She stiffened her shoulders.

  “Now I’m allowed to contribute? Thank you, Trev.”

  “Didn’t ask for snark.”

  “Of course. My apologies. I think we know what happened to Ulbrecht. He had an emotional break. He was desperate. He thought Motif would bring him relief.”

  “Could be. Anything else?”

  “Headmaster took the news well, considering. I’m sure this will be an embarrassment for the school.”

  That’s it? Can’t she see the obvious, or is she that damn lazy?

  Trevor didn’t want to piss her off when he needed Hoshi for important legwork.

  “Thet assumed Motif the instant I mentioned overdose. Yes, he took the news well – too well. Notice his hands? He was nervous. The laugh was forced and out of character.”

  “How can you say that? We only just met him.”

  “He was deflecting. It’s a hallmark of insecurity.”

  Hoshi crinkled her lips.

  “Or maybe you’re trying to make something of nothing, Trev.”

  “I prefer it to the opposite. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize later and move on. But if I’m right ...”

  “Understood. And we still don’t know how he acquired Motif.”

  “Correct. Which brings us back to Thet. He would not have zeroed in on Motif without cause.”

  “You think it’s been a problem with other students.”

  Good. She’s coming around.

  “There could be a history. He didn’t report Ulbrecht’s threat to ESA. He doesn’t like to see stains on the school’s reputation go into the official record.”

  “Makes perfect sense.”

  “Which is why we have to move fast. He’s huddling with his Exec even now to plot a strategy for containment. Thet is Amity old guard. He knows everyone who matters.”

  She frowned. “You think he’d go over us?”

  “This morning, the Chief admitted there were other MODs before today, but none on the official record. It’s a stretch, but what if we found a link between those cases and this one?”

  Hoshi stepped back. Trevor saw her head spinning.

  “Slow down, Trev. We’re barely into it, and you’re implying some sort of conspiracy. Are you always this paranoid?”

  “Prove me wrong, and dinner’s on me. Best restaurant in Haven.”

  He made such an offer before but in Harmony. Knew he’d lose. But that was with Effie, and Trevor needed a backhanded way to rope her into a date. Five months later, they married.

  Now, he just wanted to motivate his Second Deputy.

  “Where to?” She said.

  Trevor called up a holo from his wrist plate. It threw open a map of Maynor School.

  “Level 4, Room 17.”

  “Why?”

  “According to Ulbrecht’s class schedule, his Mentee Group has been in session for twenty minutes. If we’re lucky, we can corner the students who knew him well before anyone gets in their ear.”

  Hoshi studied the list of names the Exec transferred to their plates.

  “They’re all first years.”

  “Anyone from Yaniff?”

  She scanned five jacket briefs and shook her head.

  “Perhaps the student he threatened was in a different group.”

  “Could be. We’ll find him. First, to 417. We’ll break them up and interview separately.”

  Like so many clever gameplans, that one fell apart as soon as they arrived.

  11

  THE BEACON FLASHING ABOVE 417 set clear terms: QUIET. STUDY IN PROGRESS. Trevor took a gander at Ulbrecht’s schedule. The session would last another forty minutes. Nope, he thought. Too dangerously long to wait.

  He pressed the door pad, which turned green. The door slid open whisper-soft.

  At first, no one noticed the deputies in the threshold, which gave Trevor time to digest the unexpected design. Dark wood panels with a glossy sheen surrounded the octagonal room. Blue light cast from above a central workstation softened the effect.

  Three students stood at separate workstation portals, racing their hands over digital projections while data scrolled past them in lightning-fast waves. Two others huddled against the far right wall, interacting with a hologram. They whispered while pulling and prodding at what appeared to be the guts of a starship engine.

  An older man, hands behind his back, patrolled the room. He looked over their shoulders and nodded silent approval.

  Until he saw Trevor and Hoshi.

  His eyes ballooned into silent rage as he rushed the deputies.

  “Out,” he said through gritted teeth. “These students are not to be disturbed. Can you not read a simple ...”

  Trevor pointed to his bar.

