by Rien Reigns
Several expressions shot across her face. They were so rapid fire it was hard for me to get an idea of what they meant. I couldn’t tell if she was shocked because of my question, or if it was because the question hit home.
She started to say something, stopped, thought something through, then said, “That is the most ridiculous thing I think I’ve ever heard. There’s no reason what-so-ever for him to do something so stupid. And just because my husband feels sorry for people who can’t pay their premiums, and created a relief fund for them, that doesn’t mean he supports those terrorists calling themselves E3.”
“I agree,” I said. And I really did. However. “But isn’t it possible someone could think that based on the point you just made?”
“Is that why you’re at the Regency?” she asked. I saw the lights come on. Grow brighter. Saw the signs of deductive reasoning acting as a fuel source. “It is, isn’t it? That’s why you were acting like a waiter. Why you were close enough to eavesdrop on our conversation. Why were you in our apartment?” The last light bulb lit. “You were investigating my husband.”
“Mrs. Beit, I understand you’re a lawyer. I also understand you used to work for ChronoGen on their legal team. As such, I’m sure you’re aware that if I were investigating your husband, I wouldn’t be able to discuss it, especially not with you.”
I saw she understood that I’d just told her she was right without actually doing so. I’d tossed her some scraps, and now it was time for her to give me some.
“Mrs. Beit.” I said, starting again.
“Let’s stop right there. If we’re going to continue talking, you’re both going to start calling me Nora, not Mrs. Beit. The last thing I need right now is to be constantly reminded that my husband is dead.” There was anger in her voice. Almost no detectable sadness.
Interesting.
‹“Kali, what’s your analysis of Mrs. Beit’s behavior?”›
‹Because the investigation is still ongoing, and it’s a possibility Mrs. Beit is either covering up for her husband, or is a member of E3 herself, I have been monitoring her heart rate, perspiration, respiration, and other bodily functions.›
‹“And?”›
‹Inconclusive.›
‹“What do you mean?”›
‹Mrs. Beit has just lost her husband. People experience death and react to it in a multitude of ways. At the moment my analysis is inconclusive.›
‹“Hello?”› Ranger-son interrupted.
“Huh?”
They were both looking at me.
Mrs. Beit/Nora, spoke. “I want to know who accused my husband. I want their name so I can sue their ass for slander.”
I smiled. “Let’s say that someone did accuse your husband, I’ve already stated, I can’t divulge that information.”
“It’s interesting,” Ranger-son said, “You’re concerned about your husband’s reputation in regards to being a terrorist, and yet you’re accusing him of having an affair.”
Nora shot him an interesting look. It was brief and subtle, but unmistakable. They definitely knew each other. A clearer picture of the situation started to reveal itself. She’d seen him in the gardens. That’s why he wasn’t bearing down on her.
“My husband’s reputation, is my reputation, as well as that of our company. Not only is my husband’s death a significant blow, but can you imagine what would happen if it got out that it was possible my husband was a member of E3? I’d be finished. My career would be over, and I still have my best work ahead of me. And just because I’m accusing my husband of having an affair to you, doesn’t mean that I would allow that information to go public, do you understand me?”
It was logical. No one really cared about affairs anymore. But people did care about terrorism, revolutionaries, and E3.
“Let me reassure you Mrs. Beit,” I said. I had the instinct to reach out and place my hand on hers, but since we weren’t that close, and she seemed too hostile towards me, I didn’t. Instead I kept talking. “If you’re concerned about anything you say to us as part of this investigation being released publicly, don’t be. Everything will remain confidential and sealed. I assure you, I know full well what simple allegations might do to both you and your company. We have absolutely no intention of allowing the public to learn about them. Inquisitors pride ourselves on discretion.”
“Yeah, sure, that’s why Cassius has been all over the news.”
I felt my jaw tighten. Oops. “There were extenuating circumstances with that case. It was high profile and an example needed to be made.”
“Are you saying that my husband wasn’t as important as that wretch of a man?”
For a second I was afraid she was going to briskly extend her leg and catch me in my crotch for implying as such.
Lucky me, she didn’t.
I held up my hands. “Please accept my apologies for unintentionally implying that. We all know how important your husband was. I understand he was the visionary behind this very resort. He was also the headliner for this conference. In a very true sense, he’s the reason we’re all here.” Now it was my time to mull over what I was going to say.
Kali even piped in with some advice warning me not to say what I was thinking.
I ignored her as I often do.
“I’ll be honest with you, Nora.” It’s always good to be personable. “It is my belief that any allegations made against your husband are false and were made for ulterior motives.”
Sometimes honesty begets honesty.
“No shit they were made for ulterior motives. It’s all an elaborate scheme to ruin my company.”
“That’s an interesting turning of words you just used Mrs. Beit,” Ranger-son said. “You just said your company. Your husband’s only been dead for a couple of hours.”
What? Maybe I was wrong about them. Why would Ranger-son suddenly act against her?
