led by Lieutenant Bergstrom. One of the others was introduced as Sergeant Sivarajah. Chip studied her. From Katryn’s account, it was hardly surprising that the experienced corporal had been promoted to the position left vacant by Ellis’ death.
The meeting was routine. The gully that the lions were using as a den had already been identified, and a rough map had been drawn. After a short debate, a coordinated plan was agreed on, with roles assigned for a dawn sortie the next day. In less than half an hour, the officers from the 23rd were ready to leave. However, Chip wanted a private word with Jan Sivarajah first. Chances were that the women from the two squadrons would not even get close enough to recognize one another, but if they did, Chip did not want anyone attempting to lay into Katryn.
Chip slipped around the edge of the room to get to the newly promoted sergeant. “Jan Sivarajah? Can I have a quick word with you?” With her head, Chip indicated an empty corner.
“Do I know you?” Jan asked in confusion when they were out of hearing of the others.
“No. But you know one of the women in my patrol. Private Nagata.”
Jan’s expression flickered from surprise to concern to something that looked like guilt. “Oh, so that’s where she…um, yes…yes, I do. She was—”
Chip cut her off. “I know the whole story, including how she left the 12th. What I wanted to say was, after we’ve finished with the lions tomorrow, if she should be noticed, I don’t want any of your girls thinking they can carry on where they left off.”
“No,” Jan said immediately. “No, they won’t. You have my word on it. I—” She broke off, biting her lip, and then looked up at Chip. “Please tell her I’m sorry about what happened. I should have stopped it, but I was…” She held her hands up in a pained gesture. “Just tell her I’m sorry.”
“I’ll pass it on.”
“Katryn didn’t deserve all the blame. I know you must find it hard, having her in your patrol, but don’t hold it against her. Ellis pushed her so hard, anyone would’ve snapped. But I know she can be a good Ranger.”
“Katryn didn’t kill Ellis.”
Jan stared uncertainly at Chip. “Are you sure you’ve got the whole story?”
“Yes. Possibly more than you have.”
“It couldn’t have been anyone else. And it was her knife,” Jan said obstinately.
“No, it wasn’t.” Chip glanced across the room. LeCoup was standing by the door, looking in their direction. The captain did not have the appearance of impatience—yet—but it was not wise to keep her waiting. “I can’t hang around and talk, but it wasn’t her knife. Katryn’s was new issue from Fort Krowe. Ellis was stabbed with her own knife. The amount of wear gave it away. Someone made a switch, and the only reason I can think of was to frame Katryn.”
“Why didn’t Dolokov tell us that?”
“You know your captain better than I do.”
Chip started to back away, but Jan caught her arm. “You’re sure about the knife?”
“I’ve seen the report, signed by Lieutenant Sanchez and Captain Dolokov.”
Jan looked as though she was biting back her words, but then she released Chip’s arm “Okay. There isn’t time at the moment. Maybe we can talk some more tomorrow. And I promise there won’t be any trouble.”
*
The skirmish with the lions went largely according to plan and was over before the sun had cleared the horizon. The Rangers assembled afterward in small clusters, stamping their feet in the cold and shouting good-natured jibes to one another. Chip made a quick head count of her patrol, ensuring that everyone was present and unhurt—and particularly that Katryn was safe. Then she went to report to Captain LeCoup.
It was not the weather to be standing around in the open; but two women from the 12th had received minor injuries that required attention. As the most gifted healer present, Carma Achillea from D Patrol was sent to tend to them. Chip took advantage of the delay to go in search of Katryn’s ex-corporal. It was apparent that the same idea had occurred to Jan. The sergeants met in the open space between the two groups of Rangers.
“Sergeant Coppelli,” Jan hailed her.
“Hi again.” Chip gave the more informal greeting, pulling her cloak tightly around herself. A sharp wind was gusting over the hillside, and the clouds held the promise of more snow. They moved on to a spot sheltered by a tangle of bushes.
“I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what you said last night,” Jan opened the discussion.
“It gives a lot to think about,” Chip agreed.
Jan’s lips compressed in a thin line as she glared down at the snow. “No matter what way I add it up, it doesn’t work out well for the 12th.”
“True. You’ve got a murderer in your midst.”
“Yep.” Jan sighed. “That was pretty much the conclusion I reached.”
“Do you have any names topping your list of suspects?”
“Do you honestly expect me to answer that?”
“Not really,” Chip replied evenly. “Though it would be helpful if you did. I’ve learned enough to know that half the squadron had reason to want Ellis dead, and I think I can show that nine women had the opportunity to do it, you and Katryn among them. Except that Katryn wouldn’t have switched knives.”
“You think I might—” Jan began.
“You had a hefty grudge over your gene mother.”
“So you’ve been doing your research.” Jan’s voice was tight.
“It’s good practice for a Ranger who wants to stay alive.”
