by Sid K
“Well, that’s kind of vague Mr. Barryvk,” Sayett said. The information was very valuable and revealing even if incomplete, but he had to pretend to be disappointed so he could get more out of Barryvk if he was hiding something.
“It doesn’t get more specific than this unless you want the company’s name and address,” Mr. Barryvk said irritated, “and in that case, you resign and hire my man Syk to be a SPASI detective.”
Sayett quickly suppressed a laugh, but Tyft let out a couple of light chuckles.
“That’s all I have,” Mr. Barryvk said.
“Grateful, Mr. Barryvk,” Sayett said, “Now I am going to hand over the phone to Mr. Tyft who will get your men out of the jail.” Sayett handed the phone to Tyft who picked up conversation with Barryvk..
As Sayett walked back to the elevators, he believed Barryvk when he said that that was the extent of his knowledge. Black Star would have loved nothing more than SPASI to bump off a new competitor, especially one that dared to use the automatic rifles brazenly. If Mr. Barryvk knew more, he would have told.
Just as Sayett had entered the elevator, he saw Tyft running towards him and he extended his foot to block the elevator from closing.
“You are not going to believe this,” Tyft said. “Duke Ragfelvyk is on the phone now.”
“Let’s talk to him,” Sayett stepped out and walked back in to Tyft’s office. Tyft had kept the phone on the desk and Sayett picked it up while Tyft took the other receiver.
“Duke here,” Duke Ragfelvyk said.
“I am Sayett, I came to visit you a while back,” Sayett said.
“I know. I remember you even from your days many years ago in Gold Harbor,” Duke chuckled.
“Well what do you have for me?” Sayett asked. “In exchange, you have any small timers you want let go, any nephew that acted reckless?”
“I will call in a favor in the future, Duke said. if that’s acceptable” Duke said.
“Within reasons,” Sayett said. “Go on.”
“Here is what I found out. A while back some Ranxians were trying to get their hands on some cars,” Duke said. “Those must be the cars they used for getting away after robbing banks. Now rumors have it that there is a rich Ranxian behind it all and he has a lumber company, or at least pretending to have such, and that has set up the company somewhere in the southwest corner of our country.”
“Southwest corner?” Sayett said. “Be more specific?”
“Sayett, you have enough to locate them.” Duke laughed
“Alright,” Sayett said. “We owe you one.”
“Alright then,” Duke said and hung up the phone. Sayett was now delighted; Duke had provided the crucial part of information that was missing from Barryvk’s talk.
“It’s almost as if they coordinated with each other,” Sayett said. He took his leave of Tyft and headed back to the elevator.
Sayett entered the conference room on the eleventh floor with a big grin that did not go unnoticed.
“What did Mr. Barryvk say?” Wyker had asked even before Sayett had fully entered the room.
“In a bit,” Sayett said smiling, “Duke called right after him as well. Their information is related to these patterns I was asking the juniors about.”
“So who is this Mr. Barryvk? And this Duke?” Slyntya asked.
“The two most powerful underworld bosses in the Starfire Nation,” Sayett replied, “But because we have a low crime rate in our country, most people haven’t even heard of them.”
“Why does SPASI let them continue?” she asked.
“They are helpful to us, in myriad of ways,” Sayett said.
“Is this something I am not supposed to hear about?” she asked, “as a Constellar?”
Sayett laughed. “Everyone at the top knows,” he said, “We run this country differently than your old country. This is a lot more rough and tough than you are perhaps used to.”
“This is known by the Constellation?” Slyntya was amazed.
“Head Constellars do, as well as the King, the Supreme Commander and other top political leaders,” Sayett said. “We tolerate Black Star not because we are lax, but because we have higher priorities. Once SPASI has less to concern itself with foreign rivals, we will deal with our underworld. But their contacts with foreign dons, especially in the Narducat Empire, help us out when we want to smuggle in spies and weapons and supplies for them. Their presence also keeps away foreign syndicates who would be bloodier and could hurt uninvolved civilians. Black Star and Ragfelvyks bump out any foreign gangsters that become too big and we overlook it. If we are going to have any underworld syndicates at all; better our own. But I hope you don’t mention what I told you in the Constellation; it will create awkwardness for us.”
