Murrill complied with the request.
“What business?”
“You are out of luck, Rafe. I assume the Governor demanded you turn in your station-issued pom?” Murrill revealed nothing. “I’ll take your non-answer as confirmation. Too bad, really. All your evidence was on there, wasn’t it?”
“What do you care, Quinlan?”
“My name is Thomas. A few friends call me Tom. When I was a boy, my parents called me Tommy. I threw a tantrum in response when I was six, and they never did it again. Even at an early age, I learned how to find weak spots and leverage them.
“At the moment, you’re weak. Fragile. Enraged. And, if we’re honest, more than a little humiliated. And yet, you’re also fortunate. Stallion made an ultimatum, didn’t he? Leave now, and he’ll seal the evidence against you. Return, and you’ll be arrested. Yes?”
Murrill conceded with a curt nod.
“How galling. To be diminished by that Chancellor filth. After what his grandfather did to your family. Inexcusable. But what if I said you may yet have the last word? Would you be interested to know more?”
He didn’t answer like Thomas expected.
“What’s your motive, Thomas?”
“Not important. I will say my grievance is a long one, like yours. I want the Stallion name destroyed. Better, I’d like it to happen in a very public way. What say you, Rafe?”
The man’s weary hazel eyes developed a sudden sparkle.
“Nothing would thrill me more.”
There we go.
Thomas patted the ex-Governor’s shoulder.
“Perfect. In two months, a financial scandal will consume the Governor’s office. He will not survive it. I think it would be only fitting if you were able to return to Amity with additional evidence to bury Trevor Stallion.”
“I have none. Not anymore. And he’d have me arrested.”
“Doubtful. You’ll have protection. I’ll see to it. As for the evidence, check this out, Rafe.”
Thomas lifted a holo from his pom. Murrill’s jaw dropped as he studied the data brought before Stallion that morning.
“How did you get this? It was on my pom. You couldn’t have retrieved it.”
“Not important how, only that it is.” Thomas twisted around and reached over to the side table, where he retrieved a tablet. “Yours.”
Murrill reached for it.
“That’s my personal property. What have you done?”
Thomas handed over the device.
“Nothing yet. If you grant permission, I’ll transfer this evidence onto that tablet. All I ask is that you keep it secure at home.”
“What then?”
“When the scandal breaks, I’ll contact you with instructions. The Superior Judge will set a date for you to testify. My fingerprints will not be on this case. You alone will strike the final blow, not just for yourself but all the people you lost decades ago. Fair deal?”
Murrill might have been many things, but he wasn’t a moron.
“More than fair.”
“Perfect.” Trevor grabbed the holos and dropped them into the tablet’s catch node. “All yours. Don’t be so careless this time. You really should have offloaded them to a personal device. What’s done is done, my new best friend. See you down the way.”
Thomas hopped from the couch and started for the door, setting the phantom drill to erase his exit.
“Wait,” Murrill said. “How are you able to do this?”
Thomas looked back at the pitiful fellow.
“I don’t disclose trade secrets. Goodbye, Rafe Murrill.”
Thomas started thinking about lunch. What did he have a fancy for today? Those questions led to a reminder of a task he’d forgot.
“Buy a gift for Stallion’s girl,” he mumbled. “What appeals to an eight-year-old Chancellor half-breed? Hmm. Tough one.”
6
UNF Cruiser Hampton Wave
CONNOR HADN’T FELT A BUZZ like this since Requiem launched its first attack against Black Star interests. When the order came down for the crew to wear dress blues, he knew this day would be historic.
He slipped on his white gloves and reviewed the finished product in a mirror. The bars and stars on his bulging chest gleamed. He admired the red Lieutenant’s bar, his newest addition.
