Blood Pressure by Joseph L. Kellogg

Author:Joseph L. Kellogg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joseph L. Kellogg

CHAPTER ELEVEN

About an hour after the confrontation, the fingerprint computer came up with a match. I slid into my chair when I heard the notification, but once I had the name and vital statistics, it took me a while to research him enough to get a picture of who he was.

Sarka plopped down across from me. “So what do we have?” Lompolla came right behind him and took her seat as well.

“Our victim’s name was Loaglam Pegalu.” I said. “Did I pronounce that right?” Lompolla gave me a “close enough” shrug and nod. “Anyway, no real social media presence to speak of, and his government records were all over the place. Used to be in the Fire Brigade, and did some stints in heavy industry. Finally, I was able to track down his last employer, a contractor that runs oil wells out in the South Coast Islands.”

Working class man? Lompolla asked.

“That’s what I thought,” I said. “But when I talked to the company, they said he was one of the highest-paid fire management specialists in the business. He made ten times our salary on a single six-month contract. Once I knew what to look for, I dug up a story about him single-handedly snuffing out an oil well fire a couple of years ago.”

“So we’re talking a top-tier ice or water mage?” Sarka asked.

“Right. There’s our connection; both of the victims are powerful mages, but in completely different fields, and running in completely different circles.”

“What’s the next step then?” Sarka asked.

We need to get a look at the crime scene.

“But the Peacekeepers are going to have that locked up,” I said.

“They would,” Sarka replied, “but the rioters have taken over the square where the body was found.”

“Oh, so instead of heavily armed military guards, we only have to deal with an angry mob. Big improvement.”

The demonstrators called a temporary hiatus, Lompolla said. They’re pausing for a glowweed ceremony to honor the victim.

“I’m not sure I trust the hiatus if we start poking our land-walker noses in Tannery Island.” As soon as he said it, Sarka and I looked expectantly at Lompolla. She rolled her eyes.

You want me to infiltrate the ceremony to scout the crime scene?

“I think ‘infiltrate’ is too strong a word,” Sarka said.

“You’re the only one that can get into Tannery Island safely right now,” I said.

OK, but I’m getting a receipt for the glowweed.

“Sure, fine,” I replied.

She got up to go home and change, and Sarka started packing up his things and reached for his jacket. I glanced at the clock, and was surprised to find out it was almost seven in the evening. I looked at my phone, and I had three more text messages from my mother asking where I was.

“Hey Sarka,” I said. “Do you mind if I crash with you tonight?”

“Parents giving you trouble?” he asked.

“It’s just a little too... real over there.”

“My hammock is always open to you, but you know the deal.”

“Right,” I said. “Just take it easy on me this time.

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