Harbinger (10 page)

“You weren’t there. I’ve never seen so much blood.”

Regret pulsed through Danvier, the intensity shocking when compared with her stoic expression. He sensed anger and frustration as well as grief, but there was no hint of dishonesty or malice.

Garin took another moment to search her gaze before he spoke again. “And the deception? Why didn’t you simply call the authorities? As you describe them, the bodyguard’s actions were justified.”

“No one would have believed us.” She pushed to her feet and moved behind her chair. The barrier calmed her somewhat, though bursts of anger and sadness still pushed into Danvier’s mind. “My relationship with Javin had become strained. Rumors were rampant that the bodyguard and I were lovers.”

“Were you?”

Garin’s question didn’t surprise her or anger her as Danvier feared. In fact, all her emotions faded until all he sensed was profound isolation and a longing he couldn’t quite define. He shifted in his seat, restless with the need to comfort her.

“We were attracted to each other, but nothing had happened at that point.”

At that point? Danvier tensed. Did she mean something would have happened if the flirtation had had more time or had they become lovers after Javin’s death? He clenched his fists then forced his fingers to relax. He had no claim to this female. So why did the thought of her with another man fill him with rage?

“Death can’t be concealed indefinitely,” Garin was saying as Danvier forced his attention back to the conversation. “What was your plan?”

“I insisted that the bodyguard leave the star system and not tell me where he was going. All I was trying to do was postpone the news of Javin’s passing until the bodyguard, the man who saved my life, was safely away.”

“What happened? Why did you maintain the deception for so long?”

With a heavy sigh, she returned to her chair. Outwardly, she seemed more relaxed, but her emotions were even more restrained and conflicted. Apparently, Haven didn’t consider her mate’s death the worst part of the story. How strange.

“Why is it necessary that you know every detail? I had legitimate reasons for what I did. Isn’t that enough?”

“Not if Tandori Tribe is still interested in an alliance,” Garin insisted. “This sort of negotiation is impossible without trust.”

Haven crossed her legs then uncrossed them, anxiety tensing her sculpted features. Danvier didn’t need to be empathic to understand her discomfort. Trust didn’t come easily to Haven. Unfortunately, Garin wasn’t giving her a choice. She could either entrust them with the entire truth or tell her tribe that there would be no alliance with the battle born.

Not surprisingly, she took a deep breath and continued her explanation. “On the surface Javin was kind and pleasant, he was a shrewd businessman that made the Integration Guild the most powerful force on Rodymia. But he was very different from the man I fell in love with.”

“How did you learn of his true nature?”

“I was with him almost continually once our relationship began. I was a fugitive, so it was dangerous for me to leave IG Headquarters.”

“You had to have known that when you decided to visit Rodymia in the first place,” Garin pointed out.

“As you said, support for and interest in Tandori Tribe is resurging thanks to all the rumors that Quinton is about to be overthrown. We needed to see for ourselves how widespread the support had become.”

“I understand that, but why go yourself? You risked imprisonment by setting foot on the planet. Why not send a trusted agent?”

“I was born on Earth. To my knowledge, there is no record of my likeness on Rodymia. I arrived on an Ontarian trade ship and used an alias.”

“Then why remain locked inside IG Headquarters if you weren’t worried about being identified?”

Garin’s persistence was starting to annoy Haven. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap, but her fingers were clenched this time as if she were trying to keep from punching Garin in the face. “One of our longtime contacts is a member of the IG council. I attended a party shortly after I arrived so I could speak with him face-to-face. That’s where I met Javin and his interest in me caused quite a stir. Everyone wanted to know the identity of the mysterious female who’d captured the attention of Rodymia’s most eligible bachelor.”

“So you became a recluse.”

“More or less.” She sighed then returned to the original subject. “Anyway, when you spend that much time with a person, it’s inevitable that you hear and see things you weren’t intended to hear or see. At least that’s what happens when one person is hiding important things from the other.”

“You’re still being evasive. What, specifically, did you hear or see that first made you suspicious of your mate? You said yourself, the shuttle explosion wasn’t the first incident.”

Garin never settled for generalities. He offered the same level of openness in return. Unfortunately, Haven didn’t know him well enough to understand this was an exchange.

She bristled and for a moment Danvier thought she’d rebel. One of her legs began to bounce on the ball of her foot as she fought some inner battle. Then she swallowed and spoke in a calm clear tone. “At first it was just little things that didn’t make sense. He’d tell me one thing then tell others something that contradicted what he’d told me. I grew suspicious enough that I asked someone to help me hack into Javin’s com files.”

“What did you learn?”

“That the Javin I knew didn’t exist.” The bitterness in her voice was unmistakable, but her emotions were remarkable subdued. “The real Javin collected intellectual property like pirate’s booty, not caring who he hurt in the process. He was utterly ruthless. Those that opposed him in any way simply disappeared. And there was no one for his victims to complain to because the IG controls law enforcement and Javin controlled the IG. I didn’t want to believe it, but the evidence we uncovered was inescapable. I’d bonded with a mobster.”

“So you confronted Javin with what you’d learned and he tried to kill you. The bodyguard saved your life, so you bought him enough time to leave the star system. Do I have it right so far?” She nodded. “What did you do with Javin’s body?”

Haven shuddered and a burst of emotions too convoluted to define stabbed into Danvier’s mind. He was relieved to feel the reaction. Her feelings were so suppressed he’d started to wonder if someone had bound them with a compulsion. Apparently, she was just disciplined and determined not to reveal how she felt. It wasn’t surprising really. If her demeanor hinted that something was seriously wrong, it could have led to her exposure.

