"High Commander Lowell," the voice echoed through the vaulted room.
Lowell pulled his collar straight. When the Emperor summoned, you came. He headed for the door to the audience chamber. Paltronis fell into step behind him.
"Glad you could make it," he said. "How's your leg?"
"Better than my arm," she answered. "But both are almost healed. How are you?"
"Hating life," he said as they approached the ornate doors. "I never wanted to command the Patrol."
She smothered a grin. "You'll do fine, sir."
He shook his head. The heralds pushed the doors open. He walked into the Emperor's private audience chamber.
It was actually private today, he noted in surprise. The usual fifty or so courtiers were missing. It was only the Emperor and the Speaker waiting for him.
The doors swung closed.
Iniuri Shiropi, Speaker to the Council of Worlds, smiled at him. "How are you, Grant?"
"Fine, and you?"
"Drop the act," Maximillius said. "You hate your job and we know it."
"But you're still going to ask me to do it," Lowell said.
"I don't trust anyone else," Maximillius said. "If anyone can root out corruption in the Patrol, you can. You've already proven that."
"And what will you do if I turn you down?"
"Reinstate the charges against you, first of all," Maximillius said.
"Is that a threat? It isn't a very effective one."
Maximillius laughed. "What if I say please?"
"Maybe I'll think about it." Lowell sighed. "All games aside, I'm getting too old for it. I was thinking of retiring."
"The Empire needs you, Commander," Maximillius said.
"It has needed me for the last sixty years. I think it's time to pass the mantle on to someone younger."
"Like your agent?" Iniuri asked.
"Which one?"
"She was very good. She even had me fooled."
"She should never have been anywhere near Linas-Drias," Lowell said quietly. "I wasn't the one who planted her. As I said, I'm getting too old for this."
"You are the only one we have that we can trust," Maximillius repeated. "Consider yourself appointed head of the High Command. Protest all you like, but do it now, before you walk out that door."
"And if I don't accept, I'll never walk out that door."
Paltronis shifted behind him.
"Even with your guard dog, you don't stand a chance. Don't force my hand, Grant."
"Then I'll have to accept graciously."
"Good," the Emperor said. "We'll hold the official ceremony this afternoon. It's already planned."
"I figured as much." Lowell said.
The Emperor strode across the room, already focused on his next appointment.
"A word, Grant?" Iniuri asked. "Privately?"
"Go on, Paltronis," Lowell said. "I'll be there in a moment."
She nodded and left the room.
"Well?" Lowell asked.
"Was she just acting? Tell me the truth."
Lowell shook his head. "I can't. I don't know it. Not this time."
Iniuri nodded, accepting his answer.
"Why do you ask?"
"Vance resigned as Second Speaker shortly after she exposed Lady Candyce. He said in his letter of resignation that he was withdrawing out of respect for me and the awkward position he was in as her son. I want to know the truth. He claimed to love her."
"Have you asked him?"
Iniuri glanced away. "I haven't seen him. He seems to have disappeared. I can't fault him for it. Tell me if she loved him at all."
Lowell shrugged. "I can't tell you. I don't know what she felt for him, if anything. I haven't spoken to her in months."
"Is she well?"
"Last I heard."
"If you do see her again, tell her she's welcome to fly my yacht anytime. I'm sorry it ended the way it did."
Lowell cocked his head to one side. "I'll tell her that."
"Thank you." Iniuri straightened, turning away. He was once again the Speaker, not the man who cared about his son and the woman who had turned his son's life upside down and destroyed his wife's reputation.
It was curious, Lowell thought as he let himself out of the room, how life changed. It was never quite what you expected.