(extract)
…
The door of Hab 4 is answered by Jeb.
“Hi!” says Beau. “Would you be up for some listening, and maybe some advising?”
“Yeah, always. I was wondering when you’d come by!”
“Great. Find somewhere to sit?”
“I’d prefer to take a walk.”
“Cool.”
Beau proceeds to talk his predecessor through the investigation, ending on, “…so I think I’m being driven by my actions list – there’s just so many things I gotta track.”
Jeb has not spoken once. After remarking, “Sounds like I dodged a bullet, handing over to you when I did!” it’s clear he has been paying close attention because he dashes off several clarifying questions. Once Beau has answered, they continue walking in silence. Is this our second or third lap of the Mansion? Beau wonders. He’s only now noticing the brutal badminton match – Sofie v. Jimiyu for the top of League 1 – playing out to a noisy crowd in the centre of the Plaza.
They cover another 50 metres before Jeb speaks again. “I gotta say, I can’t fault you on any of that. Sure, you could have spent longer on the scene yesterday and things like that, but you already gave yourself a hard time about it and I ain’t fixing to add to that.” Then after a pause, “Also, I reckon you got good ideas for what to do next. But if you want an old man’s suggestions you can have ’em.”
“I’ll take any help that’s going.”
“OK, here goes. One: Keep processing the evidence – it’s a hard grind, but if you neglect it it’ll bite your ass sooner or later. Two: You really need a suspect – somebody who wanted JiHo dead bad enough to carry out what sounds like a real complicated murder… and if it’s a settler it’s someone you already spoke to, so you’re closer than you think. Three: Get the company working their nuts off – yes, we have a killer on the loose here, but MSM has a whole business at risk, so use that. Four: What in hell made the vic go outside, alone, at night? And five: How did the killer let the pressure out of the suit? – solve that and you’ll learn something about who did it.”
“Thanks, Jeb.”
They walk on in silence as Beau chews over all that.
“Maybe,” Beau says after a while, “I could have come up with those ideas, and maybe not. But the way you said them is super-helpful – couldna seen them so clear without you, buddy. I’m gonna think about all that real careful.”
“You’re welcome. Hope you find some nutrient in all my bullshit! Now, how’s Missy workin’ out? Bright kid, but apt to be flighty ’round young gentlemen is my take.”
“Yep, that’s exactly my take too.”
It takes Beau another 20 metres to resume: “Thing is, her target list of ‘young gentlemen’ includes me!”
Jeb roars with laughter. “Well that’s not a problem I’d’a had! I guess you’re in her range. What’s the age gap?”
“’Bout 3-4 years, I guess. Call it 7 Earth years.”
“Ooh-wee! You better watch out! You handling it, or is it getting in the way?”
“Don’t rightly know, is the truth. One hand, she’s come up with a load of valuable stuff. A load. I wouldna had half what I just told you without her work. On the other, I’m considering letting her go ’cos of a thing that happened today.” He goes on to outline the withheld evidence.
…