Page 7 of Crocodile Tears

“Only a cool hundred and sixty million pounds!”

Josiah frowned. “Are you sure? Why would anyone pay that much for one servant?”

“It’s a lifetime contract – not many of those around – so Dacre would’ve bought his services for about fifty years. The court ordered he has to serve at least seven of those before he can be released, but who would let him go after paying that much for him? He’s on an open contract, so there are no limits on the nature of his servitude, and he’s young – I suppose that has to push the price up.” Reed shrugged. “But still… a hundred and sixty million quid.”

Josiah studied the model in the holopic. His provocative smile now seemed like a challenge, as if he knew all the questions Josiah wanted to ask but had no intention of answering them.

“I have no idea how much an indie on a lifetime contract would cost, but it’s got to be a fraction of that,” Reed continued. “So, what the hell is so special about this particular indie that you’d pay so much for him?”

“Well, heisbeautiful, and Dacre clearly had an eye for beauty.”

“Perhaps he has a medical degree or something?” Reed suggested. “Maybe Dacre bought him to be his personal physician or chef.”

Josiah laughed. “You don’t need to look any further than these holopics to see why Dacre paid so much for him. I don’t care howmany degrees he has, or if he’s the greatest chef in the world – there’s only one reason Dacre wanted him, and that’s obvious.”

Reed made a face. “You think he was sleeping with him?”

“Possibly.” Josiah shrugged. “At the very least Dacre bought him to be his muse, but these holopics suggest an intimacy that went far beyond that.”

“I suppose so.” Reed put his head on one side and gazed at the holopic. “There’s something about him – he seems familiar, as if I should know who he is.”

“I feel the same, but I don’t know why.” Josiah frowned. “You said Dacre bought him three years ago – was that when he was first made an IS?”

“No. He was sentenced to servitude seven years ago. He’s been registered on the IS Agency database twice, so he only had one previous employer before Dacre.”

“Who?”

Reed’s fingers zipped over his holopad. “Hmm, the records are sealed, which isn’t unusual with felons. I can find out, but it’ll take a few days. I’ll have to make a request to the IS Agency direct.”

“Do it. Might not be important, but still.” Josiah shrugged. “And this expensive servant is definitely not on the premises?” He glanced around.

“Nope. I searched the entire house myself before you arrived.”

Mel entered the room, shooting them a disapproving look. “Are you still here? It’s very hard to get any work done with so many people underfoot.”

“Message received and understood.” Josiah shot her a mock salute. “I’ve seen all I need to see here anyway. Let’s go back to the command post and put together a plan for how to proceed,” he said to Reed.

Back in the tent on the front lawn, they removed their crime scene overalls, and Josiah took a swig of what was left of his now cold tea.

“The servant is clearly the first person we should find,” Reed said. “Maybe he killed Dacre and then went on the run?”

“Possibly. Pull his location off his microchip, and let’s find out where he is.” He watched as Reed consulted the IS Agency database. “Any luck?”

“Yeah…” Reed looked confused.

“Well? Where is he?”

“Uh, according to this… he’s right outside.”

They looked at each other for a split-second, and then they both ran out of the command post.

An AV had just pulled up and parked on the opposite driveway. Unlike Josiah’s dumpy duck, this was an object of beauty. She was maroon, with sleek lines and a slanted roof. A young man climbed out, dressed in a fitted silver shirt and a pair of skin-tight LaRay jeans that left nothing to the imagination, with an expensive neo-glam leather jacket over the ensemble.

“Hey! You! Don’t move!” Reed yelled, drawing his stun gun. Their suspect froze for a second and then suddenly, without warning, he turned and fled.

“Damn it.” Reed shoved the stun gun back in its holster and set off after him.

Glancing around, Josiah saw a wrought-iron gate to his left. He jogged across the lawn and slipped through it onto a smaller side road, emerging just as the indie turned the corner – and crashed straight into him. Josiah had several inches and even more pounds on him, and the man fell down onto the pavement with a startled shout.

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