  “I love nothing better than to read, but our visit can’t be helped. You are Mustafa Chait?”

  The mentor leveled a hand against each deputy’s chest and tried without success to push them back.

  “We will talk outside. Now. Please.”

  Trevor caught the fleeting eyes of the students, who picked up on the disturbance but quickly returned to their studies. Chait was twice their age, with a steeled jaw and piercing black eyes. A far cry from the diplomatic headmaster. Trevor muffled his voice.

  “Sec Admin business, Mr. Chait.”

  “I don’t care. No one will disrupt my students’ routine. Clear?”

  OK. Fine. Then let’s have at it.

  “You contacted HVSA about Ulbrecht Hann’s absence. Yes?”

  Chait’s rock-solid demeanor cracked.

  “This is about Ulbrecht? Where is he?”

  “Dead. Overdose.”

  The mentor dropped his hands and shaded his eyes.

  “I ... ah ... I don’t believe it.”

  “Sorry to bear this news. You reported him as overdue. For a class or an apprenticeship?”

  The man lost his bearings, as if in a fog.

  “What? Oh. Cud! He ... Ulbrecht apprenticed for Halifax in stellar cartography.”

  Trevor thought that seemed a bit underwhelming for someone Thet had said might one day make history.

  “Mapmaking?”

  Chait sneered. “It’s more advanced than it sounds.”

  “Fine. That’s not why we’re here. We need to interview these students. I understand mentee groups are asked to spend a great deal of time together.”

  “What are you implying, Deputy ...?”

  “First Deputy Trevor Stallion. Only that they might know his frame of mind and why he’d do something like this. But let’s start with you, Mr. Chait. Did Ulbrecht have a habit of reporting late for work or class?”

  Chait glanced over his shoulder. The students remained dutiful to their studies.

  “No. Never late. Ulbrecht was a brilliant student on track for a remarkable career. In fact, I’ve never seen anyone master the curriculum so quickly and with such artfulness.”

  Huh. Interesting.

  Trevor caught Hoshi’s frown. She too heard the inconsistency.

  “No problems with his behavior toward other students?”

  Chait paused for a beat, eyeing each deputy with care.

  “None. Are you trying to imply something?”

  “Headmaster Thet said Ulbrecht was accused of data-fixing and threatening another student’s life.”

  He crimped his lips, as if caught in a lie.

  “Ah. That. Nonsense. The charges were overblown and quickly forgotten.”

  “Then you might want to have an aside with the headmaster. He doesn’t share your perspective.”

  If Chait knew anything of consequence, he wasn’t about to reveal it in this setting. Trevor knew the signs of people retreating into a defensive cocoon.

  “We will. And ... I apologize for putting my hands on you both. Mentee work is vital for my students. Please respect it and save your questions for later.”

  “Sorry. Can’t oblige.”

  “If you tell them about Ulbrecht, you will disrupt their lives.”

  Hoshi beat Trevor to the reply.

  “That’s what happens when friends die, Mr. Chait. Whether they learn now or by day’s end doesn’t matter.”

  “If you’d prefer to wait outside ...” Trevor added.

  Chait straightened his jacket.

  “No. I’ll stay right here to make sure you don’t harass them.”

  “Wasn’t on the agenda, Mr. Chait.”

  The mentor called the five students to attention.

  “Everyone, please set a pause on your work. These deputies wish to speak with you on a matter of grave concern.”

  Trevor used his long-hewn skill to identify them as an Earther, plus one each from Boer, Hansen’s Landing, Indonesia Prime, and New Bangkok. He often confused the final two and couldn’t be certain. Four men, one woman.

  At first blush, he thought they all looked exhausted – not a surprise if they endured the level of pressure Thet claimed. Working under Mustafa Chait’s omnipresent eyes might have contributed, too.

  Trevor introduced himself and Hoshi.

  “I have the sad duty to inform you that we are here to investigate the death of a fellow student. We will ask each of you ...”

  The woman from Hansen’s Landing, a smaller member world with descendants of Australians and New Zealanders, stepped forward.

