Page 100 of Crocodile Tears

“Yeah, and I don’t care how pissed off you are with me, sir – I’m not afraid of you. Oh, okay, maybe a bit.” Reed grimaced. “But if I don’t tell you, then who will?”

“What exactly is the problem? I’m buying us time here. It’s unusual, yes, but I’ve never been involved in a case where there aren’t any next of kin to take custody before. This makes sense.”

“No – arresting Lytton and charging him with Dacre’s murdermakes sense. Taking a possible killer into your home and tucking him up in bed is lunacy.”

Josiah grinned. “Aw, you’re worried for my safety.”

“Yes, I bloody well am. Take Lytton home, and you’ll have to sleep with a knife under your pillow.”

Josiah laughed, but he was touched by Reed’s concern. “Look, I’m a trained soldier; do you really think a kid like that can take me out?”

“No, but I don’t think you realise how much Lytton is playing you, and has been since we first met him. The timing of this whole thing is shitty. We all know what day it was yesterday, and we all know how that affects you. Lytton’s got into your head. I’m not sure what his intentions are, but I don’t trust him one bit.”

“His intentions…? He’s an IS.”

“He’s a murder suspect, facing the death penalty if he’s found guilty. He has nothing to lose, and you’re his one chance of getting out of this alive.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I’ll be fine. If Lyttonisguilty, I’ll find the evidence to send him to trial. If he’s innocent, I’ll ensure he gets sent to probate and put back into the system. He hasn’t got into my head – on the contrary. I’m doing my job here, nothing else. It isn’t personal. Honestly, Cam. Relax. I’ll be fine.”

Reed exhaled slowly. “Okay. I just want to be sure you’re aware of the dangers. I know you don’t like indies, and I can’t imagine you’ll be comfortable having one under your own roof after what happened to Peter.”

At that moment, Esther returned with Alexander walking beside her wheelchair. He looked weary, the layer of brown stubble covering his jaw making his porcelain skin look even paler.

“Here’s the paperwork.” Esther flicked a holodoc into the air in front of him. “You need to put your biosig here.” She pointed. “And then he’s all yours.”

Alexander blinked. “Sorry to interrupt, ma’am, but could you explain what’s happening?”

“You’re being transferred into my custody,” Josiah told him. “Dacre didn’t have any relatives, and we don’t want you going into probate, so you’re coming home with me until this case is resolved.”

“Is that the legalese?” Alexander asked, glancing at the holodoc. “Do you mind if I check it, so I can be clear about my standing?”

“Of course.” Josiah stood back to let him see it, and he read through it slowly and thoroughly, taking his time.

Josiah perched on the side of the desk, his arms folded across his chest, while they waited.

Finally, Alexander seemed satisfied. “I understand. I am now the property of Inquisitus, in the custody of the principal investigating officer in charge of this case – Josiah Raine.”

“It’s temporary,” Josiah said firmly.

“That’s not important,” Alexander responded quietly. “I simply wanted to know who my contract belongs to, and to whom I should offer my services.”

“Yeah, well, that’d be me.”

Josiah took Esther’s holopad and then hesitated, his finger poised over the biosig. He glanced at Reed, who shook his head. Gritting his teeth, he looked down and signalled his agreement; the holopad locked it in by taking a retina scan.

“Right, let’s go, then,” he said gruffly, jerking his head at his new IS.

Esther cleared her throat. “There is one more thing. I asked our HR department for this.” She held up an ID tag with the Inquisitus insignia on it, similar to the one Sofie Baumann wore.

“It’s the law, I’m afraid. I’ve already transferred Mr Lytton’s microchip into our name,” she said apologetically. “And I have, of course, activated Tracker Plus on it, so we can ensure the safety of our new IS at all times.”

“Right. Fine.” Josiah stared at the tag, which was attached to a pin. It was up to each houder whether their servants wore the tag on a necklace, a bracelet, or a pin attached to their clothes – but it had to be clearly visible at all times.

“You can do the honours, as he’s being released into your custody,” Esther prompted, handing it to him.

Swiping the pin out of her hand, he turned to Alexander, who reached up, his expression solemn, to undo Dacre’s ID necklace.

“This must feel strange,” Esther said. “You’ve been wearing it for a long time.”

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