I paused. I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t, but if I didn’t speak now, there would always be whispers about me behind my back.
‘The only reference to a female operative was heard by me and Julius. Why would I needlessly volunteer this information to you, knowing it would incriminate me?’
‘Well then, that leaves us with QC Masoud as the unknown operative.’
I flushed. I knew they were going to try to pin it on her, but it still hurt to hear it. Especially as she was no longer able to defend herself.
‘I resent that implication and want it struck from the record. It was enough that she died in the line of duty. She died saving us. She died, and we left her body behind, but for you to cast a slur on her name is the final insult. If those allegations are not withdrawn, I shall refuse to continue with this inquisition.’
‘This is hardly an inquisition. We simply need to get to the facts. In light of what we have just discussed, is it possible that the woman those men referred to could have been a Beta? Maybe one that had been hired by QC Flint to act as his intermediary?’
I conceded that it was a possibility. In fact, the more I thought about it the more I liked it.
After thanking me for my report, the team now moved on to Ramin.
‘Quantum Curator Gamal, when QC Salah and Julius Strathclyde went in pursuit of the clue, QC Salah gave you a command. What was that?’
‘To inform QC Masoud that we had switched on Julius’ tracker and that they were off to search for the clue.’
‘And what did you do?’
‘I told her that they were going to visit Julius’ work colleagues.’
‘And did you tell her that Julius had a tracker on?’
‘No.’
I looked at Ramin in surprise as he stared straight ahead, giving his report unblinking. I knew he’d been having concerns about the team, but I hadn’t realised he had been actively trying to keep Clio out of the loop. The panel looked as surprised as I felt, and continued their questioning.
‘No? Can I ask why you ignored a direct instruction from your team leader?’
‘Because I no longer trusted QC Masoud and I didn’t want her to know that Julius was protected. I also wanted to see if she would try to go after him again.’
‘Again?’
‘Yes, I believe she had tried to have him snatched at the church service.’
‘Ramin! That’s not possible —’
‘QC Salah, please don’t interrupt. QC Gamal, would you proceed to explain your concerns.’
I sat and listened in horror as Ramin tried to destroy Clio’s reputation. Each time I thought I could see a way to argue her corner, Ramin heaped on another piece of damning evidence.
‘Is it possible that in your failure to realise that your teammate was a traitor, you are looking to lay the blame on someone else? Namely, a team member that gave her life in the line of her duty to save her unit.’
This was all wrong. Why were they attacking Ramin? Why was he attacking Clio? Why couldn’t he simply accept that Paul had betrayed all of us?
‘Ramin. Let it go. Paul let us all down. We don’t know why, but —’
‘I do.’
‘Stop,’ said the director. ‘You’ve already reported on this in an earlier deposition. The matter is in hand.’
I looked from the panel and back to Ramin. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Gamal, may I remind you that that is classified information.’
‘Neith deserves to know Paul’s dying words.’
‘I’m warning you.’
Ramin turned in his chair and held my hand. ‘Neith, Paul’s dying words were “Save my sister”.’
The director stood up. ‘QC Ramin Gamal, for breaching classified information and for trying to besmirch the reputation of a fallen colleague, we are placing you on six months sand leave.’
I gasped. Sand leave was basically one step away from being fired for gross negligence. Reduced pay, reduced privileges, reduced workload. Sand leave was nearly always followed by a quiet dismissal. It was a terrible punishment, and not one that Ramin deserved.
‘Director! That’s unfair.’ I protested to al-Cavifi but made eye contact with everyone seated on the panel. Hopefully, I could convince some of them to intercede. ‘Ramin was simply reporting the facts as he saw them.’ I didn’t understand why he was trying to blame Clio and protect Paul, but sand leave? No way.
‘QC Salah, that’s enough. Captain Nymens, please escort QC Gamal to his desk.’
I pushed my chair back. This was ridiculous. If anyone was responsible for the team’s failings, it was me. I couldn’t bear to hear him denigrate Clio, but this wasn’t right either. And what was going on with Paul’s sister? I hadn’t even realised that Sam was in the room, and wondered when he had entered. Now he stepped forward and lightly placed his hand on Ramin’s elbow. Both men ignored me as they left the room. Things seemed to have suddenly spiralled out of control.
‘QC Salah. This committee finds you innocent of any mismanagement of the retrieval of Case Number 234530/H. We consider, in light of the extreme interference that you experienced, that a successful retrieval went above and beyond our expectations of you. You have our highest recommendations and you will be awarded the Merit of Alexander.’
With that, the seven rose and began to head out of a side door. I couldn’t stand it. This was all wrong, and I moved to intercept the director. Chancellor Soliman tried to brush me away, but al-Cavifi turned and dismissed the others until we were alone in the room.
‘I don’t want the Merit. I want answers.’
Al-Cavifi looked at me sadly. ‘Regretfully, I can’t give you many. Much of what has happened has been above your clearance level. Suffice it to say, we found Paul’s sister, and she was alive and well. We have not found your angel, sadly. We have no evidence that Ramin was working with Paul, but we’re keeping an
