LE Modesitt Archform Beauty

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

incendiary burned before the
backup power cell for the defense screens failed. High temperature, and then
the temperature dropped.
Smythers asphyxiated, fell, and was burned. There should have been more
carbonization of his body.
There were lots of little traces, but they weren't obvious unless someone
looked closely.
His grin was off-center. "You can have this one, Chiang. I wouldn't go into
any dark halls for a while,
maybe a long while.
I just looked at him.
"You've known this all along, haven't you?" he asked.
"Some of it. Had to prove it, though.
He nodded and was gone.
Put in a call to the captain. She was still out, meeting with the acting
District Coordinator. Asked to meet
with her as soon as she returned.
Then I read through both reports one more time. Evidence was clear in parts,
not so clear in others.
Moorty and Alfonso had solid evidence that Brazelton had installed "defective"
components that had
caused the death of Smythers. The earlier reports would support the same for
McCall and Iveson, not
quite so strongly.
The reports on Dewey were weaker yet. Evidence for tampering with the guideway
system that had
Page 246
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
killed Dewey was suggestive, but not ironclad. I thought we could get
Brazelton there on fraud or
negligence substandard original equipment.
Homicide had more evidence from the Smythers fire. Technical explanation was
involved, but solid. Lots
of details particles in Smythers's lungs, compounds deposited and melted into
the composite frame of
the house, restriction of oxygen flow. List was long. Hoped it would be long
enough.
Took the datablocs out to Sarao.
"Could you have two more hard copies made?"
She lifted her eyebrows.
"I want one. The captain needs one, and we'll probably have to provide one to
a solicitor.
"You're that close?"
"I'm hoping.
Back in my office, I tried to figure out why Kemal wanted all the victims
dead. It couldn't just be the OD
and Cewrigh links. That would have been annoying, but not a reason for murder.
McCall had known
something else. Wondered if I'd ever know.
Chiang, this is Captain Cannizaro.
Top
Page No 178
Yes, Captain. Think we have a breakthrough on the murders of McCall, Iveson,
Dewey, and
Smythers.
Smythers?
Need to come up and explain.
Give me five minutes.
Yes, ser.
Went out front to talk to Sarao.
"Still nothing from CDC?"
"Not a thing, Lieutenant. Do you still think there's something wrong with
resonance music?"
"Something very wrong. Wasn't about to say what. No point in it.
Page 247
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"You think CDC can find it?"
"Hope someone can. I shrugged. 'Time to go see the captain.
"Good luck, Lieutenant.
Need that and more. Walked up the ramp. Didn't hurry.
Cannizaro was waiting. Door was open. She looked tired, more tired than
Moorty. She'd look worse
before it was over. Dark circles under the black eyes. Blonde hair was limp.
Worry lines looked etched
with black wire.
Door closed behind me. Privacy barrier blanketed us.
"Before you brief me, Chiang, did you get my message on the Tazzi case?"
"Yes, ser. Drafted a report. Like to wait to see if we get an answer from
CDC.
"CDC?"
"We asked for some special analysis. Don't know whether it will help.
She nodded slowly. "I'd forgotten. We can use that. I'll tell Roberto that my
people have even enlisted
the expertise of CDC. Either way, it can't hurt. It shows we're trying
everything. What about the
newsies? Parsfal was it?"
"He's the reason we have a case. He called yesterday. Said Smythers had died
in a fire. Smythers was
the former dean of UDenv Law School. Smythers was McCall's only confidant.
Parsfal didn't think the
fire was an accident. It wasn't. I handed her the two hard-copy reports.
"Tech and prelim homicide
forensic reports.
"This is going to provide some answers on the McCall case?"
"You won't like them, Captain.
She sighed. "I never like anything you do on cases like this. No one else
does, either. That means you do
a good job. Now tell me what I need to know.
Top
Page No 179 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Wątki