She looked directly at him. “Don’t go getting any ideas. I’ve always called it my company. Ask anyone. And if you’d done a proper job of preliminary investigating, you’d know that it really is my company, and always has been. My husband and I may have been partners in many senses, but if you look closely at the books, you’ll realize that I founded the company and have always maintained majority share.”
“Can you think of anyone who would want your husband dead?” I asked for the too-manyith time.
“I can think of several people. It’s only natural that being the best at what you do would cause people to dislike you. And my husband, being the man that he was, it’s only obvious that a few radical individuals might want him dead.”
Ranger-son spoke before I could reply. “What sort of man was your husband that would cause people to want him dead, and for at least one person to follow through with that desire? Because there’s a pretty big difference between disliking your competition and wanting them dead. Take my temporary partner for example.” He said it with a grin directed at me. He even went so far as to add, “I dislike him severely, but that’s a far cry from me actually wanting his demise.”
“Maybe I am being a little over dramatic, but on the other hand, my husband was murdered. Then again, maybe it’s justified.”
“So, do you have a name of a potential murderer, or is there a long list?” I asked. “Should we call for more assistance?” I added. It would be a list. I’d caught onto their game. They were working together. They were linked and steering the entire investigation. So then the question became, where was the ride taking us?
“One or two names come to mind,” she said.
“Care to share, unless of course you don’t care who murdered your husband?” I said.
Nora scowled and looked like she was going to rip my heart right out of my chest before she turned to Ranger-son and said, “I’m not speaking to your partner anymore, and if you want me to speak to you, I suggest you make him leave.”
In hindsight I guess what I said was too much, but then, the whole interview was a sham. I was being played.
Yep, definitely being played.
‹“Don’t worry,”› he said. ‹“I’ll keep you in the loop.”›
‹“Sure,”› I said. ‹“No prob.”›
I stood, bowed to Mrs. Beit, added the obligatory “Ma’am,” and excused myself.
Rather than leaving the suite and waiting in the hall for them to finish, I went to the kitchen instead. There I found Ms. Sawyer preparing some food at the stove.
She had an apron on, but it wasn’t boring like the plain white ones I saw chefs in dining establishments wearing. Hers was covered in cute little pink and purple flowers. There also seemed to be some sort of writing on the front, but I couldn’t read it because of the way she was turned away from me.
“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” I asked, catching her by surprise.
She turned and looked at me over her shoulder with a warm smile. “Hi there. I didn’t hear you come in. And no, I don’t. I prefer to do it myself.”
“But it takes up so much time. Isn’t there other things you’d rather be doing?”
“I rather enjoy cooking. There’s nothing more magical than mixing a bunch of ingredients together and producing something delectable.”
“Never thought of it that way. So what are you making?”
“Take a seat,” she said, and waved her hand behind her. “I don’t like people hovering over me when I’m working my magic in the kitchen.”
There was a kitchen island and on the opposite side a set of stools. I took one. “Whatever it is, it sure smells great.”
“Why aren’t you with your partner and Nora?” she asked.
“To be honest, this isn’t really my sort of thing.”
She turned her head and looked at me. “What do you mean? What’s not your thing?” She returned her focus back to the stove.
“I’m not a Ranger, Ms. Sawyer, in case you hadn’t already guessed.”
She turned and smiled. “I thought as much. Want some advice?”
“I guess,” I said.
“You should let the Ranger speak if you interview anyone else. You made a nice attempt at making up for his ‘good evening’ fumble, but then you should have tried to be a little more sincere. So, if you aren’t a Ranger, what are you?”
“Weren’t you eavesdropping?”
She gave me a coy little smile. “A little, but it’s hard to hear everything over the sizzle of the pan.”
I caught the aroma of something I hadn’t smelt in ages. It tickled my nose and sent my memories stirring for recognition.
“I’m not sure if I should say,” I said. “It’s not a habit of mine to allow it to be known.”
“It’s up to you,” she said.
Memory recognition sparked. “I recognize you,” I said. “You were at the banquet dinner. Didn’t get enough to eat?”
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking. It helps take my mind off things, and with what happened to Julius.” I heard the tears coming in her voice.
She paused and raised a hand to her face.
Stupid me.
“Sorry about that,” she said. “Actually, I missed dinner, but I was there for the cocktail hour. You were there?” she asked, looking back over her shoulder to take another peek at me. “I don’t recognize you?”
“It’s okay. People tend to forget me. If you don’t mind, I overheard you mentioning something about your boss, Shepard Cook, was it? Something about him not being too happy with Beit about how things played out. Remind me why that was?”
“It appears I’m not the only eavesdropper in the room.”
I instructed Kali to dig up all the info she could on Shepard Cook and Ms. Sawyer.
“Could I get some water?” I asked. I really wasn’t thirsty, but the smell of food was beginning to stir my stomach. I don’t know why. I’d enjoyed dinner beyond measure. Hopefully filling my stomach with some water would shut it up.
