“Now then,” Kor said, “new duties await you, Major. Not quite so unpleasant as committing suicide. And these duties will be performed here in Kerak.”
Odal said evenly, “I would not wish to interrogate other army officers again.”
“I realize that,” Kor replied, frowning. “That phase of our investigation is finished. But there are other groups that must be examined. You would have no objection, I trust, to interrogating diplomats … members of the Foreign Ministry?”
Romis’ people? Odal thought. Kor must be insane. Romis won’t stand/or having his people arrested.
“Yes, Romis,” Kor answered the major’s unspoken question. “Who else would have the pigheaded pride to lead the plotting against the Leader?”
Or the intelligence, Odal found himself thinking. Aloud he asked, “When do I return to Kerak?”
‘Tomorrow morning a ship will be ready for you.”
Odal nodded. Then I have only tonight to find the Watchman and crush him.
Hector paced nervously along the narrow control booth of the tri-di studio. Technicians and managers bent over the monitors and electronic gear. Behind them, shadowed in the dimly lit booth, were a host of visitors whom Hector elbowed and jostled as he fidgeted up and down.
Beyond the booth’s window wall was the well-lit studio where Leoh sat flanked by a full dozen of Acquatainia’s leading newsmen and political philosophers.
The old man looked very tired but very pleased. The show had started by running the tape of the duel against Odal. Then the panel members began questioning Leoh about the duel, the machine itself, his career in science, his whole life.