The Sacred Protocol

by Hylton Smith

  Duarte offered a gambit. “Sure, but then why do you think he also suspects there was something to his son’s claims of links of the protesters’ deaths and a possible agenda?”

  Pierze’s steel-hardened eyes softened momentarily and he scoffed, “So that is what he was going to tell me when he thought I was you? Well it seems that he is more distracted that I imagined. Even you must see that he has personal and professional conflict here. That is why he has that legal hyena Olmeda with him. He doesn’t suspect organised agenda – he knows it exists. He is merely trying to prevent the various individual cases being considered as part of a coherent plan, and therefore requiring our access. One more point Duarte, our structure, when it came into being with the genesis of SACRED, was primarily technology oriented. An example of this is your Lightbox. We developed the technology and we knew you would have found the camera, even if you had not mentioned it. Salina knows this too. Our work began to branch out into field testing and collating of the usefulness of the various applications we developed. It became obvious that Central Security was not adequately staffed with people who could both operate and interpret data, which the new kit produced in a proficient manner. It was then decided from on high that it would be worth keeping this knowledge more secure by adding an investigative arm to our team. Salina resisted this ferociously but was overruled when one of our most capable scientists suddenly disappeared off the face of the planet. I hope you can appreciate the nuances here; a verdict of suicide at this time would avoid him, even unintentionally, sabotaging the operation. I am fully aware of the risk in confiding in you, but we do expect more deaths and a steady increase in their frequency.”

  Duarte’s brain was on overload with ‘neural pinball’. It wasn’t that he failed to comprehend the layers of duplicitous politics; it was the increasing realisation that he was on unavoidable collision course with such pernicious bureaucracy. He had added to the problem by authorising Butragueno’s visit, but conceded to himself that the evidence from Konrad Salina’s own list was justification of keeping the verdict open. Equally, failing to make the precincts she was visiting aware of this was a transgression. He needed to brief her accordingly. Despite this procedural conflict he felt he needed to leave Pierze with something to ponder. “I would say you are taking a calculated risk in disclosing what you have to me. I wonder if Salina and Olmeda are contemplating something similar. You must excuse me; I have to attend a staff briefing.”

  Chapter 7

 

  Manuel Salina had arrived and he had already been hunted down by Sorin Gretz. In the taxi from the airport, to meet with the police, he took the call. “Yes I know who you are and what you do. However, I am currently involved in a family bereavement and it isn’t a good time. Can I call you back?”

  “I know about your brother Snr. Salina, it is that subject I wanted to discuss with you, but you’re right, there will be a better time. Please call me when you consider it appropriate.” The video call made it easy for Gretz to see that Manuel Salina was confused. The reply was instant.

  “What is it exactly you believe we should discuss? – I’ve never met you and I don’t know you, I only know of you.”

  “That’s true but I suppose you will have seen demonstrations all over the Republic, primarily against our corporation. Disturbing as that is, I think it is more worrying that no official investigation into why this is happening, has been launched. That is – as far as I am aware, there has been no direct enquiry commissioned.”

  “I see. I’ve seen these disturbances on TV but they have not been violent, have they?”

  “No, but curiously there have been several apparently unrelated deaths of people who have attended the events.”

  Manuel probed, “Really. How did you come by that information? I’m a journalist, as you obviously know, and I only knew details of these deaths from my brother, who is now one of them.”

  Gretz was open about his knowledge. “I have many contacts; some are in a position to give me such information. I have trawled my list and come up with nothing. As one common factor is the aforementioned link, I expected to be alerted, rather than chasing information on any kind of investigation which is either being conducted or contemplated. I know of your brother’s case and the current reporting that it looks like suicide, but I’m not convinced, at least as yet. I wanted to initiate my own investigation, in case there is a clandestine operation going on. I wondered if you would consider such a role. It is in your line of work and I thought you might be similarly concerned that the link is either being dismissed or there is more we should be worried about. I apologise for the intrusion into your family preparations for the funeral. If you have any interest in the project you would have a free remit, and it would be extremely rewarding in a financial sense. If not, then rest assured I will find another candidate who will get to the bottom of this. You can contact me on this number for another twenty-four hours and then the communicator will be replaced, as I have to restrict nuisance calls.”