“Glasses are in that cupboard there,” she said, and pointed to one. “And water’s in the dispenser here.” She pointed to a filtration urn sitting on the counter. “There’s ice as well.”
I stood, went to the cupboard she’d indicated and retrieved a nice tall glass. I purposefully went as close as I could to her in order to get a look at what she was cooking, but before I got within a meter she simply said, “Hovering,” and I didn’t get any closer.
“I was trying to see what your apron says,” I said, thinking quickly.
She turned so that I could read it. It said, ‘Kiss the Cook.’
How adorable.
“Is that an invitation?” I asked with a friendly smile, while filling my glass.
“Normally people aren’t around when I’m cooking,” she said with a smile of her own. I wasn’t quite sure though if she was rejecting me politely, or if she was playing hard to get. Either way, it was fun.
“I’ll take that as a sign in my favor that you aren’t already spoken for.”
She shook her head and turned back to the stove just as I saw her cheeks begin to rosy blush. It seemed to be a head shake like she was laughing at my attempts, but then it could be taken as a no, as in there wasn’t anyone to cock block my come-ons other than her. I wasn’t sure though. She was good at sending mixed signals, which just made me want to try harder.
I took my seat back at the counter. “So, you work for Alpha Guardians, how long you been with them?” I asked.
“Are you investigating me now?” she asked. She didn’t say it in a defensive manner. There was still a tone of playfulness.
“Just trying to stir up some friendly conversation in an attempt to get to know you better,” I said taking a sip, wishing the water was something flavored. Coffee would have been nice. I would have even settled for some more tea, but decided not to ask.
“You never did answer who you are,” she said.
What the heck, Mrs. Beit already knew, and it was pretty safe to say that she’d share as soon as I was gone.
“I’m an Inquisitor,” I said.
“I thought they were a myth, like a boogeyman story to keep us all on the straight and narrow.”
“I like to think of us as agents of Santa Claus, figuring out who’s been naughty or nice.”
That got a little laugh from her. It was a cute laugh.
It made me smile, and for a brief moment I entirely forgot about the case. Where I was? What was going on? I felt...normal again.
“So what are you doing here?” she asked. “Shouldn’t you be in a dark lit alley making some disreputable people piss their pants?”
That got a laugh from me.
She smiled. I could wake up to that smile, I thought.
“Normally, I would be.”
“But?”
I took a sip. “It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?”
I stood and moved the chair out from where I currently sat. I took it to the end of the counter where the stove was, so I’d be positioned directly to her left side, that way we could continue talking and she wouldn’t have to keeping turning away from the stove or keep craning her neck. It also served the purpose of allowing me to hear her easier, while keeping our voices from being overheard by those in adjacent rooms.
“Is this all right?” I asked, placing the chair in its new position.
“That’s fine,” she said with another beautiful smile that was quickly growing on me.
When it came to information, I wasn’t used to giving it away unless I got some in return. Ms. Sawyer had information I wanted, though I wasn’t quite sure what it was and if it would help.
“I’m assisting the Rangers in the investigation of Beit’s death,” I said.
“I already know that. The question is why?”
“Someone thinks it might be E3 related.”
“Why would terrorists want to kill Julius?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”
“Wait a second, you were here before Juliu
s was murdered?”
Damn. She was good at paying attention to details too.
“We got a tip that he was being targeted. I arrived earlier today to keep an eye on him. I hate to admit it, but, I lost him during the after dinner mingling, which is when they obviously got to him.”
Not the complete truth, but not a complete lie, either.
“And let me guess, that’s why your Ranger partner doesn’t seem to like you? He maybe thinks that Julius’s death is in some way your fault?”
I nodded and took a sip. “Yeah, something like that. I’m getting the feeling you were pretty close to Beit, am I right?”
“What makes you say that?”
“You keep referring to him by his first name. And then there’s the fact that Mrs. Beit immediately came to stay with you after her husband was murdered. Just seems like you’d be close.”
“I’ve known them for decades. We go way back.”
“Is that how your boss came to know them, through you?”
“It’s actually through Shepard how I came to know them.”
“So your boss has had a longstanding business relationship with them.”
“Something like that, yeah.”
“Why was your boss unhappy with Mr. Beit?”
“He wasn’t unhappy enough to kill him, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Thought never crossed my mind,” I said, trying to make it sound sincere.
This wasn’t how I normally worked. Being honest. It felt wrong.
“Actually, Shepard is more pissed at Nora than he was at Julius.”
“Really? What for?”
“Social Arches and Alpha Guardians have worked together on countless projects over the years, but just over a decade ago a new security firm made a name for themselves. It’s complicated, but Nora and Julius had pressure put on them to use the new firm. As a matter of fact, this resort was that very project. Originally, it was my company Alpha Guardians who was supposed to get the contract, but at the last minute we lost it to Omega Solutions.”
Sam’s company.
“It wasn’t the end of the world, that’s simply how business works sometimes,” she said.
“Obviously you and your boss weren’t too upset back then, considering how close you still are with Mrs. Beit and her husband.”