Free Undercity by Catherine Asaro Page B

they all returned to the airlift. The entire visit seemed perfunctory, a company owner putting in an appearance. They rode back to the roof and walked to the flycar.
    Krestone had fallen asleep, slouched over the controls. It was the first oddity; she was scrupulous about her duties, and I could never imagine her sleeping at work. Judged from Lavinda’s frown, she had the same thought. When her group reached the flycar, the bodyguard opened the door and pulled Krestone back.
    The captain’s body flopped lifelessly to the side.
    Hell and damnation. I had assumed Lavinda’s aide was the one who died because he wasn’t here, but they must have already debriefed him.
    “My people arrived three minutes after Colonel Lavinda commed us,” Chief Takkar said. “At that time, Captain Krestone had been dead for eleven minutes.”
    I wanted to hit someone. I liked Krestone. I couldn’t believe she was gone. I also had no clue where the blazes Takkar had come up with me as a murder suspect. I’d been having dinner with Jak when Krestone died. Unfortunately I couldn’t prove it; I’d been shrouded, hiding from Majda. Even if I had thought Jak could give me an alibi, I would never ask. No way could I risk drawing Majda attention to the Black Mark.
    “What was the cause of death?” I asked.
    “She was shot with a tangler.” Takkar’s voice hardened. “Your area of expertise, Major.”
    Well, shit. That wasn’t evidence. I spoke coldly. “I trained with contraband weapons in the army, if that’s what you mean.”
    All three sisters watched me with their dark eyes. Assessing.
    General Majda spoke. “You can use a neural tangler?”
    “Yes.” I met her gaze. “However, I haven’t fired one in years.”
    “Where were you this evening?” Takkar asked, her voice even more brusque than normal. “For some odd reason, we have no record of your whereabouts.”
    “I was having dinner with an old friend.”
    Takkar’s snort left little doubt what she thought about my alibi. “His name?”
    I crossed my arms. “Captain, are you accusing me of something?”
    General Majda answered. “No one has accused anyone.” She glanced at Takkar. “Do you have evidence as to who fired the tangler?”
    “We will,” Takkar said, which I translated to mean, We haven’t a clue. Tangler bursts were notoriously difficult to trace. They left no residue; they just disrupted neural activity in the brain. No matter. Whoever had done this to the captain would pay. I would see to that.
    Vaj Majda was studying me. Her controlled expression and posture gave away nothing. I tried to remain cool, but being scrutinized by the General of the Pharaoh’s Army was an unsettling proposition. She spoke coldly. “You may return to your apartment. However, do not leave the city. And don’t use any more shrouds.”
    That was no good. “I can’t do my job unless I can assure my sources of secrecy.”
    “What sources?” Takkar demanded.
    I just looked at her. She knew perfectly well I wouldn’t reveal mine any more than she would reveal hers.
    Vaj spoke in her dusky voice. “Very well, Major. Use your judgment.” She left unspoken the obvious warning; if they had no record of my whereabouts, I had no alibi if anything else happened.
    Corejida came over to me, her posture so tense she seemed ready to snap. “Have you news about Dayj?”
    Normally I wouldn’t talk about a case with so many ends dangling. I didn’t want to give her false hope. Right now, though, it seemed a good idea to give them something before they decided to toss me in jail.
    “It looks like he sold some jewels,” I said. “I think he bought a new identity and passage off Raylicon.”
    “No!” Corejida stared at me. “That can’t be. Dayj has no idea how to do that.”
    Takkar snorted. “It’s an absurd suggestion that he could manage that on his own.”
    “It’s no less absurd,” I said, “than suggesting I shot Captain Krestone.”
    “I didn’t hear any such