“Initially we just moved him and cleaned up the mess,” she told Garin. “But as the weeks flew by, I was terrified someone would find him. So I had his remains incinerated.” Another violent shudder followed the admission.

“You still haven’t told me why the prolonged deception was necessary.”

She paused again, but her expression was more contemplative than sorrowful. “Javin had negotiated a contract between two rival companies. Despite his myriad faults, he was really good at convincing hostile parties to find a common ground, especially when he benefited from the consensus. This particular deal was extremely hard to accomplish.”

“Are you talking about bio-stream technology?”

“Your sources are impressive,” she admitted. “You seem to know everything.”

Garin’s only response was a half-smile.

“One company produced the actual devise and the other was responsible for the operating system that controlled it. They’d been bitter rivals for decades, but Javin convinced them to work together. And bio-streaming technology isn’t just a convenience. They’re using it to rescue people trapped inside burning buildings and to instantaneously transport organs needed for transplantation. The possible applications are staggering.”

Garin’s eyes narrowed as he said, “I followed those events closely. As you said, bio-streaming is one of the most important advancements of the past century. If Javin passed beyond four months ago, then the negotiations were finalized three weeks
after
his death.”

Danvier couldn’t help but ask, “How did you accomplish that one?”

Haven shrugged. “I used a voice modulator. Javin’s personal assistant, one of only three people who knew the truth, attended the meeting and Javin was available for questions through an audio-only connection.”

“And no one suspected that you were actually Javin?” A hint of admiration crept into Garin’s tone.

“I knew his favorite phrases and had studied the deal in-depth. I’d found recordings of previous meetings, so I was able to reference things each party had said in the past.”

“That explains the first month,” Garin pressed. “What justifies the other three?”

“More of the same. I kept waiting for a pause in IG activities, an opportunity to announce his passing that wouldn’t harm or disrupt in a major way. Javin was an amoral bastard, but he was also the connective tissue that stabilized countless deals.”

“I think that statement is true, but it’s not complete.” Garin scooted closer to the desk and rested his forearms on the desktop. “I want you to be brutally honest with me. Was there another reason?”

She knew what he was asking. Danvier could feel her reluctance to speak the words.

“I liked being Javin,” she finally admitted. “Is that what you want to hear? That sort of power is intoxicating, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

Garin chuckled, clearly amused by the subtle slur. “Indeed it is. I only have a few more questions. Who is most likely to take Javin’s place? And where does the IG council stand on the battle born rebellion?”

“Vardon or Serian,” she mused.

Garin shook his head. “Serian is too old and Vardon is too easily influenced. He changes his positions continually.”

“What do you think about Letos?” She tilted her head, studying Garin as she waited for his answer.

Garin leaned back slightly, folding his hands on his flat belly. “Letos is still a mystery. The reports I get on him are so contradictory, I can’t determine what’s real.” After a thoughtful pause, he prompted, “And the rebellion? I know Javin wanted to remain neutral, but we’re nearing the point when everyone must choose a side.”

“Most of the councilmembers are greedy cowards. They’ll try to stay in the shadows until the fighting is finished.”

“I have no problem with that. I have plenty of soldiers. But I will need the IG’s support once the new leader or leaders are chosen.” She didn’t reply, so Garin continued after a thoughtful pause. “I believe Tandori Tribe will play an important role in coming events. Are you interested in exploring an alliance with the battle born? And if so, are you authorized to negotiate on their behalf? I will no longer negotiate with Ulrik.”

“I just returned after a lengthy absence. May I have a day or two to determine the answer to those questions?”

“Things are happening too quickly for this to drag on. I’ll give you until tomorrow morning. If Tandori Tribe wants no part of this, I need to know ASAP.” Garin pushed back from his desk and stood. “The guard outside will escort you back to your apartment.”

Haven didn’t look happy about the arrangement. “That’s not necessary.”

“Unmated females are required to have an escort at all times,” Garin told her.

A rebellious smile bowed her lips, but she wisely kept silent. Berlynn had taken her shopping without an escort that morning, so she’d already broken the rule.

“It’s for your own safety,” Danvier reinforced. “Ulrik is an acceptable escort. Berlynn is not. Neither you nor your niece should be wandering around without protection.”

Haven pushed to her feet and smoothed down her skirt as she challenged, “Are your men really so undisciplined as to attack a helpless female?”

“We’re not going to find out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Garin motioned her toward the door.

Danvier watched her until he couldn’t see her anymore, then he realized they’d neglected to broach an important issue. “Garin, it’s more than likely all of Haven’s assets have been seized by the crown. Is it possible to retrieve them for her?”

“Almost anything is possible.” Garin’s smile turned sly. “But I’d be more interested in helping an ally than a reluctant guest.”

“Understood.” When Danvier rose and started to follow Haven, Garin stopped him.

“We have other matters to discuss.”

Danvier reluctantly sank back onto his chair and tried to focus on Garin. Haven’s scent lingered in his nose and he felt her absence like a full-body ache.

“How much of what she told me was true?”

Garin didn’t need to ask if Danvier had been scanning her. The situation was too important for Danvier not to have been. “All of it. I sensed no deception or dishonesty. She feels guilty about how Javin died, but she doesn’t feel responsible.” Her emotions hadn’t been quite that precise, but Danvier was certain she’d been telling the truth.

Garin stared at him for a long, silent moment. “Are you compatible with her? I’ve never seen you so fidgety during an interrogation.”

He had no secrets from Garin. Their bond made deception almost impossible. Harbingers anchored their abilities by forming a psychic bond with a strong, emotionally stable person. Garin was Danvier’s anchor, so he knew Danvier better than anyone.