Different Senses

by Ann Somerville

  “No, and his phone hasn’t been used in the last two days.” Silence for several seconds. “Then what happened?”

  “Dandak did something to Javen which we believed was designed to disrupt his implants. Prodded his face with some kind of electrical device.”

  “That fits. We lost the signal for good that evening. It had been patchy all day so I ordered my people to keep watch but not to go in.”

  “Ah. Well, then we were sedated, and woke later somewhere in the Demultan Flats. Javen recognised the building style and the position over the water.”

  “He was sure about that?”

  “We were reasonably confident. We managed to free ourselves and steal a boat from under the storeroom. Unfortunately in the dark, we struck something, the boat overturned, and I lost both it and Javen. I searched for some time, but....” I grinned at the hitch in his voice. Hell of an actor, that man. “Without the boat, and unable to see any landmarks, I let the current take me to the river. I managed to make it ashore. A local allowed me to call a friend of mine, who suggested asking Sri Nel for help, and I arranged to be collected from the maglev, once I’d begged a lift.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Sharp suspicion in the captain’s tone. I held my breath to hear Shardul’s answer.

  “I wasn’t thinking clearly, except that Javen was adamant that we mustn’t contact the local police. My friend was the first person I thought of, but they couldn’t leave Hegal to collect me. The curfew, you see. I told Sri Nel my car had been washed away in the flooding while I was visiting a client in the north. He doesn’t like me and didn’t ask too many questions.”

  “Why would he help you then?”

  “For Javen’s sake, of course. I told him nothing of the plan, and he’s unaware Javen’s missing. Captain, has he been found?”

  “No report yet. That’s a big river, and the population sparse. Now we know, we can search, but I can’t offer much hope.”

  “Damn it. This is your fault!”

  Oh, nice touch, Shardul. “He knew the risks, Sri Shardul.”

  “Did he know someone was going to betray him? Did you tell him he might drown? Did you?”

  “Calm yourself. This isn’t going to help.”

  “My friend is dead, and it’s your fault. Do I care if this helps? It’s too late!”

  The rest of the conversation was Shardul raging, the captain flailing helplessly in the face of his anger, and finally telling him that he needed to maintain secrecy at all costs. “I want to speak to his father,” Shardul agreed, apparently bringing himself under control. “He deserves the truth.”

  “Not until I’ve briefed him. You can speak to him tomorrow, on condition you mention no names or specifics.”

  “Very well. When this is over, there will be a reckoning. You can’t kill the governor’s son without penalty.”

  “I didn’t kill him,” the captain snapped. “There appears to have been a leak somewhere, and I intend to find out where. But your role in this is over. Stay down, keep your mouth shut, and report to me immediately if either Sanjeev or Sri Ythen contact you. And do not involve anyone else, especially Sri Nel. We can make things very unpleasant for you.”

  “You already have, captain.”

  The captain ordered the driver to take Shardul home, and I heard someone, presumably the captain, leave the auto. The sound cut off, and the next thing on the recording was Shardul speaking. “Javen? I think he accepted my version of events. If I’m arrested in the night, I’ll know otherwise.”

  He hadn’t been, I guessed, or his cousin would have said. The other file on the stick was a scan of the sketch he’d made. He must have asked the doc to send it along.

  I leaned back and thought about what to do. Or more specifically, what I could ask other people to do, since the captain would be watching Kirin now, and Shardul.

  I recorded a message for Shardul. I needed him to ask Madan to dig up everything he could about Dandak/Darshan and his chums—employment history, criminal records, anything we could access without having to cross the security force’s tripwires. Shardul was right. We needed local contacts, so I asked him to get in touch with Jyoti and do what they could to find out about Darshan and what he’d been up to in the area. He was way too clued up for someone new to this. Where had he come from, and who was propping up his operation?

  I thought about my friendly rural cop and decided to keep him on hold for now. I wanted to see how far we got with our enquiries before dragging someone else into this.

