“Someone might have killed him because of it.”
“You’re jumping to massive conclusions. We don’t know what happened that night.”
“We catch rogue telepaths for a living. Isn't there a chance he was targeted by one of those?”
“His wife was well off. It could have been a burglary gone wrong.”
“I bet that’s not what the police think.”
“Seriously, Ruby, let it go. The police won’t reveal the details of their case to you. They’ve got to protect the investigation’s integrity.”
“Send me to OsMiTech. Let me finish Nikoli’s assignment. He was working on an audit of the Registration Act. They’ll need someone to finish it.”
“I can’t just assign you. There’s a process to follow.”
“I knew him. I know how he liked to work. I’m best placed to ensure continuity of service with them.”
“You want a reason to get inside OsMiTech more like.”
“I only want to make sure they get the best service from us.”
Glynn shook his head. “It has to be done properly. I’ll arrange someone from a different district. You’re too close to this.”
Ruby knew when she was beaten. “OK,” she said and turned her attention back to her access point.
Glynn looked at her suspiciously. “That’s it?”
“Yeah. You best be going, hadn’t you? Don’t want to be late.”
Glynn shoved his hands into his pockets, and he scowled in her direction. “You are coming to the funeral, though, aren’t you?”
“I’ll meet you there. I’ve some things to catch up on first.” Ruby needed him gone and she had no intention of going to the service. Being surrounded by all those mourners just made her grief seem all the more pathetic. He was a colleague, nothing more, yet she was acting like he was something else. It was the shock of it all, and being one of the last people to see him alive gave her a strange feeling. A connection to the man and his wife. Maybe after today, she’d feel less weird about the whole thing.
Glynn looked for a terrifying moment like he would reach out and embrace her, but he did the sensible thing instead and turned around and left.
Some time later, he popped his head into the office. He had his coat on.
“We can still go together.”
“No,” she said, checking her HALO for the time. “I want to pick up flowers. I’ll see you at the church.”
He nodded, smiled, and then left her alone. She grabbed her coat and slung it over her shoulders, just in case he should come back for something. Glynn was almost as absentminded as her dad, but at least her dad had an excuse.
When she was sure Glynn wasn't returning, she strode into Nikoli’s office, unlocked as usual, but she had no idea what she was looking for. No one had made any attempt to pack up his belongings. The police had shown no interest in his workspace but Ruby reasoned that could change. Essentially, the room was as Nikoli had left it the day he was murdered.
On the desk, his access point. An older model with an opaque fixed screen and keyboard; a photo of his wife in a black frame; a pen; a notepad; an apple that looked past its best. A picture of a sailing ship hung on the wall—a scene she thought was Trafalgar. She closed the door softly and checked the spare suit jacket he’d left on the door hook. She slipped her hands inside the pockets and was disappointed to pull out nothing more than a couple of sweet wrappers. The inner pocket had a pen and nothing else.
Under the desk, a small filing cabinet. The drawers wouldn’t open. A biometric sensor suggested she wouldn’t get inside this without the support of the security department. She sat in his chair then let her eyes roam, taking in the detail, remembering sitting on the guest chair sharing a coffee and moaning about the rest of their colleagues. What was going through his mind on the day of the event? What had Nikoli shouted before Devan had dragged him off into a private room?
“The tombs are dangerous.”
What on Earth did that mean? What were the tombs? Ruby had worked closely beside Nikoli and he’d never mentioned tombs before. She thought of Egyptians. They were the only tombs that came to mind but Nikoli didn’t leave the country. What churches or cathedrals had tombs? On the access point, she snapped up the net pages for the two cathedrals in Liverpool. Both were old and in desperate need of repair, but she was only interested in the cathedrals’ histories. She read several pages and only found mention of crypts, not tombs.
Instead, she tried a global search for tombs.
Repository for the remains of the dead.
She read on.
…structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber of varying sizes.
And then she was presented with a series of images of tombs from around the world. This wasn’t the information she needed. Nikoli said the tombs were dangerous. The definite article. He wasn’t talking about some random concept, but a specific location.
If only she had access to Nikoli’s records she might find a correlation between the work he was doing and what he’d been talking about. Nikoli used to keep a diary. He kept it on him all the time. With a new sense of purpose, Ruby searched Nikoli’s office hoping she’d get lucky, but after five minutes of fruitless effort, she admitted defeat. She wondered if the police had it.
A thought occurred to her; there was one person who might know more about the tombs or the whereabouts of Nikoli’s journal. Ruby made the call.
12:32 PM
At first, Ruby didn’t know what to say to the woman. Candice was about her own age, so at least twenty years younger than Nikoli. It seemed strange to her that the two should ever have got together. Nikoli had expressed nothing but devotion for his wife ever since she’d known him. They were the perfect married couple. How wrong she’d been.
The coffee shop was at Candice’s suggestion and Ruby was happy to oblige. A busy venue in town made her feel safe despite that nagging sensation in her chest. Here there were people. A comforting blanket of strangers. Behind the counter, two baristas worked solidly, pulling bottles of coffee flavourings from the shelf beside the coffee machine, an ancient looking device with chrome detailing and a roar like a trapped animal.
