[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
travelers passing through an unpretentious customs queue. As two
walked through, Cardenas recognized mother and daughter. They
had changed their hair color and styles and wore clothing designed
to disguise their physical features, but based on soche records, he was
unquestionably looking at Surtsey and Katla Mockerkin.
124 Alan Dean Foster
When and where? he asked briskly. Everything he was seeing
and hearing was being taken down by his open spinner.
In response to a command from Aurilac, the heads-up moved in,
and around, to focus on the form the customs officer was perusing.
In the course of the recording, the view lasted only a second. Freez-
ing it locked the information in place. All but stepping into the red-
tinged heads-up, Cardenas read.
Costa Rica, he murmured. No wonder they didn t turn up in
the NFP search. They ve gone outside our jurisdiction.
Your jurisdiction, the female attendant pointed out with
undisguised relish.
La Amistad. Cardenas worked his spinner. In English, Friend-
ship National Park, spanning the border with Panama. Biggest un-
touched tract of rainforest left in Central America. Glancing up
from the spinner, he met Aurilac s gaze. Yes, that would be a good
place to hide from determined pursuers. He slipped the spinner
back into its jacket repository. My name is Inspector Angel Carde-
nas, and I am in your debt.
Aurilac waved aloofly. Seekers after truths are bound together
by greater ties than debt, my friend. Next time you re deep in a box,
spare a thought for those of us who have dedicated our lives to
searching it out. Leave us in peace to continue our questing.
I ll do that. Cardenas turned to depart. Just try, he asked
with a parting smile, not to steal too much crunch in the process.
What, us? Aurilac the Wise indicated the busy chamber.
Everything you see around you, we pay for.
Verdad, the Inspector replied, but in what kind of currency?
Binding currency, of course, his host assured him by way of
parting. More solemnly, he added, I hope you find this half-family
before those others you spoke of do so. Gratuitous killing disturbs
me.
As opposed to explicit killing?
We are a peaceful order. Aurilac raised one hand. It was both
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 125
a blessing and a dismissal. Cardenas chose not to point out the
nature of the lethal apparatus concealed beneath the charming
Camille s decorous and well-lit gown. It would not have been
polite.
nine
Of such hunches were investigative careers
made. Cardenas had made many such in his long years with the
Department. It was not, after all, unreasonable to assume that the gar-
rulous Wayne Brummel had discussed his potential refuge with the
woman he was living with as well as with the one he had been coger-
ing on the side. What left the Inspector shaking his head was the
ironic realization that having grown up speaking English and Spang,
he had managed to overlook the possibility that an anglo like Brum-
mel might make use of the language of Cardenas s grandparents.
According to the records, The Mock had been brought up on
charges more times than Cardenas cared to count. Most times he had
been let go, sometimes on a technicality, usually for lack of hard evi-
dence. According to the law, a wife could not be made to testify
against her husband in court. The relevant statutes were less clear
where a child was concerned.
Besides which, given their apparent current state of mind, Car-
denas was convinced neither Surtsey nor Katla Mockerkin would
have to be compelled to give testimony.
Finally learning the whereabouts of the Mockerkin women was
no guarantee he would be able to extradite them safely, or even get to
see them. As Aurilac the Wise s surly attendant had so succinctly
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 127
pointed out, Costa Rica was well outside the NFP s jurisdiction. While
the USN had dozens of treaties with the Central American Federation,
they did not extend to formally allowing law officers of either territory
to operate openly within the borders of their neighbor.
Informal incursions, he reflected as he stepped out of the induc-
tion tube station beside the hospital, were (as was so often the case
when matters of law enforcement were involved) something else en-
tirely.
Hyaki was waiting for him, squeezed uncomfortably into a
wheelchair next to the discharge desk, looking less like a contented
Buddha and more like a dyspeptic gorilla who had been confined in
a small packing case for far too long. He gazed mournfully at the In-
spector as the older man approached.
They won t release me officially until somebody from the De-
partment signs for me, he grumbled. Times like this I wish I wasn t
a bachelor. I feel like a damn registered package sitting off all by its
lonesome at the post office, waiting for someone to come and claim
me.
Does that mean I can have you stamped Refused, Return to
Sender ? Cardenas quipped. Hyaki s response was an uncharacteris-
tic vulgarity. The sergeant continued to mumble with annoyance as
Cardenas signed off on the necessary forms.
He did kick the wheelchair when he was finally, formally, allowed
to vacate it in the drivethrough facing Reception. It was a mild kick,
or the chair would not have survived.