  Shardul’s cousin came back an hour or so later. “Thanks for the information. Can you pass this back to him?”

  She pocketed the datastick. “Yes, sir. Sri Nel wanted me to let you know I come here twice a week.”

  “Great, that’s helpful.”

  “And Shardul wanted me to let you know that Sri Nel’s gardener, his grocery delivery driver and his local postal worker are all his cousins too.”

  I grinned. “Of course they are. Close-knit family, are you?”

  “Yes, indeed. Sri Nel has a blue statuette in his living room. If that’s in the front window, then....”

  “I can expect a family visit?”

  “Yes, sir. If you put the orange vase in the window, we’ll know to stay away.”

  “Simple and effective. A good plan.”

  “It was Shardul’s idea, sir. Is there any other message for him?”

  “Only that I’m glad he’s still out and about, and to wish him good hunting.”

  “I’ll pass it on. Good day to you, sir.”

  Families did have their uses.

  The information from Shardul made me itchy to get out and help. Until I knew who’d done what, and who’d betrayed us, I didn’t dare show my face—or our hand. What happened after that, no one could know. I suspected it would be messy.

  Chapter 11

  I severely underestimated how effective Shardul’s network of contacts—or ‘family’—would be. Within a day, we’d confirmed the identity of the three suspected terrorists, and the surprising fact that all of them were mining industry employees. All had completely clean criminal records, and not the slightest indication from official sources they were capable of the kind of acts that had turned Hegal into a city of fear. But the official sources were just the start. Bank records? No problem, thanks to a ‘cousin’ with access. Local residents reported on vehicle movements, known associates, suspicious purchases and deliveries, which all helped to build a complex, thorough picture of Darshan Vaanika Kabir and what he and his friends were up to. What we found was surprising, but to my Dad, it was worse. A betrayal of the vilest kind. As if he hadn’t had enough bad news this year.

  I was a spare wheel in the process, waiting for the regular drop offs and messages, receiving the data along with Shardul’s precise, dry assessments and sending encouragement and the rare, unnecessary suggestion. Madan, under the impression he was working solely to assist Shardul—and glad to do so—had directed the Nihani efforts, suggesting lines of enquiry and tying the threads together. Invariably, Team Nihan was ahead of me.

  Kirin and I did what we could. Again, it was other people who did the really clever stuff, with one of Kirin’s Nihani technicians, Badal, set the task of extracting the audio recordings from my implants. Kirin secreted me out of the house twice so Badal could take readings and assess the damage Darshan’s nasty little device had done. By the end of the week, Badal announced he’d written the translation code and was ready to do the data extraction, so once again Kirin snuck me out under blankets in the back of his auto down to the lab. I’d hoped Jyoti would be there, as she had the first time we’d done this. Kirin said he’d thought it too risky to do it again. He did have a surprise for me, though, and grinned as I discovered it waiting for me.

  “Shardul!” As always, his presence, the sheer force of his personality, struck me like the first time. Not so nastily, though.

  He came over and hugged me, uncaring who was watching. “Are you well? You lo
ok worse.”

  “Just the bruising. I’m fine. Even the headache’s better.”

  He touched my cheek in an intimate, possessive way that made me ache with need of him. “And this?”

  “Healing, but it’s a mess. Time to tidy it up later.”

  He grunted, but his warm fingers lingered. Kirin cleared his throat unnecessarily loudly. I turned to look at him. “Yes?”

  “We should hurry. Someone might become suspicious, and Badal is breaking curfew.”

  “Of course. Sorry, Badal. Let’s do it.”

  The process took less than ten minutes, and Badal confirmed that the data was good, up to the point where the electronics had been fried. Kirin sent Badal home then, because no one except Shardul and Kirin knew my true identity, and we didn’t want any of our Nihani friends implicated more than they were already.

  “Essential evidence of Darshan’s intentions,” Shardul said as we listened to the recording of the ill-fated conversation at the farm. “I think we’re ready to move, Javen.”

