Free The Sun Is God by Adrian McKinty

responsibility alone.”
    â€œWe may want something in writing,” Kessler said sourly.
    â€œI would not object to that,” Miss Pullen-Burry said.
    â€œIt is settled then. Captain Kessler and Bessie shall go to Kabakon together,” Queen Emma said.
    They had forgotten him but Will said nothing. Policemen, even military policemen, even ex-military policemen, were doomed to be outsiders.
    â€œGood! Let us celebrate. We can do better than champagne,” Queen Emma replied, and out came a bottle of cognac laid down in the previous century. Will drank two glasses of the heady stuff.
    The normal discourse resumed but Will took no part in it. He began to nod in his chair.
    â€œWe will commence at dawn!” someone said at last, startling him from a doze.
    â€œMy bungalow is not far,” Will attempted but the words did not come out quite right.
    He had eaten and drunk far too much and in the end two Kanaks had to push him home in a wheelbarrow just as Siwa had predicted.
    Will tried to kiss her but she brushed him off. It was obvious that she was extremely angry with him. She had the Kanaks lay him on his bed and dismissed them with half a pfennig each.
    Will groaned and tried to sit up.
    â€œBe still,” Siwa said and stripped him of his clothes.
    â€œI’m going to be sick,” he said.
    She brought a chamber pot.
    â€œI have told you before: you cannot drink so much!” she said. She knelt beside him and stroked his back. “You are not used to such rich food and wine,” she said more gently.
    â€œPerhaps I have made a fool of myself.”
    She cleaned him and took him to the bed, but although the pillow was soft underneath him the room was turning like a carousel. The insects, tree kangaroos, and other marsupials had commenced their night calls. Vesper bats flitted across the moon.
    â€œKabakon is a dangerous place,” Siwa whispered, apparently already aware of the “secret” plan to go to the island.
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re frightened of the Night Witches too?”
    â€œI will ask Kot to protect you,” she said after a long pause.
    â€œDo that. Yes. That’ll help,” he said, and thus comforted, the room eventually stopped spinning, and with Siwa’s cool hand on his forehead he finally fell asleep.

6
    DOCTOR PARKINSON'S REQUEST
    A wafer of light drifted through the shutters and a hand on his shoulder shook him.
    â€œSiwa,” he groaned, but it wasn’t her. It was a man.
    Will sat up and stared at Doctor Parkinson, dressed to the nines in a white suit, bright green tie, and a pith helmet.
    â€œMr. Prior, are you awake?” Doctor Parkinson asked in a low whisper.
    â€œI am now,” Will said.
    â€œDo not stir, sir, Hauptman Kessler will not be coming for you for another hour or so.”
    â€œWell then why in the name of—” Will began, but as Doctor Parkinson’s lips formed their customary purse the thought that Will was going to articulate died in his thorax. He sat on the edge of the bed and threw the sheet over Siwa’s naked back. “I’m listening.”
    â€œMr. Prior, I believe there is something you can help me with.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWhen you return from Kabakon, Mrs. Forsayth and I would appreciate it very much if you would find yourself able to share your impressions with us,” Doctor Parkinson said amicably.
    Will looked into the Dane’s languid, grey face. “You want me to report to you, not Governor Hahl?”
    â€œOf course you will report to Governor Hahl, but we would be delighted if you were able to share your candid observations with us ab ovo usque ad mala , so to speak.”
    Will rubbed his chin. “Don’t you trust Hauptman Kessler to give you the full story?”
    â€œOf course,” Doctor Parkinson said. “However, aside from the investigation into these macabre events there is a . . . there is a fiscal