Regardless, Reddi didn’t like being involved with the kandra—Faceless Immortals had made him uncomfortable ever since the business with Bleeder. He’dprobably prefer she did her thing and didn’t mention how. But, well, she wanted everything to be on the up-and-up.
The department deserved to know how she got her results—she didn’t accomplish them without things like Malwish tech on loan from Allik, or access to Faceless Immortals. She’doriginally hoped that by making all this clear, her reputation would drop to more reasonable levels. She’dbeen wrong. Still, that had its advantages.
“My reform suggestions?” Marasi asked. “About how we police slums, and the proper training of constables? How is that going?”
“The other constables-general have agreed to the articles,” he said. “All but Jamms, but I think after today he’ll listen. Just need to get the governor to sign off on the ideas.” He narrowed his eyes. “I like this shipment plan of yours. Get me a detailed proposal.”
“Will do, sir. We’ll need to move quickly.”
“You will have the full support of the department,” Reddi said. “The governor is going to be so pleased with today’s results that I can all but guarantee you extra funding if your operation requires it. I’ll wait for that proposal, but in the meantime I’ll have some people get to work on replacing the supplies that were destroyed today.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said, taking a deep, satisfied breath.
“Something wrong, constable?” he asked.
“No, sir,” she said. “Just… appreciating the path I’ve walked, and where it’s led me.”
“Appreciate it on your own time, constable!”
She eyed him, and he returned a rare grin.
“It’s the sort of thing I’m supposed to say,” he explained. “The governor likes it when I’m gruff. Fits his expectations better, I suppose. Oh, before I forget. Constable Matieu says you had something specific you wanted to show me? Something that’s not in the reports. Was that the book?”
“That and a little more, sir,” she said, taking the spikes from her shoulder bag. “I want you to turn these three in to the scientists at the university.” She held up the thinner fourth one. “I’m going to keep this one for a bit though.”
“Ruin…” Reddi whispered. “Is that… atium?”
“No, though it’s nearly as mythical. We think it’s trellium, a metal from offworld.”
He eyed her. Talk of other worlds didn’t sit right with him either, and she suspected he’dnever fully accepted what she said about Trell.
“Isn’t that the stuff they used to blow up the prison?” Reddi asked.
“I don’t know if I believe that story,” Marasi said. “There’s no proof Wax’s uncle had any of this on him.”
“Still,” Reddi said, “be careful with that. If it’s half as bad as ettmetal…”
“I’ll be careful,” she said. “I plan to deliver it to Lord Ladrian for study.”
Reddi grunted. “I thought he was retired.”
“Depends,” Marasi said, tucking the trellium spike back into her shoulder bag. “For this, you should consider him on the case.”
“Well, I never revoked his constable privileges.” Reddi wiped his brow with his handkerchief. “Just try to keep him from… causing any incidents. When he’s involved, things tend to get… unsettling.”
“I’ll do what I can, sir.”
“He doesn’t have any other hidden apocalyptic family members or half-sane wives with mystical powers, does he?”
“If any show up, I’ll have him file a report. And maybe move confrontations with them to next quarter, for budgetary reasons.”
Reddi smiled. “I’m glad you’re out there, Colms. Not just for my career. I’m glad there’s someone rational around, to… you know, balance the insanity. Go. Chase your mysteries, and let me know what you need.”
She nodded, feeling a deep satisfaction as she left his office and walked back down the hallway. She had achieved so much—both in life and in this case. She had done it; she’darrived.
And is this all?She tucked that annoying thought away and hurried to the commissary, where she grabbed a sandwich and began stuffing it down. She didn’t have long until her meeting with Wax. Still, Marasi was only halfway done when the cleaning lady came to take her tray.
“Actually, I still have half,” Marasi said, holding up the rest of her sandwich.