  “Ulbrecht. Are you talking about Ulbrecht? Is he dead?”

  Her left hand shook.

  “Yes. He died last night. We’re investigating the circumstances.”

  The woman clasped her hands against her chest. The five men held their ground, their eyes wandering. Chait did not move to comfort the woman, who shed a rush of tears.

  Among the men, a dark-skinned native of Boer stepped forward.

  “How did it happen?”

  “An overdose.”

  The man crossed his arms and shook his head.

  “Unbelievable. What an idiot. What a waste.”

  “Your name?”

  “Jor Kerrindos.”

  “How well did you know him? The question goes to everyone.”

  Jor divided his attention with the starship engine hologram he’d been working on.

  “Very little,” Jor said, waving off Trevor. “He was my lab partner for a short time. We were not compatible.”

  Trevor asked the curly-haired student from Earth for his name.

  “Freddie Lighthorne, sir. I guess you could say Ulbrecht and I were fair friends, as much as you can be around here.”

  “Explain.”

  Freddie eyed the mentor, who had yet to interfere, much to Trevor’s pleasant surprise.

  “It’s no secret. Every day’s long around here, sir. Don’t have much room for extra life. Some of us aren’t as fast as Ulbrecht.”

  “As smart, you mean?”

  The Earther nodded.

  “Most of us work day and night to keep on top of the mill. Ulbrecht, he got out. Entertained himself.”

  “Invited you along?”

  “All of us.” Freddie looked around the group to make sure they agreed. “Can’t speak for these fellas, but one night at a club with Ulbrecht was enough for me. Nice fella, but intense, you see.”

  “I do. Which club?”

  “Raison. It was always Raison for Ulbrecht.”

  On that point, the men nodded in firm agreement.

  Trevor returned to Jor.

  “When I said he died by overdose, you called him an idiot. Did you believe he had a problem?”

  Jor focused on Chait before answering.

  “We all have a problem around here. It’s like Freddie said. Our studies take up most of our lives.”

  “Nice try, but you didn’t answer the question.”

  “He did,” Chait finally interrupted. “I warned you not to harass.”

  “I’m not, Mr. Chait. Jor, you know what I meant. Did Ulbrecht have a problem with drugs?”

  “I don’t know about his business, but he was into some kind of magic. Walked around here with enough energy for three, and the rest of us dragging on our heels.”

  A student who might have passed for Bien Thet thirty years ago slapped Jor on the shoulder.

  “That was Ulbrecht. Boundless energy, like a drone with an endless power source.”

  “And you are?”

  “Ashraf Diep.”

  “Close to Ulbrecht, were you?”

  The man from Indonesia Prime smiled.

  “Not per se. We had little in common, but I admired him. He had a brilliant mind.”

  “That seems to be the consensus. And what of you?” He faced the last male, from New Bangkok. “Your name?”

  The man cleared his throat.

  “Sil Mariputti. I agree with what the others have said. For my part, Ulbrecht was very curious and ambitious. He would have gone far.”

  “Did you ever engage with him socially?”

  Sil nodded. “I drank with him at Raison a few times. But only drinks. I never stayed long.”

  “But Ulbrecht did?” Trevor addressed everyone; they agreed. “Did he talk about his extracurricular activities at Raison or otherwise?”

  The men did not respond, but the woman wiping her tears did.

  “He was a good man and smart. He would never take a risk like that. Not with drugs.”

  “Last night, he did. You are?”

  “Eliza. Eliza Hutton.”

  She glanced at her peers before she faced Trevor. They avoided her eyes.

  Interesting.

  “How well did you know Ulbrecht?”

  Her complexion turned pale. She leaned against the workstation and took rapid breaths. Hoshi stepped in to help.

  “I’m sorry,” Eliza said. “I feel dizzy.”

  “You see, Deputy?” Chait said. “I said this would be disruptive. Look at her.”

  Trevor might have suggested she take a seat, but there were none to be found, a detail he only now recognized. He thought it a fascinating approach to ‘thinking on one’s feet.’

