Dekkard had no idea who Tharsus was, but Obreduur clearly did.
“He did,” said Baartol. “He’s still got an office not far from here. The other guy, his associate, Roven Kharl, handles the court stuff.”
At that moment, the servers returned with platters of tapas.
Once the servers departed, Obreduur asked, “Did you have any luck in tracking down Tarn Trading?”
Dekkard tried the crispy fried aubergine with the spiced honey and thyme, and found it good, if not outstanding. The goat cheese with quince jelly was better.
“They’ve got an office across from the customs warehouse,” replied Bartol. “Not much to go on, but the legalist on retainer is from Paarsfal and Waaghnar, one of those pretentious outfits whose priority is to use the law to protect commercial interests. Some of their clients are Guldoran Ironway, Siincleer Shipbuilding, Uldwyrk Systems … and, of course, Transoceanic, for matters that have political implications.”
Dekkard recognized the corporacions, although all he knew of Uldwyrk was that they built steam turbines for warships and the newer freighters.
Obreduur nodded. “That suggests they’re a hidden subsidiary of some well-endowed corporacion. Do you have any idea who?”
Baartol shook his head. “Could be any of those I mentioned.”
“Why do you think they went after Steffan?”
“They probably thought he was Raynaad.”
Obreduur pursed his lips. “Steffan’s more muscular and taller … and much younger.”
“Their hair color is about the same, and I’d wager there’s not that much difference in height. Carlione also said that Steffan was in a suit and not security grays. He never told his staff who was coming, just an aide from your office.”
“So one of them could have let it slip?”
“It wasn’t a secret, was it?”
“I never told anyone but Steffan.” Obreduur looked to Dekkard.
“The only people who knew I was going were Avraal, Roostof, and the councilor. Karola knew I was working on tariffs and so did one of the Council’s staff legalists…” Dekkard paused as he remembered something else. “Charmione Lundquist, the junior legalist for Councilor Vhiola Sandegarde, found out from the Council legalist that I was working on fine-art tariffs.”
Baartol shrugged. “That’s enough people that the Commercers would know someone was coming. They wouldn’t have expected a security aide like Steffan.”
“Does this tie in to the disappearance of Mathilde Thanne?” asked Obreduur.
“I’d say it does,” interjected Irlende. “Empaths just don’t go missing.”
“There’s no proof,” Baartol said flatly.
“There won’t be,” replied Irlende, her voice cold. “There wasn’t any proof when Safaell’s junior legalist was accidentally shot and killed as a bystander when he was leaving Haarlaan’s after taking his wife to dinner. And the next Craft staffer, legalist, or supporter killed or missing won’t be an empie. That would be too obvious, but it might be a key senior legalist.”
Obreduur didn’t look in the slightest surprised. “What do you suggest?”
“Keep doing what you’re doing and have your family and staff be careful,” replied Baartol. “We’re doing our best to keep Security off-balance.”
Obreduur offered a sardonic smile. “That’s going to be harder than it sounds with the New Meritorists targeting councilors and ‘renegade’ Security agents targeting Craft staffers.”
Why staffers and not councilors? Dekkard looked at the half-finished platters of tapas in the center of the combined table and decided he wasn’t that hungry. He did take a small swallow of lager.
“The New Meritorists are going to stage more demonstrations,” said Baartol. “They’ve been getting semi-automatic pistols from Atacaman sources, possibly even machine pistols and rifles.”
“Do you have any idea when?”
Baartol shook his head. “They’ve reorganized into a cell system to make it harder for Security to connect people. Security only knew about the firearms because they found a shipment on an Atacaman barge that broke loose from a tow and grounded on our side of the Rio Doro.”
“You’re full of cheerful news, Carlos,” said Obreduur.
“I have a question for you,” replied Baartol. “With Aashtaan assassinated, do you have any idea who will be the next chairman of the Commerce Committee?”
“No, but it’s going to be a problem. The next most senior Commercer on the committee is Vhiola Sandegarde.”
“The heiress to Kathaar Iron & Steel?”
“The very same, and the next most senior is Erik Marrak.”
“… and he got on the committee because his family holds the controlling interests in Eastern Ironway and Marrak Manufacturing,” said Irlende.
“But since Sandegarde has all sorts of inherited holdings beside Kathaar,” added Obreduur, “and knows, literally, where a few bodies are buried, Ulrich is going to have to do some negotiating to keep the Marrak family happy. They’ve been pushing for him to be chair.”
“Do you think the assassin knew that?” asked Baartol.
“I don’t see how the assassin could have known where Aashtaan was even going to be. She just got lucky, if you want to call it that.” Obreduur smiled for a moment. “But it wouldn’t hurt if Security got the idea that the assassin was a New Meritorist who targeted Aashtaan. It might even be true. You have some contacts there.”
“What if she denies it?”
“She can’t,” replied Obreduur. “She died under interrogation. They got almost nothing from her. Maendaan let that slip earlier today. You might look into Aashtaan’s background, and anything you can find out about why someone might have had a grudge against him.”
“We’ll see what we can do. That might keep them off-balance, at least for a time.” Baartol leaned back slightly. “That’s all I’ve got. Is there anything else I should know?”
