“Would you lay your life on the line for that?”
Peabody blinked. He knew there were sensor systems for determining if a person being interrogated were telling the truth or lying, but IPD Headquarters had never had one; it was too dangerous to the powers-that-had-been.
But other organizations had them, such as the ICPD. And Ashton had just admitted that he had transferred to the ICPD to get away from the corruption; it stood to reason he still had connections there. If he wanted to test Peabody on the other department’s equipment, he probably could. Peabody looked up, to see Ashton watching him.
“Yes, sir,” Peabody said, using an honorific to Ashton for the first time… and meaning it. “I would.”
Peabody was telling the truth, if his subtle facial expressions were to be believed, Ashton adjudged. More, Peabody had just subordinated himself to Ashton, apparently sincerely. He had one more test to pass.
“Mr. Peabody, I want your reaction to one name.”
“What is it?”
“‘Stash’ Gorecki.”
“Feh.” Peabody only restrained the urge to spit in Ashton’s office with an effort; his face instantly twisted in disgust at the name. “Sorry, sir. I came close to defiling your office.” He paused, then added, “I couldn’t stand that lout. He was an egotistical psycho who got off on hurting people, on having power over them.”
“Did you ever have occasion to work with him?”
“Once. That’s when I got a good idea of who and what he was. After that, I tried hard never to have him on a case of mine again. I hope I never have to deal with that maniac again.”
Ashton stifled a chuckle.
“You have good taste, Mr. Peabody,” he said, neglecting to mention that Gorecki had been the enforcer that resisted arrest. “Now, as for the options I have for you. I cannot increase your rank unless and until you earn an increase; as I said, that’s not in my hands. However, if you have any sort of medical condition, I can arrange an early, medical retirement for you, with full benefits. Do you?”
Peabody’s face fell. “No, the doctor said I’m healthy as a horse, not a month before the attempted coup went down.”
“All right. On to another option, then. If you wish to resign, I can see about helping you to find another job. However, be aware that even were I the sort of man to fake items in a recommendation – something I would not do – the fact that you would be a former inspector at Imperial Police Headquarters would probably tell against you. Never mind Head of Investigations.”
“Yeah,” Peabody agreed, morose. “No other police jurisdiction would have me, would they?”
“Most likely not. And certainly not at your previous rank. Security guard, or even head of security for some corporation might be an option, but even then, you might have difficulty locating a position.”
“Given my background, education, and training, I’m not really sure I have any other job options, Detective Ashton – er, do you prefer Chief Ashton?”
“Detective is fine,” Ashton averred. “I don’t crave the power that comes with titles, though I’m proud of the ones I’ve earned. Are you therefore choosing to stay here, Mr. Peabody, and accept the reduced rank?”
“That...looks to be my best option, I guess.” He shrugged. “At least Chief Carter didn’t bust me all the way down to rookie beat cop, or oust me altogether. Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome,” Ashton said with a slight smile. “All right. Then let me tell you that I’m going to take a leap of faith and trust you. More, I’m going to work hard with you, and with Chief Carter, and see what we can do about making this as easy on you as possible, maybe even fast-track you for promotions, provided you show good faith to the division and the Department in return. You have experience, Mr. Peabody, good experience in addition to the bad, and a good head on your shoulders. You made it all the way to head of the division, and that without bribing anyone, according to what I’ve determined, so you’re smart and have a definite talent for investigation. Your record says you can be a very good investigator – when temptation is out of reach, and especially when unscrupulous orders don’t come down…”
“It was mostly unscrupulous orders,” Peabody commented. “I never ever took a bribe, and there really wasn’t a lot that could tempt me to go south with an investigation. Just… staying alive.”
“And I had noted that in your personnel files, as well,” Ashton said. “We need good investigators if we’re going to rebuild Headquarters the way it should be. We want you to regain your status, and do it honestly and successfully. Which means we’re going to do everything we can to give you a second chance and maximize it, to give you the opportunity to rebuild your career the way it ought to be, up to and including being able to come to me and discuss matters with me. Because there are those out there who aren’t going to understand, who are going to expect you to be one of the ‘old guard,’ for want of a better term, and continue to work with them in that fashion.”
“Which I don’t want to do,” Peabody said.
“That is, of course, your call. Certainly neither I, Chief Carter, nor Emperor Trajan want you to.”
“I don’t want to,” Peabody averred. “I’m sick of that way of doing things, and have been ever since I talked to the Empress, if not before.” He shook his head. “I got a glimpse of… another
