Eric nodded, still trying to come to terms with the proposition. He stood up before the two men.
“Gentleman, thank you for the offer. As you can imagine it has come as quite a surprise, I’ll be back with an answer shortly.”
“Thank you for coming, we eagerly await your response. Please, whatever you do, let us know as quickly as you can, this operation needs to move quickly,” the Senator replied.
He turned and headed for the door. A few minutes later he stepped out of the elevator two floors below as advised. The cafe was a luxurious affair, a long departure from what he was accustomed to. The floor was pristinely polished wood, with seating for a hundred people that overlooked the city. He walked up to the counter, the girl behind it dressed in an exquisitely cut uniform.
“What can I get you, Sir?” she asked.
He looked down the menu projected onto the wall behind the cashier. The coffee was three times the price of any place he would frequent, and many of the food options he had never even heard of, it was as if he was in an entirely different country.
“I’ll take a coffee, black, no sugar.”
The cashier looked at him oddly, it was supposedly a rather simplistic request for their establishment. She stared at him, as if wondering if he was joking. A few seconds of studying his taut face and hard expression made her get on with his request. He didn’t mean to seem rude or obtuse, but his mind was already focused elsewhere.
The job proposal had been the biggest surprise of his life. He had worked hard to get to the position he had in the force and he hadn’t expected to progress any further. The idea of even going off world had never occurred to him. He was well versed in the pressure of getting the job done, but the responsibility he knew would come with the new position was nothing he had ever experienced.
Kaufman pulled out a note that barely covered the drink. For many years the planet had replaced printed currency with a credit-based system linked to phones and personal computer pads, but serious breaches in security and fraud had led to the re-introduction of notes. He took his coffee and walked over to a table by the window.
“Sir, your change.”
“Keep it.”
He had completely forgotten about the money, but it wasn’t important. There were almost thirty other people in the cafe, and that was during the quiet time of mid-morning. He looked out across the city, the first time he had gotten the time to do since arriving. It was truly a marvel to see. There were tower blocks as far as the eye could see and a continuous stream of traffic in every direction.
Taking the new job would not just mean leaving the city behind, but also everything he knew, his friends and colleagues. He wondered how much difference it would make, since he had no partner and no family. Serving his country was all he had ever known. Perhaps the opportunity to do more was exactly what he needed.
Lights on a far wall caught his attention, a large screen projection displaying twenty-four hour news. The sound was low so he couldn’t make out what the news anchor was saying, but he could easily see the images. A badly injured security guard was being loaded into an ambulance and a bank was shown with police cordons around it. Kaufman didn’t need to hear the story to understand what he was looking at, yet another heist.
The headlines continued on to a riot in the suburbs of New Paris on Mars, where civilians were aggressively protesting against the pay cuts being made in the city and reduction of health care budgets. The financial strain was taking its toll to the point where city officials were being forced to make tough and unpopular decisions.
Hunting murderers had always appealed to Eric, knowing he was hunting the dregs of society. However, following the years of seeing people suffer through hard times, lack of work and rising prices, these criminals were now hurting the population of the colonies more than murderers ever could. He threw back his coffee and got up, throwing the cup into the recycling bin at the end of the room.
Kaufman strode quickly to the elevator, going two floors back up and was once more greeted by the two guards, but they didn’t stand in his way.
“The Senator is waiting for you, please go through.”
He stepped into the secretary’s office. She hit the intercom into Wilks’ room, notifying him of Kaufman’s presence. A second later the door to the large office swung open. The two men were still sitting at the desk, obviously anxiously waiting for his answer.
“Eric, thank you for coming back so soon, do you have your answer?” asked Wilks.
Kaufman didn’t speak as he walked up to the desk and but didn’t sit down. He leaned against the back of the chair where he’d sat earlier, looking down at the two men.
“If I do this, I want final say on my team, and I need my partner to come in on it. It is vital I have someone I can trust one hundred per cent from day one. You should also know that I have people’s best interests at heart, not the laws, and I will always do what is best for society. So if you want someone clean cut who will do everything by the book, look elsewhere. If I take up this job, then I will hunt those criminals ruthlessly to the very end!”
“Son, this is a dire situation, we haven’t got time for bureaucracy, we need a blunt instrument who will get the job done. Denton, you happy with that?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The two men extended their arms to seal the deal. Kaufman had little idea what he was getting himself into, but it sounded like a great opportunity.
“You haven’t asked about pay,” said Denton.
“What is important in this is that we get the funding needed to get the job done, I’ll have little time or need to worry about my own finances.”
“Well said, but you will be paid as fitting your position, which is a threefold increase on your sergeant’s pay, same goes for your partner,” said the Senator.
Kaufman nodded, it was nice to know, but it was the last of his worries right now. He was accepting a huge amount of responsibility and putting himself in the firing line of some of the most well organised criminals in the system.
