Instalment Thirty-six

Chapter Thirty-five - Totally Screwed

Jian Carter sat opposite his business partner Vernon ‘Sal’ Salado. The desk between them was a slab of polished granite supported on more, rough-hewn granite legs. During his job interview Sal had told Jian he’d ordered it from a coastal quarry some years ago, long before the solar-events nightmare they’d just lived through. Sal had thought it would impress clients. Be a ‘thing’ they would remember. The firm’s office was a quarter of geodesic dome, and Jian had agreed that it certainly had a need of ‘something’ which the desk was admirably filling. His remark had tickled Sal and the rest was history.

‘I’ve just played back the interview tape, and you can’t hear what Saul said. But he definitely said it.’

‘What was it again?’ Sal asked.

‘He said he knew who it was,’ answered Jian.

‘Who was what?’

‘Presumably he means the traitor?’

‘But there’s records of him talking with Eli Reid. Is he saying he was told to contact Global?’

‘Out loud he’s not saying anything like that. But I was wondering if we could persuade him to whisper some more.’

Sal got distracted by something that had popped up on his screen and Jian let him deal with it. Behind Sal was an oriental scene across four painted-silk panels. Has to be worth a fortune.

‘Okay,’ said Sal, closing his laptop. ‘It might become academic. I’ve just got notification that the executive will be approached soon by Gordon, Daniel and Domingo, and asked to vote on changing the rules for representation when the state is prosecuting.’

‘Damn. He’s going to lawyer up. And we’ll still need more evidence. D’you think this is Gordon’s idea?’

‘You spoke to Gordon. What do you think?’ asked Sal.

‘He seemed keen to wrap it up quickly and, maybe, to keep Leon out of the case entirely.’

‘If Saul does get representation it’s doubtful they’ll come up with any new evidence of their own. Leon has never struck me as dumb enough to get caught. We could still pull this off Jimmy.’

‘Gordon will owe us. He’s suggested as much already.’

‘Well lets not disappoint him. Find out who might take on the defence, see what we have on them.’

‘Sure. What about interrogating Saul again?’

‘If you can get him to admit more, that would be great. But. We’ll pull this off, with or without him.’

‘He’s not going to incriminate himself,’ said Jian. ‘But he also seemed scared of pointing the finger at Leon.’

‘Global Corporation have a long reach. Maybe he’s more scared of them.’

‘If you ask me he’s scared of being shot as a traitor.’

‘There are worse ways to go,’ said Sal.

*

Saul Dushenknov sat on the bed in the cold cell. How have I ended up here? Is this Leon’s plan?

They felt like rhetorical questions. It was painfully obvious Leon wasn’t coming to his aid and was happy to see him be shot. His only hope rested in making it difficult for Gordon Murcheson to prosecute. And there was no doubt Gordon was behind this. I was meticulous. Logged the calls in the radio shack book and in Leon’s diary. Gordon’s been spying on me from the start. But my story should stand. I was making contact on behalf of Leon. I made sure I wasn’t alone in this. Why isn’t Leon also here? Piz-dets.

The cell door opened. A guard gestured to him to stand and come forward. So far, the A.F.S. was being civilised. But it was Gordon Murcheson and Global he didn’t trust. Either one could have him killed before the state managed it.

‘Come on, come on, I haven’t got all day,’ said the guard. ‘They’ve allocated you counsel. Changing the rules just for you, lucky sod. We have to prove you’re a dirty Global-loving traitor.’

Doesn’t make sense, there’s been no time to call a senate meeting. How is this possible?

He hurried in front of the guard, not even noticing the quietness in the corridor, too busy in his thoughts.

The guard opened the door to an interview room. Stepping inside Saul felt the warmth on his face. He sat with relief into the padded chair and only then looked at the man sitting behind the table. Younger than me. Does he have enough experience? But the prosecution’s guy wasn’t this old, so perhaps. Looks Spanish, or Portuguese, maybe somewhere Latin American. Or, who knows, really. Nowadays - could be anywhere.

There was a time when he first started working for Global that nationality mattered. School-name mattered. That was how he’d ended up with Leon for a boss, and stuck out in the freezing wilds of Gamburtsev. Here, it’s not so much about your background. It’s who you know. And in the A.F.S., it’s whether Gordon knows you and whether you’re useful to him.

‘Saul Dushenknov, I’m Dante Castillero, I’ve volunteered to be your counsel in your upcoming trial for treason. I’ve stated that Salado and Carter are not to interview you again and I’ve reviewed the evidence. I have to say it’s kinda close to call. You logged the calls in Leon’s diary, but it’s only you who ever made the calls. He’s going to claim he didn’t know.’

‘Is he claiming that?’ Saul asked, desperate to hear that Leon hadn’t left him to the dogs.

‘Leon isn’t saying anything to me. And not much to anyone else. This is a very cagey game, and it’s your life on the line. Saul, if there’s anything you can give me you’ve not yet disclosed, I need it now.’

The young man looked so earnest. He’s honest. I’m fucked.

‘Tell me why you’re here Dante? I didn’t want representation.’

Dante had the good grace to look embarrassed. ‘They’re pushing through emergency legislation.’

‘They?’

‘Gordon, Daniel and Domingo.’

‘Ah. The Trinity,’ he said, with sarcasm. ‘Okay.’ Totally screwed. Maybe I should just lay out my cards and see what happens. Couldn’t get worse... ah... it could. ‘I have nothing to add. I’m sorry I can’t be more help.’ And then Saul took pity. ‘You look like a good kid. Be careful of Gordon, and of Global.’

