Rath's Gambit (The Janus Group Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the table.
    “Detective Beauceron,” the man in the middle of the table intoned. “Please take a seat.”
    Beauceron and Rozhkov walked up to the table, and sat facing the five committee members. They wore a range of ranks, but none more junior than lieutenant colonel. The committee chair was a major general, a planetary division commander. Beauceron swallowed.
    I should have had a drink of water before coming in. Or perhaps something stronger.
    “This disciplinary committee has been reviewing testimony of other officers – and what hard evidence we have – surrounding the apparent assassination of Senator Reid. You played an unfortunate role in those events.” He fixed Beauceron with a cold stare. “This is the second professional misconduct hearing of your career, correct?”
    “Yes, sir,” Beauceron said.
    “I fear it may be your last. Recount for us, if you will, the events of last Thursday.”
    Beauceron cleared his throat. “I was assigned to augment security at Senator Reid’s motorcade. I reported to my position, and began patrolling the area. A few minutes after I arrived, I noticed a civilian having an argument with one of our uniformed patrolmen.”
    “Corporal Friedman was the patrolman?”
    “Yes, that’s correct. The civilian had parked his air truck in an alley near the parade route, and Corporal Friedman was trying to prevent him from entering the alley. I noted some similarities between the civilian and a Guild assassin I helped apprehend some years ago.”
    “And what happened to the guildsman you apprehended, Detective?” a stern-looking colonel interrupted.
    “I allowed him to escape, and he murdered six officers before disappearing, sir.”
    As well you know.
    Rozhkov leaned forward, addressing the committee. “That matter has already been resolved, gentlemen. We’re here to discuss recent events.”
    “It has a bearing on recent events, Rozhkov,” the colonel argued.
    “It will certainly be taken into consideration,” the general agreed. “Continue, Detective.”
    “I noted some similarities,” Beauceron resumed. “So I decided to investigate more closely.”
    “And what were those similarities?” the committee chair asked.
    “A backpack, sir – and a grey ornamental bracelet. I believe they use the bracelet to track their progress against their contractual obligation of fifty kills. I imagine the backpack holds certain weapons and equipment, though we’ve never recovered one, to my knowledge.”
    “What were your actions after recognizing the threat?”
    “I hurried over to the alley, but Corporal Friedman and the man had disappeared behind the truck by the time I got there.”
    “Did you run?” the surly colonel asked.
    “I did,” Beauceron said.
    “How did you score on your last physical fitness test, Detective?” the colonel persisted.
    “He passed,” Rozhkov growled.
    “You ran to the truck …?” the committee chair prompted.
    “Yes, sir. I drew my pistol, but the assassin anticipated my arrival – he stunned me as soon as I came around the front of the truck. I woke up several minutes later, chained inside the truck. The assassin had stripped Corporal Friedman of his uniform and equipment, and was preparing to impersonate him.”
    A general at the end of the table, a woman, spoke up. “Did you see him shift personalities?”
    Beauceron turned to face the general. “I did, yes, ma’am.”
    “Describe it, please.”
    “It was fast. Very fast, like slipping on a mask. He mimicked me, and the result was nearly flawless – he even had a cut I gave myself shaving that morning. I found it … unnerving.”
    “Why did he mimic you?” she persisted.
    “We were arguing – he threatened to use my identity, to make me take the fall for the senator’s death, rather than mimicking Corporal Friedman. But he went back to Friedman’s face right away, and sealed the truck soon after. That was my last direct contact with him.”
    “I think we’re aware of