Jan looked up to meet Chip’s eyes. For the space of a dozen heartbeats, they held the contact. Then Jan made a wry grimace, but her face showed approval. “Very good practice.” She drew a deep breath. “And you’re right. I hated Ellis. I think part of the reason I didn’t stop the others from roughing up Katryn was because I felt so guilty about being pleased by Ellis’ death. My gene mother was the only one of my family I cared about. She knew I loved her, but I never got to explain why I...” Jan’s voice died. Then she said softly, “You always think you’ve got more time than you have.” She shook her head as if to dislodge the memories. “Yes. I was happy to see Ellis dead, but I didn’t kill her. And it wouldn’t have been with a knife if I had. I’m the squadron’s top tracker. I pick the trails and say where it’s safe to go. Do you know how easily I could have rigged an accident? Since Mom died, there have been several perfect opportunities.” Jan’s eyes bored into the horizon. “I’ll admit I thought about it. I was tempted, but I didn’t.”
Chip studied the other woman thoughtfully. “From what I know, I can give reasons why any of my nine suspects might have wanted to kill Ellis, but it’s only an exercise in stringing together facts. You know them—what they’re like as people, how they react. If you don’t want to tell me who you think did kill Ellis, perhaps you could tell who you think didn’t?”
Jan hesitated briefly and then spoke. “Nine suspects? Well, since I’m on your list, I guess you’ve worked out a way that someone who was in the White Swan could have managed it. So…” She pursed her lips. “Tina—she’d never knife someone in the back. She’s got a temper. If Ellis had been battered to death, Tina would be the one I’d look at, but she’d never stoop to backstabbing. Bo hasn’t got the brains, the ability or the guts to be a murderer. Pat doesn’t care about anything enough to kill for.”
“Not even being obliged to sleep with someone against her will?”
Jan gave a humorless laugh. “Your research is slipping. I’m sure Pat didn’t find Ellis attractive, but she used
to lead her on. Ellis might have thought she was the one in control, but it was Pat who was in the driver’s seat and got all the benefits.”
“And the other two?”
“Sal and Nikki? I can’t see that either had a motive.”
“I’d heard that Ellis threatened to block Sal’s re-enlistment because of her drinking.”
“There was no way Dolokov would listen to Ellis’ recommendation, and Sal knew it.” Jan rubbed a hand over her face. “So that’s six of your nine. You said Katryn was one, but I’ll assume by now that you’ve got a good idea of what she’s like. So who else is on your list of suspects?”
“Lieutenant Bergstrom.”
“Oh, yes. Her.” Jan squinted toward the rising sun. “I’d say that if she didn’t resort to murder when she was Ellis’ subordinate, I can’t see why she’d do it when she was in a position to make Ellis’ life awkward by way of revenge. And I guess your last suspect is Adebayo.” Chip was about to correct her but stopped, interested to hear what Jan might offer. “She was the only person who had a good word for Ellis. I suppose it would be nicely ironic for Ellis to be murdered by the nearest thing she had to a friend, but with so many people who hated her guts…” Jan did not finish the sentence.
“And Sergeant Takeda?”
“That’s ten.” Jan looked sideways at Chip. “Oh…whatever. Takeda is too conscientious. If she was going to murder someone, she’d have scheduled it on the duty roster and filed a report afterward.”
“I’ve heard she has a bit of a temper.”
“Takeda? Never.” Jan shook her head. “It says a lot about Ellis’ goading that she never got any reaction from Takeda. And even if her temper did flare up enough to commit murder, she wouldn’t have framed someone else.”
A call from LeCoup ended the discussion. Carma had returned, and farther down the hill, the Rangers from the 12th were heading for their horses.
“Looks like it’s time to go,” Chip said. “Thanks for your help. Maybe we’ll meet up again.”
“That’s okay. I think I owe Katryn something. I’m pleased she’s settled down in a squadron. I had been worried about what might happen to her. She deserves a decent sergeant.”
“I try my best, and like you, I owe her. Within a month of joining the 23rd, she’d saved my life. As you said last night, she’s got the makings of a very good Ranger.”
*
The taproom at the Three Barrels was full of Rangers. Over half the squadron had descended on the cozy tavern to swap stories. Kim’s patrol had returned to Eastford at the same time as Chip’s, and there was a fair bit of news to exchange. Because they were Rangers, this exchange was done at high volume, accompanied by large amounts of beer. The atmosphere was lively. Several women were singing a ballad of questionable taste.
In one of the quieter corners, Chip sat at a table, going over what she had learned with Kim, while Katryn added the occasional remark. Chip knew that they had to find a way to whittle down the list of suspects. The problem was working out how.
“The trouble is motive. There are just too many people who wanted Ellis dead,” Chip concluded.
“True,” Kim agreed. “Becoming a sergeant doesn’t do much for your popularity, but she does seem to be in a class of her own.”
“I hope so,” Katryn added in heartfelt tones. “I don’t want to run into someone like her again.”
Chip frowned. “Except I don’t think hatred was the driving motive. You lash out at someone you hate in a fit of anger. This murder was coldly planned in advance.”
“Okay. So give me some nice rational reasons to kill her,” Kim suggested.
