New to Grim Khonsu? Cick on the button below for an introduction.
The story so far: Grim Khonsu is a serialised sci-fi detective noir story, set aboard a vast generation ship. The case grows murkier after Grim witnesses an altercation between the client, Aveline Peron, and one of her partners, Colville. Add this to the two suspicious deaths (a tech pusher known as the Damsel who’d been passing on something to Xavier Peron, and Xavier’s old partner Lin Leven-Jacobson dying before a meeting with Grim), attempts on Grim’s life and Natuche Peron trying to seduce and poision him, and things aren’t looking good.
If he’s to solve the case, Grim needs more information.
“Lola. Get me Chief Malo.”
“Connecting. He’s responding.”
“Roman. Not disturbing you, am I?”
“Only by existing. I’m busy.”
“That why you’re audio only? You running some hot newbie through special drills in private?”
“If that’s an insinuation…”
“Messing with you, Roman. Besides, this connect’s secure. We’re private, right? Know Lola’s listening in, but she won’t talk.”
“You’re too familiar with your assist. It’s not healthy.”
“Neither’s shutting yourself away in your office. I worry about you, Roman. Too much stress can seriously mess with you, body and mind, right? You ever thought about taking retirement? Department’s got to give you a decent send-off. They can’t throw you down to basic, can they?”
“As I said, I’m busy. You’ve been bothering my people, and now you’re bothering me.”
“Bothering? Only time I’ve spent with your guys is over those two stiffs. Know Anard thinks I’m a jerk, but he’s not the type to go crying to the boss. So it’s the newbie. Sopher’s put in a complaint, hasn’t he?”
“I repeat, I’m…”
“Guy’s trying to impress, I reckon. Can’t be easy, coming up a level. No disrespect to your hounds, but he’s going to have to be a target. Needs a thick skin to shrug off the gossip.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Trying to be a pal, that’s all.”
“We’re not pals.”
“Sure. Whatever you say, bud. And you’re busy, so I’ll cut through. Following up on the Leven-Jacobson stiff. Read the butcher’s report. Okay, had Lola translate that garbage the white-coats use instead of normal words, made it easier to understand. Whole catalyst thing opens up possibilities, but your bone-saw mentioned bruising. Said it could’ve been from a fall.”
“And?”
“And he didn’t say it was from a fall. Got me wondering if she’d been in an altercation. Don’t suppose there’s an incident report with her name on it, is there?”
“You don’t know?”
“What, you think I’d hack your turf, Roman?”
“I know you would.”
“Only when you don’t put out for me. Prefer to keep things friendly. So, pal to pal, there any file-work might help me out here?”
“I’ll check. And I’ll have my assist forward anything I deem relevant.”
“You’re the best, Roman. Your hounds don’t know how lucky they are, having to sniff around your butt. Sure, the odour’s not always the best, but it could be worse.”
“And you’re not going to get around me like that. What else do you want?”
“I’m that opaque?”
“I’m too wise to you, Grimm. Talk.”
“Fine. Yeah, got another favour to ask. Concerns the other stiff, that Damsel.”
“Damla Roginsky.”
“That’s the one. Name comes to your mind fast. The case still bugging you?”
“The only one bugging me at the moment is…”
“Is me. And that’s only because I work at it. Jobs like ours, gotta take what little pleasures we can, right? Anyway, the Roginsky case — what’s the skinny?”
“If this isn’t related to the Leven-Jacobson matter, I’m not obliged to say a word. You know that.”
“Sure. But what if it is related?”
“Is it?”
“Could be. Running off hunches.”
“So you have nothing I could take before an adjudicator.”
“Won’t know until I follow a few leads. You know how I work.”
“I’m not sure I’d go as far as calling it work…”
“Ah, Roman! Don’t be like that.”
“But I’ll get my assist to compile what we have and send it over.”
“You’re a pal.”
“I’m not…”
“And while you’re at it, I’ve got another favour to ask.”
“You’re sorely trying my patience. I’m a busy man.”
“Always are. Always have been. Reckon you’re going to work until your heart gives out, Roman. Reckon you’re going to drop at your desk one of these days. And you wouldn’t have it any other way, right? Job’s your life. Doing right’s in your blood.”
“And giving a compliment isn’t one of your strengths. What do you want, Grim? I assume it’s something with restricted access.”
“If it wasn’t restricted, I wouldn’t need to ask, would I?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Again with the accusations, Roman. Thought we were pals. And, sure, I could get this information another way. Could even go through official channels. Would take an age to do it legit, though. Maybe long enough for more bodies to turn up. Not saying they would, but you know how these things usually play out.”
