Season Two - Episode 1 "Good News And Bad"

Previously on Season 1 … Fight For The Light… Locke Fluzhi was banished from Cantonica and sent to serve as an impotent Senator, with all the real power wielded by Archduchess Lori Halcyon. Locke uses his copious free time to establish a casino and many contacts. His business acumen grows enough to finally earn a modicum of respect from the Archduchess. She cryptically leaves clues that Locke uses to come to some startling conclusions about the political fallout of the war and its eventual end. When Locke goes to discuss this face-to-face with Halcyon, he finds her dead in an otherwise unoccupied office. Police find him with the dead body and arrest him on the spot. And Now… Season Two…

[

Constable Cen Felis unlocked the door to the holding cell and went inside, securing it behind herself mostly for privacy not out of fear. The senators these days were not scary to her, most of them sit behind desks for so long they can hardly run much less fight. Fluzhi seemed to be an exception, but after all the research she’d been going through nothing indicated he was any danger to her either. His face betrayed little, mostly impatience, which was common for the rich who rarely had their freedom of movement restricted. Felis couldn’t hold him much longer anyway, the legal precedents were very clear.

“I have some good news and some bad.” Cen began, hoping her slightly informal approach would endear Locke to her since the last thing her precinct needed was a rich loudmouth with a vendetta and a political axe to grind.

Locke said nothing, that was his usual tactic when dealing with law enforcement. The less he said the less they could use against him. He just waited until Felis spoke again. He was getting used to waiting, being held for almost a full day. Admittedly his position and wealth had meant he was privy to a nicer holding room, but a cell was a cell was a cell.

“I can release you. Everything you’ve said, which wasn’t much, has been verified. We have the recording from your droid showing you were in your state office at the time of the murder, which forensics established from the temperature and lividity of the body. Given that alibi and your inherent diplomatic immunity, you haven’t been charged, and in fact, you’ve been officially cleared as a person of interest in the case. We’ve done our best to put out a statement.”

“Why?”

“That’s the bad news.” Cen looked at the ceiling, then at her data, anywhere but into Locke’s gaze. “The press has gotten interested in this case, and there are many outside wanting to speak to you. I can get you a detachment to help clear a path for you.”

“That won’t be necessary, I would like to speak to them.” Locke stood up. “I’m free to go?”

“Yes.” Felis nodded and opened the door. “If there is anything we can do for you…”

“Just do your job.” Locke said in passing, not even looking at the Constable, “Find the real killer.”

] [

This was truly a new feeling for Locke, never before had so many reporters been interested in what he had to say. It felt good to be the center of attention. The Senate episode regarding war-time funding had generated a little clout, but this was several levels more intense. This was a truism, if it bleeds it leads, and all these reporters wanted a fresh lead. For a bit, the reporters just shouted over one another various questions about Halcyon’s death. Locke used his newly improved patience to wait them out until they quieted down and let him speak.

“The Archduchess was a credit to Cantonica, and her murder will not be overlooked. This is why I am putting up a twenty million credit reward for any information leading to the arrest of the criminal responsible. More information will be available tomorrow at our embassy.” If the din of the reporters had been loud before Locke’s comments, it was overwhelming now. Locke excused himself as police barricaded the press off and Constable Felis escorted Locke to his transport.

“I wish you hadn’t said that, you’ve just made my job ten times harder.”, Cen Felis knew a constant barrage of tips would come in now, most of which would be complete fabrications in the hopes of getting the reward money.

“Really? I would have thought I just made it twenty million times easier.” Locke shut the door defiantly. Revenge felt good too.

] | [

Kube found Locke in his office staring out the window watching the endless streams of transports fly by in an almost hypnotic pattern. “Rough night?”

“It was a long one.” Locke kept looking out the window. “Horrible drink selection.”

“Your bar is always open.” Kube joked right back the Senator.

“There will be time for that later.” Locke turned to face Kube. “Did you follow up on Halycon’s access?”

“Everything reverted back to here at the Embassy. You and only you have access to everything. All her files, servers, all data has been ported over and is ready for your inspection.” Kube had been Locke’s ‘call’ from the precinct with a long list of work, both tasks to alibi Locke out from the murder, but also to secure all the Archduchess’ belongings and especially data.

“Whatever she was involved in, it’s going to be in there…somewhere.” Locke knew it would take time to work through it all.

“You sure you want to look under that Stifling? Gonna be slimy.”

“I owe it to her.” Locke was resolute. “Besides, you have the harder job.”

“Oh, I just knew you were going to say that.” Kube then swallowed. “Okay, what else do you need?”

“Halcyon’s secretary. You need to find her. I’m not sure how she is involved. She may be the killer, or be next on the killer’s hit list.” Locke trailed off.

“So she may need protection, or we may need protection from her.”

“Either way, it’s no wonder she’s gone off grid.” Locke confirmed. “So it’s best if we find her first.”

“And the reward-related leads?”

“I’ll have C42 go through them, he can deal with loads more data faster anyway,” Locke explained. “Let me know when you find her.”

“You got it Boss.”