How s the back? Cardenas inquired sympathetically. He did not
have to ask, of course. He knew. But after long, boring days spent in
rehab, his friend would need to talk.
Not that Hyaki was an especially voluble individual. The sergeant
discoursed only briefly on the numbing delights of hospital down-
time before taking up again his interest in the case that had resulted
in his enforced vacation. As he yakked, and listened to Cardenas s
replies, he frequently shrugged his shoulders or twisted his torso, as if
128 Alan Dean Foster
his newly regrown skin was a too-small suit that did not quite fit
properly.
Costa Rica, the big man muttered as the Inspector pulled the
cruiser away from the curb. La Amistad. A funny place for someone
with money to run to. You d think maybe Prague or Petersburg. Not
the jungle.
Cardenas swung into mild traffic, leaving quiescent the flashing
warning beamers that striped the top of the official vehicle. They were
in no hurry. Evidently, hiding is more important to them than com-
fort. If you get vaped, it doesn t matter whether it happens while
you re lying in a five-star hotel or a parking lot.
Hyaki rubbed one cheek, gently massaging new epidermis. His
skin did not crawl, but it did itch. The hospital had provided a spray
to minimize the effect. Amistad, Amistad seems to me I ve run
across the name before.
His partner flipped on the cruiser s scanner and ordered it to tune
to a soft classics station broadcasting out of London s East End. The
soaring melodies of an early symphony by Braga-Santos back-
grounded the interior of the vehicle.
It s the biggest piece of virgin upland rainforest left in the CAF.
And of course, Reserva Amistad just means Friendship Reserve. I
can t believe I missed on that.
The sergeant smiled. Too many new words to learn. When you
live in a place like Nogales, where the dictionary gets updated daily,
it s easy for your cerebro to lose track of the obvious. For emphasis,
he tapped the side of his head. The absence of hair, blown off in the
explosion that had destroyed the Anderson residence, made him look
more than ever like an Asian version of the Enlightened One.
If they re hiding in the middle of the CAF, he commented,
that takes us out of it.
Cardenas s fingers stroked the steering wheel. Not necessarily.
His partner looked over in surprise. You intuiting that, Angel?
A hint of a smile crossed the Inspector s face, raising slightly the
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 129
points of his drooping mustache. You ve got some sick leave coming. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl ocenkijessi.opx.pl
travelers passing through an unpretentious customs queue. As two
walked through, Cardenas recognized mother and daughter. They
had changed their hair color and styles and wore clothing designed
to disguise their physical features, but based on soche records, he was
unquestionably looking at Surtsey and Katla Mockerkin.
124 Alan Dean Foster
When and where? he asked briskly. Everything he was seeing
and hearing was being taken down by his open spinner.
In response to a command from Aurilac, the heads-up moved in,
and around, to focus on the form the customs officer was perusing.
In the course of the recording, the view lasted only a second. Freez-
ing it locked the information in place. All but stepping into the red-
tinged heads-up, Cardenas read.
Costa Rica, he murmured. No wonder they didn t turn up in
the NFP search. They ve gone outside our jurisdiction.
Your jurisdiction, the female attendant pointed out with
undisguised relish.
La Amistad. Cardenas worked his spinner. In English, Friend-
ship National Park, spanning the border with Panama. Biggest un-
touched tract of rainforest left in Central America. Glancing up
from the spinner, he met Aurilac s gaze. Yes, that would be a good
place to hide from determined pursuers. He slipped the spinner
back into its jacket repository. My name is Inspector Angel Carde-
nas, and I am in your debt.
Aurilac waved aloofly. Seekers after truths are bound together
by greater ties than debt, my friend. Next time you re deep in a box,
spare a thought for those of us who have dedicated our lives to
searching it out. Leave us in peace to continue our questing.
I ll do that. Cardenas turned to depart. Just try, he asked
with a parting smile, not to steal too much crunch in the process.
What, us? Aurilac the Wise indicated the busy chamber.
Everything you see around you, we pay for.
Verdad, the Inspector replied, but in what kind of currency?
Binding currency, of course, his host assured him by way of
parting. More solemnly, he added, I hope you find this half-family
before those others you spoke of do so. Gratuitous killing disturbs
me.
As opposed to explicit killing?
We are a peaceful order. Aurilac raised one hand. It was both
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 125
a blessing and a dismissal. Cardenas chose not to point out the
nature of the lethal apparatus concealed beneath the charming
Camille s decorous and well-lit gown. It would not have been
polite.
nine
Of such hunches were investigative careers
made. Cardenas had made many such in his long years with the
Department. It was not, after all, unreasonable to assume that the gar-
rulous Wayne Brummel had discussed his potential refuge with the
woman he was living with as well as with the one he had been coger-
ing on the side. What left the Inspector shaking his head was the
ironic realization that having grown up speaking English and Spang,
he had managed to overlook the possibility that an anglo like Brum-
mel might make use of the language of Cardenas s grandparents.
