“Yes,” Maddox said, “Esquire Noble.”

The woman stiffened in outrage.

“You recognize the name?” Maddox asked.

“This is unwarranted,” she hissed. “You mock us in our own embassy after slaying a Spacer national. You…”

Her cheek muscles bulged as she ground her teeth together.

“Who is Esquire Noble?” Maddox asked, astonished by her reaction.

“As if you don’t know,” she said. “That is the ambassador’s name.”

Maddox frowned. Hadn’t the android worn the livery of a Woo Tower employee? Why would someone make an android to look like the Spacer ambassador?

“Lucas lied to me,” Maddox said. “He’s the one who told me the android was named Esquire Noble. I think he was playing a trick on me.”

The Provost Officer said nothing and didn’t twitch a muscle as the projac aimed at Maddox. Finally, she said, “Describe this so-called android.”

Fearing the android might look like the Spacer ambassador, Maddox said, “It was tall with gray hair.”

She relaxed her stiffness a fraction. “Esquire Noble is stocky by our standards. His strength is also legendary.”

“Ah.”

She motioned the conscious sentry to go and help the unconscious one. The man did so while keeping his distance from Maddox.

“Where did you say the androids were again?” the woman asked.

“I fought them in the lower levels but they managed to escape,” Maddox lied. According to her description, the androids had looked like the ambassador. He didn’t want her inspecting them while he was around. The woman was trigger-happy. He needed to escape the embassy and get back to Star Watch Headquarters.

“Tell me what happened with the men outside this room,” she said. “You obviously assaulted them.”

“I did,” Maddox agreed.

“Since you freely admit your guilt—”

“Provost Officer,” Maddox said, “I was kidnapped from Woo Tower earlier this evening. Soon thereafter, the android forced me into your embassy. I have been trying to escape ever since. The men outside this room hindered me. That is why I was forced to defend myself.”

“That is a serious allegation,” she said.

“Thank you,” Maddox said.

The woman frowned. “I do not understand your reply.”

“A kidnapped person has an obvious right to defend himself. This right I used.”

“By attacking legitimate guards and assaulting a valued guest of the Lin Ru?” she asked.

“I thought you said Lucas was a Spacer national.”

She became silent as her projac lowered some. “It’s possible I spoke too hastily. Lucas was in the process of applying for Spacer status.”

“Provost Officer—”

“Yes?” she said.

Maddox had almost accused her of bias. Spacers were extraordinarily proud of their rigorous thought. She seemed touchy, and a direct accusation might have a negative effect. That wouldn’t do as long as she was the only one with a weapon.

“Taren Lucas was at a Woo Tower gaming table tonight,” Maddox told her. “Someone slipped me a drugged drink earlier. I believed Lucas had a hand in that.”

This seemed to finally get her attention. “Explain,” she said.