Pirates of the Outrigger Rift Read Online Free PDF Page A

stroked his chin with his index finger and appeared to study something off in space just above and behind Kendrick’s head. “I have a problem—one dealing with loyalty. I’d appreciate your assistance.”
    “Yes, sir,” Kendrick said. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
    “Splendid. I’m afraid that we have a traitor in our midst, Mr. Kendrick.” Maxwell scratched the cat’s chin and allowed his words to sink in for a moment. “Would you happen to know anything about that?”
    “No,” Kendrick answered quickly. “Of course not, sir.”
    “Vincent,” Maxwell corrected.
    “Sorry.”
    Maxwell waved his hand. “Really now, Mr. Kendrick, I was told that you were quite the amateur sleuth, and that you make a hobby of accessing certain secure areas. There is no need for humility.”
    “I don’t know what you mean,” Kendrick said. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
    “Oh? I hope you understand that we all have a responsibility to be on guard. I’m sure you’re aware of our recent difficulties with piracy. The reports all suggest the pirates are controlled by one man: Thorne. Obviously he couldn’t be raiding our shipments so successfully without inside help.”
    “Sir, I don’t know anything about security. I’m in accounts receivable.”
    “Interesting. An important item is missing, an archival datastore with classified information that could lead us to the mole. You do have access to the storage area, do you not?”
    “Well, yes, but I—”
    “Tell me this, Mr. Kendrick. Why does a junior exec need access to a high-level security area? Why would Casey have assigned that clearance to you?”
    “I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
    “Really? Then it seems we have a mystery.”
    Kendrick swallowed, then cleared his throat. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I did have an arrangement with former Security Director Casey.”
    “Do you mean the man charged with espionage? The one who took his own life before he was arrested? If so, then let me remind you that I’m the new director.”
    “That’s not what I mean, sir. I mean I’ve never done anything on my own. I’ve always been loyal to the corporation …”
    “You worked for Casey? How is it I’ve never even heard of you until today?” Maxwell dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand. “You must be aware of the nature of the charges against Casey. Perhaps you were actually working for Thorne all along.”
    Kendrick jerked back as if he’d been slapped. “I can’t believe that.”
    Maxwell shook his head. “Isn’t it obvious? You’ve been duped. The missing archive is the only evidence against Casey that couldn’t have been tampered with. Whoever possesses it holds the key to this whole damned mess. It was our chance to prove him innocent, or guilty.”
    Kendrick’s face was ashen. “But …”
    “Listen, son. I understand. You were doing what you thought was right. I liked Casey, too. He seemed like a good man. I don’t want to believe that he was a traitor, but without the data we can’t prove anything. I need that archive. Now, you have to do the right thing and tell me everything you know. It’s the only way we can start clearing all this up.”
    Kendrick nodded.
    “Okay then. We’re on the same side here. Did you take the archive?”
    “Yes. I received orders from—”
    “Do you still have it?”
    “No.”
    “Do you know where it is?”
    “I gave it to an employee.”
    “Named?”
    Kendrick swallowed hard. “Sai Collins.”
    “Do you know where she is?”
    “No, I mean, I know she left for Raken, but I don’t know where she is now. Honest. I was only following orders, sir. I—”
    “Guards!” Maxwell yelled, sending the cat scrambling off his lap.
    Six men burst into the room dressed in black combat exo-armor and bearing holstered pulse pistols. They surrounded Kendrick.
    “He’s our man. I want this little worm grilled until he bleeds out every shred of what he knows. Do a full