by Ward Wagher
He turned to look at the Woogie. Louie had picked up his resume and was looking at it. “Come here, please, Mr. Modest.”
Marple walked back to the counter. “It’s pronounced Modest with a long oh.” Now why did I say that? I don’t know why that bugs me.
“Thanks for correction, Mr. Modest,” Louie carefully pronounced his name with the long oh. “Woogie just remember. New hotel in Montora. Margrave trying to hire staff.”
Marple felt hope again. “Where is Montora?”
“Over mountains. Hard to get to. Talk to Vos at Starport. He maybe knows somebody.”
“Oh, thank-you. That is very helpful. I appreciate what you have done, Mr. Louie.”
“Human is welcome. Go now.”
Once again Modest Marple turned and walked towards the lobby door.
“Wait!”
Marple stopped again and turned.
“Have care. Duke does not like margrave.”
“You mean the Duke of Hepplewhite?”
“Correct. Duke does not like margrave. Get free meal. Go to starport. Have care.”
“Well… thanks again, Mr. Louie.”
This time, Louie did not stop Marple before he left the hotel.
Chapter Sixteen
A conference room in the Naval Legation offices had been requisitioned for the hearing and it was barely adequate. The table had been moved to the end of the room and turned crossways for use by the officers. Unpadded chairs were arranged facing the table. The scuffed carpet and scarred walls clearly communicated the low priority and budgets the Navy allocated to Hepplewhite.
A small silver ship’s bell hung on a stand, sitting on the table. The admiral gave the bell two quick taps twice, and then cleared his throat. The muted rumble of conversation ceased as the admiral spoke.
“This inquiry will come to order. Upon declaration of a state of emergency by the Duke of Hepplewhite, Guilietto Roma, the Merchants and Manufacturers League Navy is empowered and required to support the lawful government of Hepplewhite in resolving issues as well as present a finding to the Naval High Command and League Central Council. Let the record show the officers composing this body: Willard Krause, Admiral.”
He looked to his left to Stine. “Harold Stine, Commander.”
“Hai Ciera, Commander,” Hai said from his right.
Wendy leaned over to Frank and whispered, “Where did Junior Stine dredge up the admiral from? I didn’t know he was in the area.”
“I don’t know. My guess is he just happened to turn up for a visit,” Frank whispered back. “Now, sh-h-h-h.”
They were sitting in the second row of the small meeting room. In front of them sat the duke and the prime minister. Daphne sat between two guards, also in the front row. A Navy master chief stood against one wall with his hands clasped behind his back. At the end of the table a petty officer took notes.
The admiral leaned forward. “I prefer to keep this as informal as possible, however I expect everyone to maintain decorum. Is that understood?” He looked around the room. “Fine. I have a complaint signed by Duke Hepplewhite, who has also declared a state of emergency, citing insurrection. Milord, could you explain the circumstances surrounding these events?”
“Of course, Admiral,” Roma said smoothly in his well modulated voice. He was dressed in a suit with collared shirt and tie. The effect was conservative, tasteful and understated. “Do you want the immediate events or the background to the emergency?”
The prime minister shot a look at the duke, and then swung his head back to the front of the room.
“I am required to give you as much time as you need, Milord. Please start wherever you think appropriate.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Admiral. I will try very hard not to waste your time.”
Frank caught the slight emphasis on your and assumed the admiral did too. My, but this is a smooth bird, he thought.
The duke continued. “As you may know, we have been forced to govern with very limited resources. Because we could not afford sufficient law enforcement, there has been a certain amount of banditry outside of the cities. Because matters consumed my time here, I have not been able to get to Castle Paravel on the other coast often. I was initially hopeful when Jack Nyman purchased Montora. I had thought he would bring a measure of stability to the hinterland. I later became aware he was funding banditry himself…”
“Excuse me, Milord,” the admiral interrupted, “I assume you can substantiate your statements.”
“Of course, Admiral. I have no reason to lie.”
“Of course, Milord. You may continue.”
“Thank you, Admiral. As I was saying, I had become aware of increasing banditry, which seemed to be moving into the city. Margrave Montora, that is, the previous margrave, assured me he was doing what he could to suppress the bandits, but claimed his resources were even more limited than mine. Things did quiet down after his untimely death – which we deduced was at the hands of a particularly vicious band of cutthroats.”
He stopped, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead.
“My hopes for peace were dashed with the arrival of the new margrave. Not only did the banditry resume, but my police believe he was surreptitiously removing materiél from the city to support himself. We actually arrested a co-conspirator, who made an illegal funds transfer in support of the rebels.”
“Is that individual in the court today?” the admiral asked.
