Selling a Dummy

Early morning sunlight flooded through the clear windows and splashed across the polished floor. Paintings of bygone Coppellis stared down sternly from paneled walls as Riki wandered past. She sighed. Her surroundings were luxurious, but nothing promised relief from her current mood. Normally the cabinets holding rows of books were a great source of entertainment. Not at the moment. The only thing with any appeal was the brandy bottle standing on the inlaid table in the middle of the room.

Riki had been staying in the Coppelli mansion ever since embarking on the scheme to free Tanya. The protected accommodation meant she had been shielded from close scrutiny by the Corps agents. Also, when the game was done, the Intelligence Corps would be out looking for her blood. Riki did not want a trail leading back to her sister's home. Isabel was sure that, in a year or so, it would be safe to return to Landfall. Once Zelenski was out of the way, Riki was determined to pay an extended visit to Jan, as well as seeing her other sisters.

In the meantime, living in the Coppelli mansion had been an introduction to a new world for Riki. The amenities of Landfall far exceeded what could be found in the heretic strongholds, and the Coppellis had the best of whatever was available. Riki's gaze skimmed along the row of cabinets. Printed books were an example. As children, the heretics were taught to read and write, but the small population could not support a printing press. A few books had been taken to Westernfort and Ginasberg by heretics, but when fleeing for their lives, women generally concentrated on clothing and food, rather than fiction and poetry.

Fine brandy was also unavailable outside the homelands. The tavern in Westernfort served only home-brewed beer and wine. Riki considered the bottle and cut crystal glasses, but then turned away. From a purely material point of view, Riki was sure her host would not mind her drinking, but this was not the time to blunt her mind. Riki wanted all her wits for the day ahead.

Riki forced herself to take a book from the shelves and sit with it open on her lap. However, five minutes passed before she noticed that the book was open on a blank page. Riki flipped forward to the start of the text and tried to focus.

Tanya had been taken to the Corps dungeon at sunset the previous day. It was now well past sunrise. If the Corps' interrogators had gotten straight back to their questions, those ten hours might have been an awfully long time. Her grandmother was sure that Tanya would not be harmed until Zelenski had finished dealing with the Chief Consultant. But what if she was wrong?

Riki closed her eyes and slumped in her chair. When had she started to care so much about Tanya? This went beyond reasonable concern for a comrade in danger. And why was it so hard to let go of the memory of holding her hand? Had Tanya meant anything by it? She had not pulled away—quite the opposite. Was it just because she was nervous? The circumstances hardly counted as normal. Could anything she did serve as a reliable guide to what she was thinking?

The sound of the door made Riki leap from the chair, dropping the book. Isabel Coppelli had entered, dressed in outdoor clothes.

"Is it news?" Riki asked.

"Yes. I thought you might like to know that Chief Consultant Bakara has sent a message, asking me to visit as soon as possible."

"Why has she waited so long?"

Isabel laughed. "It's about when I expected. I imagine she isn't looking forward to breaking the news to me that my granddaughter is back in the Corps dungeon. She'll have prayed to Celaeno before accepting that only earthly intervention would help. She also probably waited for a letter from Zelenski."

"Will Tanya be all right?"

"I'm sure she is. The Corps prefer taking their time over questioning people and they won't think they have any reason to rush." Isabel considered Riki thoughtfully for a few seconds. "You'll need to change into your disguise fairly soon. You're about to become dangerously unpopular with Colonel Zelenski."

"Right. I'll find Dev."

"I should see you again before you leave, but if not, I'd like to say that I've found it a pleasure working with you. Should you ever decide to return to the Homelands, I can guarantee you a job. You have skills I'd find most useful. Maybe not in Landfall, while Zelenski is around, but I don't think she has a long career ahead of her. While waiting for her to go, another town would be safer. The Coppellis have interests across the Homelands."

"I'll think about it. Although..."

"Although you have reasons to stay in Westernfort? I understand, and regardless, I wish you well in the future."

"Thank you."

"If we don't meet again, then good-bye and safe journey." Isabel smiled and went.

Riki picked up the dropped book and brushed dust off the cover. She was still not going to be able to read but was feeling less on edge. Things were moving forward. Riki returned the book to the shelf and also left the room, in search of Devishi Tang.