  “I would have to clear this with my current employer as it would mean a kind of indefinite leave from my current position.”

  “I have already done that, as I tracked you down through your office. I’ve offered them exclusivity for publication of whatever you find out, and a consideration for their loss of your current work, for which they would need to get temporary cover. I merely wanted you to have no concerns about my offer if it appealed to you. I hope I haven’t been too presumptuous.”

  “I have to see my brother’s body Snr. Gretz, and when I have talked to the police, if there is any reason whatsoever to doubt what they tell me, I will get back to you before your deadline. I’m interested in the offer, partly because you seem to be unable, even with your leverage, to obtain transparency.”

  *

  Butragueno recognised the look on Duarte’s face and knew she wouldn’t like what he was about to say. “Change of plan Elle.”

  She sat back, closed her laptop and replied, “Elle is it? You must be going to dump something really bad on me boss. Spit it out.”

  “Well it’s not all that bad, more like an adjustment of tactics. Pierze has given me cause to take more interest in the possible implications of the case not being as straightforward as we’re being conditioned to think it is.”

  “Oh yeah, stop the soft pedalling and spit it out.”

  Duarte took out the gum and flicked it into the trash can. “We must observe local jurisdiction on your visit. I now know we’re going to be in this case long after we pronounce any verdict. It could be the biggest we’ve ever had. I want you to go through the proper channels, and ask the two precincts involved to familiarise you with their evidence before you land on their doorstep. I still want you to have the opportunity to question the relatives and witnesses personally, and I’ll be getting authorisation for this. I will get it contingent on you following protocol. Please don’t ask me to explain, just trust my judgement on this one.”

  “Ok, but you’ll have to give me more before I actually leave. Trusting your judgement is one thing, flushing my career, not yours, down the pan is another.”

  *

  Duarte went off to the Riu Principal and was not invited to a private room. He met the two men in one of the luxurious lounges, but they were thickly populated by other residents and guests. He asked if they were not concerned about being overheard.

  “That depends on what you have to tell us Chief Inspector. Your body language seems to suggest you are nervous about something.” Duarte wiped the smarmy smile from Olmeda’s face by leaving his seat and whispered,

  “Suit yourself, give my regards to Senora Salina and tell her that Manuel is on his way to the precinct. I have important calls to make.”

  “Wait.” Salina shot an acidic glance at Olmeda. “Thank you for making us aware of his arrival Duarte. Would you kindly let him know where we are staying? And that of course, we would like to see him. We are somewhat estranged but this is an e
xceptional situation. Is that the only reason you wanted to see us?”

  “No, it was something else really, but I prefer to avoid eavesdropping.”

  “Well then, hold on. Olmeda go and see if we can avail of a suitable sanctuary.” Duarte was not easily offended, but this contrast in attitude from the two of them, compared with their harmonious pleading for the release of Konrad’s stuff, was bothersome.

  “Look, these effects aren’t why I came either, but take them and I’ll be on my way.”

  Olmeda delayed his search for a concierge and their faces betrayed disappointment when they read the content of the brown envelope. Salina put it in his jacket pocket and they pretended more curiosity in his diary, in which he had obviously not recorded anything remotely connected to the events of that night. The photos were also gratefully received and lastly the box containing the spy-bubble was opened. Duarte watched them like a hawk. Olmeda looked puzzled and asked Salina what is was. He shook his head. However, his shock confirmed that he knew what it was, but probably didn’t know how long it had been there. He would however be uncomfortable about any disclosure of phone conversations he may have had with Konrad, when this thing was operating. Duarte went along with the charade by saying, “We found it in the wall cavity, but we couldn’t figure out what it’s for. I guess it is not strictly certain it was one of Konrad’s possessions, as we understand it’s actually your apartment Snr. Salina, but it seems you don’t know what it is either.”