Candice drank a latte from a tall glass whilst Ruby sipped at a cup of camomile. “Did you go to the service?” Candice said, wiping a dab of milk from her lip.
“No. Wasn’t sure why I’d want to.”
“Funerals are horrible. So final,” Candice said. “I’m not sure I want those I’ve left behind to go through that.”
“It’s supposed to help with the grieving,” Ruby responded. “I’m not sure it ever does.”
“No.” Candice rubbed her forearms.
“How did you two meet?”
“At OsMiTech. I was asked to help out with some administrative jobs. We met, one thing led to another.”
“What kind of work was he doing?”
Candice looked surprised. “Don’t you know? Didn’t you work together?”
“Well, we did, but I never got to go inside OsMiTech. All Registration Act work?”
For a moment, it didn’t seem that Candice would answer. The question had unsettled her clearly. Whereas before she’d seemed engaged with the conversation, leaning in with her elbows on the table, now she pulled back, drew herself up straight.
“You’re a journalist,” Candice said finally. “I should have known. That’s why you were there at the InfiniteYou event.”
“I swear I’m not. I’m from the Department for the Regulation of Telepaths. Same as Nikoli.”
“Prove it.”
Ruby resisted the urge to sigh and instead pulled out her ID from her bag. She passed it across the table to Candice who regarded it like she’d never been interested in what Ruby did. Eventually, Ruby took it back and dropped it back into her bag. “So?”
Candice sipped her latte. “It was mostly Registration Act work.”
“Mostly?”
“Yeah.”
“And did he ever work on anythin
g else? Something perhaps he shouldn’t have?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Now, Ruby did sigh. The coffee machine behind the counter growled into life again and Ruby found herself patting her chest absently. She should have expected this. Why would a woman she barely know reveal details of an organisation she was sworn to protect? But Ruby had one thing that was keeping her in the coffee shop, one single thing that made her not give up hope. Candice hadn’t left yet.
“On the night of the InfiniteYou event, Nikoli was acting strange,” Ruby started. “He was meant to be there with me on a stakeout to stop a rogue telepath disrupting the event, possibly even harming people. But instead, he decided to ignore his duty and confront Devan Oster in a room full of people.”
Candice’s attention flicked back towards Ruby’s face.
Ruby continued. “What did Nikoli tell you about the tombs?”
“He never told me anything.”
But Candice was holding something back. She wanted to tell Ruby what she knew. Ruby was certain of it, but maybe it was the fear of talking out of turn that was shutting her down.
Ruby tried a different tack. “I never thought Nikoli would cheat on his wife. I was so angry with him when I found out.”
“He never told me he was married.”
“But you found out soon enough? You must have scanned him.”
She didn’t even pretend to look affronted.
“That would be against the code.”
“But you did it anyway.”
“Sometimes,” she said eventually. “When his guard was down it was impossible to avoid his thoughts. He thought a lot about his wife.”
Ruby wondered what that must be like; to have a relationship and get a true taste of your partner’s feeling towards you. “That must have been awkward.”
“For him. I didn’t appreciate being lied to.”
“Then why did you stay with him?”
“Because he needed me,” she ran a finger around the edge of her glass. “And because I needed him.”
“I’m sorry he’s dead. I liked him a lot. Despite him sometimes being a massive jerk, he was one of my best friends.” Ruby found herself blinking away tears. She hastily wiped them away with her sleeve and hoped that Candice hadn’t noticed.
“Nikoli drove me mad. I think that was his special gift—the ability to infuriate everyone he met and yet still remain friends. He asked me more than once about the tombs. He must have thought that because I’d worked at OsMiTech for several years I’d have some special insight into everything that was going on. But I didn’t have a clue. Nikoli was the only one who’d ever mentioned it. He had decent blocking patterns but they weren’t always enough to stop me getting occasional blasts. The tombs was on his mind a lot these last few weeks. It was important to him but I’ve no idea why. There was something else though. He was always paranoid, but he changed his blocking patterns a lot. Much more than most people.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Why does anyone?” Candice’s expression dropped. “At first, I thought it was just his fear of telepaths. Being surrounded by a building full of us was difficult for him. He made a special effort to get better blocking patterns to protect himself.”
“You said ‘at first’?”
Candice nodded. “But as he became more and more unpredictable, I thought he was having some nervous episode. I was going to suggest he get some medical help.”
“Any idea where he got the blocking patterns from?”
“Where does anyone go?”
“Market Street?”
Candice bobbed her head.
Ruby shifted in her chair, then glanced at the door. She’d have to deal with that on her own; Glynn wouldn’t approve. “What’s it like working for Devan Oster?”
Candice reached for her drink but knocked over the miniature vase of flowers. She dropped her napkin on the spilt water, avoiding Ruby’s gaze. “What’s it like?” She left the question hanging as if she’d never given it any thought before. “I’ve been at OsMiTech since my diagnosis. I don’t know anything else.”
“How long have you been his PA?”
