Helix Nexus, Chris Lofts [best android ereader .txt] 📗

dirt or shovelling shit on their vegetables?’ She shoved her hands in the hoody pocket. ‘Is that another one of Gaia’s experiments? To see if we catch anything so she can cure us?’

‘Christina! I said that’s enough. You need to set an example. You’re 15 years—’

‘Oh, that’s what this is about. Can’t have the fatherless 15-year-old daughter of a powerful politician embarrassing her mummy,’ she whined.

‘OK. That’s enough. Like it or lump it, Christina, I don’t have—’

‘Screw you then!’ she screamed. ‘I never want to speak to you again.’

The monitors and hologram evaporated in response to the snap of Ormandy’s fingers. ‘You won’t believe the number of times I’ve heard that one, Major.’

Helix nodded diplomatically.

She drew a deep breath. ‘As I was saying, it’s a very sad day.’ Unbuttoning her grey-blue jacket, she perched on the edge of the desk. Her fingers played over the string of pearls that vanished into the plunging neckline of her cream silk blouse. ‘The country has lost a valued and loyal servant.’

Helix cleared his throat and folded his hands behind his back. ‘We have ma’am.’

‘And a good friend of yours, I understand.’

‘He was the finest commanding officer I’ve had the privilege to serve under.’

‘So, not a friend?’

He pulled a tight-lipped smile. ‘Not in the conventional sense.’ And if they were, he wasn’t about to admit it to her. ‘He was kind enough to offer his advice when I needed it over a drink or lunch in the officers’ mess. We shared an interest in military history, that sort of thing.’

‘And he was sponsoring your request to return to special services operations.’

‘He was.’

‘But your application was denied.’

‘It was. I was notified earlier today. I failed to achieve the necessary fitness levels.’

‘Because of your injuries.’

Helix nodded. He could have done without the reminder. ‘I have a very preliminary update on the General’s death.’ Saying it left his mouth parched. He swallowed. ‘I’m expecting a call from forensics as soon as they’re on site. They’ve sent a drone and I’ve—’

‘You’ve sealed off his apartment. Yes. Thank you, Major.’ She tucked a stray dark brown hair behind her ear. ‘Can you think of any reason someone would want to kill the General?’

‘I can’t, ma’am. An accident or suicide can be ruled out.’

‘So, you agree that we are looking at murder?’

‘That’s my current hypothesis, judging by the extent of the damage in the General’s apartment. The forensic examination and post mortem will tell us more. The General was universally respected and popular, but the only person…’ Did he want to go there? Yeah fuck it. Why not?

‘The only person?’

He coughed into his hand. ‘The only person who might have a motive would be Chancellor Wheeler.’

‘Ex-Chancellor Wheeler. Sentenced to 25 years in prison for a long list of crimes and misdemeanours including conspiracy to murder his own wife – the legendary Gabrielle Stepper.’

‘Exactly. You commuted his sentence to banishment from the cardinal cities so there’s no way he could have orchestrated or committed the General’s murder.’

‘But equally, if I hadn’t commuted his sentence there is still no way he could have escaped halo-confinement to commit the crime.’ She smoothed her hand over her hair. ‘Did I sense a hint of disapproval in your tone just now? The way you gave weight to “you commuted.”‘

Helix folded his arms. ‘You’re the Home Secretary.’

‘And I’m sure the fact that Wheeler was shagging her had nothing to do with it,’ Ethan whispered.

‘Button it, Ethan!’

Ormandy brushed a finger over the glass desk-top. The frosted windows cleared unveiling the glittering London skyline. ‘That was quite a scandal,’ she said sliding from the desk. ‘Yawlander placed himself at considerable risk. Maybe he made a lot of enemies.’ She paused half-way between the desk and the window, pinning him with her stare.

Helix swallowed. If he’d had his way it wouldn’t only have been Wheeler’s career that ended on that stage but hers too. But Yawlander hadn’t wanted any distractions. What evidence there was on her was thin at best. Apart from her affair with Wheeler, the General had thought that given enough rope and time, she would hang herself. Helix wasn’t so sure. The bigger threat, Valerian Lytkin – Wheeler’s political sponsor and a Government favourite – had been eliminated in a move that nobody had seen coming.

‘And what is your opinion of Gabrielle Stepper?’ Ormandy folded her arms and leaned against the window. ‘It’s been the talk of the town.’

Helix shrugged. ‘I don’t think she would have been a threat to the General.’

Ormandy laughed. ‘No, indeed. I meant your opinion of her choice to leave London for a life of… Well, I don’t know, let’s be polite and call it a less comfortable, less privileged life.’

‘She made her choice, ma’am. It’s not something that we discussed.’

‘Surely you got to know her a little. During your time as fugitives from justice.’

‘She’s given a lot. She’d been estranged from her sister for some time and, after they were reacquainted, she saw an opportunity for a new start after Wheeler’s defenestration.’

Ormandy slid back into her office chair. Her wall of monitors re-emerged between them. ‘The forensic team are here,’ she said.

‘I best get back upstairs then, ma’am. I need to release the security seal.’ He turned towards the door. ‘Unless there was anything else.’

Her hand darted across the desktop. ‘No need. I’ve overridden your lock. They’re inside.’

‘Excuse me, ma’am, but protocol demands that as the senior investigating officer—’

‘You can leave when I dismiss you, Major.’ She folded her hands in her lap. ‘I will be leading this investigation and assuming the General’s command until such time as a replacement is appointed. You and your team will stand down.’

‘You?’

‘Careful, Major. That thin veneer of respect is beginning to crack. You are too… or should I say, were too close to General Yawlander. I fear your emotions may impede your judgement and the investigation. I want you at a desk downstairs tomorrow morning and there you will remain until I call for you.’

‘No.’

‘Are you disobeying an order, Major Helix?’

Helix loomed