Taking a deep breath, Riann turns to his screens, tapping through a half dozen other commands, and then closes out of three programs before turning back to me.
“How can the Continental Security Service help the brotherhood today?”
That is a rote piece of script he was taught when he first joined the CSS, and he hates it. I manage to keep my amusement from reaching my face.
“There’s an article on the nexus I can’t open. At first, I thought it was corrupted, but it’s a very clumsy way to redact it without making those who know about it realize it’s been pulled by you.”
“By me?”
I wave my hand. “By the CSS.”
He looks at me for a long moment, and I know there are at least five questions he’d like to ask. He doesn’t ask any of them, though. “What article is it?”
I give him the information. He taps out a string of commands. Scowls. Taps out yet more commands.
“I’m sorry. That information is unavailable.”
I smile instead of telling him Iknow. “Who pulled it?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
Tipping my head to the side, I search for the information, and itstilldoesn’t come to me.
“Who last accessed it? Maybe I should talk to them.”
He shakes his head. “That is someone with high enough clearance that it’s not even listed in the file.”
These were not the dead ends I expected.
“Why would the conservation efforts for a now-extinct species be classified?”
“It’s not classified.”
Brows pinched, I lean forward, placing my hands on his pristine desk, near to his. “Then why can’t I access it?”
He looks past me to the door and says, “I can’t tell you that.”
But he wants to…
“The CSS does everything we can to ensure the safety of the continent’s citizens. Unfortunately, sometimes that means decisions are made by people far above my position, and their reasonings aren’t shared with me.” He pushes a slip of clear film out from under his hands and then sits back in his chair. “Maybe you can find answers elsewhere. Have you tried the library?”
As soon as I touch the film, I know what it is.
“I had not considered that. When I have time, I’ll stop by. Thank you.”
“Now,” he taps a few keys, “if you don’t mind, I have a meeting I am going to be late for.”
“Of course. Thank you for your time.”
Film stuffed in my pocket, I leave his office and the building too.
I don’t look at the card until I’ve parked in Margot’s lot. There’s an appointment slot printed in holographic ink.His appointment.And someone will be waiting for him, so when he gets here we won’t have much time.
But itisthe one place no one would bat an eye at the both of us visiting after that meeting. It’s been a while since I’ve come to Margot’s, but my membership is still valid, so all doors open for me.
It’sloud,as always. The room is stuffed full of men waiting for the next dance or to be collected by one of the women who work here.
“Hello gorgeous,” Margot leans on the bar, studying me with sharply intelligent eyes beneath neon pink lashes. “Didn’t expect to see you around any time soon.”
