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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. At least a conversation with Chief Malo might provide some useful information.
But there’s still the mysterious Indrana Cordray to investigate.
Lola called Aveline Peron’s financial set-up ‘interesting’. I called it bloody confusing. I left it to Lola to analyse and send me a summary later.
There were other avenues to investigate, other hunches to follow. A sleep and a bite helped, and a little digging threw a few hunches out. It also brought others into more focus.
Like Indrana Cordray. Freelance work all over, so it was no surprise her name connected with case points. But I couldn’t ignore those connections. Not without more work.
The woman was in her late thirties, originally from the Star Minora area — which was the only solid connection to the Damsel, and a meaningless one at that. She now lived in Mid, close to the spine. One of those new single-dweller set-ups, smart but transitory. A stop-gap before her career took off and she could afford something more striking.
She had no record with the kennel. That didn’t mean she was clean. Nobody had a record until they were caught out.
I scanned monitoring grabs. Dark complexion, long hair, favoured fancy jewellery and high-end clothing. More recent grabs had her in a tech jacket similar to the one Xavier Peron wore, but tailored to fit her body. She looked good. She looked like she knew it, too.
Lola compiled what she could, came up with a half-decent show of movements. Businesses all over Tre, a few jaunts up a level. Lots of connections to Per-LB. Some had the scent of scandal, ex-employees with ties to the Alley and time in the pound. Nothing directly incriminating for Indrana, but worth noting.
Armed with data, I donned my hat and set out. The company name was Halford Holdings, a financial set-up, the kind that bought and sold numbers in spreadsheets. San Cordray had been consulting with them for half a year now. Halford Holdings used a bank of consultants, including Aveline Peron.
Their offices were in Pinnacle, pristine streets and monitoring all over. The kind of place private security would pull you up for an untucked shirt. The counter-staff in the lobby — looked younger from a distance, hands constantly dancing in holos, buds set in ears — wore fake smiles as I approached.
“Afternoon. I’m here to see Indrana Cordray. Don’t suppose you could point me in her direction, could you?”
“Could I see some identification, please?” The woman produced a reader, held it flat on the counter.
“Not a problem.”
The reader scanned my hand with a tingle of warmth, so I knew it probed deeper. I was confident that wouldn’t be a problem.
The woman glanced at her holo. Her smile never wavered. “Thank you. San Cordray is currently in the Broughton suite. It’s through those doors, second to your right. I’ll have her informed you’re on your way.”
“You’re a gem.”
I wondered if she’d had training to deaden her facial muscles into that smile.
As I pushed through the doors I muttered a quick thank-you to Lola.
The corridor was wide, cool, had a vague floral scent. Soft music burbled almost beneath hearing. The second door on the right bore no name, fit in the wall so snugly only the slight colour change distinguished it.
The door opened as I approached. I stepped inside. Indrana Cordray stood a few paces within, shorter than I’d imagined. She was as attractive as those images had suggested.
“San Cordray.” I took my hat from my head. “Good of you to see me.”
“Investigative Consultant Grim. Our meeting must’ve slipped my mind. I could’ve sworn I had a half-hour to myself before my next appointment.”
“And I’m sure that meeting will be more important than this one. You’re a hard worker, San Cordray. With such a busy schedule, it’s only natural the occasional appointment slips between the cracks.”
“Indeed. Although I’m not accustomed to failures of memory. As I said, I was certain I had this time to myself. But my assist assures me this meeting has been in my itinerary for some time.”
I noticed she didn’t specify how long. I wondered how much effort it would take to uncover Lola’s intervention.
“So,” the woman continued, “how can I help you, San Grim?”
“Just Grim. No San. I have a few questions. We can do this standing or sitting, your choice.”
I looked across the large room. Meeting table surrounded by ten high-backed chairs, private desk, lounge area. All very tasteful and bland. The far wall showed a forest scene, and scents and sounds created an ambience that wouldn’t interfere with conversation or concentration.
