The Warrior's Knife by Eric Thomson

Author:Eric Thomson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: canadian science fiction, science fiction mystery, science fiction murder, science fiction sleuth, science fiction police, science fiction secret agent, science fiction female detective
Publisher: Sanddiver Books Inc.
Published: 2017-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

— Twenty-Eight —

Still feeling like I’d been run over by an out-of-control skimmer, I met the ferry from Valerys Station the next morning and felt relief when I saw Arno Galdi’s beard emerge from the docking arm. Framing a round, grandfatherly face, it was still mostly black except for a broad white streak over the chin.

Although we teased him mercilessly about it, the beard added just the right touch to an unassuming demeanor that put witnesses and suspects at ease in a way I never could, often to their own detriment.

Older and more experienced than most in my unit, me included, Arno was nonetheless happy to stay at the rank of inspector until he retired. He was one of those contented people who loved their lot in life even if it meant spending decades investigating the worst that the uniformed services could cough up.

After updating my case notes and sending an encrypted copy to Arno as well as one to the PCB office on Cimmeria, the night had been uneventful, thanks to a sold dose of analgesics. I hadn’t heard from Darrien or Pullar yet, but my day was young.

As soon as he spied me waiting on the other side of the arrivals control gate, his hand shot up, and he waved, smiling, but kept walking at the same sedate pace. That was another of Arno’s characteristics, one which he always said would let him live to be two hundred. He never showed a shred of impatience, a virtue when interviewing suspects who hadn’t yet figured out we’d already put a noose around their necks.

“Quite the investigation we took on, Chief,” he said by way of greeting. “I read your notes on the way over. Cases involving the Navy aren’t among my favorites, especially when spooks are lurking in the bushes, but a cop’s gotta do what a cop’s gotta do.”

“Undeniably.” His breezy manner invariably made me smile.

“By the way, I took the liberty of asking Financial Crimes to find out whether Sorne is an Aquilonia backer. We should find out within the next few hours.”

And that was yet another of Arno’s endearing characteristics — his ability to anticipate my orders.

“Excellent. Let’s go drop your bag off. I’ve arranged for a room next to mine. We’re in the same section as the murder scene. We’ll give that a look before visiting the police station where you’ll meet my newest friend, Major Jon Pullar, Cimmerian Gendarmerie. He’s one of those unusual cops who doesn’t seem worried by a visit from the Firing Squad. On the contrary, he’s been very helpful, and he’s no dummy either.”

“Glad to hear it. He’s probably happy we took the case off his hands, but still, the man’s a rare find.”

We made our way from the docks to the promenade and thence to the VIP area while talking about inconsequential matters though I knew Arno was brimming with questions. He’d ask them when we were in a more private setting, away from civilian ears.

“Nice digs.” He dropped his bag on the bed and examined the suite’s amenities.

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