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

point unnecessarily while he explored some of the more obscure strands of inference spun by Lane's investigation. "And it was surely predictable that UMCPED Security would seal the island in order to prevent any conceivable suspects from effecting an escape. Therefore the peril was real that an incriminating transmitter might be discovered."
    He glanced at Koina and Mandich as if he were asking them to fault his logic. Then he returned his attention to Warden.
    "Thus the method becomes plain. Captain Alt is hypnotized involuntarily. He is conditioned to respond to a specified signal—
    a particular word, a particular gesture. He is given—
    let us suppose until Lane's exploration is complete—
    a false
    tooth filled with a massive dose of the triggering coenzyme, a tooth which will break open when it is bitten. He is supplied, still involuntarily, with Clay Imposs' credentials. Then he is sent into the hall to await his signal—
    and his own death.

    "The most obvious benefit of this method is that it leaves no evidence. The knowledge of the pre-conditioned signal—
    and of the man or woman culpable for it—
    dies with the kaze.
    No transmitter—
    or indeed timer—
    can be found.
    "Coincidentally, it perhaps rids the perpetrators of a man who might well have become an embarrassment to them." A man who knew—
    and who therefore might reveal—
    how the
    code engines in question could be misused.
    "The obvious conclusion," Hashi stated with satisfaction, "is that whoever gave the signal must have been within Captain Alt's clear field of view."
    Not simply present in the hall: present in plain sight from Nathan Alt's position.
    Wondrous energy shells, layers of uncertainty, mapped the center of the atom; the core of truth.
    Neither Director Hannish nor Chief Mandich spoke. Perhaps they sensed the presence of implications they were unable to define. Or perhaps they failed to grasp why Hashi considered these details to be so significant.
    Warden's reaction was of another kind altogether.
    Studying his DA director, he said quietly, "All right.
    Let's see where this goes." With a precise stab of his forefinger, he keyed his intercom.
    "Director Dios?" a communications tech answered.
    "I'll talk to Cleatus Fane now," Warden announced. His tone carried the force of a commandment.
    Koina settled herself back in her chair with a visible effort. Chief Mandich took another step forward as if he were ready for combat. Perhaps intuitively they both comprehended Hashi's explanations better than he realized.
    "Right away, Director." The intercom emitted thin hiss-ings and clicks as microwave relays shuttled, establishing a downlink. A moment later the tech said, "Director Dios, I have First Executive Assistant Cleatus Fane by secure channel from Suka Bator."
    An alert on Warden's desk flashed until the tech left the line. Then the light turned green to indicate that the channel had been sealed against eavesdropping.
    "Mr. Fane," Warden began bluntly. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I've been busy."
    "I understand completely, Director Dios." A faint spatter of static marred Fane's avuncular tones—
    solar flare activity,
    perhaps. "Your duties have become especially complex recently. I wouldn't bother you at a time like this, but I think I have something to contribute to your investigation." He chuckled fulsomely. "That sonofabitch came close to killing me. I shudder to think what could have happened if Director Lebwohl hadn't spotted him. I'm very eager to make a contribution."
    Especially complex recently, Hashi thought. Doubtless Fane intended a reference to Trumpet; a reminder that Holt Fasner had given Warden orders. False bonhomie concealed pressure. The FEA meant Warden to understand that he could not afford to ignore anyone who spoke for the Dragon.
    Warden was unmoved, however. "I don't want to seem rude, Mr. Fane," he answered, "but time is tight. What contribution did you have in mind?"
    "Then I'll be brief. The sooner you finish your