This Day All Gods Die by Stephen R. Donaldson Page A

contact you?"
    Warden dismissed the idea. "Not yet. You aren't done."
    Did it show? Hashi liked to believe that his personal IR
    emissions were difficult for Warden to interpret. The DA director had done studies on himself, seeking to determine how much his own aura revealed. The results had gratified him: he could tell the baldest lies without producing definable ripples along the bandwidths of Warden's sight. It was possible, however, that Warden understood the nature of Hashi's excitement in some unquantifiable and intuitive fashion.
    "Very well," Hashi acceded. "Sadly, I cannot offer you a connection which will not appear both 'circumstantial' and
    'tenuous' in law. Nevertheless the connection I propose has substance. It will hold.
    "If we are fortunate"—
    he permitted himself a small
    grin—
    "Cleatus Fane will confirm it for us."
    If the First Executive Assistant did so, that would also confirm the importance of Imposs/Alt's id tag and clearance badge.
    "In no sense," Hashi continued promptly, "has Lane Harbinger had time to complete her study of Nathan Alt's earthly remains. However, certain of her preliminary findings may be relied upon.
    "It is unmistakable, for example, that at the time of his demise our Captain Alt was deeply under the influence of hyp-nogogic substances. His actions in the hall were innocent of volition. He may well have both designed and carried out the procedures by which his id replaced Clay Imposs', but his death was not a suicide. He did not elect his own end."
    If Min Donner's accusations during Alt's court-martial were accurate, the man was too much a coward to die for any cause.
    Koina sighed softly, nodding to herself as if she were relieved in some way. Idealistic images of the UMCP died hard, especially in Warden's presence." Apparently she had been quite disturbed by the idea that any UMCP officer could be so disenchanted that he would be willing to kill himself in order to harm his former service.
    Because he spoke for Warden's benefit—
    as well as his
    own—
    Hashi didn't pause to acknowledge her reaction.
    "The chemicals by which hypnosis may be induced are familiar to us. Lane will identify them precisely. However, Captain Alt's blood also holds heavy concentrations of a substance which is"—
    the DA director cleared his throat conspicuously—
    "less commonly understood.
    "That substance is a coenzyme. Inherently inert, it has no utility in itself. However, it combines with some of the human body's natural apoenzymes to form an artificial holoenzyme, one which could not occur naturally. This holoenzyme is active.
    "Lane's hypothesis—
    which I share—
    is that Captain Alt
    was dosed with this coenzyme in order to produce a holoenzyme which would serve as a chemical trigger for his explosive device."
    Now Hashi paused, maliciously allowing Chief Mandich time for some inapt remark. But the man kept silent. Perhaps he had realized that he was out of his depth.
    In some indefinable way, Warden seemed to intensify. His outlines sharpened as if the light had changed: the strict shape of his face hinted at dangers and possibilities. He did nothing to interrupt or hurry Hashi.
    "If our hypothesis is accurate," Hashi resumed, "several conclusions derive from it. First, no volition was required. It was not necessary that Captain Alt 'set himself off.' " Hashi articulated the colloquialism like a sneer. "Second, the absence of some more mechanical timing device suggests that those accountable for this kaze wished to adjust the explosion to suit events. They were unwilling to guess in advance when their kaze might best be set off. Third, the use of a chemical trigger rather than a radio-controlled detonator suggests that the perpetrators felt some fear that they might be caught with the transmitter in their possession.
    "Surely it is obvious that the timing of the blast could only have been adjusted to suit events by someone present in the hall." Hashi permitted himself to elaborate this