Free Who Hunts the Hunter by Nyx Smith

assume that there are reasons why Dr. Phalen, rather than Dr. Hill, has charge of this group.”
    Amy shakes her head. Kurushima is playing with words, and those words carry obvious implications."That is not a fair assessment. Dr. Phalen’s standing as a scientist is exceptional. He’s considered a genius, whereas most of our other science staff are merely brilliant. Were Dr. Phalen to leave Hurley-Cooper tomorrow, Dr. Hill would succeed him as director of the Metascience Group.”
    “But Dr. Hill is not in fact in charge of that group.” Amy resists the urge to exclaim, and instead, asks, “Why are you making such a point of this?”
    “It has come to my attention, Ms. Berman, that the Metascience Group consumes a significant portion of Hurley-Cooper’s research budget. I do not have detailed figures as of yet, but the Metascience portion of the overall budget appears to approach thirty percent. That is a very significant amount of money.”
    Amy nods. Another obvious point. She replies with obvious points of her own."Metascience research is not cheap. Many of the devices used by the group have to be custom-designed and manufactured. And naturally the group makes extensive use of materials that are of an arcane nature and are therefore extremely expensive.”
    “Yes, I see,” Kurushima says."Thank you, I understand. Allow me to explain, Ms. Berman, that as an auditor, it is part of my responsibility to assure my superiors that these monies are being allocated with all due care. The fact that the Metascience Group leader leaves his administrative responsibilities to his assistant is not necessarily a circumstance that will inspire my superiors with confidence.”
    “I believe I already mentioned that the executive board of Hurley-Cooper has specifically authorized Dr. Hill to act on Dr. Phalen’s behalf.”
    “Yes, certainly,” Kurushima replies."I am quite certain that the board was entirely justified in doing so. However, I am equally certain that the board has not seen fit to appoint Dr. Hill leader of the Metascience Group.”
    “A few moments ago I asked you why you’re making such a point about this. I would like an answer to that question.”
    “Yes, of course. Excuse me if I seem to belabor certain topics.” Kurushima consults his palmtop."A preliminary survey of certain purchasing records has brought certain matters to my attention.”
    Apparently, the audit staff has carte blanche to investigate anything they want without asking permission of anyone. Obviously, Amy’s conversation with Vernon Janasova was a complete waste of time."Go on,” she replies.
    “Several months ago, a purchase order originating with Dr. Hill was issued for an item, a certain appendage of a dragon. This appendage was valued at five hundred thousand nuyen.”
    “May I see that?”
    “Certainly.”
    A glance at Kurushima’s palmtop refreshes her memory. This particular purchase order had struck her as odd when it crossed her desktop. Many things involving metascience research at least seem that way. That is probably because she is no scientist, and, certainly, no magician."There should be a supplemental report hypered to this purchase order which explains the need for this particular item. The ‘appendage’ referred to was a scale from the tail of a live dragon. As you can probably imagine, dragons are rather fond of their scales and are not generally inclined toward giving them away for nothing. It had to be purchased. Five hundred-kay was the price.”
    “Was this the best price?”
    “It was the only price. My chief purchasing agent investigated this req personally. Only one dragon of the few we could contact would even discuss the matter. Five hundred-kay was his price.”
    “Do you know if this item was ever used?”
    “That would be in the supplemental report.”
    “I have examined this report, Ms. Berman, and see no indication that the item was ever used. This compels me to ask if perhaps the item was