“You and your partner start tomorrow morning, you’ll have an office set up here in The Spire, but you’ll spend very little time in it. I am already assembling a list of potentials for your team. You will be afforded nineteen officers including your partner, as with the regulations agreed with the colonies. Additionally, you will have ten staff in The Spire for research, procedural and operational assistance,” said Denton.
“Understand this, Mr Kaufman. The President has effectively given us the go ahead to do whatever needs to be done to counter this threat, but also know that he expects results. You report directly to Denton, who will be based here in command of the new office. I answer only to the President. You’re going to get some serious hostility in this new job, but know that all that matters are results!”
“Got it, anything else I need to know, Mr Denton?”
“Report at 9am to the lobby reception with your police ID, you will be directed to our new facilities which are being organised right now. We have a lot to sort out between now and then, so I’d ask you to leave us to let us get to work.”
“Yes, Sir, and thank you for this opportunity.”
“I’ll be here in the morning, everything will be explained to you then.”
“Congratulations, Eric, you’ve just stepped into a new world of policing, I wish you every luck,” said Wilks.
“Thank you, Sir.”
Kaufman headed out of the door. He didn’t really know what he’d got himself into, but it would at least be a break from routine. The reality was he’d gone as far as he could ever go in police work and it was unlikely ever get such an opportunity again. He pulled out his cell and called his partner.
“Max?”
“Yeah,” he replied.
There was a lot of noise on the line so he must have been among many people and vehicles out on a street.
“It’s Eric here, you still working?”
“Yeah.”
“I need to talk to y
ou asap, what time do you get off?”
“Assuming nothing drastic happens, six, why, what is it?”
“The chance to make the biggest leap in our careers that we could ever make, I can’t say more over the line, meet me at Lemski’s bar at seven.”
“ I’ll be there.”
* * *
Kaufman was in the bar earlier than he needed to be, having a few drinks while he continued to mull over the events of the day. He sipped back on a beer which was starting to warm as he so distracted by the thoughts in his head.
The detective had never cared for pleasing the right people or if he was up to a job, he just gave everything and followed his instincts. Now for the first time he was questioning whether he was actually up to the job, well anyhow this new job. He’d succeeded in everything he’d done in his career so far, but he wondered if there was a limit to his luck and abilities.
It suddenly struck Eric that it was odd that an inner city detective was being considered for such a vitally important role in the Solar System. Corruption was rife throughout the city so perhaps his completely clean record was a large draw. Kaufman often broke rules to get things done, but he never took bribes or anything of the sort. Money had never been particularly important to him and therefore it was difficult to force anything on him. That, combined with his record for catching hardened criminals, must have gone a long way. His recent stint on the news stations may well have put him in the minds of those looking.
He sat with his back to the wall at the furthest point from the door. He had nothing to fear from decent people but the criminals who hated him, as well as corrupt officials, were always a concern. Max walked in through the main door and Eric raised his beer to welcome his friend, who walked straight to the bar, getting two cold beers and bringing them to the table.
“Hey, Max.”
“Eric, what the hell’s going on? You’re on your day off, and we’re meeting at a bar to discuss career advancements?”
“It’s nothing to do with our precinct.”
“Right, I’m listening.”
“You’ve seen the number of heists and robberies over the last few weeks?”
“Yes.”
“Well it’s becoming an epidemic. It’s hurting the economy, business and already impacting on the general public. Senator Wilks has authorised a new task force, he wants me in on it to lead the field team. I have said I want the job, but that I want you along too. This will be one hell of a job and I need someone I can trust by my side from the very start.”
“You’ve accepted already?”
“Had no choice, things are getting desperate, Max, the Senator wanted an answer within an hour of laying out the plans to me this morning. The job starts tomorrow.”
“Christ, that’s a lot to throw at me!”
“I know, same here. Basically we will be a twenty-man team with plenty of resources and unlimited authority across the colonies. We have to do whatever is necessary to catch those bastards. On top of that, we get a threefold increase in our salaries, but there will of course come a lot of risks. We’ll also be working mostly off world.”
Max shook his head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The promotion and salary was a nice thought, but to have everything thrown in his lap with no time to think was not good.
“So I guess you need an answer tonight?”
“Job starts tomorrow at 9am. We’re being an allocated an office there. I’ll be in the lobby getting the location at 8.45. If you’re there by then, you’re in. If you’re not, I’ll understand. I appreciate this is a lot to take in, but this is an emergency situation and it calls for quick thinking. You have till the morning.”
“Fine.”
“Now, that’s all I have to offer you on the subject, it’s your decision from now on. Let’s get some food on the table and enjoy the rest of the evening, let tomorrow’s worries be left till then.”
