Chapter 18: Ray Dawn

Ray Dawn studied the deciphered communications. The latest among the multitude of communications was two days old and spoke of a meet at Rhyno Park.

“We would’ve never even noticed the cypher let alone decrypt it without the code breaker,” Nigen said.

“I know,” Ray Dawn said.

‘You wouldn’t be so flattering if you knew the price I had to pay.’

“Good work.” Nigen patted his back.

“Good work my ass,” Riberee snorted. “We still don’t know how the hell you found him in the first place?”

“Riri—”

Riberee silenced Gnabree with a glare and the frail twin shrunk back into his seat.

An awkward silence filtered into the conference room.

‘Read the room Riri. Even Rafinya won’t question how I came into him despite his suspicions of me being dirty.’

For a case like this the how wasn’t important.

‘Just like most cases I’m put on. Not that Rafinya would ever admit it. They call me dirty but welcome my results all the same.’

The hypocrisy.

It’s all good and well to do whatever it takes when it concerns the council’s interests but when he kept that same energy for mundane cases, the unimportant cases that involved normal folk. He was labelled corrupt.

‘Well because I am corrupt. Sure, I’m surrounded by hypocrites but it doesn’t excuse what I am.’

It fascinated him. Why his subconscious wished to justify his every sin. The human compulsion to play the victim even when distrust against them is justified.

‘One of the greatest mysteries of my life.’

Ray Dawn pulled out his badge, flashed it over his virtual screen. Logged into his police account, accessed his confidential files and sent one of the files to Riberee’s virtual monitor.

“You’re supposed to have G4 clearance to view that but since you’re such a stickler for the rules.”

“You’re bluffing.” Riberee frowned.

“What is it?” Nigen furrowed his brow.

“My informant.”

Riberee glanced at his weaker twin who nodded. He scowled still unsatisfied, so tapped to view the file.

The hypocrisy.

‘Misconduct is all good and well when it’s to sate your own curiosity.’

“Edward Segzi,” Riberee muttered. He scrolled down the profile. Once content, he dismissed the file. Held his chin high, bushy moustache elevated but he remained silent and avoided his gaze.

‘No apology then.’

Edward Segzi one of his many disposable informants. Ready to take credit for any intel he couldn’t account for. And Riberee would be a fool to try and prove otherwise.

He glanced at Grieselda who had remained composed throughout. What did she think about all this?

‘Only time will tell.’

Nigen cleared his throat. “Okay we have a date. We have their meet. Special Forces will lead the arrest. The rest of the mages present will act as support and help scout the park. That’s all, dismissed.”

Numerous chairs screeched back as meeting adjourned. Chatter sparked as the various officers made their way out the meeting room.

“So we do all the leg work only to pass it off,” Grieselda said. Neutral polished nails scratched the glass conference table.

“Unless it’s covert we usually pass it off,” Shenko said.

“That’s the job,” Ray Dawn yawned. Rising from his chair and stretching out his arms.

“But the arrest is the best part,” Grieselda said. “Seeing their disbelieving faces when we put them in restraints.”

Talk of restraining criminals put something unworthy to be called a smile on her face. And Ray Dawn recognized that twisted grin because she’d beamed it in his direction once or twice in the past.

“Depending on where were asked to scout,” Ray Dawn said. “We might not end up too far from the action so we might have to get involved.”

Their unit also made its way out the glass walled conference room.

They were stopped by Gnabree waiting just outside. His bulkier annoying twin nowhere in sight.

“C-c-can we talk?”

“Sure,” Ray Dawn said.

Gnabree glanced down the cream tiled floor. “I-I-In private.”

He nodded away Shenko who pulled along the reluctant Grieselda. When they were out of ear short Gnabree took the initiative.

“I-I-I’m sorry about my brother.”

Ray Dawn waved him off. “Don’t think anything of it.”

“H-H-He was just mad N-Nigen didn’t give us more credit for getting the code breaker to decipher the communications.”

“Ahh.” Ray Dawn nodded. “If that’s all I’ll be off.”

“Y-Y-You shouldn’t lie in my presence.”

Ray Dawn froze mid-turn. “What are you talking about?”

“Y-Your informant.”

“I wasn’t lying.”

“You weren’t lying about him being an informant but you never confirmed if he was the informant.” He peeked up to meet his gaze and said softly. “Which is as good as lying in the right context.”

Ray Dawn recalled the nod the Gnabree had given his twin.

“Then why did you tell your brother otherwise.”

“He wouldn’t have let it go and you’re too good at deflecting to definitively catch in a lie.”

‘He’s talking more than usual, a gesture of good faith by not exposing me. Why do I get the feeling you’re not here just to apologize on your brother’s behalf?’

The weak twin was more tactful than he looked.

“You want something?”

Gnabree gestured a hand dismissively. “Just to deliver a message.”

“Go on.”

“The chairperson would like to meet with you, at your convenience.”

‘So she’s the one that wants something.’

And he could already guess what.