“I’ve spent too long sitting. What would you have me tell you, Grim? Am I in trouble? Have I done something wrong?”
“Not that I know of. Investigations are like puzzles, Indrana. Don’t mind if I call you Indrana, do you? My current puzzle, I’ve got pieces all over. I’m looking for connections. Doubt you’re a key figure in this mess, but you cross paths with some who are.”
“And you expect me to divulge private information on these people?”
“Not asking you to betray client confidentiality. Puzzles like this one, the connection could be anything. Anything you can tell me has the potential to be the key that unlocks everything. Or it could be nothing. Won’t know until we talk.”
“I see. And I won’t betray my business connections.”
“Sure. You’re a tough one. Wouldn’t deal with those high-flyers if you weren’t.”
“We understand each other, then.”
“I hope so. Tell me, Indrana, what do you know of Aveline Peron?”
“Aveline?”
“You sound surprised.”
“It wasn’t a name I expected to hear. I don’t have direct dealings with her, although I know she’s well-regarded in the field.”
“That’s what I hear. Have you met her?”
“Perhaps in passing. I can’t recall.”
“Fair enough. Busy woman, you can’t be expected to remember everyone you bump into. But you know of the Perons, right? Aveline, Natuche, Colville. Xavier. And the ankle-biters.”
Her mouth twitched as she fought to hide a sneer. “Not the most flattering term. Even with Natuche raising them, I’m sure they’re both delightful children.”
“You don’t like Natuche?”
“I’ve never met her, but I get the impression she can be cold. Almost as cold as Aveline. Although maybe they’d warm up to someone like you.”
“Can’t see them falling for my charms. I’m not in their league.”
“Some women find a rogue to be appealing.”
“Someone like you?”
“Do I look like I’d want to get that dirty? I have standards.”
“So Xavier’s more your type. Sure, I can see that. Smart, rich. Bit of a player. Doesn’t strike me as a looker, but maybe it’s what’s between his legs that counts.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“You’re not the first to say that. And that’s not a denial. So you can’t tell me anything about Aveline or the other Perons?”
“I believe this meeting is over, San Grim. If it existed in the first place.”
“Sure it did. Was in your itinerary, right? And the pair in the lobby checked me out. Wouldn’t let me through if I wasn’t genuine, would they? I mean, it’s not like some degenerate investigative consultant can hack systems that well. Unless you reckon I’m some kind of tech genius.”
“I want you out of my office.”
“Wasn’t aware it was yours. Thought this was a consultancy gig. Xavier know you’re in this deep with Halford?”
“You know what I meant.”
“Sure. And you don’t like me. Prefer tech guys, especially ones with solid fortunes. Ones you can get in bed with.”
“If you’re suggesting…”
“Throwing out ideas. And if you’re not going to be civil, don’t expect me to play nice.” I dipped my head as I let my eyes travel her body, made sure she noticed. “Judging by Natuche and Aveline, I would’ve thought Xavier preferred someone with a fuller figure, a touch more maturity. Makes me wonder how serious he is about you. Makes me wonder what game he’s playing.”
“Out!”
“You’re almost cute when you’re angry.”
The subtle colour on her cheeks accented the hardening of her jaw. “I’ll call security.”
I took a step forward. Her mouth twitched, but she didn’t flinch. I almost admired her for that.
“You won’t,” I said. “If you called security, that would be an admission of defeat.”
I turned and walked towards the door, forced the smile deep inside. As I stepped into the corridor Indrana let out a long breath. I pictured her staring at the sealed door. I imagined the thoughts racing through her mind, and the decision she reached.
“Lola. Going to need to keep an eye on Xavier. Physical and communications.”
“That would breach a great many protocols.”
“Do what you can. I doubt she’ll reach him before I’m there.”
My play had been dangerous. Prodding the beast was all well and good, right up to the moment the beast reacted. Then it was time to run. Not a retreat, but another part of the game.