Hidden Moon

2

Han dropped me at my apartment around dinnertime. “I’m going to follow up some leads, Inspector. Question some sources that we have; just leave that all to me. Call me tomorrow and we’ll figure out our next move. I’ll even fix your cell phone, if we have time.”

“Wait a second, Han. You told me the Center wants this solved. What did you mean?”

Han took off his sunglasses so I could see he was scowling. “I never said such a thing.”

“My mistake, I apologize. I suppose you also didn’t say that SSD has the lead in this investigation.”

“That I did say.”

“Do you have orders or something showing you are supposed to take the lead? Forget protocol; I mean orders. If you do, I’ll just go back to my office and type a final report. SSD can have it.”

“I wasn’t speaking formally, Inspector. But one of us has to take the lead, wouldn’t you agree, and it might as well be the one with the equipment and the resources to solve the case. That’s no reason for you to drop out. It’s just the way things are.” This was not normal SSD gloating. At this point, he should have been suggesting I was barely good enough to shine his shoes.

“Why should I stay working on a case the Center doesn’t want solved?” It wasn’t an idle question. I was passing him a knife, handle first, and pointing out my vitals.

“No one said the Center doesn’t want it solved.”

“But no one said they did.” He didn’t want the knife, which worried me more than if he had. I was going to be his trussed pig, not ready for the slaughter.