Chimera

"I saw reported payments in Wenithal's records to Damik up till a few weeks ago. "

"Really. Where did you see those?"

Coren cleared his throat. "Something Wenithal left lying open on his desk."

Capel smiled wryly. "In any case, there had apparently been a falling out between them. Maybe Wenithal had started paying him again, but we know he had stopped payments for several months. "

"How do you know they were bribes?"

"Because of the source of Wenithal's funds."

"May I guess? Either the Hunter Group or Kysler Diversified. "

"No. Imbitek. Or was. This new guy, Towne, has been trying to clean the company up, shutting down a lot of its illicit ventures. But under Mikels they'd been buying from Wenithal for years, except they paid him five times market value for what he supplied them. Half that money ended up going directly to Damik."

"Imbitek…"

"Something else, though." Capel took a folder off the table beside him and handed it to Coren. "Look at this and tell me what you think."

Coren pulled an image out of the folder. It showed a naked female body, horribly bruised from face to shins. "Same kind of lividity as Damik."

"That's my thought. I did a records search for similar cases. That one was the closest match. "

"Who was she?"

"We don't know. No ID. Found her in Lyzig District six days ago." Capel retrieved the print and returned it to the folder. "You were in Lyzig not long ago yourself, weren't you?"

"Yes."

"Maybe a coincidence. I hoped maybe you could identify her."

"Run a match for 'Jeta Fromm: She was a data troll."

Capel blinked, then pressed the button again. An officer appeared, and Capel told her to run a check on that ID.

"If it comes up positive," Coren asked, "does that make me a suspect?"

"If I thought that, you'd be in custody. No, but you're close to this. Closer than I am, anyway."

"That's your feeling?"

"That's my feeling." Capel finished his coffee and set the cup down. "If you could talk to anyone you wanted to right now, who would it be?"

Coren thought for a moment. "Alda Mikels."

"He gets released tomorrow morning. We have till then to interview him."

"Privately?" Coren asked with emphasis.

"Very. Interested?"

"Very." Coren stood. "Why?"

Capel raised his eyebrows. "You mean, why am I letting you into this? Very simple. Some of the people who were around when Wenithal closed his last case are still around, only in even higher positions than they were then. If this goes where I think it will, I may need someone outside the department. "

"Do you trust me?"

"I looked at your record." Capel pressed the button to be let out. "Shall we?" Marland Reformatory and Social Reclamation Center occupied a huge area north of D.C. Capel took Coren through the security passage that linked directly to police headquarters, a ten-minute ride in a car designed to carry prisoners behind a transparent security shield that separated them from their guards.

Coren waited while Capel arranged an interview room. Silently, the two men followed a uniformed escort up four levels and down a long hall. The interview room was comfortable, with plush chairs all around and a writing desk. Coren was surprised to find it open, with no indication of any security wall to keep prisoners from interviewers.

Capel noticed his reaction. "We have no surveillance, either."

Coren took his hemisphere from his pocket. "What happens if I switch this on?"

"Nothing. You don't trust me?"

"You, yes. " Coren thumbed the field damper on and returned it to his pocket.

Capel nodded and took a seat.

"How much freedom do I get?" Coren asked.

"Don't abuse your welcome, " Capel said. "Keep it within reason. "

A few minutes later, the opposite door slid open and Alda Mikels stepped through.

He had lost weight, Coren saw, and his thick mane of white hair seemed thinner. The lines in his face sank deeper and his skin looked slightly waxen.

"Mr. Mikels," Capel said. "I appreciate you taking the time to see us. Please, sit. "

Alda Mikels frowned at Coren as he eased himself into a chair. "You're welcome, I'm sure, Inspector. Do I know you?"

"I'm Inspector Capel, Homicide Division. This is Coren Lanra, head of security for-"

"For Rega Looms. Yes, I thought you looked familiar. Is there a reason for this visit, or just a last chance to see me in prison?"

"We have a few questions we thought you might help us with, " Capel said.

Mikels focussed on Capel. "Homicide? I haven't killed anyone. Not in here, at least."

"That remains to be seen, " Capel said. "Do you know Ree Wenithal?"

"Should I?"

"You've been overpaying him for textiles for years," Capel said. "From the amounts, we thought perhaps you had a personal relationship with him. "

"A good supplier, then?" Mikels said, shrugging. "I don't remember. "

"Odd. He remembers you," Coren said. "Even kept a special log of all your transactions."

"Really?"

"He was cut off by your successor," Capel said.

"I wouldn't know anything about it. What Towne is doing to my company…well, I'll find out all about it soon enough."

"You're being modest," Coren said. "I think you know all about it now."

"And why would that be?"

"You're waging a war for control of your company. I'm impressed with your resources-it must be very difficult to conduct business from a cell. But it's not a very precise way to do it. Some people have died as a result. According to Tresha, the orders went through Wenithal, along with his monthly stipend from Imbitek…until Towne took over and started cutting up your empire."

Mikels glowered. "This is all supposition, of course."

Coren said nothing. Mikels blinked and looked at Capel.

"Is it standard procedure for the police to allow private security to harass wards of the state?"

"Coren," Capel said, "you're just supposed to observe."

Coren nodded, but continued to stare at Mikels. He felt anxious, which was a problem-an interview like this needed a finesse he did not feel willing to accord. He realized then that he had decided to blame Mikels for Nyom's death-it was his war, after all, that had gotten her killed.

"Now, Mr. Mikels," Capel said, "we know you're a busy man. We won't keep you very long. But I wondered if you could explain those payments to Mr. Wenithal. The amounts were quite generous. It seems fiscally irresponsible-at least to me-that you'd pay him those amounts when you could easily have switched vendors and saved yourself all that extra expenditure. Unless he was blackmailing you, that is. Was he?"

Mikels laughed. "You're more imaginative than most of your colleagues, Inspector Capel."

"Then he was working for you in other capacities?"

Mikels stood. "I don't have to talk to you."

"I think it would be a good idea, though," Coren said. He took a couple of steps toward Mikels. "You have a problem, and it could be very dangerous. "

Mikels laughed. "Are you threatening me, Mr. Lanra?"

Coren smiled with mock innocence. "Me? Not at all. I'm trying to help you. "

Mikels glanced toward the detective. "Inspector Capel-"

"Sit down, Lanra," Capel said tersely.

Coren looked at Capel. He saw nothing but a warning in the inspector's eyes, and the expectation of obedience. Coren gave Mikels a long look before he grudgingly returned to his chair.

"It seems, Mr. Mikels," Capel said, "that your replacement at Imbitek may have gotten himself into some legal problems. Certain clandestine operations have surfaced and you could help us clear them up. I just thought we could help each other."