Part 15 (2/2)

”Is Kitehiey well?” asked Jessine.

”A little injured, but not severely,” said the Magdarite, letting his ruff deflate a little. ”He has been tended to, and should recover completely.”

They were nearing Kitehieys office, and Jessine saw two communication-dispatchers now set up as gun emplacements with impressive bits of ar- tillery wired into them. ”We are striving to give thorough protection here.”

”Yes, it looks it,” said Jessine, her face set in the ritual half-smile she habitually wore at public functions. She inclined her head to the clerks who recognized her.

”His Remarkableness the Appointment Clerk to the High Secretary,” said the Magdarite, with a court bow.

Kitehiey was preoccupied with the displays on the huge wall screen, and so at first did not real- ize who had come into his large, cramped office, When he at last he turned, a great smile wreathed his face. ”Madame Bouriere,” he said warmly.

78.

”Kitehiey,” she said, a little surprised at the relief she felt. She maintained a decent fort.i.tude and merely grasped his wrists as custom dic- tated. ”I was afraid that you'd been harmed when - ”

Kitehiey shook his head. 'They ignored me.

They really wanted you. I thought we'd lost you.

Come, sit, please. Do you need a medic?” He gestured at her b.l.o.o.d.y arm,

”No, thank you,” said Jessine politely. She looked around the cramped office area and found a large sealed crate. Carefully removing a stack of papers, she sat down.

Kitehiey was at his comm board. 'Team X, this is Leader. The subject has returned safely. Please pick up soonest.”

'Team X, will comply. ETA, five minutes,”

came the answer.

Jessine stared at Kitehiey for a second. ”Oh.

Your escort.”

Kitehiey gave her a rea.s.suring smile. ”Yes, Madame. They'll be here shortly, and we can carry on getting you safely to my house.” His smile disappeared. ”We have the preliminary report on the autopsy.”

The word gave the High Secretary's death a reality that Jessine had been holding off. Tears filled her eyes. ”Yes?”

79.

Chelsea Quinn farbro

”It appears he was poisoned. We are proceed- ing on the a.s.sumption that the a.s.sa.s.sination may well have been at the instigation of Senator Lomax. He has made it plain enough that he covets the post of High Secretary and is pre- pared to take steps to secure the position for himself. Therefore it is not unlikely that he par- tic.i.p.ated in these dreadful events.” He watched the display critically: nine levels below, Cemians and Navy soldiers were locked in combat

”Why Lomax and not Sclerida?” asked Jessine.

She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand- She thought she remembered having this discussion before with Kitchley. She wondered if he knew something she didn't. ”Sclerida's every bit as ambitious as Lomax and he has half the Navy at his command.”

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