clothes had a discreet quality often associated with the rich and powerful. The man seemed vaguely familiar to Kinsel, but he had no recollection of ever meeting him.
‘You have a caller,’ Bastorran announced as though ushering in a guest at a social event. ‘This is Commissioner Laffon, of the Council for Internal Security.’
Kinsel didn’t know what to say. This was a very important man; the head of the CIS himself. And if everything
he’d heard about him was true, a man whose reputation wasn’t entirely without blemish.
‘Thank you, General, that will be all,’ Laffon told Bastorran.
The paladin looked offended at being dismissed as though he were a mere lackey. ‘You may want someone to stay with you and the prisoner,’ he suggested.
‘I’m sure that won’t be necessary.’
Bastorran nodded curtly and left, leaving the door half open. Laffon pushed it until it was just ajar. Then he grinned widely at Kinsel and moved forward to grasp his bound hands. ‘I am
so
pleased to meet you.’
Kinsel was taken aback. ‘You are?’
‘Oh, yes. I’m a great admirer of your singing talents. I’ve seen you perform several times back in Merakasa.’ He sat on the seat Bastorran had recently vacated. ‘So, how are you?’ he asked.
It seemed such an absurd question the singer wasn’t sure how to respond. ‘Um. Well…’
‘Aggrieved, no doubt. Angry and vexed at finding yourself dealt with in this way. That’s very understandable. We must clear up this awful mistake.’
‘Mistake?’
‘Yes, of course. That’s what it is, isn’t it? I mean, a respectable man like yourself, a man of your stature, would hardly associate with unsavoury elements.’
‘I can say in all truth, Commissioner, that I don’t mix with anyone unsavoury.’
‘Quite so. I was sure this must all be a terrible misunderstanding. Not least because of your well-known support of pacifism.’
‘I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I believe in nonviolence.’
‘And I admire you for that, I really do. I wish I had your moral fibre. The thing is…Well, not everyone feels the way you do. It’s very regrettable, but it’s the world we live in.’
‘I’m aware of that. What’s it to do with me?’
‘The accusations against you centre mostly on the company you’re said to keep. You say you’re above reproach in this regard, and of course I completely accept that. But given the large number of people a man like yourself must meet, isn’t it possible that certain of them might have taken advantage of your…shall we say innocence?’
‘
No.
I mean…how could they?’
‘Don’t underestimate your own importance. You’ve had access to echelons of society most people are excluded from. Wouldn’t you concede the possibility that you might have dropped the occasional indiscreet word about what you’d seen and heard? Or have you never been tempted, perhaps, to carry out a small task for friendly acquaintances?’
‘I’m a singer, not a politician or a street fighter. And certainly not an odd job man or message carrier.’
‘Ah. Messages.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘You just said message carrier. I didn’t mention it, you did. I wonder why.’
‘Well, from what you were saying, it just seemed natural to assume…’
‘You see? That’s how easy it is.’
‘What do you mean? What’s easy?’
‘Forgetting little things in a busy life. I asked if you’d ever undertaken any chores, and you mention carrying messages.’
‘No, that’s not what I meant. You make it sound as though I’ve done something to be ashamed of, and I haven’t.’
‘Then nothing’s lost by you passing on some names,’ Laffon returned triumphantly.
‘You’re twisting my words, making me out to be some kind of criminal.’
The Commissioner looked appalled. ‘I wouldn’t dream of
suggesting such a thing. I’m sure you’ve never done anything to endanger the security of the state… intentionally.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘We can never be entirely certain what the intentions of others might be. When it comes to state security, that’s a job for the professionals. All you have to do is supply a list of names-’
‘Why should I be part of subjecting other people to this sort of treatment?’
‘So there are other people, then?’
‘I was speaking hypothetically.’
‘Do these hypothetical people have real names?’
‘I can’t help you, Commissioner.’
‘You might think that certain people you know are innocent, and perhaps they are, but that needs to be properly investigated.’
‘Any names I gave you would be purely as the result of pressure. There really wouldn’t be anyone deserving of your attention.’
‘Let us be the judge of that.’
‘I want an advocate present before I say anything else.’
‘That isn’t possible.’ Laffon sighed. ‘Look, Rukanis, there are hard, violent men in this world.’
‘That’s rather a statement of the obvious, isn’t it, Commissioner?’
‘What may not be so obvious to you is that many of them are paladins, and it’s the paladins who are holding you at the moment. There’s a limit to the influence I might have in this case.’
‘My understanding is that the clans are soldiers of fortune in the empire’s employ. You have authority over them.’
‘Ultimately, yes. But what with the officialdom that bedevils us these days, and the fact that this is a protectorate and not Gath Tampoor itself…well, it could take some time to estab
lish who has supremacy. While it was being sorted out, you’d remain in their custody. Whereas, if you co- operate fully with me now, I might be able to get you transferred to the custody of the CIS. I’m sure you’d find my department much more reasonable in these matters.’
‘You’ll forgive me for doubting that.’
Exasperation showed on Laffon’s features. ‘You’re failing to appreciate how grave your situation is, Rukanis. You don’t know how much we’ve learnt about your activities.’
‘I thought you said it must all be a mistake.’
‘You don’t understand, do you? This isn’t a question of your innocence or guilt, or whether you’ve been naive. It’s about doing what we tell you.’
‘In all conscience, I can’t.’
‘Few of us can afford the luxury of a conscience in these troubled times. Speak, man. Tell what you know and avoid any…unpleasantness.’
‘I’ve already said-’
‘Very well,’ Laffon replied stiffly as he rose from the chair. ‘I wash my hands of you.’
He went to the cell door and hammered on it twice with his fist. The door was opened.
Outside stood a tall, muscular man wearing the traditional black garb and mask of the torturer’s trade.
Tanalvah shuddered.
‘What’s the matter?’ Serrah said.
‘A chill ran up my spine.’
