woman.”
Marlowe shrugged. “So what’s the problem here? The law’s clear. She damaged City food production, she’s facing a capital charge. You’ve never had any qualms about executions before.”
“A news vid team managed to get on the scene and report the crash,” said the Governor. “The people know that the Brussels sprout crop has been wiped out. The quantum computers are already projecting eighty percent odds she’ll become a folk hero, and executing her could lead to a rebellion with her as the rallying cry.”
“So don’t execute her. Give her a medal, make nice with her and ride the coattails of her popularity.”
The Governor shook his head. “Not that easy. Obedere was first on the scene. He’s already arrested her, and if I had gotten wind of all this just two minutes later than I did, she’d have already been executed.”
“So Obedere wants to carry out the law.”
“Of course,” said the Governor, “and that’s the great irony. He has every legal right to do it, but if I let him, it causes me no end of trouble. There have been more whispers of discontent lately, and I don’t need that right now.”
“You never need it. So where do I come in?”
“Ah, yes. Here’s the twist. This woman, she claims to be from outer space.”
Marlowe barked out loud with laughter. The sofa tightened up a bit at the outburst. “And I’m a Lost Martian! Sounds like a candidate for the City Municipal Hospital for the Criminally Deranged, if you ask me. Of course, you did want to seem tough on crime and repealed the insanity defense in capital cases a couple of years ago. Not looking like such a bright idea now, is it?”
“Listen Marlowe. I’m not so sure she isn’t from outer space. Her craft, or what’s left of it, wasn’t a jet. And when it showed up on our radar, it came from nowhere. Nothing on the screens, and then a dot at supersonic speed that plowed into the Brussels sprouts field. Like someone dropped it from above right into our air space.”
“Come on, you can’t be serious.”
“Listen to me. Obedere’s been drooling for the Governorship ever since he made Chief Minister of Policing. That’s where I was before I ascended to the throne. It’s only natural to want to move up. If he manages to get her executed, you can bet your bottom City scrip he’ll make sure I bear the brunt of popular discontent.”
“Well,” said Marlowe, “you did write that particular law calling for the death penalty-”
“You see, that’s exactly how it will play out on the street. Whip up some public sentiment against me, have a few trusted and well-placed allies move in, and suddenly I’m dead, Obedere’s Governor, and you’re in the Ministry of Policing Maximum Security Detention Facility, wishing for death.”
“What can I possibly do? The law’s the law.”
“Yes, it is. And if you read the law carefully, you’ll find there is an exemption clause. ’Outstanding circumstances beyond a reasonable individual’s control.’ If you can prove she’s really from outer space, I’ll invoke that clause, pardon her, and then throw a parade in her honor.”
“Prove she’s from outer space?! But that’s preposterous!”
“Listen to me, Marlowe. Your job is to prove she’s from outer space, whether or not she is.”
Marlowe closed his eyes so his brother couldn’t see him rolling them. “And if I don’t take the case?”
“Then your car will be towed – to the impound lot. If you know what I mean.”
“Where do I start?”
“You’re the detective. You decide. The woman is being held at the Ministry of Policing. I did manage to arrange for a more comfortable cell for her, but I wouldn’t dawdle too long before taking her into your custody and out of Obedere’s.”
“Then I better get cracking.”
“If you visit her, and I’m assuming at some point you will, Obedere will be waiting.
Marlowe shrugged. “So what’s the problem here? The law’s clear. She damaged City food production, she’s facing a capital charge. You’ve never had any qualms about executions before.”
“A news vid team managed to get on the scene and report the crash,” said the Governor. “The people know that the Brussels sprout crop has been wiped out. The quantum computers are already projecting eighty percent odds she’ll become a folk hero, and executing her could lead to a rebellion with her as the rallying cry.”
“So don’t execute her. Give her a medal, make nice with her and ride the coattails of her popularity.”
The Governor shook his head. “Not that easy. Obedere was first on the scene. He’s already arrested her, and if I had gotten wind of all this just two minutes later than I did, she’d have already been executed.”
“So Obedere wants to carry out the law.”
“Of course,” said the Governor, “and that’s the great irony. He has every legal right to do it, but if I let him, it causes me no end of trouble. There have been more whispers of discontent lately, and I don’t need that right now.”
“You never need it. So where do I come in?”
“Ah, yes. Here’s the twist. This woman, she claims to be from outer space.”
Marlowe barked out loud with laughter. The sofa tightened up a bit at the outburst. “And I’m a Lost Martian! Sounds like a candidate for the City Municipal Hospital for the Criminally Deranged, if you ask me. Of course, you did want to seem tough on crime and repealed the insanity defense in capital cases a couple of years ago. Not looking like such a bright idea now, is it?”
“Listen Marlowe. I’m not so sure she isn’t from outer space. Her craft, or what’s left of it, wasn’t a jet. And when it showed up on our radar, it came from nowhere. Nothing on the screens, and then a dot at supersonic speed that plowed into the Brussels sprouts field. Like someone dropped it from above right into our air space.”
“Come on, you can’t be serious.”
“Listen to me. Obedere’s been drooling for the Governorship ever since he made Chief Minister of Policing. That’s where I was before I ascended to the throne. It’s only natural to want to move up. If he manages to get her executed, you can bet your bottom City scrip he’ll make sure I bear the brunt of popular discontent.”
“Well,” said Marlowe, “you did write that particular law calling for the death penalty-”
“You see, that’s exactly how it will play out on the street. Whip up some public sentiment against me, have a few trusted and well-placed allies move in, and suddenly I’m dead, Obedere’s Governor, and you’re in the Ministry of Policing Maximum Security Detention Facility, wishing for death.”
“What can I possibly do? The law’s the law.”
“Yes, it is. And if you read the law carefully, you’ll find there is an exemption clause. ’Outstanding circumstances beyond a reasonable individual’s control.’ If you can prove she’s really from outer space, I’ll invoke that clause, pardon her, and then throw a parade in her honor.”
“Prove she’s from outer space?! But that’s preposterous!”
“Listen to me, Marlowe. Your job is to prove she’s from outer space, whether or not she is.”
Marlowe closed his eyes so his brother couldn’t see him rolling them. “And if I don’t take the case?”
“Then your car will be towed – to the impound lot. If you know what I mean.”
“Where do I start?”
“You’re the detective. You decide. The woman is being held at the Ministry of Policing. I did manage to arrange for a more comfortable cell for her, but I wouldn’t dawdle too long before taking her into your custody and out of Obedere’s.”
“Then I better get cracking.”
“If you visit her, and I’m assuming at some point you will, Obedere will be waiting.
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