  This was met with a resigned nod and, “No idea.”

  Duarte, on the balance of his interaction with these two groups of indirect hierarchy, decided that Pierze was of more use to him and had actually held less back. He deduced this would approximate to the likely future pattern. He dropped the remark casually and loud enough to dispel his earlier reluctance. “Well gentlemen, Pierze believes there is substance to what you have given cursory attention, namely the content of the brown envelope. Anyway I think we’re pretty well through with our cause of death investigation. We’ll be declaring it as suicide.” He paused to detect any reaction and then added, “Of course the coroner may request more post-mortem tests if he’s not entirely satisfied.” The excuse Salina gave for a comfort break was accepted by Duarte and he waited patiently while listening to Olmeda prattle on about getting out of the wretched Londonis climate.

  “I am glad we have put this to bed Chief Inspector.”

  This convinced Duarte that this guy was only a legal minder and nothing more. When he returned, Salina was actually more agitated than when he left. “Can we meet the Coroner? We would certainly accept your verdict, and do not see the point of disturbing my son’s peace. Nothing can bring him back.”

  “I’ll contact him on your behalf, and let you know whether he needs to talk with you.”

  On his way back to the office he raked over the sequence again. He resorted to his gut. ‘I’m sure he knows what Pierze, or whoever he may be, is after - and is really pissed off that he is ahead of the game. I need to be the dummy in the middle for a while longer’.

  *

  Manuel Salina was met at the precinct by Butragueno. After the introduction he wanted to see his brother’s body as soon as possible. She suggested he should meet her boss first, but he wasn’t impressed with, nor did he see the need for unnecessary procedure. “Hey, I came here of my own free will, you didn’t request my presence. He is still my brother even if he’s dead – it’s my right to see him. Please make it happen.”

  She tried to stall him by saying there was good reason for Duarte to speak with him. “I know that it must seem tedious to you but we haven’t closed the file on cause of death. Everything points to unassisted suicide but there are a few questions to which we need definite answers.”

  “I can understand that Detective, but it doesn’t alter my request, and believe me I’ll make a fuss about being denied access to his corpse. This is my card; you may assume that I am like the rest of my profession, a pain in the arse in the eyes of the establishment, and therefore have the means to embarrass your department. I don’t want it to be like that, it’s your call.”

  She rang Duarte. He surprisingly agreed, and asked her to go with him to the morgue. “Make sure you keep him there until I arrive.”

  She queried, “How do I do that? He seems to delight in ignoring procedure.”

  Duarte’s frustration surfaced. “Tell him we have new information.”

  She turned away from Manuel and whispered, “Do we?”

  The reply annoyed her. “Of course we do.”

  “When were you going to let me in on this?”

  “When Manuel Salina has gone on his way. You don’t think I’m going to give away our little secrets, do you?”

  She nodded to Manuel and remarked, “It’s not always so easy to persuade Chief Inspector Duarte. Let’s go.”

  *

  Pierze was pleasantly surprised to hear from Duarte so quickly. “Chief Inspector, you have considered our last conversation further, I assume.”

  “I have indeed. I’m willing to declare the incident as suicide. The coroner will of course ask for all up to date information, and my normal briefing to overlay on his own findings. It occurs to me that you may then have more difficulty in getting agreement to examine Konrad Salina’s brain.”

  Pierze chuckled. “You are indeed thinking ahead Duarte. First I need to ensure that Antonio Salina is happy about your verdict, and then he endorses it in an official manner. When that has been achieved, you can leave any further post-mortem activity to me.”