  “Now we need my father. I have to make it impossible for Captain Largosen to have this information—or anyone of us—disappear.”

  “You still don’t know who the mole is,” Kirin said.

  “No, but I think we know who he’s working for. Either the captain is crooked, or he’s not. If he’s not, Dad can protect him while he finds out the truth. If he’s dirty, Dad can protect us. Kirin, I should move out. No need for you to be implicated.”

  He swallowed, but the line of his mouth set firm. “No. Damn it, no. My family won’t be crossed. I’m a protector, not a protectee. You need me.”

  I patted his arm. “Down, boy. You convinced me. Okay—are we waiting for anything else?”

  “Only to make copies of this,” Shardul said, flicking the datastick holding the audio recording, “and to arrange a meeting with your father in a secure location. The residence, for preference, in a room swept for bugs, and with recording facilities under our control.”

  “Kirin, can you contact Dad? You should be there, with me, Shardul, Mum, and maybe even the residence’s security manager. He’s good people, ex-force.”

  “Will do. I can copy this recording at home. We should leave.”

  “Agreed. Shardul, you’d better go first.”

  He came closer and took my hands. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Sanity, yes. I’m sick of being useless.”

  “You aren’t.” He squeezed my hands and stared into my eyes. “I’ll welcome your real face back.”

  “That could take some time. Bugs you that much?”

  “I’m fond of your previous features. These remind me of...what I don’t remember with fondness.”

  “Understood. Yes, we’re coming.” I added as Kirin coughed for the third time.

  Shardul raised an eyebrow at the unsubtle hint, but let my hands go. “See you soon.”

  I dared to kiss his cheek. “Be safe.”

  “And you.” He walked away and disappeared around a corner.

  “You two are disgustingly cute, you realise.”

  I made a rude gesture at my annoying friend. “Thanks for inviting him.”

  “You’re welcome. I thought you were probably going a little stir-crazy in the house.”

  “I was. You’ll call Dad tomorrow?”

  He looked at his watch. “Yes. And then all hell breaks loose.”

  He was a lot less confident than he sounded. I took his hand as Shardul had mine, and gripped his fingers. “A good life is worth a few risks.”

  “I’m a coward, Javen.”

  “No, you’re not. Neither of you are.”

  “Neither of...sorry?”