“I won’t.” She smiled. “You know how to run your country well and I don’t intend to get in the way.”
“Grateful,” Sayett said.
Then Sayett picked up the chalk from the table and said, “Alright, before I was interrupted, let’s talk about the last pattern.”
“They committed all their robberies starting from our northeast corner moving southwest almost in a straight line,” junior detective Lutvyk said.
“Right along the national road, moving southwestward chronologically as well as geographically,” Avyk added.
“Indeed,” Sayett said, “That is the one pattern we don’t know what to think of. After all, what kind of fools leave such an obvious trail.”
“I believe it is a false pattern to confuse us,” senior detective Ulyett said, “They are not stupid enough to lead us down to their next robbery.”
“Then they must be stupid enough to think that we are stupid enough to buy such an obvious false trap,” senior detective Wyker said. “And they did lead Sayett into their next robbery.”
“I just wish they had pulled that off a day late,” Sayett said. “There would have been thirty or forty warriors waiting for them nearby and we could have captured at least a couple of them alive.”
“So you think the pattern is real then, Sayett?” Ulyett asked.
“I didn’t say that; it has me confused as well,” Sayett said.
“I say it is real,” Wyker said. “If they wanted to confuse us, they wouldn’t pick a bait that is so obvious.”
“We should wait in ambush for them,” Dyktat said, “Like Sayett did last time. But this time, all of us with SPASI guards as well.”
“They haven’t robbed any bank after that,” Hympat said. “Perhaps they are done.”
“Or are laying low now they know that we are onto them.” Gyptar said.
“Now let me tell all of you what Mr. Barryvk and Duke said,” Sayett said. “They confirm that these thugs are after the Starfirian currency, also that someone from Ranx snuck in men and rifles using smugglers, and finally, that their headquarters is located somewhere in the far southwest of our country. That means this geographical pattern of robberies has something to it.” He realized he had left out a detail, “Oh yeah, and they are allegedly posing as a lumber company.”
“What are we going to do about it?” Ulyett asked.
“Leave it alone for a while,” Sayett said. “We have more clues now. Also, let us give Zurryvk and Lenax some time to go through the photos. Perhaps they will come up with a breakthrough.” Sayett looked over at the corner where Lenax and Zurryvk were leaned over the photographs and comparing them to the dead robbers photos. Sayett threw the chalk on the table, clapped his hands to remove the dust and went back to his seat next to Constellar Slyntya.
Slyntya pushed her purse aside, leaned over the table and picked up the map, “May I take a look?” she asked.
“Don’t have to ask,” Sayett said with a smile.
She looked at the map intently for a few minutes and then pushed it back. Then she bit her lips and said, “I don’t want to sound silly…”
“Go ahead,” Sayett said.
“Something I noticed about this last pattern…” she said.
“Well it seems to me that this pattern makes sense if you are a foreigner.” She spoke with more confidence now. “You would want to stay close to the national road, you wouldn’t get lost.”
“She got it! She got it!” Wyker exclaimed and jumped up from his chair.
She turned to look at Sayett who was smiling and said. “She did, but she is speaking now. Go ahead Slyntya.”
“I am originally from Karaln Nation,” she said, “When my husband and I used to go for the long drives in my first two years here, I felt completely lost when we were away from the national roads. You mentioned that these bank robbers were from Ranx, I presume they would also easily get lost in this vast country.”
“Great,” Sayett said. “We are glad we have you here. None of us would have thought of that.”
“That’s all I wanted to say,” she said with a smile. Every one of the detectives was smiling at her. Men generally did that but she knew these smiles were genuine appreciation of her insight not just her beauty.
“We could not have possibly thought of this,” Sayett said, “because we are Starfirians and we have lived here all of our lives. The idea of getting lost in our own country is at worst a minor nuisance. We can read signs. We know the road numbering system. We can pull up to the local police station. Even in remote parts, we can knock on any door; receive food and roof even from strangers.”