Chapter 3
8.30am. Eric was sitting on a bench in the lobby of The Spire. Thousands of people were passing by, busily going about their jobs. He knew he was starting an entirely new life that day, but the only thing he could think of was that he was praying Max would be at his side. When everything around him was changing, he needed someone he could have absolute trust in.
The minutes ticked away slowly as he watched the clock. Finally it reached 8.45am and he walked up to the reception desk which was manned by perhaps as many as twenty staff. He handed over his badge that was subsequently scanned.
“Mr Kaufman, your office has been allocated overnight, 1129b, Floor 149, here is you’re ID card, Sir.”
He took the identify card from the man. It had the initials IBI alongside a photo of him and the organisation name below it, the ‘Interplanetary Bureau of Investigation’. He turned to walk to the elevator, but came to an abrupt halt, realising that Max was standing in front of him.
“I thought you’d never come!” said Eric.
“Couldn’t let you get all the glory could I?”
Kaufman smiled at him. It was exactly the lift he needed to start the new day and his new life.
“So, let’s go!”
They entered the elevator and within seconds had arrived at their destination. Looking out of the far window of the corridor, they were many floors below the senator’s office, but still far above the city blocks. They could see right across Los Brezos, the forever active city top railway and starport. Two guards stood in the corridor, blocking the way from the elevator.
“Mr Kaufman, Mr Barski, right this way,” said one of the guards.
They were led down a long corridor to a door and the guard swiped his security card through a reader next to the strong steel door. The entrance slid open, the guard signalling for them to step through.
The office before them was substantial, far larger than they needed, a sign of the funding which was backing them. Denton was leaning against a loosely placed desk in the centre of the room, a Baracoo pipe in his mouth and an e-file that he was reading in his hands. All around him were fitters and electricians. The room must have just been stripped that morning. Denton noticed the door open and turned to look at the men.
“Gentleman, welcome to the IBI Headquarters. I will be based here for the duration of my command. You two will rarely step foot here, as your work is out in the field. We are in the process of recruiting ten researchers, analysts and problem solvers to this office. I have compiled a list of the fifty men and women who I consider most eligible for the field team.”
He handed the file over to Eric, who had a quick look. The file was just millimetres thick, opening like a book, but with all the information projected on either side of the folder. Flicking through the first few names, he could see they had been short listed from the best police forces they had access to.
“That list compromises those who have capable field skills, and as far as I can tell, a clean record. We need to start with as a clean sheet as possible. Corruption, bribes or a little money on the side, that has to stop! All in the IBI will be paid substantially more than police salaries, that should protect us from a lot of the trouble.”
“How long until this office is operational, Sir?” Kaufman asked.
“It’ll be ready in two days, but we’ll need a few more to find the staff and get the systems fully operational. Meanwhile, your job is to select the other eighteen for your team, you have thirty-six hours to get it done.”
“Not exactly much time to evaluate the list, Sir,” said Max.
“Tough times call for tough decisions. The Senator and I had only hours to select Kaufman, and minutes to accept you on to the team. The same responsibility now falls on your shoulders. Kaufman, I’m giving you the rank of Lieutenant in the IBI, effective immediately. Promotions of your men are of course your call, but my first recommendation as your new boss would be to promote Mr Barski to Sergeant. You’ll need a right hand man that you can trust, and firm leadership to keep the new team under control.”
Max look
ed in surprise as Kaufman nodded in agreement.
“Then let me congratulate you both on your promotions and welcome you to the Interplanetary Bureau of Intelligence. Ordinarily you would be given the time to search out candidates individually, but time is not on our side. I have arranged for all fifty on that list to be at Fort Brenon, the Marine base south of the city. General Chambers has assured me that you will have an allocated training zone and quarters for the duration of your selection and training.”
“Sir, a military base? Aren’t we still a police force?”
“Not entirely, Sergeant, we are something new in the Solar System, consider yourselves paramilitaries. In the past you have hunted wicked individuals within society, but now we go after something far larger, organised gangs. You see, gentleman, a murderer may kill a dozen innocent people, but when these gangs steal in such quantities, thousands die through poverty, starvation, gang warfare and a whole host of other reasons.”
“Is this all a result of the change back to hard currency?” asked Kaufman.
“Not really, no matter what system is in place they will thieve from it. These gangs are not just taking hard currency, but gold, diamonds, weapons and antiques. They will steal anything they can make money on. Any currency is laundered through their well established links in the criminal underworld, guns are stripped of their ID chips, re-mapped and sold on.”
“Same old crimes,” said Max.
“Exactly, there is nothing new to what these thugs are doing. Our rapidly growing society across a multitude of planets, moons and starbases has created an environment where these individuals can thrive. Our job is to plug that hole in that system.”
The two detectives looked at each other with surprise, they had no idea it had gotten so bad. They’d become so embroiled in their serial killer case that they’d become de-sensitised to everything else around them.
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