 

The Chief Consultant was praying again when Isabel arrived. It said much about her state of anxiety that she broke off immediately, clearly placing more importance on conversation with the Coppelli matriarch than with the Goddess. Bakara hoisted herself off her knees and stood with her hands clasped together over her chest.

"I...I'm afraid I have bad news," she began hesitantly.

"About?"

"Your granddaughter."

Isabel took two paces forward. "How? You said you'd remove the Guards from outside her room."

"I did. And she hasn't been killed, I don't think, but..."

"What has Zelenski done?"

"She came over last night with a squad of her women. They got the key, burst into your granddaughter's room, and took her back to their prison. I'm sorry. Zelenski caught us by surprise. We weren't expecting her to be so direct. They even assaulted the Sister in the room."

"Assaulted?"

"She was knocked over. I think it was mostly by accident, but even so..." Bakara was clearly shocked by what had happened.

"Has Zelenski said anything? Sent a letter?"

"Yes. Not long ago."

"And you waited for it before sending for me."

"Er... yes." Judging by the blush above the gauze mask, the implied criticism in Isabel's tone had gotten through.

"What did Zelenski say in her letter?"

"She knows all about Joannou, and what your woman did. And she has proof, the map I drew for Azid, other things. She's talking about having me removed. I—" Bakara's head sank. "I don't know what to do."

"Have you answered her letter?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you first."

"That was sensible." Isabel made no attempt to keep her tone respectful. Bakara was too worried to take offense.

"What can I do?"

"Let me talk to her."

"What can you say?"

"I've been doing my own digging. I think I've found a weapon to use against Zelenski. Something she won't want to become general knowledge."

"What?"

"To reveal the information would compromise my sources."

"But will it be enough? Will she hand over the documents?"

"Hopefully." Isabel compressed her lips in a firm line. "I'd like more. And if I'd had more time I'd have gotten it. But I know the dirt is there, and if I play it right, I might make her think that her position is weaker than it really is."

Bakara returned to the shrine, as if seeking comfort. Isabel heard her start to speak a few times, but stop. She was clearly too frightened to stay silent, but unwilling to say too much. Eventually, she said, "Zelenski. She was talking about putting me in...in secure confinement... and..."

"The old Chief Consultant's quarters at Southwater?"

Bakara turned to face Isabel. "How do you know about them?"

Isabel gave a humorless laugh. "There's not a lot that goes on in the Homelands that I don't know about. I've been aware for decades that the Sisterhood has a place to put people when you want them to disappear. Southwater was the most likely location."

"I don't want to go there."

"No. I imagine you don't. Although I believe the accommodation is very comfortable, if a little on the quiet side." Isabel paused for a second. "And as it happens, they've been in my thoughts recently."

"Why? What about them?"

"To be blunt, I want somebody put there. My granddaughter."

"Your granddaughter?"

"Yes. She's a heretic, and to be honest, I don't think she's about to recant. However, she's my flesh and blood, and I want her somewhere safe, so she can never again be used as a pawn against me. Also, my family's name would be better served by having her well out of sight. The Southwater quarters seem a good place. She'll be secure, well provided for, and not mistreated. And Zelenski shouldn't put up too much fight against sending her there."

"You're going to suggest it to her?"

"More like tell her it's what's going to happen. I don't like overplaying a weak hand, but I don't have much choice in this case."

"So? You're going to say...?" Bakara was struggling to keep up.

"I'm going to talk to Zelenski as soon as I leave here. I'm going to tell her about the information I've dug up on her, imply I have more, and see if I can bluff her into giving up the documents and my granddaughter. I want you to have a river barge waiting on the downstream docks after sundown tonight, ready to go to Southwater. Have some Sisters on it, briefed that they will be taking a new resident for the Southwater temple, and enough ordinary Guards to prevent any accidents on the way. I'll send another of my granddaughters to keep an eye on things for me. If I can get Zelenski to agree, I'll have her deliver Tanya to the docks tonight." Isabel looked up. "Is all of this satisfactory with you?"

"Yes." The relief in Bakara's voice was unmistakable. "If you can persuade Zelenski to give up the documents...anything. I'll sort out the river barge. It'll be waiting. If you really think you can..."

Isabel smiled grimly. "Yes, I do."