“Security … or some of their unofficial operatives … are trying to put Craft security aides into compromising positions. Isolates going out alone are vulnerable to it because they can’t sense the empathic manipulation. If they react badly, they’ll end up in gaol or at least being dismissed for inappropriate conduct.”
“That one’s new.”
“It’s not new,” said Irlende. “It was used a lot fifteen years ago. People forget, and then it becomes useful again.”
Obreduur nodded. “That’s where things stand now.” He pushed back his chair and rose, as did Baartol.
Dekkard and Ysella and the others also stood.
Irlende edged toward Dekkard. He smiled pleasantly and waited.
“I like what you did to Grellek—the empie who tried to mindbend you—but the next time he’ll have a sniper somewhere.”
“Thank you. The councilor said the same thing.”
“As you have to know, he’s worth heeding.”
“I learned that within days of coming to work for him.” Dekkard smiled ruefully.
“Good for you.” With that, Irlende turned abruptly toward Baartol.
Obreduur gestured, and Dekkard understood. He led the way out of the side room, then waited just inside the polished brass doors while Obreduur exchanged more friendly banter with Rabool at one side of the main room, where most of the tables were now filled.
After several minutes, Obreduur left the proprietor, and Dekkard led the way out to the Gresynt past the doorman and bouncer, who said, “No one’s touched your steamer.”
Obreduur smiled and slipped him another five-mark note before letting the bouncer open the rear door.
As Dekkard eased the Gresynt away from Rabool’s, Obreduur said, “I know you both have questions. Not here. Just make sure, as well as you can, that we’re not being followed. I’ll answer your questions when we get to the house.”
Dekkard took a circuitous route back so that he ended up approaching the house slowly from the west, rather than going east on Altarama. He slowed over the
last two blocks to give Ysella time to sense if anyone was lying in wait.
No one was.
Once Dekkard garaged the steamer and closed up, he made his way to Obreduur’s study, where the councilor and Ysella waited.
Dekkard closed the door and seated himself in the chair beside Ysella across the desk from Obreduur.
“Questions?” asked Obreduur gently.
“Does Carlos Baartol work directly for the Guilds’ Advisory Committee?” asked Dekkard.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I don’t see how he could know or find out all of what he said otherwise. If he doesn’t…”
“He’s officially a private researcher on retainer to several local guilds and to the Advisory Committee.”
“And we met at Rabool’s,” pressed Dekkard, “because Security has a tendency to watch the Guildhall, and the Commercers get very interested if Craft councilors go there too often?”
“Partly. Also, because Rabool’s is Carlos’s favorite bistro, and he eats there several times a week, for lunch or for dinner. Security gave up years ago on tailing him during the late bells. Especially when several agents turned up mysteriously dead and the former Craft Party floor leader came up with a listing of all the times Security had tailed a private researcher to restaurants at night on Imperial funds. That was something that the newssheets could and did print. Baartol’s empies were also watching. If Security or some Commercer private operatives had shown up, they would have had a memory overload. They’d know someone had been to meet Carlos, but not who.”
“Baartol has two empies, Isobel Irlende and another?” asked Avraal.
“He may have more than that,” replied Obreduur. “He also has a very good legalist—Jerrohm Kaas.”
That name was vaguely familiar to Dekkard, but he couldn’t say why, and he had another more personally pressing question. “Commercer private operatives? When you mentioned private operatives before, you didn’t say they were Commercers.”
“They aren’t, not exactly. They operate for pay. Almost always, that means they’re hired by Commercers or their intermediaries. As I told you before, they were most likely the ones who shot at you. I hadn’t realized that my success in building the Craft Party had upset them enough to go after you, and I’m sorry about that.” Obreduur paused. “You can still leave and go to Oersynt to a better-paying position. I wouldn’t want you to feel coerced.”
“I’m staying.” Dekkard couldn’t have articulated all the reasons why, only that it felt right. “But I do have one other question, sir.”
“Just one?” Obreduur’s voice was ironically humorous.
“To start with. Was Councilor Mardosh pushing for something about the Security Ministry that the Commercers don’t like?”
“Not something. Several things. He’s been forward on trying to pass legislation that prohibits tailing, surveilling, or investigating elected officials unless there is physical or other evidence that suggests beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a possibility of illegal acts. He also wants a felony charge and removal for any Security official or patroller found guilty of violating that law.”
“I take it that Chairman Maendaan opposes it.”
“He does, as do most Commercers. That’s not surprising since Security agents have been tailing Craft political figures for years looking for any possibilities to charge them with offenses or crimes. They’ve seldom been able to bring an indictment, let alone convict anyone, but a charge usually destroys a Craft politician because no one prints the exonerations or the findings of innocence. The only time a Commerce or Landor politician gets charged is when all Guldor knows about it and they can’t cover it up.”
“You didn’t seem surprised when Irlende said that the Commercers or people working for them are targeting Craft staffers and legalists,” said Ysella.
“I knew that was a possibility, but I wanted to see if Carlos or Isobel brought it up.”
“Why aren’t they targeting Craft councilors as well as staffers?” asked Dekkard.