Candice smiled. “He has a dozen PAs. I used to work in the server room until a position became available. Never thought I’d get so close to the man.”
“What did your family think?”
She hesitated. “I don’t have any family.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s OK, I’m used to not having anyone. We moved to this district when I was a girl. My parents separated and my mum took me with her to start a new job in this district. When she died, I went to live at a district factory until my registration.”
“That sounds tough.”
“Yes.”
Ruby finished her tea and set her cup back in the saucer. Candice stirred the bottom of her latte, with no intention of finishing it—her mind elsewhere.
“I really should go,” Ruby said, eventually.
Candice looked relieved. “Yeah, I guess I should too. How’s the dress? Did it survive?”
“Yeah. Looks fine.”
“Well, I still need to sort you out with a replacement. When’s good for you?”
“I’m not sure. Sometime this week? Shall I call you?”
Candice nodded. “You’ve got my details.”
And Ruby left. What other secrets had her friend been hiding from her?
2:40 PM
Claudette Ambrose checked her watch for the fifth time in the last ten minutes and tried not to feel annoyed. She was failing miserably. These blasted meetings were only meant to take place once every month and yet with recent events, today’s meeting was inevitable. Still, she didn’t have to like it. She didn’t have to like him.
Her aide, Andrew, approached. He was holding a tablet in his hands, already planning her next meeting when the doors behind him were flung wide open. Two men strode in, closely followed by a security guard. With a flick of her hand, she dismissed the guard who slowly backed out of the room, closing the doors behind him.
Devan Oster, CEO of OsMiTech, arguably the richest man in the country, possibly the smartest businessman the world had ever seen, and definitely the biggest prick in the room, tossed his jacket over the back of one of the Chesterfields and slumped back into the sofa. His companion was Langer: a class two telepath who accompanied Devan everywhere.
Without waiting to be asked, Devan glanced up at Andrew, who’d taken a position behind Claudette, and piped up. “Glass of water. Chilled. Nicely chilled. No ice. Tall glass. Lemon slice. Lime is better.”
Claudette smiled. She couldn’t help herself. Andrew was not one to be ordered about by someone like Devan. Claudette looked over her shoulder, gave Andrew a pitying look and gestured that he should do as Devan had asked. “I’ll have a cup of tea while you’re at it.”
Andrew addressed Langer. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m good, thank you.”
As Andrew left the room, Devan turned to look at the young woman sitting to Claudette’s right. A smart woman in her early twenties. Dressed to intimidate, but Devan was not easily intimidated. Lucy knew when to keep her mouth shut and engaging with Devan would have been a mistake. Claudette glanced in her direction and they exchanged looks, the bond between them clearly understood. Lucy had been selected from the shared pool of ministerial blockers—telepaths practised in the art of limiting other telepaths’ abilities to read thoughts.
Lucy returned to gazing at the richly coloured carpet.
“I’m being treated well today. You’ve almost rolled out the red carpet for me.” Devan waved a hand to indicate the room she’d booked for today’s meeting. The oak wainscoting didn’t appeal to her tastes, but it was part of Westminster and after the fire, this room was one of only ten original offices that remained. A se
lection of imperious looking portraits hung around the room, mocking the lack of progress. Deep purple drapes hung at the window and table lamps had been lit to melt away the shadows.
“You know we’re always pleased to see you. It’s been a troubling week. I wanted you to feel comfortable that we’re all on the same side.”
A thin smile edged onto his face, then vanished just as swiftly. “Quite. Same side.”
Andrew returned at that moment, the door held open for him by security as he carried a silver-plated tray across the room and deposited it on an antique table by the window. He poured from an ornate teapot, added milk and carried it to Claudette who accepted it with thanks.
With not so much care, Andrew carried a glass of water to Devan.
“Sir,” he said as he passed the drink.
Devan took it, sniffed it then handed it back.
“What’s wrong?” Claudette asked.
“Maybe I’ll take tea instead.”
“Is something wrong with your water?”
“You tell me.” He smirked at Andrew, then winked at Lucy. “Can’t trust anyone can we?”
Lucy didn’t answer, didn’t even look up from the carpet.
“She’s very good,” Devan continued. “You pay them well?”
“What is the problem with your drink, Sir?” Andrew interrupted.
“Taste it and tell me it’s OK.”
Claudette sighed and gestured for Andrew to take the glass away. “You’re as paranoid as ever.”
“After what happened to poor Nikoli, I feel quite justified in taking precautions.”
“If we wanted you dead, there are far more expeditious ways to accomplish that.”
“Maybe you don’t want me dead, though. Maybe there are worse things you could do.”
“Quite. I’ll cut to the chase, Devan. We want the security logs of every visit Nikoli made to OsMiTech headquarters.”
But Devan was already shaking his head. “No.” He stood, and went to the table by the window, shooing Andrew out of the way with little hand gestures. Devan took his glass and poured the contents into a potted plant. He sat back down.
Claudette raised an eyebrow. “So, about those logs…”
The Infinity Mainframe (Tombs Rising Book 3) Page 4