Star Risk - 02 Scoundrel Worlds Read Online Free PDF

details on this system.
    "Legate Maen Sufyerd, who has an absolutely unblemished record�first in the field, now in the Supreme Command's Strategic Intelligence Division on our capital world of Montrois�has been accused of stealing these secrets and selling them to Torguth."
    "You said he's in a death cell?" Goodnight asked. "That means there's been a trial?"
    "A kangaroo court," Reynard said, voice rising. "A japery of justice. Planted evidence, inept counsel, prejudiced officers on the board."
    "Why prejudiced?" Riss asked.
    "Sufyerd, though he doesn't appear wild-eyed or a fanatic, belongs to an ancient cult that is despised by the hierarchy of Dampier, and has struggled against this prejudice his entire career."
    "Mmmh," Goodnight said.
    "It is not merely injustice that I strive against," Reynard said. "But the real culprit in Strategic Intelligence must be winkled out. We do not need to have a traitor in high places in this increasingly parlous time!"
    Riss thought of telling Reynard he wasn't making a speech to his constituents, but held her tongue.
    "Why have you come to us?" Grok said. "Do you not have investigative agencies on your own world?"
    "We do," Reynard admitted. "But I trust them not, especially since the opposition party has retained a very large, very efficient agency to make sure Sufyerd meets his date with the lethal chamber. Perhaps you've heard of them, since they're interplanetary. They're an organization called Cerberus Systems."
    The Star Risk operators showed various reactions at the name of their nemesis: Goodnight glowered, von Baldur looked carefully bland, Jasmine's lips tightened, Riss tried to keep a poker face and failed, and Grok's expression, as always, was unreadable.
    "Ah," Reynard said. "You know�and from your faces, do not like�this Cerberus. They've also impressed me as being less than ethical, since they're willing to do business with those damned Universalists, the party in power.
    "So all the cards are stacked against me and my fellow Independents, although there are turncoats even within that party against poor Sufyerd. Our judicial system has reached its decision as to his guilt, the military he loves has abandoned him, our media constantly bays about his guilt, and now even an outside agency moves against him.
    "He has no hope at all. And I feel, to the depths of my soul, that the opposition will stop at nothing�not forgery, slander, perjury, conspiracy, not even murder�to make sure the Sufyerd case stays �solved.'
    "No hope at all," Reynard said again. "Except," he added cunningly, "if Star Risk, an outside company without any axes to grind, agrees to help him."
    "Mmmh," von Baldur said. "Well, we do like to be of service�"
    "A question," Riss said. "How did you hear about us?"
    "I consulted certain experts I've had occasion to use during my political career," Reynard said. "And they all attested to your honesty in fulfilling your contracts. They also said that you have a most colorful way of doing business," he added after a pause.
    "Thanks," Goodnight said. "I think."
    "Very interesting," von Baldur said. "If you'll give us the com of where you're staying, we'll have an answer for you within a day or two. We may well need to ask you further questions."
    "Well?" von Baldur said, a few minutes after having escorted Reynard out.
    "You know my prejudice about people who're about to get fried," Goodnight said. "Justly or not," he added a bit sheepishly.
    "Why not?" Riss said. "It is, as Grok said, something different than bashing skulls."
    "My vote is obvious," Grok said.
    "We could use a good cushion with Alliance Credit," King said.
    "I was looking forward to my vacation," von Baldur said. "But then, all things are better after a degree of anticipation. So it's unanimous. Usual rates?"
    "Yes� no," Riss said. "Reynard said he talked to some people. Which means our names are known around Dampier. Which increases our risk."
    "Which also means," King said grimly,