If the aide was expecting a rebuke, it didn’t come.
‘So it appears that she had help from the Resistance?’
‘Almost certainly, sir. She could hardly have got away without it, particularly given her condition.’
‘Well, she’ll have little joy in their company.’
‘Should we step up the hunt?’
‘No. Keep her on the list of most wanted. Otherwise you can scale it down.’
‘The man she was with wiped out practically a whole patrol, sir.’
‘I know that, Meakin. And it’ll go on the balance sheet for when we have our reckoning with them. For now there’s no point wasting resources looking for one man. As to the woman, she’s served her purpose. She had nothing else important to tell me. I’d already loosened my leash on her, in fact. That’s how she gave us the slip in the first place.’
Meakin was impressed by a rare show of culpability in his superior. ‘Naturally I wouldn’t presume to ask about this woman’s identity, sir…’ He saw Bastorran’s quick, suspicious glance. ‘But I’m intrigued as to why anyone would betray their own like that.’
‘Love.’
‘Sir?’
‘Love, along with the application of pressure that played on her dotish affection. She thought she could regain something it was never really in my power to give her. Nor would I have done so, even if I could. People are slaves to their emotions. It makes them weak. Exploit them properly and there isn’t anything they won’t do.’
The road was in sight, with its fleet of waiting coaches and milling guards.
‘Anything else I should know about?’ Bastorran asked.
‘Mostly routine matters, sir. Nothing too pressing. Oh, Aphri Kordenza was in touch again. She wants to see you.’
‘That damn woman’s proving a nuisance.’
‘I’ll make your excuses, sir. Keep her out of your way.’
‘No. I’ll take care of the meld. She could still be of use to me. Have her come in to headquarters some time tomorrow.’
‘Very good, sir.’
They were through the gates now. As they neared their waiting carriage, Meakin spotted someone hurrying their way, cape flapping.
‘That looks like Commissioner Laffon, sir.’
‘So it is.’
They waited for the head of the Council for Internal Security to catch up with them. A man of perhaps sixty, Laffon was tall and skeletally thin, with slightly hunched shoulders. Completely bald, he had rangy, bird-like features, accentuated by a hook nose. His lips were thin to the point of non-existence, and his deep blue eyes hinted at a sharp intelligence.
‘I’m glad I caught you,’ he called out, panting faintly as he approached.
‘Commissioner,’ Bastorran greeted him.
‘Excellent eulogy, High Chief. Quite moving.’
‘Thank you. If, er, that was all you wanted to say, I trust you’ll forgive me if I don’t linger. I have matters that need-’
‘I’d appreciate a moment of your time. I’ve one or two things to discuss, and a possible piece of news.’
‘Then perhaps you’d care to ride with us?’
The trio climbed into the carriage. It pulled away, and two other carriages fell in, one ahead, one behind, containing an armed escort. Mounted paladins rode at the front of the convoy, making sure the streets were clear.
Laffon said, ‘I’m pleased to tell you, Bastorran, that preparations are in hand for the new series of raids on the insurgents. My people are ready whenever you are.’
‘That’s gratifying, Commissioner. But it’s hardly news.’
Laffon smiled. ‘News, in the sense of hard facts, is a flexible term, as I’m sure you’re aware. What I have is a deduction based on intelligence, and a rumour.’
‘Let’s have the deduction first, shall we?’
‘I think Reeth Caldason’s on the Diamond Isle.’
Meakin reckoned his master did a good job of disguising his fury at mention of the Qalochian’s name.
‘I suspected as much,’ Bastorran replied.
‘Really? I was under the impression you were expending a lot of resources searching for him here in Bhealfa.’
‘It’s necessary to explore all avenues, Commissioner. Anyway, what makes you think that’s where Caldason is?’
‘We’ve had reports both of his departure from these shores and his presence on the island. Or at least someone bearing an uncanny resemblance to him.’
‘I’m not surprised he’s run away. Any man who could stab another in the back, as he did to my beloved uncle, is nothing short of a coward. Why someone like that should have a special dispensation from our rulers is something I’ve never understood.’
‘You know it isn’t an exemption as such. It’s more an instruction that he should be handled with particular care. I have no idea why these rules were devised, but our betters have their reasons, I’m sure.’ Laffon shrugged.
Meakin wished he could ask what those rules were.
‘Well, perhaps it’s time to throw out these instructions pertaining to Caldason.’
‘I’ve always believed they should be obeyed, given their source. But the murder of someone of your uncle’s status changes things. I, for one, would be willing to petition our superiors to look at the policy again.’
‘I’m obliged, Commissioner. The lifting of the restrictions would be pleasing to me. It’s just a pity that, if your information’s correct, Caldason’s beyond our present reach.’
‘He might not be.’ Laffon eyed Bastorran.
‘What do you mean?’
‘The rumour I heard. There’s talk of a fleet being sent to the Diamond Isle.’
Bastorran’s eyebrows raised. ‘You’re sure? My information is that Gath Tampoor was holding back in hope of Rintarah dealing with the matter.’
‘My source is good. I can only imagine that Gath Tampoor’s worried about Rintarah getting an edge in that part of the world, and decided they should have a presence there too. No doubt we’ll be informed officially soon, one way or another. Though I have to say it’s a bad time of year for such a venture.’
‘If this is true, the paladins are sure to be represented in the invasion force.’
‘As indeed will the CIS. We suspect there are a number of felons out there of interest to us. Not least the woman I told you about, who’s a known associate of Caldason. We both have scores to settle on that island.’
‘If there’s a reckoning to be had,’ Bastorran declared, expression intense, ‘I want to be there.’
‘You’d go yourself?’
‘Absolutely. I owe my uncle the task of exacting vengeance on his murderer. It’s not something I’d see delegated.’
‘Ah. A matter of family honour.’
‘Family and the clans. A blood debt,’ Bastorran replied coldly.
‘And the opportunity to exact retribution for your own…indisposition at Caldason’s hands.’
Bastorran flashed the Commissioner a hard look. ‘The issue is clan pride, not personal revenge.’
‘Of course, High Chief. But there’s little we can do about the problem just yet. We can, however, continue our purge of the terrorists here.’
‘We’ve broken their backs. It’s only a question of time before we eradicate them entirely.’
‘Perhaps. The rebel movement may be weakened, but it’s still capable of causing havoc. Why, there’s unrest even as we speak, not ten blocks from here.’
Somebody in the crowd threw a device.
Magical munition or conventional bombard, it made little difference to the effect. It fell just short of a line of