“It would be too obvious,” said Ysella, “and very dangerous politically. Most people don’t care what happens to aides. Also, it could be counterproductive. If someone removed … say Councilor Waarfel, then the party could pick a far better replacement, and the Commercers would be stuck with him or her at least until the next election, if not for a great deal longer.”
“There’s another reason for targeting aides,” said Obreduur seriously. “Where do you think the Craft Party gets qualified candidates for councilor? The only three non-government occupations that provide enough training and background for those with a Craft background are either Council staff or guildmeisters or assistant guildmeisters … or guild legalists. And since not all guildmeisters understand or can learn politics and not all Craft staffers understand guild needs, we take the best from where we can and train them. In time, you might be one of them.”
If you survive. “They’re targeting me because I someday might be a Council candidate?”
Obreduur’s soft laugh was sardonic. “Not just you. But you have possibilities. In time. You’re intelligent. You speak well, even when you’re caught off guard. You have an artisan background and that understanding. You can learn, and as an isolate, you can’t be emotionally manipulated by hidden empaths. It doesn’t hurt that you’re good-looking. Now … don’t get ideas. You have a great deal to learn, and you may decide politics isn’t what you want.”
“But green as you are,” said Ysella, “you’d make a better councilor than some Landors, like Saarh, or even a few Commercers.”
“Or even, unfortunately,” said Obreduur, “one or two Craft councilors. But right now, I need both of you doing what you are. I’d like you to be very careful, for both my sake and yours. There are a few other things you need to know. The legalists and researchers of the Guilds’ Advisory Committee have been doing some research. They’ve discovered that Guldoran corporacions have built and are building several massive factories in Noldar. They’ve reached an arrangement with the government there to employ susceptibles.”
“Susceptibles? Is that legal there?” asked Ysella.
“If the government approves,” replied Obreduur, “and since Guldoran Ironway and others provided healthy incentives to the Oligarch and his aides…”
Bribes. But Dekkard just listened.
“… the government of Noldar, effectively the Oligarch, approved the practice. It’s apparently a cooperative effort, because the Oligarch had been breeding susceptibles with the thought of using them as soldiers before he discovered that there were certain unfortunate … drawbacks…”
“Such as the need to hire empaths to keep them under control … and the fact that empaths couldn’t easily be forced to serve as combat officers?” said Ysella dryly.
“Why didn’t they think about that earlier?” asked Dekkard.
“The Oligarch doesn’t like subordinates who disagree. I understand that those who agreed with the ill-starred plan are no longer … available, either. But … a surplus of susceptibles, a small army, in fact, became available, and there are certainly quite a number of low-level empies who don’t mind being paid to keep workers motivated.”
“Particularly in a country as poor as Noldar, I’m sure,” said Ysella, acidly.
“Forced low-paid labor, in effect,” said Dekkard.
“With the aim of producing goods at much lower costs to import to Guldor.” Obreduur continued, “In fact, Guldoran Ironway already has a manufactory there producing textiles for the ironway, upholstery fabrics, curtain fabrics, cloth for uniforms, possibly more. Transoceanic has built several large manufactories there, and the Banque of Oersynt opened offices in Noldar, Tekkan, and Argorn over the past few months…”
“And the art objects being imported as housewares fit into that pattern as well?” added Dekkard. “What are you going to do?”
“Well…” Obreduur drew out the word. “… since we can’t prove the bribery that’s
going on, we can point out that corporacions are deceiving tariff assessors and robbing the Imperial Treasury … and that costs all taxpayers. We can also charge them with using sussies to make cheap goods in foreign lands … and there may be a few other matters we can bring up, but I’ll let you know about those if they pan out. Also, there’s one other thing you two need to plan for.”
Ysella raised her eyebrows.
“You’ll both be going with me to Gaarlak, Oersynt, and Malek over Summerend recess.”
“Is it going to be that dangerous?” asked Ysella. “You’ve not taken us both before.”
“Not as dangerous as Machtarn is turning out to be, I’d say. People, especially Craft supporters, need to see you as well as me, and you won’t be in security uniforms.”
“Why Gaarlak?” asked Dekkard. “That’s not in your district.”
“No, but we’ll go right through it on the way to Oersynt. It’s a Landor district now—Emilio Raathan, but the next time elections are called he’ll have to step down. Since I was going that way, the Advisory Committee has asked me to meet with the guilds there to see what we can do to turn out more folks who will support whoever our candidate will be. I’d like your views as well because we won’t be there that long, and three pairs of eyes are better than one. I’d also like you both to think about what matters most to people, especially those things the Council ignores. We can talk about all that on the way there. We’ll have more than enough time on the ironway.” Obreduur yawned. “It’s been a longer day than any of us planned. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Given that pleasant dismissal, Dekkard simply said, “Sleep well, sir.” At the same time … there was something about Gaarlak, but he couldn’t place it.
Then he and Ysella left the study. As they walked from Obreduur’s study back toward their quarters, Dekkard stopped in the corridor between the kitchen and the staff room and said, “I finally managed to look up Joel Janhus.”
“And?”
“Do you really think anyone who stands against the New Meritorists will be vilified through recorded history?”
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