Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [189]
A servant compy delivered a fresh pot of cardamom coffee, but Basil ignored it. Not surprisingly, he had lost his taste for the beverage.
The deputy was being deliberately obtuse. "Do you have proof the King was behind this? I have seen no results of the investigation. Mr. Pellidor appeared to be the man responsible."
Basil's scowl turned into an outright sneer. "And we must continue to let media reports reflect that. Damn Peter!" Thanks to the way the King had worked his twisted plan, and Sarein's misguided method of protecting Basil, the newsnet crews had all the proof they needed. Franz Pellidor had served him well for many years as a useful and committed expediter and a man who knew how to keep secrets. But even though he was obviously uninvolved with the poisoning attempt, Pellidor had already been convicted by the public.
Basil had to endorse that popular perception and tar the reputation of his friend and ally. He had no choice but to make Pellidor look like a corrupt, evil conspirator. He could never let the King, even a miserable disappointment like Peter, seem to be at fault. If word got out that the King had actually attempted to murder the Chairman, the scandal would rock the already terrified and confused populace.
But Peter and his pregnant Queen would pay the price. Oh, yes. Sarein had already been given her instructions. It was time for Basil to see who his allies were . . . if he had any left.
With a wave of intense weariness, he sat behind his cluttered deskscreen. "Raymond Aguerra looked like such an exceptional candidate, on paper. Our watchers, including Mr. Pellidor, observed him for more than a year. He had a terrible life, no future, very little potential. And we gave him everything. Why would he fight us?" He pounded a fist on his desktop, and the pot of coffee clinked against its tray. "I should have eliminated him at the first sign of trouble and started fresh, like we did with Prince Adam."
"Adam? I am not aware of--"
"No one is. He was to have been Frederick's successor, but we realized our mistake in time. The matter was resolved cleanly and quietly. But with Peter it's too late. We'll have to do a great deal of damage control." Basil knotted his fingers together. "Of course, if the damned hydrogues come, there won't be much of human history left to rewrite."
He sighed. "Maybe we have a chance, thanks to the Ildiran warliners. At least somebody proved to be reliable and did what he promised to do. Once we get rid of the King and Queen, we can start over again with a clean slate."
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, Mr. Chairman, but are you convinced Prince Daniel is truly our best alternative?"
"No, I am not. However, Daniel is all we have left."
"Would you like me to talk to King Peter about his resignation? I can find an appropriate political excuse and send him and his Queen into quiet exile. At least Peter would still be available if Daniel turns out to be . . . even worse."
"That is not an option! Peter has shown his true colors again and again." Basil glared at his deputy. "Why are you getting squeamish, Cain?"
"I'm offering rational alternatives, Mr. Chairman. That is the job for which you appointed me."
Even Cain sounded on the verge of insubordination! "There are no alternatives, rational or otherwise." It was difficult to hide his disappointment in his chosen deputy. Basil rubbed his itchy eyes. He wanted to be alone. "You're dismissed. You have your instructions. I'll take care of the . . . messier details personally, if you are incapable of doing so." Damn, I could really use Pellidor now.
Basil watched him go, considering. Maybe it's time for me to seek another heir apparent as well as a new King.
110
QUEEN ESTARRA
The next morning when Sarein came to take her, Estarra knew something was very wrong. "Chairman Wenceslas asked me to do this. He . . . gave me clear instructions. I'm sorry, Estarra." A deeply troubled expression crossed her sister's face, and she quickly turned away