Dante sat back. Saul caught a glint of the steel behind the youthfulness. I shouldn’t be the one to dull that blade.

‘If you’re sure?’ asked Dante.

‘I am. But thank you for offering. Genuinely.’

Despite the comfortable surroundings, he no longer wanted to be in the room. The whole exchange had sapped him. He’d once prided himself on his world-weariness but this young man had crushed him with his principles. I shouldn’t live in this new world, and neither should Leon. Or Gordon. For it to be better we need to leave it.

Stepping out into the cold corridor was like a plunge into freezing water. Refreshing and invigorating. He had a new sense of purpose. There would be a reckoning. Not now. But later. Leon would stand in his shoes and know that he, Saul Dushenknov, had played a small part in bringing him down.

*

‘The body was found at oh-three thirty-five when the observation hatch was opened,’ said the guard.

Domingo’s gut roiled. How did this happen?

‘Surely he was watched?’ he asked.

‘Sir. Yes. But they went on a toilet break. It’s recorded they left at oh-three twenty-five and returned at oh-three twenty-nine. It had to have happened in that time.’

‘And there was no sign of foul play?’ asked Daniel.

‘No, Sir. The cell was searched. He’d used sheeting.’

‘Why wasn’t he...’ Domingo started. ‘Oh, it doesn’t matter now. Where’s the body?’

‘Morgue, Sir.’

‘Has anyone formally identified it?’ asked Daniel.

‘No. We didn’t know who to call.’

‘He has no family?’ asked Domingo.

‘There’s no next of kin on record,’ said the guard.

Domingo checked with Daniel, who shook his head.

‘Wedded to the job.’ said Daniel. ‘I’ll identify him.’

‘I’ll cancel the executive meeting and shelve the legislation,’ said Domingo.

Together they walked out of the jail block and over to the morgue.

‘What does this mean for how we approach Leon?’ asked Daniel.

‘What do you mean? I thought we’d agree to wait for him to slip up.’

‘Well. I know Saul... knew Saul. He wasn’t the sort to commit suicide, trust me.’

‘You think someone killed him? How?’

‘There’s a good chance we’ll never know. But, it does perhaps make Leon a more dangerous target. What if he ordered it? Global have some nasty people on their books.’

‘I don’t know. I’d have thought going from a position where you felt unassailable, to facing life in prison could make you pretty depressed. Enough to think there were other ways out.’

‘Not Saul. This was Global, I’m sure of it.’

‘You’re starting to sound as paranoid as Gordon.’

Daniel laughed but Domingo heard only bitterness. What a bunch we are. Paranoid, cynical, guilt-ridden. Should we really be anywhere near government?

Neither he nor Daniel unzipped as they were taken down a drafty morgue corridor to view the body of Saul Dushenknov. Domingo wasn’t sure why he was there. It wasn’t like Daniel needed moral support. And God knows I had no love for Saul Dushenknov.

The obviously naked body was covered by a white sheet. A woman who didn’t look much older than Valla, his current age-benchmark, stood with her back to the door.

Daniel rapped on the wedged open door, saying, ‘Hallo. We’re here to identify the body.’

She turned around and Domingo was surprised to see Emmy.

‘Oh!’ she said.

‘Emmy? What are you doing here?’ asked Domingo.

‘All the trained pathologists are at New Mawson. I volunteered.’ Emmy held up a flappy, soft-backed manual then placed it on the work-bench.

‘What can you tell us?’ asked Daniel.

‘Well, first you tell me,’ she said. ‘Is this the body of Saul Dushenknov?’

Emmy pulled back the white sheet to reveal a pale face, so smoothed by death it looked like porcelain. If it hadn’t been for the staring dark brown eyes, Domingo wouldn’t have been sure.

Daniel nodded. ‘Yes. That’s Saul Dushenknov. Have you run toxicology tests?’

‘Should I?’ asked Emmy. ‘I thought he’d hanged himself with bed sheets.’ She pointed at the pink ringing around Saul’s neck.

‘We’d like to be sure,’ said Domingo. ‘We feel a full analysis of the body, under the circumstances, is wise.’

‘Okay, you’re the bosses. But it’ll take a while. All the technicians went out to New Mawson too.’

‘That’s fine. He’s not going anywhere,’ said Daniel walking away from the table towards the doorway.

‘I’m just going to catch up with Emmy, see you later, Daniel,’ said Domingo.

Daniel waved his hand high without looking round, and disappeared into the corridor.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t recognise you there,’ said Domingo. ‘In the white coat. I’m used to seeing you all wrapped up, at some distance up a mountain.’

‘Ha, yes. Make the mistake of owning up to any type of science background here and you get co-opted onto the weirdest projects. This was Matt’s idea.’

‘Matt Choi?’

‘Yes, he’s my boyfriend.’

‘Oh. I thought you and Jason were a thing?’

‘He thought so too. I didn’t. He was nice about it. I think he said he was heading on to Polar Station. Didn’t want to stay in Melchior anymore.’

‘I get that,’ Domingo said. ‘And you’re happy here?’

‘Oh yes. Even here.’ Emmy swept a hand over the covered body of Saul.

‘You don’t mis the rocks?’ he asked.

‘Always miss the rocks,’ she said, ‘but there’s plenty at the coast. When Matt and the others get back I’ve been hired to do evaluation for the harbour enlargement.’

‘Ah, yes. So much construction.’

‘Yes. Anyway. I’ll have to take samples for the testing you want done, if you don’t mind?’

‘No. No. I’ll be going. Good to see you Emmy.’

‘You too, Domingo.’

Domingo wandered down the corridor. When did I get so old?