“Yes, Admiral,” the duke nodded towards Daphne. “Lieutenant Locke was arrested leaving the UBS branch here in Cambridge. We have held her pending the convening of this court.”
“Is that all, Milord?”
“Not entirely. There have been numerous disappearances and murders associated with the rebels over the past couple of years. I am prepared to present information on them as well.”
“Do you have them documented?” the admiral asked.
“Oh, yes, Admiral.”
“If you would submit the documentation to this court, it will review those items along with the statements made here today.”
The duke looked over at the prime minister, who pulled a data chip portfolio from a coat pocket and carried over to the table.
Wendy leaned over to whisper to Frank. “What in the world was he talking about?”
Frank shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
The admiral looked first at Stine, then at Ciera. “Any questions gentlemen?”
Stine’s hands were clasped on the table. He raised his index finger to point at Daphne and raised an eyebrow.
“I was coming to that,” the admiral said. “I suppose we should deal with that first and then review the duke’s statement.”
He stared over at Daphne. “Lieutenant Locke, please approach the court.”
Daphne rose unsteadily to her feet. The two guards rose too.
“I do not believe I asked the guards to approach,” the admiral said icily.
The two guards looked at each other and then over to the duke.
“This is my court,” the admiral said. “The duke does not have jurisdiction here and neither do you. Please sit down.” He glared at them as the sat down again. “You may approach Lieutenant.”
Daphne limped slowly to the table.
“What happened to you, Lieutenant?”
“I was subjected to questioning and then beaten,” she said thickly.
“She was injured resisting arrest,” the duke said suddenly. “She struggled with the officers and landed on her face.”
“Please turn and face the chamber,” Krause said softly.
She slowly turned around to display a mashed nose, and eye swollen shut, and a badly split lip. A large bruise graced her left cheek. Wendy gasped and grabbed Frank’s arm. Frank jumped to his feet pulling Wendy up with him.
“Be seated, Captain,” the admiral said slowly and distinctly. “The court will handle this.”
Frank slowly sat back down. Wendy held her hand
to her mouth, but said nothing. Ciera leaned over and whispered to the Krause.
“Is the arresting officer here?” the admiral asked.
“Yes, Sir,” One of the guards stood up. “The two of us arrested the Lieutenant.”
“Please explain what happened.”
“Yes, Sir. We received a call about suspicious activity at the bank. The Lieutenant was coming through the door as we walked up. We asked her to step to the side so we could determine if this was who the call was about. I think she panicked, Sir, but she turned to flee, tripped, and fell on the sidewalk. Cal and I were trying to reach for her and had her arms. Her feet just went out from under her and we couldn’t keep her face from hitting the sidewalk. We felt terrible about it.”
“Thank you, Officer,” the admiral said. He looked at the other officer. “Can you corroborate the statement?”
The other officer stood up. “Yes, Sir. Ed had it right. She slipped and we just couldn’t catch her.”
The admiral cocked his head. “Lieutenant, what do you have to say about that?”
“Admiral, Sir. They met me coming out of the bank. That much is true. They asked me to accompany them to the Police station so they could check my bona fides. I was fine until they tied me up in the interrogation room.”
The duke stood up. “Admiral, I don’t know why Lieutenant Locke would lie to this court. It does tend to confirm our suspicions about her activities, however. These officers have a good reputation for honesty and reliability. I think we can depend on their testimony.”
“Please sit down, Sir.” The admiral stared at the duke until he slowly sat down again. “Let me state again that I expect things to be orderly in this court.” He gazed around the room before he turned back to Daphne.
“What were you doing at the bank, Lieutenant?” the admiral asked.
“I arranged a funds transfer for the Margrave Montora, Sir. We were somewhat concerned for his safety, if he came to Cambridge himself.”
The admiral looked back and forth between the officers and the duke for a few moments. “I suppose I should note that the court has in its possession a video of the arrest.”
Roma turned white.
“I think it fully appropriate for you to release Lieutenant Locke into my custody,” the admiral said. He looked at the officers. “You may leave my court. Please hold yourselves available for a conversation with the Naval Investigative Service.”
“Wait,” the duke said. “You cannot send them out. We have a dangerous criminal here.”
The prime minister leaned over to the muke and was close enough to Frank for him to hear the Foxworth whisper, “Guilietto, shut up!”
Krause glared at the duke for a few more moments. He then turned to Daphne. “You may return to your seat, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, Sir.” Daphne slowly started to walk towards her chair, but seemed increasingly unsteady. Ciera jumped out of his chair and moved in several long strides over to help her sit down.
“On second thought,” the admiral said. He looked over at the master chief. “Let’s take a fifteen minute recess. Chief, please detail a team to take Lieutenant Locke to the shuttle at the Starport. I want her in the sickbay up on the ship.”