“Exactly,” Ulyett said. “These Ranxians have just arrived.”
“Now imagine you are a Ranxian robber,” Sayett spoke to the junior detectives. “You can’t read road signs. You probably can’t even speak Starfirian. If you make a wrong turn, you can get lost. You can’t ask directions from the locals. You can’t go to the police. And the radio will be broadcasting the robbery and your descriptions. You will stand out anywhere except in the big cities and on the national roads where there are tourists and foreign businessmen.”
“How come the spies get into deep, remote parts then?” Junior detective Iyatt asked.
“The spies are trained intensely on the country that they will be sent to,” Sayett said. “If any of you decide to transfer to our spy department, they will train you almost to the level of a scholar on one particular country. But we are dealing with criminals here,” Sayett said.
“So that confirms that they are moving northeast to southwest,” Wyker said, “and reaching their headquarters in the end. What now?”
“It’s time to find their exact location,” Sayett said. “Alright juniors. I have a task for you. All foreign companies have to get a SPASI Investigation Report from our Spy & Counter-Spy Department clearing them of any potential ties to foreign spy departments. We know they are Ranxian. We know they are somewhere in the southwest; consider Parvyk City as start of the southwest region. We know they are pretending to be a lumber company. Go get all the files on the companies that match that. Find me our robbers’ hideout!”
“Yes sir,” they all said almost in unison, got up and rushed to go down to the sixth floor. Sayett watched them and their youthful excitement with admiration and even certain nostalgia for his younger days. He was forty-seven now, but he had been with SPASI since he was twenty-one and just as excited to be a detective as these boys are now.
While the junior detectives returned and started reading through the files, Sayett, Slyntya, Wyker and Ulyett took a coffee break. They stood around and talked of matters other than their investigation. Just as Sayett finished his last sip of coffee, he heard an argument break out between two junior detectives.
“I got it first,” Avyk said.
“No I did,” Lutvyk said, “I pointed it out first.”
“Hey!” Sayett said to them with a smile. “I will give both of you credit in your files. Alright? Now tell me what have you found, just one of you.”
Both of them began to speak at the same time; they looked at each other and after a few moments of stares Lutvyk let Avyk speak.
“There is one High Standards Timber Company owned by a Ranxian and registered more than a year ago with the objective of ‘exporting lumber to Ranx Nation’. They are operating out of the town of Coldwoods, which is as far southwest as you can get before hitting the polar region,” Avyk said.
“Bring me the file,” Sayett said. “What does the investigation report say?”
“No investigation report,” Avyk said handing over the file to Sayett. “Just the registration document.”
Sayett read the registration document. Wyker and Ulyett leaned over his shoulders. It was just one page with basic information.
“Wyker get someone from the Trade Control Board on phone for me,” Sayett said. “Just like a SPASI report, every foreign company has to get a Trade Report from the Trade Control Board. Get me someone who deals with that.”
Wyker walked back to his seat and dialed the phone.
“Mr. Lenax, come over here for a moment,” he said.
Lenax and Zurryvk walked over to him.
“How is your work coming along?” Sayett asked.
“No matches so far,” Zurryvk said.
“We still have a lot of photos to go through,” Lenax said.
“Tell me who this man is: Hantex Rut,” Sayett said pointing to a name on the registration document. “He is listed as the owner of High Standards Timber Company.”
Lenax was unsettled at the sight of the name. He stumbled for words and then said, “Hantex Rut is a very rich businessman,” he said. “Politically connected to the current ruling party as well. How is he involved?”
“Not certain right now,” Sayett said. “But is this his signature?” He pointed to the signature on the registration document.
“I can’t say,” Lenax said. “We at the Eye of Ranx stay away from politics and business. I wouldn’t know.”
“It could be forged,” Ulyett said.
“That’s the problem,” Sayett said. “We have no way of knowing for certain without alerting this man and I wouldn’t want to do that without more facts in my hand.”
“Sayett,” Wyker spoke up holding the phone, “I have a Mr. Bydar from the Trade Control Board on the phone. He heads their department for foreign companies operating here.”
