The Shadow Walker Read Online Free PDF Page A

told himself that it was useful to keep in touch with developments in other areas of the Ministry. But he knew he was fooling himself, trying to find some justification for dabbling again in his old area of expertise.
    But that all changed when they found the third body.
    It was discovered three days after the second, and Nergui took the call within thirty minutes of the body being found. It was not merely the usual routine passing on of information, but the Minister himself, clearly agitated. Nergui spoke with him frequently, often two or three times a day, and he knew that the Minister was not easily rattled. On the whole, Nergui had little sympathy with either the Minister’s politics or his ethics, but he had already learned to be grateful for the politician’s calmness in the face of crisis.
    â€œYou’ve heard they’ve found another body, Nergui?”
    â€œAnother body? When?” Nergui assumed that the Minister had only just learned about the second killing. His staff tended to brief him only on the day’s essentials, and it was reasonable to assume that a sordid street murder would not rate highly in the Minister of Justice’s priorities.
    â€œThis morning.”
    â€œNo, I hadn’t heard yet.” He wondered how long it would be before the neatly typed scene of crime report dropped unbidden on to his desk.
    â€œThis is becoming a dangerous place to live, Nergui.”
    Nergui sighed inwardly. He knew that the Minister’s primary interest would be how this would play in the media. Under the old regime, this would not have been a problem. These days, although the state still owned the radio and television, the clusters of privately owned newspapers made old style censorship virtually impossible. There were times when Nergui wondered whether this was entirely a positive outcome. At least in the old days you knew where you stood, even if it was in a state of blind ignorance. Today, the media agenda was more subtle but equally pernicious, as a multitude of owners—from individual entrepreneurs to political parties—made sure that their own perspectives were appropriately represented.
    â€œDoes there seem to be a link to the other murders?” Nergui asked.
    â€œTo the first, anyway,” the Minister said.
    â€œThe decapitation?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œAny clues on identity?”
    â€œNone, apparently. Just like the others.”
    â€œRight. I assume you’ve spoken to Serious Crimes—”
    â€œNergui,” the Minister said. “You know as well as I do that the state police department, Serious Crimes or otherwise, is divided pretty equally between the corrupt and the inept. They could barely cope with the theft of a tourist’s bicycle. Why do you think I was so keen to co-opt the one decent brain I found in theplace? From where I’m sitting, this is a priority. No, this is
the
priority. Forget all the banking and state corruption stuff. We can afford to let them steal a bit more. I want you back there to sort this one out.”
    Despite himself, Nergui momentarily felt his spirit lighten, but his better judgment prevailed. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea. And, with respect, your comments aren’t entirely fair. Doripalam’s an excellent man—”
    â€œWhich is why, if I recall, he got the job as your successor with barely five years’ experience under his belt. As I understand it, he was the only one there with a degree of integrity and two brain cells to rub together. But he’ll be out of his depth with this, and I want it sorted quickly. I’ve already told them you’re going back. I’ve told them to give you whatever you need. But get it dealt with.”
    Thanks, Nergui thought. The police always love being told what to do by politicians. Especially when it’s the prodigal son returning from his cushy billet as the Justice Minister’s favored lackey.