Taking Wing - Michael A. Martin [85]
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Will said.
“Ah. Of course. The inevitable wide-eyed protestations of innocence. You would claim to be unaware that I discovered Pardek’s murdered corpse not four veraku ago.”
Will nodded, keeping the shock he felt from reaching his face. Mostly. “I claim exactly that,” he said. “Because it’s true.”
Troi wondered why Durjik was so certain the away team should know of Pardek’s death.
“With respect, Praetor,” Keru said in a low but confident voice, “I wish we had been advised of Pardek’s murder prior to our arrival. Security is my responsibility, and the timing of Pardek’s death implies that none of the rest of us is safe until his murder is solved.”
“We can discuss that later, Commander,” Will said to Keru, who immediately fell silent.
Troi knew that Keru was rightly making this meeting’s security his highest priority. But she also knew that the Romulans, being driven in large part by pride, were famously loath to make themselves appear vulnerable before the Federation, about whose presence even the most liberal of Romulans harbored ambiguous feelings. She understood that for the Romulans to reveal Pardek’s assassination immediately prior to the start of negotiations as delicate as these would not only wound their pride, but would also aggravate their already heightened sense of vulnerability. This potential loss of face was more than any Romulan could bear—especially after their new, self-installed praetor had already accepted several tons of humanitarian aid supplies from the Titan convoy.
“Only a fool would expect security here, where Shinzon slew the entire Senate,” Durjik said to Keru before turning his glare back upon Will. “And I would be equally foolish to expect you to provide it, Captain Riker. After all, you would no doubt say or do anything to suppress Pardek’s political viewpoint.” Durjik punctuated his words by jabbing an accusatory finger at Titan’s captain from across the expansive table.
Remaining admirably calm, Will said, “Suppress? No. But I had hoped to convince him that there’s no longer any need for hostilities between our Federation and your Empire. Just as I hope to convince you that we can establish peace.”
Durjik snorted dismissively. He leaned forward across the sherawood table, his beefy forearms supporting his considerable weight. “My congratulations, then, Captain. Whatever your other shortcomings might be, you have certainly succeeded in pacifying Pardek.”
“Ahlh droppings, Senator,” Donatra said to Durjik. “Titan was several light-veraku away from Romulus when Pardek was killed.”
“As were we,” Suran added, gesturing toward Donatra.
Suran’s comment piqued Troi’s curiosity. Where had the Valdore been at the time of Pardek’s murder? The Titan convoy could move only as fast as its slowest ship; unlikely as it was, the Valdore might have made a high-speed diversion to Romulus while cloaked, its absence from the convoy undetected.
True, you helped the Enterprise crew bring down Shinzon, Troi thought as she studied Donatra and considered her cautious, guarded emotional aura. But can we really trust you?
“If so, that would seem to leave our esteemed praetor as our prime suspect, would it not?” Durjik said.
Both Donatra and Suran immediately seemed to warm to the notion of Tal’Aura-as-murderer. Tomalak was just as quickly on his feet, a short curved sword appearing in his hand as if conjured by magic. Troi was suddenly at the center of an emotional whirlwind. Somehow, Will remained cool, though he was as taut as a coiled spring. Akaar held himself back, but only barely. Keru seemed about to throw himself between the two angry Romulans.
Damn! Everything was about to