Mark Tiedemann - Chimera

So that's where his reaction came from…

"Synopsis of his last investigation."

"Three-year investigation of kidnapping and infant brokerage, leading to the discovery of a child-selling trade operating between Earth and a Settler colony named Tau Regis. Agent Wenithal received a commendation for excellence in police investigation, three citations for exceptional public service, and a merit commendation for valor after exposing the ring and overseeing its destruction. He retired one year afterward with full pension and lifetime honors awards. He opened his own business two years later, a small private security firm which failed after four years. He remained retired then until starting the present firm of RW Enterprises."

"Hard copy the dossier on the investigation."

"Only the public record is available. Details are under security seal pending review."

"Very well, the public record, then." Coren tapped a fingertip against his chin, thinking. "Question: If Wenithal's case only lasted three years, why is there an eleven-year spread concerning the names in his files?"

"Subjects related in prior investigations from various districts. Collated by Wenithal under his own investigation for related details."

"So this was not the first time these matters had been investigated?"

"No. Ongoing investigations in five separate jurisdictions extending back seven years prior to Wenithal's case."

"Are any of the investigating officers available?"

"No. Eighteen officers, all deceased."

"What about staff? Are any of the people who worked for Nova Levis still alive and available? The principle researchers, what happened to them?"

"Five researchers. Three are listed as deceased, one emigrated shortly after the lab closed, and the fifth is listed only as Missing."

"Missing. Name?"

"Kyas Vol. "

"One of the primary shareholders who baled out early."

"Correct."

"Just missing, no last known address? What about his file? Who was he?"

"An immigrant, native of Spacer world Theia, resident director of research at two medical centers prior to accepting directorship of neurobiology department of Nova Levis. "

Spacer…?

"Did he return to Theia?"

"The record does not so indicate."

"Missing." That could mean anything.

"The one who emigrated-destination?"

"Nova Levis."

Coren grunted. "Why am I not surprised. "

"Unknown."

Coren felt himself smile at the Desk's literalness. "Very well. Continue search. In the meantime, link me to Sipha Palen, encrypt protocols."

The screen emerged from the desktop and winked on. Coren waited patiently while the machines exchanged the proper codes to set up the link. A few minutes later Sipha's face filled the screen.

"About time," she said. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about me."

"No chance. I've had an interesting time since last we spoke. Listen, I'm sending you a positronic specialist. "

"You're kidding. You really know one?"

"Two, actually, but you're only getting Derec Avery."

Sipha frowned for a moment, then whistled. "I am impressed, partner mine."

"You know about him?"

"I know someone who knows him. You would think he was the reincarnation of Susan Calvin to listen to this person."

"Who? Oh, yes. Never mind. Anyway, he should be on his way up within the next hour or two. He's coming in company with an officer of the Auroran embassy, a fellow named Hofton. Meet them, keep the heat off them, and get them to their embassy branch as quietly and quickly as possible. Avery's position with Terran authorities is…what would be a good word?…fluid. I don't want him busted and deported before he can do us any good. "

"Consider it done. Nobody arrests anyone on my station unless I say so."

"Good, good. I'm also sending you a list of names. This is a fishing expedition, frankly, but it might turn up something. See if any of the deceased match in any way."

"I'll do what I can. Have you found your informant?"

"No. Someone else is looking for her, too. It might be a race." He thought about that. "Keep your people alert to her coming through Kopernik. If she's on the run she might try leaving Earth."

"Got a description?"

"I'll forward you an image. What about on your end? Anything new?"

"We found some fibers on the bin that match fibers taken from Nyom Looms' fingernails. She fought. Our target may be banged up a bit."

Somehow I doubt that, Coren thought. "What kind of fibers?"

"Synthetic of some kind. We're still analyzing it. I'll let you know when we identify it." She paused. "You're sending Derec Avery up. Does that mean you're staying down?"

"Afraid so. I've got some things to follow up."

"And you really don't want to get back on a shuttle, do you?"

Coren smiled wryly. "No, not really. Sorry."

"You're going to have to get over that some day. Especially if you ever expect me to continue our friendship."

"We'll see."

"Uh-huh."

Coren shrugged. "Hey, can I help it if I'm just an ordinary Terran?"

"You aren't, though. That's why your aversion annoys me."

"Yes, well…" He felt awkward, caught wordless. "Did you tell Looms?" she asked.

"Um…yes. He took it better than I expected. Or maybe not. It's hard to read him, sometimes."

"Does he want you to keep looking?"

"Yes."

"You would, anyway."

"Yes."

Sipha nodded as if understanding something else about him. "Let me get back to work. I'll see to it Mr. Avery gets to the Auroran embassy."

"Right." Coren started to reach for the disconnect, then hesitated. "Sipha, have you ever caught anyone smuggling stolen children through Kopernik?"

She stared at him, momentarily stunned. "No. Why?"

"Something…just a peripheral bit of information I stumbled on. An old case, nothing current. Just thought I'd ask. Thanks. "

"Talk to you later."

The screen went blank.

Coren cleared his throat and shrugged, as if trying to physically reset his thinking. "Desk, do you have that public file on Wenithal's last case?"

"Yes."

"Display it, please. "

The screen filled with text. Coren leaned forward and began to read.

Union Station D.C. looked much the same as always, but Derec never felt at ease with it-not after the assassinations and the subsequent ruin of his company and his hopes. The floor had long since been cleansed of blood and now shone with the high polish of smokey mirrors. People hurried about their business beneath its cavernous arch, announcements echoed over the P.A., and no one seemed to notice how much it had changed.

As Derec walked toward the customs desk, Hofton behind him carrying a large bag and a columnar container, he kept looking around, searching, until he realized what it was he sought.

Robots. There were no robots.

Union Station had once, for a short time, been a kind of free zone where robots worked openly. The Terran Senate had passed special legislation to allow positronics here, as a testing ground to see how Earthers would react, and to show Earthers the nature of robots. Spacers came through Union Station D.C. and no other port on Earth, so it was convenient to provide them with a reception area that offered familiar accommodations. A Resident Intelligence had been installed to supervise the complex operations of the facility and manage all the robots. Derec's company, the Phylaxis Group, had overseen its installation and had been contracted to do the maintenance and troubleshooting for it, but subsequent events took all that away. And more.

He was nervous here: partly because it had been months since he had visited Union Station and his last memory of it held death, and partly because this was the first time since the trials at which the conspirators in the assassinations were found guilty and sentenced he had left the embassy. Though treated primarily as witnesses, Derec's staff had been detained and questioned for several weeks, and at least one person had been arrested on a minor charge tangentially related to Phylaxis and its activities. In the aftermath, it had been made clear to Derec that his presence on Earth may be required indefinitely. He was to make himself available to the court.