Instalment Thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-four

‘The calls,’ said Ernesto, taking a cup of coffee from Valla. ‘The Morse Code ones. They went on to T.d’F. But I managed to get recordings of them. I’d already asked my guy to be on the lookout for odd transmissions and they thought the length was suspicious.’

‘And...’ asked Domingo, hoping to have something for Daniel and Gordon.

‘It’s in code. I mean, the morse code is encoded. I’ve got breaker software working on it now.’

‘The calls in the Weddell City logs were marked with Saul’s signature. Did you hear they’re going to try him for treason?’ asked Valla, from behind Domingo.

‘Come sit down,’ he said, turning to her.

‘I’m fine here, Arne’s due in a couple more minutes anyway.’

‘Domingo, when is this Intelligence Agency starting up?’ asked Ernesto. ‘We can’t let Gordon continue to have free rein. This trial. It isn’t going to uncover Leon’s role.’

‘I...’ he began, but didn’t get far as Valla jumped in to his defence.

‘He’s only out of hospital today...’

The dynamic had changed between them and Domingo wanted it to go back. Not that we were very father-daughter, but it wasn’t this.

‘Valla. It’s okay.’ He turned back to address the still standing Ernesto. ‘I have someone in mind to head up the Weddell City office, he’ll give you plenty of scope to do your own thing. I’m sorry Ernesto but they’re never going to let an eighteen-year old take charge.’

‘I know, I didn’t expect the top job,’ said Kairns, moving towards Valla and the worktop, empty mug in hand. ‘I’ll let you know as soon as I have the messages. I can keep an eye on Leon, but with this trial happening, I think we’re looking at the long game.’

‘Thank-you, Ernesto.’ He made to get up.

‘No. It’s okay, I’ll see myself out. Take care Domingo. Valla.’

As Ernesto opened the door the crying of a baby came echoing along the corridor.

‘That’ll be Arne and Paloma,’ said Valla.

‘Oh. That’s a healthy set of lungs,’ Domingo said. This is going to be hard. A baby...

Ernesto held the door open as the wailing got louder until Paloma entered the room with the baby held close to her. She was making cooing noises at it, her face buried close in. Heat built behind Domingo’s eyes.

Arne came through the door but behind him was someone else. Domingo’s mind grabbed for the distraction.

The door closed but the young man stayed near it, as if he wanted to become part of the frame or the wall. Paloma sat next to Domingo. The smell, her perfume mingling with that of the child, stirred up deep memories which refused to surface. But he was comforted. The baby had settled in to a silent sleep and Domingo looked away to Arne, getting a better view of his companion.

‘Domingo,’ began Arne. ‘This is Nikau Burns.’ Arne pulled the young man off the wall. ‘He was part of the militia. An important part. He’s looking for a job here in Weddell City and I thought...’ Arne nodded at him.

‘Arne, please take a seat,’ Domingo said. ‘Valla, more coffee. Nikau, welcome. I’m sorry there’s not more seating. We’ve just moved in.’

‘Oh. I’m fine with the floor, thank you, Mr. Torres.’

‘Call me Domingo. Everyone does... except my new doctor.’

Arne sat next to Paloma and Nikau took to the floor like it was every-day, sitting cross-legged and reaching up for the coffee Valla held above him.

‘Here you go, Arne. Paloma.’ Valla put two mismatched mugs onto the coffee table. ‘What’s the baby called?’

‘Anatoli,’ said Arne, with a shrug that ceased the minute Paloma threw her head round to face him.

‘Arne doesn’t like it...’ she said.

‘That’s not true. I like it fine. I just don’t know where you got it from.’

‘Does it have to come from somewhere?’

‘Usually,’ said Arne, reaching for the nearest mug. He scrutinised it instead of drinking. ‘Glasshouse Beans, better coffee, better world?’

‘It was free,’ said Valla from behind him.

Arne sipped the coffee.

‘Did you know Gordon is building his own spy network?’ Arne said putting the mug back on the table.

‘I’d heard something,’ Domingo replied. ‘But Ernesto is pushing for the Intelligence Agency to get up and running soon.’

‘That’s for the state, you should do the same for Torres Family. I’m putting out feelers. Nikau here would be my first choice but he’ll be too obviously my asset after the Battle of the Bases.’

Domingo turned to the youth sitting cross-legged on his floor and found an unsettling grin on the young man’s face.

‘You want to be my spy?’

‘I want to protect what I fought for,’ said Nikau. ‘If that means spying, then I’m okay with it.’

‘I could ask you to do unethical things? Politics is a dirty game.’

‘I can play dirty for the right prize.’

‘The end justifies the means,’ said Valla, with a hint of disapproval.

‘Well, what does Sun Tze say then?’ asked Domingo.

‘All warfare is based on deception,’ she replied. ‘But that suggests we’re at war with each other.’

‘I think so,’ said Domingo. ‘Call it a very slow war of attrition. Everyone wanted independence. But that’s all we ever had in common.

Okay,’ he said to Nikau. ‘Come by my office tomorrow morning and we’ll get started.’

A loud knock on the door made Domingo glance at his watch. ‘Damn. That’ll be Gordon and Daniel.’

Nikau had jumped to his feet and was back near the door.

‘Oh, don’t worry. We’re just leaving. We’ll have you round for dinner as soon as we get allocated somewhere,’ said Arne, standing.