Chip slipped down slightly in her chair as she mulled it over. “We know she was the sort of person who liked to have a hold over others, which is only half a step from blackmail. I’m sure that in her own eyes, Ellis thought she was on the side of the righteous. So it wouldn’t be for money, but maybe to try to get what she believed she was entitled to: a promotion. She knew Adebayo and Bergstrom from way back. They were both senior officers to her. She might have threatened to use some information she had on them.”
“Such as?”
“If Adebayo has never skimmed anything from the stores, she’s unique among quartermasters.”
“That’s a bit sweeping,” Kim protested.
“I don’t mean anything major—just that it’s very easy for them to start thinking of the stores as their own personal property. It may be only a flagon of beer, but they can still be court-martialed for taking it. And with Bergstrom, there’s the story about her going to pieces during the fight with the Mad Butcher. Suppose there were a few more details Ellis kept to herself, so she still had a hold over her? Ellis was desperate for promotion. Perhaps she tried putting pressure on.”
“But neither of them could have done anything. It would be up to Dolokov to recommend Ellis for a lieutenancy.”
“Oh, yes. But Ellis wasn’t a particularly reasonable woman. And it would mean that her victim was in an impossible position.”
Kim shook her head. “It’s feasible, but it’s too much conjecture. And I’m not sure about all this clambering over walls. It’s a shame we don’t have much of a motive for the one with the best opportunity.”
“Sergeant Takeda?” Chip fixed her eyes on the ceiling while running through everything she knew. “Well, we know she takes her responsibilities to her patrol seriously. She had someone’s life to avenge, and we don’t know what she and Ellis were arguing about earlier that day.”
“Might just have been Ellis thinking it funny that one of Takeda’s patrol was in the lockup,” Katryn said. “I agree with Jan’s assessment. Takeda hated Ellis, but she’s not the sort of person to act on emotion.”
Chip tilted her head toward Katryn. “Do you go along with Jan Sivarajah’s opinion of the rest of your ex-comrades?”
Katryn’s nose scrunched in thought. “More or less. I don’t think Sal took Ellis completely seriously—certainly not when she was drunk, and Ellis was killed after Sal had been in a tavern for a while. Which meant…” Katryn finished the sentence with a wave of the hand. “In the same way, I don’t think Bo took anything seriously.”
“Drunks are unpredictable, and I’ve never known one who wasn’t in debt. Ellis strikes me as the sort to lend money just to tighten her grip,” Chip said. “And by all accounts, Bo was the one who Ellis used to pick on most before you arrived.”
“So why kill Ellis when she was no longer the main target for abuse?” Katryn countered.
“What about the one who was sleeping with Ellis?”
“Pat?” Katryn shrugged. “Despite months in the same patrol, I’d say that I hardly know her. Jan reckoned it’s because there’s nothing to know.”
“Ellis was chancing her luck there. It’s always a bit dicey when a sergeant sleeps with one of her patrol. If there were any evidence of coercion, Ellis would have been in deep shit. LeCoup would be down on us like a ton of bricks at first hint of it in the 23rd.” Chip fought to keep her tone level and almost succeeded, although the sight of Kim smirking at her across the table did not help. Fortunately, Katryn’s attention was fixed on something on the other side of the room. Chip risked a disapproving frown at her friend, but this only served to amuse Kim more.
Chip managed to regain full control of her voice. “Maybe Pat objected more than she let on.”
Kim shook her head. “In that case, she could have made an official complaint, which would have been just as effective in stopping it and far less risky. What do you think, Katryn?”
Katryn’s eyes had been riveted on the far wall. She recalled herself. “Er...maybe. Um…Tina. For her, I’d go completely with Jan’s assessment. Tina would use her fists, not her knife.”
“Except we’re not talking about an attack in anger.”
“Perhaps.” Katryn relaxed visibly. “There’s more going on in Tina’s head than you’d guess from looking at her. Only the Goddess knows what lies at the bottom.”
> “So who does that leave?” Kim asked.
“Nikki and Jan herself.” Katryn tilted her head to one side. “I like Jan, although I know that’s no proof she isn’t guilty. And I can’t think of any reason Nikki would have to murder Ellis. Plus she isn’t the sort to plan things out.”
“Supposedly, it’s always the ones you don’t suspect,” Kim threw in. “Except in my experience, the first name to come to mind is the right one nine times out of ten.”
“And what’s your experience of this sort of murder hunt?” Chip asked wryly.
Kim raised her eyebrows, miming innocence. “Who said I was referring to murder?” She pointed to a group of three local women who had just entered the room and were looking at the Rangers. “Now, do you see the attractive one on the end? If that woman’s partner came around here tomorrow, complaining that her other half had gone out for a drink with friends and not come home, whose is the first name you’d think of?” Kim got to her feet, smiling. “And what are the chances you’d be right?”
Chip matched her friend’s grin. “Kim, really! You’re the sort of woman who gives Rangers a bad reputation.”
“I know, but someone has to do it.” Kim glanced at the three women and then back. “If you like, I could try to get her friends to come over.”
Katryn looked away. Chip hesitated for an instant—not because she was tempted, but she had caught the probing edge in Kim’s voice. “Thanks for the offer, but don’t bother.”
Rangers at Roadsend Page 24