Chapter Fifteen: An Inquiry

Konrad locked the door, turning over the sign then performed a brief, brilliantly efficient sweeping of the floor, mastered over decades.

There was no sunlight on the front window at this time of day, the shadows from the buildings opposite the shop advanced in the late afternoon. The displayed books in the window became subdued. As he finished sweeping and prepared to go upstairs he suddenly knew that someone else was there. It was a vibration, a sound in another pitch, a displacement of existential volume. And this feeling was familiar. He knew it must be a Garde. Looking back at his desk, where he sorted and priced books he saw someone sitting in his chair.

"The shop is closed." He said. "I know who you are, or at least who you belong with."

The figure was exhibiting the same lack of specifics he'd come to understand as Garde trickery, or fashion. There was a hat, a face, a coat, a suit, but these were indistinct, or insurmountably generic. Surely, Konrad thought, I am old and this Garde couldn't yet been born back when I was an Inspector. And yet he was recognizable in some way, this too must've been part of their camouflage.

"That's too bad, I was looking for a book." The Garde said.

"I wasn't aware the Garde were really readers." Konrad replied.

The Garde laughed a little. "Oh, I think you'd be surprised how much we've changed over the years. We've adapted with the times. Very different than in your day."

As Konrad got closer to the desk he noticed the smell of expensive tobacco, and a hint of something sweet like an alcohol, brandy perhaps.

"That's true, it was a long time ago, before your time certainly." Konrad said.

"Perhaps. But let me ask you — and I only inquire because you seem to be renowned for giving advice — if I wanted to put a stop to an investigation, how would I go about that? The Bureau and their Investigators are a very determined group, with almost complete powers over anything in sight — without being unnecessarily aggressive, what can be done to make them loose interest?" The Garde said.

"Are you speaking of a particular investigation?" Konrad asked.

"Well yes… I have one in mind, yes. You may even be familiar with it. The case involving a missing scientist from a notable laboratory. Since you still seem to travel in Inspector circles, you may even know the Inspectors on the case. Young. Bright. Devoted. A paired couple — I hear that's very sought after these days, two heads are better than one they say, of a like mind. I just want to help them out, really, by saving them some time."

"You disposed of the scientist? You had him disappeared?"

"Of course not, don't be ridiculous. These aren't the old days. This is the modern age. We don't need to do anything like that. And why would we even want this scientist disappeared? Has anyone even asked this? Your Inspectors, have they even considered this? Not in depth I think, not enough. We have our interests, they have theirs. We both want the scientist found. And we are confident we know where he is. There's no need for an investigation at all — if it's left to us."

"Because it's your project isn't is? The thing in the laboratory?" Konrad was tired from the day, by nature, or schedule, he felt tired. He pulled up one of the chairs from the side of the table to sit on, the Garde noticed this and stood up.

"I apologize, after all, this is your chair, your desk."

"It's fine. This chair works just as well." Konrad shifted his weight, uncomfortable. "Where were we?"

"How can I get these Inspectors to understand we can take care of this problem. Just as they may have consulted you about a meeting with us, now I'm consulting you about a meeting with them. What are they looking for? How can I convince them?"

"I'm too old to play games with you, so I'll take your question at face value. The Inspectors are bound by training, and duty, to pursue this as far as they can. And you must know that at least since my time, their investigation is independent, no one has the power to stop it. Not you. Not the Royals. Technically. I'm not dumb, I understand there are agencies at work, there are deals, there are long term subtle arrangements. But the Inspectors' power, unlike yours, is that of clarity — instead of obfuscation to benefit your masters, they are devoted to an ideological principle of revelation. If you know where the scientist is, you should tell them. Then the investigation will be resolved and you can proceed with whatever your interests are. You're right, this is a new age, and unlike my time where I chose to fight you, they have chosen not to. They care about the investigation, you cannot stop them, but you can help them."

"This is very sensible, I should've known, it's why your advice is so sought after. But keep in mind, I'm not the only Garde — and the Garde aren't the only forces in motion — it's in their best interests, the Investigators' interests, it's for their protection too. It would certainly be better for their careers in the long run."

"These are casual threats I'm guessing. Your kind are used to making them."

"I could easily make a threat that wasn't casual. After all, you are no longer an Inspector. There's nothing stopping us from getting rid of you. It might get their attention."

"I'm surprised you've waited this long."

"Ha! I'm not serious of course. It wouldn't be worth it — besides, we know the denigration you suffered for opposing us back then, we know the price you paid."

"Oh, and what price did I pay?"

"You were ambitious. Your stature in the system rose, you would've advanced beyond the Bureau and moved into a ministry, you would've been political. Instead you were retired at a young age and have spent the rest of your days here, in this bookstore."

"In that case then, let me thank you. I would've been miserable. If there's one thing being around books has taught me, it's that you're never as important as you think you are — and as a young man I mistakenly believed I was very important."

The Garde shrugged. A smirk. Despite the optical diffusing, Konrad thought, you can always tell when they smirk. The Garde said "Regardless, if you see our Inspector friends, make sure you pass along the thoughts we've discussed".

"I'm sure they'll be speaking directly with you very shortly."

"No doubt you are correct. As usual. I bow to your wisdom." The Garde stood from Konrad's desk. "If I had more time today I'd browse for a book — always looking for something good to read — but I know it's closing time. You do have a nice collection of Forbiddens don't you?"

"I have a few of the classics, as many as one would expect."

"Another time then." As the Garde walked out, the delineated sphere that surrounded his head obscured titles on the spines of books he passed.

After he left Konrad made sure his daily, normal routine was complete, the shop tidy. He would wire Slv&Elin, telling them the Garde had visited — just as he knew, the Garde expected him to do.