“I also know when you’re trying to soft-talk me, and it won’t work. Ask, or I’m cutting this connection.”
“Okay, okay. Top dog’s got a growl on. But we’re pals, so I’ll ask. I need financials.”
“You’re short of funds?”
“Always, but that’s not what I’m getting up. Interested in the financial history of certain individuals.”
“Roginsky or Leven-Jacobson?”
“Might both be illuminating, but I was angling more towards the Peron household.”
“The Peron household.”
“Yeah. Xavier, Aveline…”
“I’m aware of the Perons.”
“Course you are. Xavier’s a player, rubs dirties with all kinds. Runs in some of the same circles you do.”
“If you’re implying anything…”
“No implication, just saying. Get high enough up, everyone knows everyone else. And I’m not saying you’re in bed with them. Know you’ve got more integrity than that, pal.”
“That’s dangerously close to a compliment.”
“Won’t let it go to my head. But the case I’m running, the one that connects with the croaked white-coat, I’ve got questions over Peron spending habits. Might be enough to crack the case.”
“So you want me to authorise access to the financial records of four influential members of Tre’s society?”
“Yeah.”
“Four individuals who have the legal right to privacy?”
“Applies to everyone, doesn’t it? And I know this isn’t strictly above-board. But I’m not going to run to the news-rats, am I? Not like anyone’ll know. Okay, there’s Lola, but she won’t talk. If it makes you happier, I’ll have her do a wipe-scan when I’ve had a look, remove any mention from her records.”
“You’re asking me to release confidential information…”
“Nope. Information’s not yours to hold. I’m asking for a friendly nod to the banking concerns, that’s all. Look on it as payment for pulling me onto the Leven-Jacobson case.”
“You insinuated it’s related to your current case.”
“Might be. Might not. Running on hunches here.”
“You run on so many hunches it’s a wonder you don’t have a cracked spine.”
“That’s almost funny, pal. You been swigging from that bottle you keep in your bottom drawer?”
“I don’t…”
“Joking, pal. Joking. But the amount I’ve helped you out over the years, I reckon I’m in line for a return, you know? I mean, there was the Wesby case last year. Then there was that thing with the LaFermia twins. Oh, and that skinny kid, the one had all that faked evidence of you with…”
“I don’t need reminding.”
“Just saying, is all. Don’t want to put you in an awkward position, Roman, but if I could take a look at those financial records, it’d put a lot of hunches in order. Might mean I throw some of them out, but it might not. And if even some of them are right, then I’m sure your legal guys could wrangle some justification. Should this access thing ever come to light, right? Not like I’m going to talk, is it? Don’t want to slam my gates, do I?”
“You’re a constant irritation, Grim.”
“You’d be lost without me.”
“Don’t believe I haven’t imagined how much easier my life would be if Regina Netoma had succeeded.”
“You heard about that? Of course you did. The bodies, right? I’ll put my hand up to them, but in my defence they were trying to kill me. And she’s pushing beyond the Alley, right? Thought you’d be pleased to see some of her vermin removed.”
“I’d be happier with her removed.”
“Sure you’re not alone in that, pal. Reckon Zhusie’d rather see the rodent strung up by her tail. But if our ratty friend tried to take me out, that means she’s tied up in this crap-show. I pull the pieces together, I might have something to give you. Doubt it’ll be the whole trap, but it might be the bait or something.”
“That’s a long stretch, even for you.”
“Doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And it definitely won’t if I don’t see those financials. But it’s your call, pal.”
“I’m not your pal.”
“Partner, then.”
“We’re definitely not partners.”
“We’re on the same side, though. Us against the scum of Khonsu, making Tre’s streets safe for the good, peace-abiding citizens. And if the scum treat every protocol with disdain, who’s going to mind if we breach a few to bring them to justice? It’s our calling, Roman. It’s why we put up with so much crap.”
“And crap’s exactly what you’re talking.”
“It’s a talent. Doesn’t make it less true, though. So, what d’you say? Access to those financials. Doesn’t even have to be copies, could be a time-limited look.”
“Fine.”
“Really? You’re the best, Roman.”
“And you’re a constant pain in my butt. I’ll arrange access, then have my assist send you details.”
“Thanks, Chief. Roman? You there? He’s gone already, Lola? No drawn-out goodbye?”
“Analysis of his speech-patterns suggests Roman Malo was close to cutting the connection on at least five separate occasions during your conversation.”
“Sounds like Malo. Right! I’m going to grab a bite to eat, take a shower. That’ll give Malo time to dig up the authorisation. Then I want the room prepped, the usual ambience. Actually, can you kick the sounds through to the shower? I want to get in the right head-space for this.”
“Of course.”
“You’re a pal, too, Lola.”