  Eliza thanked Hoshi for the attention but brushed her off.

  “No. I’ll be fine. Just give me a moment. This comes and goes.”

  Of course. He should’ve recognized the symptom right off.

  “Bucher’s Syndrome?”

  She nodded.

  One percent of residents suffered from the thyroid disorder created by the light artificial gravity. Usually it affected visitors from the higher-gravity worlds; Hansen’s Landing qualified.

  “It’s better than it used to be,” Eliza said. “Only happens when I get emotional like this.”

  Chait didn’t let it rest.

  “I’m going to insist the interviews end now. If you want to schedule times more convenient for my students, feel free. But Eliza is clearly in no condition.”

  Not quite yet. Eliza was the only one who appeared visibly shaken. Perhaps the others were so wrapped up in their scientific pursuits that they lacked empathy. Or maybe they were just garden-variety assholes. Either way, Trevor wasn’t about to leave Eliza. Hoshi intervened.

  “Mr. Chait, is there a room nearby with chairs?” She said. “Miss Hutton needs time to recover properly. I promise we won’t push her too hard.”

  Their eyes locked. Good job, Second Deputy.

  Chait sighed with surprising reluctance.

  “There’s a break room next to 426. The dispensary includes an option for synchwater. It will help reestablish her equilibrium.”

  I know what it does, Trevor thought. I didn’t step off the liner yesterday, smartass.

  Trevor silenced his indignation, a new strategy. Effie warned him for years to take care of what crossed his lips. He wouldn’t be dealing with this mess had he listened.

  He told Hoshi to escort Eliza to the break room.

  “As for the rest of you, please be advised that until Ulbrecht’s death is made public, your silence is mandated.” To Chait, he added: “Our apologies for interrupting their studies.”

  Chait tucked his hands behind his back.

  “See to it Eliza is returned without delay.”

  Trevor caught up to Hoshi and Eliza en route to the break room. His mind whirred about the possibilities. Except for the woman, no one reacted to the news like he expected. He imagined Chait quickly shutting down any further conversation and insisting the students return to their studies. Would any object?

  If Maynor School was the reward for an extraordinary scientific mind, Trevor considered himself blessed to be somewhat ordinary.

  They found the break room empty – a fortunate turn. Eliza thanked Hoshi for holding her arm all the way there. Hoshi, in turn, triggered the dispensary for a glass of synchwater. Trevor sat across from Eliza and waited for her to consume the beverage.

  “OK, Eliza. Based on your reaction, you know more about Ulbrecht than the others. Am I wrong?”

  She shook her head.

  “You were close friends? Or more perhaps?”

  Eliza clasped her hands against her chest again and shifted between the deputies.

  “It was Motif. Wasn’t it?”

  Shit. Here we go again.

  “I’m sorry. We can’t discuss those details.”

  “You don’t have to.” She leaned forward. “Whatever you found wasn’t his doing. They murdered him. Ulbrecht was murdered.”

  12

  TREVOR NEVER SAW THAT COMING. He also had no reason to assign her claim to anything more than grief. The least he could do was show respect by hearing her out.

  “Strong accusation, Eliza. What do you base it on?”

  “A feeling.”

  He resisted rolling his eyes.

  “That’s not much.”

  “No. Not my feeling. Ulbrecht’s.”

  “Explain.”

  She drew circles on the table with her forefinger.

  “He thought he was in serious danger.”

  “Told you this, did he?”

  “Brought it up every time I met him in private the past two weeks. Ulbrecht said he was about to expose a group of people working against the Collectorate.”

  “What people?”

  “He said if I knew, I’d be in danger, too.”

  Straight down Conspiracy Theory Alley. Great.

  “Did he at least hint at their plans? ‘Working against the Collectorate’ can mean many things.”

  Eliza rubbed her hazel eyes, which were red and haggard – likely exhausted by the demands of Maynor School.

  “I know two things. The first is that he only mentioned it when we were in Haven. Two days ago, I brought it up on the way to our apprenticeships in Halifax. I suggested he speak to Headmaster Thet. He shushed me.”