  “Never mind. Let’s get out of here.”

  ~~~~~~~~

  Two days later, I was in my mother’s office at the residence, hiding behind the same pretty screen I’d used once before for discreet observation. Out front my parents sat with Kirin and Shardul, waiting for the captain. Lieutenant Damen would record every word, and if Captain Largosen tried anything funny, the recording would make its way to the media. Mum and Dad were worried, and I didn’t blame them. The stakes were high, and the players dangerous and used to winning.

  A knock at the door. “Okay, everyone. Take your cues from me,” Dad said quietly. “Shardul, please cough or clear your throat if you want to take charge of the conversation.”

  “Yes, sir, I will.”

  Dad called the visitor in. “Good morning, Captain Largosen. Do please take a seat.”

  “Thank you, sir. I must say I was surprised at your summons.” I sensed apprehension and no small amount of irritation.

  “I’m sure. You can probably guess it has something to do with my son’s disappearance. In fact, Sri Shardul has been conducting enquiries and uncovered some very interesting information concerning the men responsible for what happened to Javen.”

  The irritation increased sharply. “Sri Shardul was explicitly asked to do no such thing, and in particular, not to discuss this situation with you, or indeed, Sri Nel.”

  “Maybe, but I outrank you,” Dad said, “and he’s acting directly under my orders and protection. Dandak and the other two men who met with Javen and Shardul have been identified—”

  “Why wasn’t I told, governor?” Oh yeah, Largosen was cranky. Not detecting any fear or duplicity. So far, he didn’t perceive any personal threat from this news.

  “Please don’t interrupt, captain. They have been identified, and it appears they are working, officially at least, for someone we are very familiar with. Kaushik Denge.”

  “I see. That’s not illegal or even suspicious, sir.”

  “Yes, I know. But the leader of these three men has had some rather large sums deposited into his personal account from another which Sri Shardul’s investigations have identified as belonging to a company owned by Denge. Sums deposited at some rather interesting points. You might like to examine this.”

  I presumed Dad was showing the captain the correlation in timing between those payments and the attacks on Denge’s estate, in Hegal, and other terrorist actions, including the assassination attempt on the minister. Tellingly, one very large payment had been made on the day of the ill-fated demonstration in Hegal town centre. “Sri Shardul has also received information that Dandak has received deliveries from suppliers of mining explosives, and executives very close to Denge himself.”

  Now the captain was really confused. “Assuming this information is accurate, what possible benefit would Sri Denge gain from promoting or arranging terrorist activity, sir?”

  “Well now, that’s something I have a few ideas about. But here’s our problem, captain. I can’t trust you. Someone in your service told Dandak about my son and in enough detail that they had to have known exactly what the plan entailed. Someone in your service is in the pay of Denge or those he works for. That’s why you have been given only the smallest information now, and not before. So we’re at an impasse. I need your help to catch the men who hurt my son, and you need my help to find them.”

  Shardul coughed. “What the governor is asking, captain, is—how many people knew specifics of the undercover plan, such as the implants and facial surgery, besides yourself? Because one of them is a traitor.”

  Captain Largosen was really pissed off now. “I assure you I am not. But neither are the people who know about this. I’ve investigated this and no one on my team betrayed your son.”

  “Those statements are incapable of reconciliation,” Shardul said coolly. “Try again.”

  “You have no authority—”

  “I have,” Dad said. “Answer the question or be arrested, captain. I have more than enough evidence to lock you away for the rest of your life.”

  “Maybe you do, sir, but I’m telling you the truth.” A pause. Maybe Dad or Shardul made a ‘get the hell on with it’ gesture. “Other than myself...Commander Reoda, of course. You can’t suspect him, surely.”

  “Go on,” Dad said.


  “Right.” Now the captain was rattled, but still confused. “The surgeons did the implants and surgery, but had no idea why. Same as the voice coach, the medics and so on.”

  “Gafur Kawildin too,” Shardul added.

  “Yes, of course he did. Er, my aide, and the commander’s aide, and two field operatives who tracked the GPS signal.”

  “Did they know about the identity switch?” Shardul asked.

  “No. They just knew they were keeping watch on one of our people.”

  “So five people knew the full story. You, your boss, your two assistants, and Gafur Kawildin. No one else?”

  A pause. He really was thinking. “No,” he said slowly. “And it’s inconceivable any of them could have helped terrorist action.”

  “Yet someone did,” Dad said. “Captain, I’ve been a little unfair. We were almost sure you weren’t our traitor before you walked in. Now, I believe we’re completely sure. Is that right?”

  I stepped out from behind the screen. “Correct, Dad. Hello, captain.”

  Largosen’s mouth fell open. It was the first time I’d seen him genuinely off-balance. “Sergeant? How...when...this is some kind of trap!”

  His hand went to his weapon. My hand rested on my own. “Now, now, captain, no need for any of that. This isn’t a trap. Just our way of making sure my father and my family don’t suffer any more nasty surprises.”

  “How do I know you aren’t the one behind all this, Ythen?”

  I took an instinctive step towards him before I got my temper under control. Shardul answered for me. “Don’t be ridiculous, captain. Javen came very close to dying at the hands of Denge’s man, and so did his brother and family.”

  I tossed the copy of the audio recording at the captain. “Proof there too, if you want. The state of the implants will verify they were damaged by an electrical shock. I’m not your mole, you fool.”

  My father cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, calm down. Javen, please do join us. Captain, as I was saying before, we were pretty sure you weren’t our traitor. Javen, Shardul and I believe we know who is, but you need to prove it for yourself.”