Aslanov by Uphoff Pam

Author:Uphoff, Pam
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Iron Ax Press
Published: 2023-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

***

Borodin winced. “Officially, you’re on two weeks compassionate leave, but in your case, sitting around with nothing to do might not be very compassionate. Not to mention letting the memories fade. I hate to ask it, but I’d like you to write up, as close as you can recall, the entire trial, especially the accused’s memories of the crimes committed, so the police can close those files.”

Kon nodded. “Right.”

Which was not pleasant. Nor informative. He took a break after an hour.

“The memory flashes don’t give many details. A company, a person’s name, often partial.” He looked over at his boss. “I’ll need to spend time over in Security, searching for connections to these crumbs.”

“Not a problem. However, the Director wants to talk to you at two this afternoon. Just go up to the top floor and aim for the northeast corner. When your palm print ceases to work, someone will show up to escort you the rest of the way.”

“Right.” Back to his office to dredge through his memories of an uncle’s memories of his misdeeds. I should ask if the judges write all this up.

His phone beeped. Ninochka’s number.

“How about lunch. I mean, will you join me for lunch?”

“Yes. Where?”

“You’re better at this direct thing, than I am. Krasnyy Ambar? If I leave now I can beat the lunch rush.”

“Deal. See you there.” Kon shut his comp and fled for a dose of sanity. The restaurant had a facade that tried to make it look like a red barn, the interior was spacious enough for the lunch crowd, from the nearby Intel Tower, the Registration Bureau, and numerous private businesses. With short walls and fake plants all over to create a faint semblance of privacy.

She beat him there, walking in from the parking lot as he walked up from the metro station.

Wavy red-brown hair shining in the winter sun, rust red blouse, gold chains, rust and olive patterned skirt swirling around high boots . . .

He got his feet back in motion. Up three steps to hold the door for her.

“I thought you were going to chicken out, for a minute.”

“I could have stood and admired you for another minute, but that really wouldn’t have given you the right impression.”

She blushed. “Really? Veronika said I looked like a gypsy.”

“Umm, a bit . . . a very attractive one. Mind you, I don’t know if they come with red hair.”

“I, umm, actually wasn’t trying for gypsy, I just thought the colors . . .”

“Would look utterly fantastic on you? They do. The entire effect is stunning.” He held up two fingers and the hostess led them off to a table.

Ninochka sat, then cleared her throat. “Thank you . . . and how are you?”

“Better. I do realize that the Family has wound up with the best possible outcome. It’s just . . . personally painful. Now I’ll probably spend months analyzing it, and hopefully helping the survivors get on with life.”

She eyed him. “What sort of life are you going to get on with?”

They checked the menus and ordered.

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