Star Wars_ Coruscant Nights II Streets of Shadows - Michael Reaves [91]
The Kubaz handed him a transparent envelope that contained a sphere about the size of his fist, colored the faint yellow shade of a rancor’s tusk. The captain regarded it for a moment. Strange, indeed, to think of so small a talisman laying low the great Lord Vader. But that was the special thing about talismans, wasn’t it? They always promised more than they appeared capable of delivering. That was, after all, how magic worked.
Typho turned and strode from the building, his talisman held tightly in his hand. He had one final chore: the package for Jax Pavan.
After that, he would be ready.
twenty-five
The silver-coated protocol droid could not look surprised, but its reaction to their presence was conveyed through its voice.
“Citizen Pavan.” Peering past Jax, the mechanical noted those assembled behind him. “And your friends.” The droid’s gaze stopped on a more familiar figure. “Dejah Duare, you are, as always, most welcome in this household.”
Den took a step forward. “How about the rest of us?”
The droid appeared momentarily confused. “You did not announce your coming. It’s not in my file.”
“The Baron and his mate are in?” Jax asked.
“They are in residence, yes.” Glistening lenses regarded the Jedi. “May I assume that your appearance here concurrently with that of Prefect Haus is not a coincidence?”
“You could assume that,” Den said, “since we arranged to meet him here.”
“Please announce us,” Jax said.
The droid hesitated, then turned and shuffled away through the plush carpeting. Jax and his companions waited outside the formal entry. The mechanical was not gone long.
“Please come in. The Baron is anxious, as ever, to hear what you have to say. And as always, I am sure he will be delighted that Dejah is with you.”
“The Baron isn’t the only curious one.” Pol Haus stepped into view in the foyer. “I can’t wait to learn your reasons for dragging me over here at this hour.”
Once again they were impressed by the opulence of the Baron’s surroundings. Umber greeted them convivially this time. His mate appeared shortly thereafter.
Pol Haus, who was there with a droid assistant, glowered at them. “Let’s hear it,” the Zabrak growled.
Jax nodded. Den and I-Five moved to opposite corners of the room. Their attitude was unperturbed, but their senses were alert. Everyone knew what Jax was going to say, even Dejah. They had discussed it beforehand, and all were agreed.
Now that the moment had come, Jax let the threads of the Force spread outward from him, to encompass everyone in the room. His effort to provide interior confirmation for what he was about to announce was disappointing. But then, he’d expected it to be.
“Very well,” he replied in response to the prefect. “I know who murdered Ves Volette.” He stole a quick glance at the Zeltron standing nearby. Having been prepared for the disclosure, she showed no reaction, either hormonally or telempathically. Satisfied, he returned his attention to their hosts and the police.
“A Vindalian skimmer bearing the crest of Umber was seen near the artist’s studio on the night he was killed.” As a startled Baron opened his mouth, Jax raised a hand to forestall the objection he sensed was coming. “I know it wasn’t you, Baron. I am as certain of that as I can be. You’ve—been checked out, and there’s nothing to suggest you had any involvement in the murder. Quite the contrary.”
“My investigations indicate the same, if anyone’s interested,” Haus added drily.
Umber settled himself. “I don’t know whether to be offended or relieved by your words, Pavan.”
“You are a true aficionado of Volette’s art. There are ways of confirming these things. You love his work and you were clearly very fond of him.”
“We both were,” Umber declared.
Jax sensed the Force threads he had let flow drift back to him.