  “If you say so, however there is one small favour I need, in order to actually sign off on what I have just said. I need your help in smoothing the path with the local precincts of two deaths of protestors, which occurred on their patch some time ago. You did say you had influence in high places, and this may even help your own enquiries.”

  Pierze was silent for longer than Duarte anticipated. “I see the logic in your request. How can you satisfy me that your relationship with Central Security is no longer cosy?”

  Duarte had his foot in the door. “Snr. Pierze, I’m going out on a limb here, insofar as you’re going to prove my verdict is incorrect. I am therefore, at best going to appear incompetent, but there is a risk of perversion of the course of justice. So, we both have good cause to keep counsel to ourselves. I would’ve thought you would have realised I had come to the decision to distance myself from the Salina family, except for Manuel of course. He’s here and I have to observe my duty to him.” He waited for Pierze’s reaction.

  “Shit.” The pause was lanced by Duarte.

  “I can see he could be an irritant for you but perhaps I can be of help.

  “I think I can guess where we are going with this. If I get you past the red tape, in order to probe connections of previous deaths, up to that of Konrad Salina, the diversion would allow both Antonio and Manuel Salina to track you twenty-four seven. A neat idea Duarte, we have an agreement. Let me have the details on the cases you want access to.” Duarte knew he was pushing it but revealed that it would be Butragueno who was to execute the first enquiries, starting in Barcelona. He was surprised at the response.

  “That appears to be eminently sensible, and of course you want to be able to shadow what I am doing.”

  “One way or another, this is likely to be my last case and I want it to be free of the kind of asphyxiating confinement which has dogged my career. I don’t know if you can understand that.” Pierze found himself empathising with this unexpected vulnerability. He also had, over the last few days, marginalised his initial assessment of Duarte’s value in prosecuting this case. There was more to the man than he had first thought. It was the beginning of an extremely unlikely alliance.

  “I understand perfectly. Don’t be too pessimistic, there is one hell of a lot of work to be done, and my career potential is inextricably linked to the outcome. At least you have been planning your retirement; I am at the wrong point in the gr
aph to get this wrong.”

  “Well it seems like we have something in common after all. I suppose you would expect me to ask, so I won’t disappoint – haven’t you found any reason or clues as to why your top scientist disappeared?”

  “It is a little premature for me to respond to that. Suffice it to say that we must indeed find answers to your question. Your earlier insinuation that I want to examine Konrad Salina’s brain, on what do you base that assertion?”

  “Only that it would appear your science is ahead of ours, and we didn’t pick up anything unusual with his head. You said the Africana corpse had been decapitated and you suspected Butragueno’s quick response may have prevented the same with Salina. The head is important and the brain is about the only organ I can relate in any way to Konrad’s claims of ‘bringing down Iberia from within’. Either he was already delusional or suspected something which he could never prove. Anyway, you’ll have monitored many of his conversations via your spy-bubble, so you tell me.”

  “Let’s get Antonio Salina neutered first. You began the conversation by asking me for a favour. It is now my turn. Can you... sorry, will you allow me access to your forensic examination of the DNA found in the Salina apartment?”

  “I don’t have the summary yet, but what do you expect from the analysis?”

  Pierze explained that he wanted to see if there was any match for that which he had on file for the headless Africana corpse.

  Duarte said, “It would be quicker to compare yours against what we have.”

  “Yes it would, but not as prudent.”

  Duarte connected. “Of course, you don’t want anyone else in the precinct to know of the outcome. Why do you think there might be a match?”

  “I don’t suggest there will be, but if there is, we may have the first concrete evidence of a link. I agree it is a long shot, but somebody was very keen to get out of Butragueno’s way that night. The spy-bubble recorded a second voice.”

  “Very well I’ll contact you when I have the detailed profiles. I have to meet with Manuel Salina, he is at the morgue and he has to be shown the video footage, so I guess he’ll also want to be shown the personal effects I released to the family. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to his father; I hear there is a considerably long standing rift between them.” Pierze made no further comment.