Tayvis stared at the wall above Roderick's head.
"This is unacceptable. I've given you plenty of time and yet, you still haven't found that woman who broke into my office and stole my files. I'm beginning to doubt your competence."
Tayvis tuned out the rest of Roderick's rant. He'd been subjected to it almost constantly for the last week. It would help if the man let him do his job instead of hauling him around like an untrustworthy pet. He might have been able to get a line on Dace when she left Drometheus, except Roderick had panicked and run for his retreat on Lushay, dragging Tayvis with him. Roderick had left Tayvis at the port office, a tiny building that was little more than a posh waiting room, with strict orders to recover the files and arrest those involved in stealing them. Impossible when you had no resources and no connection to any datanet.
"And that is why I've requested another agent. He's better than you. He won't get himself shot by the catering staff." Roderick wagged a finger at Tayvis. "You will stay here, with an assault team, and set a trap. Just in case they try to raid my home. Not that they'll find anything except my useless sister. And if you fail, I will personally see to it that you are not only dishonorably discharged from the Patrol, but executed as a traitor to the crown. I will not stand for incompetence, not when I have a choice."
Tayvis stood impassive to Roderick's tirade. His arrogant posturing grated on Tayvis' nerves. Roderick was by far the most incompetent and inept politician Tayvis had ever had the misfortune to meet. Yet he held the power. Tayvis had been put under his orders. Had Nuella known when he assigned Tayvis? Had Nuella been trying to help Lowell or was Tayvis facing more condemnation when he returned empty-handed to Linas-Drias? He'd been set an impossible task. If Roderick hadn't impeded every move, Tayvis might have been able to catch Lowell. Whether he took him into custody would have depended on Lowell's answers. But that was a moot point. Lowell would never be stupid enough to land on Lushay.
Tayvis let Roderick's words flow past, barely listening to the now-familiar raving. Dace was working for Lowell. She believed Lowell's claims enough to steal for him. Tayvis had only been looking for a quiet room at the party. He hadn't expected Lowell to send her. She'd caught him off guard. He hadn't expected Dace to shoot him. If he could erase that haunted look in her eyes, he would. In a few months, he'd be free of the Patrol. He only hoped she'd be waiting for him on Proxima, like she'd promised. He was tired of the games, tired of second-guessing everything he was told, tired of never trusting anyone.
He caught the sound of a shuttle landing and tuned back in.
"I'm headed for court. Don't burn down my mansion." Roderick wiggled his fingers into gloves. "And just to be perfectly clear, you are not in command of anything except the arrest team. And if you bungle that, you will face a firing squad. Ah, here he comes. Meet your commanding officer." Roderick waved his hand, his lace cuff fluttering.
"Well, well, if it isn't old Bootlicker."
Tayvis clenched his hands into fists. Not this man, never this man. "Good to see you, too, Vance."
Roderick smiled. "I see you two know each other. Good. That simplifies things. You screw up again, Commander Tayvis, and it will be your last time. Are we clear?"
"Perfectly, sir." Tayvis bit off each word as he fought back the wave of anger.
Vance Shiropi waited to speak until Roderick and his train of assistants left the room on their way to the shuttle.
"Imagine my surprise when I'm pulled from my duties to take over a simple assignment. A massive failure run by none other than Lowell's pet agent, Tayvis. Who had the brilliantly stupid idea of setting you to catch Lowell?"
Tayvis crossed his arms over his chest. "If you're in command, you should know who gave me my orders."
Vance smiled, a cold curving of his elegant face. "Are you sure you want to play that game with me?"
Tayvis gave him a flat stare. Vance had tormented him since their first day at Military Academy when they were both twelve. He'd only play nice if it got him what he wanted.
Vance broke eye contact first, glancing out the window to watch the shuttle lift. "I've read your file. I know where your sympathies lie." He shifted his gaze back to Tayvis. "If I get even a hint that you are helping Lowell or his people, I'll personally deliver you to High Command for your trial. Are we clear?"
"Perfectly."
"Your squad is setting up camp beyond the fence. I expect to find you there, coordinating surveillance on Hom Medallis' mansion. You are not to set foot on his property unless there is an incursion. It will be remote only."
Tayvis turned to leave. Another impossible condition on an already impossible assignment. How was he supposed to guard something half a world away? And how was he supposed to do it without mutilating Vance's pretty face? That temptation was going to be a hard one to resist.
"And Tayvis," Vance waved a folded paper, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you've been demoted. I expect you to salute and wait for dismissal."
Tayvis crumpled the official paper in his fist as he stalked from the room.
Vance's voice followed him. "That's your first warning. Show proper respect or you'll be scrubbing troop transport bathrooms for the rest of your miserable career."