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I KNOCKED LOUDLY ON the door to Wingell’s residence just after midnight. It took him several moments of stumbling shambles before he finally answered, demanding, “What do you want?”
“I came to apologize,” I said, slipping past him into his home.
“I.... you can’t...!” He sputtered. I walked into his kitchen and looked around. Gold, and other elaborate and expensive ornaments adored his home. This was not against the law or rules; however, it bespoke a need for possessions and greed.
“Isn’t it strange,” I said, as if I hadn’t heard him speak. “How most Councilors choose to live in modesty and yet, here we are?”
“How I choose to live is none of your business!” He snarled. “And why did you knock out my guard today?”
“Interesting how that guard was a Void Jumper. A washout from the first training program.” I picked up a carved trinket that appeared to be ivory, an illegal substance on our planet. “Ivory is illegal, councilor.”
“That is from Earth!”
I froze, and my eyes turned up towards him. “Really.”
He blinked rapidly. “Well...that is...I acquired it...and...”
“Have you had recent contact with Earth?” I asked.
“You are speaking to a Councilor, you blathering oaf!”
I dropped the ivory carving to the stone floor. It shattered. “Oops.” I said.
He groaned. “That was priceless.”
“I apologize. My hands, you see. Being a blathering oaf has the effect of making my hands rather unstable, I’m afraid. Do you deny involvement with Earth?”
“There is nothing to deny!” Wingell exploded from where he stood. I turned slightly, and he went flying past and sprawled onto the floor beside me. I glanced down.
“If you are a spy,” I said. “You really are terrible at it.”
“Who told you these lies?”
“Of which lies do you refer, Councilor?”
“Well...I...that is...” He stumbled over his answer. “I am a councilor!” He said again, lamely.
“A councilor that is, first of all, in possession of illegal materials, and also rose to power after the last war.”
He stood and looked baffled. “What do you mean?”
“You were appointed after the last war.” I reached behind my back and withdrew a pair of handcuffs. “Councilor Wingell, under the authority of the Night Stalkers, I am placing you under arrest for suspicion of espionage.”
But he just stood there shaking his head. “But that’s not right.” He said.
“I hardly think it matters if you believe it’s right, Councilor. Will you comply with my orders or will I be required to use force?”
“Your father is an enemy sympathizer!” Wingell bellowed suddenly.
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