“Alright, you two can get back to your work,” Sayett said to Lenax and Zurryvk who went back to their side desk and the stacks of photographs. Sayett walked over to Wyker and took over the phone.
“Mr. Bydar, I am chief detective Sayett from SPASI.” he said.
“What can I do SPASI detective?” Mr. Bydar asked.
“I would like help finding information on some Ranx companies,” Sayett said. He didn’t give the name out because he wanted to see if he would get the same company from Mr. Bydar as well.
“Tell me what industries and what location?” Mr. Bydar said.
“Lumber companies operating in the southwest,” Sayett said.
“How do you define southwest, Mr. Sayett?” Bydar asked.
“Consider every town south of and west of Parvyk City,” he said.
“Hold onto the phone for a few. I will get the files,” he said. Sayett could hear a faint voice of him giving directions to his junior clerks.
“Avyk, Lutvyk,” Sayett said to them covering the phone speaker with his hands. “How many files did you get and how many were from Ranx?”
“There were forty-seven foreign owned lumber companies in that location,” Lutvyk said, “They weren’t sorted by country so we got all of them. Only one was from Ranx, that’s the one I…” he then corrected himself after a quick glance at Avyk, “that’s the one we found and showed you.”
Sayett held on the phone for a few more minutes, finally Mr. Bydar voice came. “Hello, are you there?” he asked.
“Yes, Mr. Bydar. What have you found?”
“Only one Ranxian owned lumber company in that region,” Mr. Bydar said. “One High Standards Timber Company in Coldwoods owned by someone called Hantex Rut.”
“What does your tr
ade report say about it?” Sayett asked.
“Trade Report?” Bydar said turning over a paper. “All I have is the registration document. They sure are late, but it is no big deal as they are only going to be exporting lumber, which is good for us since it increases our trade surplus. The purpose of the trade report is to see if a foreign company would have a negative impact on our companies; so we care more about the importers.”
“Won’t they need the trade report to begin operations?” Sayett asked.
“To begin operations, but not to get set up,” Mr. Bydar said. “Why do you ask?”
“I believe they are already operational,” Sayett said.
“Damn if they did that,” Bydar said. “I am going to dispatch a couple of trade inspectors tomorrow to see what they are up to down there.”
“Mr. Bydar, please do not do that,” Sayett said in a serious tone. “The reason I called is because we suspect this company is a front for a smuggling syndicate. Your workers will be in danger. Please let us handle this. Can you do that?”
“Go ahead, saves us the work,” Bydar said, “but on one condition.”
“Yes?”
“That you will send me a copy of your final report for our files,” Bydar said.
“Will do that,” Sayett said, “Grateful for your help.” He said and both of them hung up.
“Now the case is moving forward,” Sayett said with a big smile.
“What did he say?” Wyker asked.
“Confirmed what we knew,” Sayett said. “One more phone call for you Wyker. Call the Capital Court of Land Disputes and get me an appointment with a judge. I am going to run there before it closes.”
“Will do,” Wyker said.
He turned to Slyntya. “Would you mind going for a drive?”
“Not at all, am I going to the court?” she got up and picked up her purse.
“We have to get a Letter of Search for this company,” Sayett said leading her out the door. “Having a Constellar with me will add political backing to my request.”
Soon after, they were in Sayett’s car racing along the roads of the Capital. The ‘Circle of Courts,’ where all the Capital courts and the House of Justice were located, was about twenty minutes away from the SPASI headquarters. Sayett reached there in about fifteen minutes, driving faster than his regular habit. A five-foot tall white circular wall enclosed a large area that held many different buildings. A well maintained green lawn surrounded the outside of the wall for more than fifty feet. One entrance led into the enclosure serviced by a two lane road. One police car was parked on each side of the road leading inside. There were half a dozen policemen standing outside with their rifles slung across their shoulders and a couple of them were checking identifications. One of the lanes was for the judges and the officials; the other was for the litigants and the general public. Sayett pulled his car into the official lane.