‘You mean you haven’t been given somewhere yet?’

Valla opened the door. Gordon strode in and stopped. Domingo could just make out Daniel in the corridor.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to already have visitors,’ Gordon said, throwing a stare at Valla that put Domingo’s back up immediately.

‘Arne brought the baby round to show off. They’re just leaving,’ said Domingo.

Gordon stepped forward to grasp Arne’s hand.

‘Congratulations again,’ he said.

‘Thank you, Gordon,’ said Arne.

Gordon dropped Arne’s hand like he’d been burnt and Domingo smiled at the thought the young Captain could outplay Gordon at the handshake game.

Paloma was now standing, fussing over the baby, and Daniel squeezed past the pair to speak to her. Neither Gordon or Daniel had noticed Nikau Burns slink off. Domingo was impressed. Perhaps he will make a good spy?

As the door closed behind the Dales, Domingo returned to the sofa and found himself talking to Gordon standing to his left and Daniel sitting at the other end of the sofa on his right. Valla had gone silent behind him in the kitchen area. Hoping I don’t send her to her room.

‘Saul Dushenknov is refusing to take a lawyer,’ said Gordon.

‘Do you blame him?’ Domingo asked. ‘This idea that asking for a lawyer shifts the burden of proof from presumed innocence to presumed guilt is ridiculous.’

‘You know why it’s there,’ said Daniel. ‘We can’t afford to have time wasters clog up court, and some people are simply litigious.’

‘And now you find that if you sow wind, you reap storms,’ said Domingo.

‘Whatever. What are we going to do about it?’ said Gordon.

‘We could tweak the legislation. But that means running it past the senate, which probably means it won’t happen in time,’ Domingo mused.

Daniel twisted round to face Gordon. ‘What is so bad about letting him defend himself?’ he asked. Domingo saw the quick conspiratorial smile as he turned back.

‘He will implicate Leon. It’ll break the Family structure before it gets going.’ Gordon now held Domingo’s attention. ‘The leader of Larsen, implicated in a treason charge. People voted to join Larsen because of Leon. We’re practically calling them all traitors.’

‘That’s an exaggeration and you know it,’ said Daniel, turning to face Domingo square on. ‘You don’t agree, do you? Domingo?’

Damn, I’m between two fires here. ‘Daniel,’ he said, ‘we can get Leon later, surely?’

‘You’re agreeing with him.’ Daniel threw his hand towards Gordon.

‘I’m being pragmatic.’

‘Talk about reaping storms. This, will come back to bite us on the arse,’ said Daniel.

‘We need to keep Leon under surveillance, that’s all.’ Domingo used his best managerial voice. ‘Eventually he’ll slip up.’

‘I hope you’re right, Domingo. For all our sakes,’ said Daniel.

‘You worry too much,’ said Gordon. ‘But this doesn’t solve our problem with Saul.’

‘We could get the executive on a call. Make it an emergency piece of legislation. Pass it retrospectively with the full Senate.’ Has anyone ever ripped up their constitution as fast as we seem to be shredding ours? ‘The problem will be with the Larsen senators,’ said Domingo.

‘Don’t worry about them. I’ll talk with Emil Carey and he’ll convince the rest,’ said Gordon.

‘We’re really doing this?’ asked Daniel.

‘Yes. We can make the case that an individual, when prosecuted by the state, should have a lawyer and remain innocent until proven otherwise. It’s fairer,’ said Domingo. ‘I’ll pull it together and submit it. When’s the earliest you think you can get everyone on a call?’

Gordon paused to pull out a phone. Daniel put his head in his hands. His elbows rested on his knees as he muttered so quietly Domingo thought it might be a prayer.

‘Next Tuesday,’ said Gordon. ‘Best day anyway, after that everyone’s heads will be full of Christmas mush.’

‘Are you going home to McMurdo?’ asked Valla.

Domingo knew the rumours and was keen to hear the answer.

Gordon was silent, making a few taps and swipes on his phone. Then he pocketed it. ‘I, eh... I was thinking of staying in Weddell City this year. There’s a lot to do in the summertime. I’ll go through in the autumn.’

‘Would your grandson like to come through for the holidays? I’m sure Valla could show him around.’ Domingo asked before Valla could continue with further tactless questions.

‘Or he could come visit with me in Kunlun. Reuben would love to show him the mines,’ said Daniel.

‘I’ll ask,’ said Gordon. ‘Thank you, both, for the offers. It might be a while before I can let you know.’

So it’s true. Explains why Wahid’s turned up in McMurdo.

‘We’ve taken up enough of your evening, Domingo. We’ll go,’ said Daniel, standing.

‘We can talk tomorrow about the proposal,’ Domingo said in return. ‘Gordon, you’re welcome here at Christmas, I hope you know that.’ He caught Valla’s silent dissent in her tense jawline and narrowed eyes. He ignored her. Having Gordon round might help her develop some diplomacy skills.

‘Thank you, that’s very kind. I may take you up on that,’ said Gordon, sounding genuine for a change.

The door closed on the two men and Domingo sank back into the sofa.

‘Valla, you’re going to have to think before you ask people personal questions.’

‘What? What do you mean? “What are you doing for the holidays?” is hardly personal.’

‘His wife and grandson have disowned him over the pirate attack at the McMurdo power plant.’

‘Shit, Domingo. I didn’t know.’

‘Clearly.’