She looked up, seeing no less than three of the serving people, followed by a large, big-boned woman. All of them carried plates heaping with food. When they arrived at the table, the plethora of bowls and platters were set down, crowding the space.

“What in the name of hell?” Ednund asked, glancing up in bewilderment.

The kid, looking nervous, said, “Hey, you said one of each for each of you. Then this guy”—he pointed at Bartolome—“said he wanted exactly what you three had. So, here it is. Just like you ordered.”

“Now”—the big woman with washed-out blond hair, a towel over her shoulder, crossed her arms—“I know you’re soft meat. But that’s forty-eight SDRs. You got it? Or am I taking the food back?”

Hot words rose in Falise’s throat. Then she really got a good look at the woman, and that old sense of warning kicked in. She forced a smile, told Ednund, “Pay the woman.”

Inga shot her a glance that might have sliced meat from the bone, nodded as she counted out the coins. Handed only two back, and said, “Welcome to Donovan. Eat up.”

And then, her entourage following, the woman headed back for her bar.

“Better be good,” Bartolome said.

“If it’s not,” Clarice said softly, “you go tell her. I’m not pissing that woman off to save my soul.”

Chapter 32

  32  

The marks on Chad Grunnel’s throat were plain to see. The way he lay naked on his back on the autopsy table, there wasn’t much to show for being one of the most powerful and prominent men in Transluna. Nothing about his body looked outstanding. Just a man who might have been in his thirties, though with the kind of Corporate medicine a Grunnel could afford, who knew? And, but for his long blond hair and dark skin, about as unassuming as a male body could get.

Kalico shot a measuring glance at Raya, who stood with gloves on, masked, and wearing a lab apron. The doctor raised an inquiring eyebrow, glanced at where Inspector General Soukup stood back by the wall, the Four crowded beside him. “We ready?”

“What have you got, Raya?”

“Male, age indeterminate, but my guess is that he’s in his fifties from dental wear and trabecular bone morphology. Looks like really expensive med, and his implants were top of the line.” She pointed to the chips where they’d been extracted from Grunnel’s brain. “Without comnet, we’re not likely to recover any information from them. Turalon could take them back to Solar System for a download.”

“Cause of death?” Kalico asked.

“Asphyxiation by manual strangulation.” Raya pointed at the marks on the throat. “Not only is that supported by the hematoma, but the hyoid is broken, the trachea is crushed, and the petechiae support COD. Blood is anoxic.”

“Time of death?” Kalico asked.