According to the records, The Mock had been brought up on
charges more times than Cardenas cared to count. Most times he had
been let go, sometimes on a technicality, usually for lack of hard evi-
dence. According to the law, a wife could not be made to testify
against her husband in court. The relevant statutes were less clear
where a child was concerned.
Besides which, given their apparent current state of mind, Car-
denas was convinced neither Surtsey nor Katla Mockerkin would
have to be compelled to give testimony.
Finally learning the whereabouts of the Mockerkin women was
no guarantee he would be able to extradite them safely, or even get to
see them. As Aurilac the Wise s surly attendant had so succinctly
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 127
pointed out, Costa Rica was well outside the NFP s jurisdiction. While
the USN had dozens of treaties with the Central American Federation,
they did not extend to formally allowing law officers of either territory
to operate openly within the borders of their neighbor.
Informal incursions, he reflected as he stepped out of the induc-
tion tube station beside the hospital, were (as was so often the case
when matters of law enforcement were involved) something else en-
tirely.
Hyaki was waiting for him, squeezed uncomfortably into a
wheelchair next to the discharge desk, looking less like a contented
Buddha and more like a dyspeptic gorilla who had been confined in
a small packing case for far too long. He gazed mournfully at the In-
spector as the older man approached.
They won t release me officially until somebody from the De-
partment signs for me, he grumbled. Times like this I wish I wasn t
a bachelor. I feel like a damn registered package sitting off all by its
lonesome at the post office, waiting for someone to come and claim
me.
Does that mean I can have you stamped Refused, Return to
Sender ? Cardenas quipped. Hyaki s response was an uncharacteris-
tic vulgarity. The sergeant continued to mumble with annoyance as
Cardenas signed off on the necessary forms.
He did kick the wheelchair when he was finally, formally, allowed
to vacate it in the drivethrough facing Reception. It was a mild kick,
or the chair would not have survived.
How s the back? Cardenas inquired sympathetically. He did not
have to ask, of course. He knew. But after long, boring days spent in
rehab, his friend would need to talk.
Not that Hyaki was an especially voluble individual. The sergeant
discoursed only briefly on the numbing delights of hospital down-
time before taking up again his interest in the case that had resulted
in his enforced vacation. As he yakked, and listened to Cardenas s
replies, he frequently shrugged his shoulders or twisted his torso, as if
128 Alan Dean Foster
his newly regrown skin was a too-small suit that did not quite fit
properly.
Costa Rica, the big man muttered as the Inspector pulled the
cruiser away from the curb. La Amistad. A funny place for someone
with money to run to. You d think maybe Prague or Petersburg. Not
the jungle.
Cardenas swung into mild traffic, leaving quiescent the flashing
warning beamers that striped the top of the official vehicle. They were
in no hurry. Evidently, hiding is more important to them than com-
fort. If you get vaped, it doesn t matter whether it happens while
you re lying in a five-star hotel or a parking lot.
Hyaki rubbed one cheek, gently massaging new epidermis. His
skin did not crawl, but it did itch. The hospital had provided a spray
to minimize the effect. Amistad, Amistad seems to me I ve run
across the name before.
His partner flipped on the cruiser s scanner and ordered it to tune
to a soft classics station broadcasting out of London s East End. The
soaring melodies of an early symphony by Braga-Santos back-
grounded the interior of the vehicle.
It s the biggest piece of virgin upland rainforest left in the CAF.
And of course, Reserva Amistad just means Friendship Reserve. I
can t believe I missed on that.
The sergeant smiled. Too many new words to learn. When you
live in a place like Nogales, where the dictionary gets updated daily,
it s easy for your cerebro to lose track of the obvious. For emphasis,
he tapped the side of his head. The absence of hair, blown off in the
explosion that had destroyed the Anderson residence, made him look
more than ever like an Asian version of the Enlightened One.
If they re hiding in the middle of the CAF, he commented,
that takes us out of it.
Cardenas s fingers stroked the steering wheel. Not necessarily.
His partner looked over in surprise. You intuiting that, Angel?
A hint of a smile crossed the Inspector s face, raising slightly the
THE MOCKING PROGRAM 129
points of his drooping mustache. You ve got some sick leave coming. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]