“Aye, aye, Admiral.”
“A moment of your time, Admiral?” Krause had just stepped out of the fresher when the duke walked up.
“What do you have to say that cannot be said in the court, Milord?”
“There has been a broad misunderstanding, I think, on both sides here. I would like to clear things up and put this behind us.”
Krause stared at the duke for perhaps fifteen seconds. He pursed his lips. “Very well. Come with me, Sir.”
The admiral walked down the hall and stepped into the Legate’s office. “May we use your office for a few minutes, Commander?”
“Of course, Sir,” Stine said. He quickly stepped from behind his desk and walked from the room, easing the door shut behind him.
Krause turned to the duke. “Milord?”
“As I was saying, Admiral. I believe there have been some gross misunderstandings here. My prime minister has suggested I may have misrepresented the margrave. I obviously have some problems in my own police force, of which I was unaware.”
“Indeed.”
“While it may not be true the margrave has actively fomented rebellion, his presence here destabilizes my domain. While I am prepared to reprimand my police officers and extend an apology to Lieutenant Locke, I also must demand the Navy withdraw from Hepplewhite, and cease interfering with my government.”
“Reprimand? Apology?” The admiral took two quick steps and stood face to face with the duke. “Two of your officers of the law, representing you I might add, viciously beat an innocent woman. In case you are not conversant with the law, Milord, this is a felony. Those men belong in jail. This woman is a serving officer of the Navy, which makes it my business. No, Milord. The Navy will not withdraw. I cannot legally withdraw, for that matter.”
“And you must understand, Admiral, that the Navy is the servant of the Merchant League. And certain members of the League Council would take a dim view of your interference on Hepplewhite!”
“You are speaking, of course, of your brother.”
“I am. He sent me out here because he was concerned about naval interference with lawfully established governments.”
“I am acquainted with your brother, Milord,” the admiral said quietly. “Did you know that? We are not friends; but we respect each other.”
“Then you must know of his concerns.”
“He has expressed those concerns to me at some length, Milord. And he has a valid point. We have some naval personnel out here who act more like buccaneers than anything else. When I encounter such, you can rest assured I deal with them.”
“Then surely you must do the same here,” the duke said. “I am faced with naval personnel stirring discontent and rebellion. It needs to stop!”
Krause shook his head in disgust. “I had a conversation with your brother before I came out here. Did you know that? Would you mind if I quoted him?”
The duke stepped back nervously, but said nothing.
“I attended a reception on Asimov Station for the new CNO. I was just in receipt of my orders to command the Navy in this sector. Your brother, Carlo Roma, pulled me aside for a meeting, much as we are doing right now. He said, and I am quoting him verbatim, ‘Do whatever you can, reasonably and legally, to keep my idiot brother out of trouble.’”
The duke turned a bright shade of red. His mouth worked, but he said nothing.
“Believe it or not, it is in the Navy’s best interest to support the governments out here. We subscribe to the theory that any government is better than no government. So as long as we are not seeing a pattern of murders or the gross abuse of human rights, like we saw here with the lieutenant, we prefer to leave things alone. Are you reading me, Milord?”
Duke Hepplewhite seemed to wither under the glare of the admiral. “Surely you know this has all been a misunderstanding.”
“If you do not yet comprehend, permit me get plainer, still, Milord. If the Navy finds it necessary to come in and declare martial law on Hepplewhite, there will be a lot of unhappy people. The Council will be unhappy because I pulled one of their own away from the trough. The CNO will be unhappy because I got the Council unhappy with the Navy. I will be unhappy because the resources and money to police this miserable excuse for a world will come out of my budget. And you, Milord, will probably be dead!” The last sentence was a shout. “Now do you understand me?”
“Okay, okay. What do we need to do to settle this?” The duke had his handkerchief out again and was wiping his forehead.
The admiral put his hands on his hips and just looked at the duke for a full minute. “I wish I was sure you understood what I was trying to tell you, Milord. Frank Nyman should be your biggest supporter. He instinctively understands that you need to be successful if he is to be successful. I am
afraid you made an enemy of him when you had Jack and Sharon killed.”
“He doesn’t know that…”
“Uh huh. And you didn’t bother to deny it with me.”
“I meant he couldn’t know that because it didn’t happen that way.”
“Right. There is still some chance to settle things down before they spin entirely out of control. Do you want my help?”
“Of course, Admiral. This whole thing is regretful.”
Willard Krause sighed. “Here is what we are going to do. I want those two police officers convicted of felony assault before the Duke’s court. You will remand them to the Navy and they’ll be taken to Savonarola to the prison there to serve their time. In return I will quash this inquiry. Believe me, you do not want Frank Nyman to testify. Do I have your agreement?”
