Wolf Among the Stars-ARC by Steve White Page B

opposed to free-market economics, and particularly to doing business with the Lokaron, and—”
    “Don’t confuse me and my supporters with that gang of pathetic losers, Captain! They wanted the human race to crawl back into its womb and pretend the universe wasn’t there. I want us to go forth boldly into the universe and claim—no, seize —our rightful place among the stars. But that kind of boldness terrifies the bean-counters who run the CNE, and their fear makes them desperate.
    “Now you understand why I’m investigating Admiral Arnstein’s death on my own. I want to be able to present an airtight case before I go public. For this reason, Ms. Arnstein, I couldn’t allow you to reveal whatever you may have learned prematurely. So you see, I was acting for your own protection. But I also admit to a degree of self-interest, for we can perhaps pool our findings to our mutual benefit.” Valdes gave Andrew a speculative look. “Perhaps the same applies to you, Captain. You still haven’t said what brought you to the Tizathon embassy. Do you, perhaps, also have an interest in uncovering the truth about your old commander’s death?”
    Andre forced his features into an expressionless mask behind which he thought furiously.
    He’s lying, and he doesn’t know that I know he’s lying, he thought once again. He’s looking for something. All this talk about the Admiral being murdered is just an excuse for that search . . . and, in all probability, a way of tricking Rachel into leading him to whatever it is.
    And the fact that he’s going to the trouble of trying to trick her must mean he needs help.
    So . . . if I play along and make him think I can also be of use to him . . .
    “Actually, sir,” he said carefully, “I do have reason to suspect there’s more to Admiral Arnstein’s death than is being officially admitted—and he was a man I admired tremendously. I was going to obtain a visa to go to Tizath-Asor because I want to pursue the only lead I have.”
    “And what lead is that?” asked Valdes with what Andrew could have sworn was controlled avidity.
    “Hardly a lead at all, sir. Just some vague remarks by the admiral—and also by my father—concerning a certain Tizathon researcher who spent some time on Earth back in the Forties and Fifties.”
    “Yes!” Rachel’s eagerness practically blazed from her. “This was why I was going to the Gev-Tizath embassy. That’s the one I mentioned before. Father spoke of him.”
    Andrew’s shock—he had only invented the connection between Admiral Arnstein and Persath’Loven on the spur of the moment, hardly expecting to have his imaginary link confirmed—lasted for just a moment. He knew that if he did not break in at this instant, Rachel might very well blurt out Persath’s name to Valdes. And, for reasons his forebrain still hadn’t formulated, instinct told him that might be a very bad thing indeed.
    And an equally strong instinct told him that he needed to offer Valdes one more item of bait.
    “Also, sir,” he said hastily, just as Rachel was opening her mouth, “my father mentioned, in the same connection, a Gev-Harath intelligence operative who may have had contacts with this same researcher.” Out of the corner of his eye, Andrew saw from Rachel’s expression that this was new to her . . . and had served to silence her, at least temporarily. He could also see that Valdes was not even troubling to conceal his interest.
    “Hmm . . . Perhaps I need to look into it further.”
    “Actually, sir, I’m thinking I might be in a better position to pursue this. Given some of my acquaintances with my father’s old colleagues, and some of the in-depth background I soaked up from him . . . Well, if you could let me proceed to Gev-Tizath as I had intended . . . and maybe even use your influence and contacts to smooth my way . . .”
    “In exchange for which you would of course be willing to share your findings with me,” said Valdes dryly.
    “Of