 

Isabel was shown into Zelenski's office as soon as she arrived at the Intelligence Corps headquarters. She glanced around, noting that the room was furnished for functionality rather than to impress. The Corps had other venues for people they wanted to intimidate. The colonel was sitting behind her desk, with two other officers in attendance.

Zelenski leaned back and considered her visitor patronizingly. "Have you come with a message from the Chief Consultant?"

"Not exactly." Isabel looked disdainfully at the other officers. "I think you might want to listen to what I have to say in private."

"I don't th—"

"Believe me. You don't want anyone else to hear what I have to tell you."

Zelenski's brows drew together angrily, but then she gestured to her subordinates. "Wait outside."

Once the door had shut, Isabel pulled a chair around and sat uninvited, then stared coldly at Zelenski. "I understand that, last night, you invaded the temple sanctum with a group of armed soldiers, stole the key to my granddaughter's room, and took her away, in defiance of the Chief Consultant's command."

"You understand correctly. And you know why I did it."

"Not precisely. I'm unsure on some details."

"There's no point playing games."

"I'm not playing. This is far too serious."

Zelenski sighed in exasperation. "You were going to arrange for your granddaughter to escape. I wanted to be sure she's still in custody when this entire matter is resolved."

"Ah, was that it?" Isabel nodded. "What I meant when I referred to not knowing the details was, I suspected you'd done it because someone had told you lies. The exact nature of the lies was what I didn't know."

"I have proof."

"I doubt it."

"I know all about your scheme to discredit the other candidate for Chief Consultant during the last election."

"Yes. You said in your letter, and in a very threatening fashion, I might add. Which was what baffled Bakara. She'd put off telling me about you abducting Tanya, waiting for more information, thinking maybe you'd had a good reason. But when she got your letter this morning she formed the opinion that you're suffering from a type of insanity. That was when she sent for me. To let me know my granddaughter was in the hands of a madwoman."

"This isn't going to—"

Isabel brushed aside Zelenski's objections. "However, I was able to put a different interpretation on events, because I know something Bakara doesn't." She met Zelenski's eyes. "How much did you pay Marlena Azid?"

"Enough."

"Enough for her to run away and make a new start somewhere?"

Zelenski nodded.

"I thought so. We discovered her quarters empty this morning. And a few clues as to what she's been up to."

"She's sold you out."

Isabel shook her head. "No. Not me."

Zelenski sighed and stood up. She unclipped a key from her belt and opened a cupboard. After slapping the extracted wad of papers onto the desk, Zelenski dropped into her chair and sat, smiling triumphantly.

Isabel pointed at the papers. "May I?"

"Feel free to look at them for as long as you like."

For the next five minutes, Isabel studied each document in turn, paying particular attention to the pages cut from an accounting ledger, but eventually she placed the last sheet back on the desk and sat back.

"Well?" Zelenski asked. "Anything you want to say?"

"You mean apart from observing that although Marlena is an accomplished actress, she's a complete novice at forgery?"

"What do you mean?"

Isabel paused thoughtfully. "Have you cross-checked any of the documents to see if they're genuine?"

"There wasn't time last night. But we've checked the stamp on the accounting sheets. It's one of yours, all right."

"Yes. Those are genuine. But she was rather selective in which sheets she gave you."

"We didn't get them from Marlena Azid."

"Yes, you did. She was capable of playing more than one role."

Zelenski frowned in confusion, but then her expression hardened again. "It doesn't matter. They prove the Chief Consultant was paying you money."

"Yes."

"You were blackmailing her."

"No."

"So why was she paying you?"

"That's what I meant about being selective. Marlena missed some important sheets at the beginning and the end. A few years ago, I loaned the temple some money for urgent repairs to the roof of the main hall. Interest free of course, and as a further act of piety, I wrote off the last tenth. That's what the money was. Repayment of a loan, and if you'd had the beginning and end sheets it all would have been quite clear. I can arrange for the books to be sent to an auditor if you wish."

Zelenski glared at her. "Maybe you can worm your way out of that one, but not the rest."

"Except they're all blatantly counterfeit. That's what we found in Marlena's room. Evidence that she'd been playing around at forgery." Isabel picked up the map. "I can't reveal how I know, but I assure you, not only is this not Bakara's handwriting, but the interior of the Fairfield sanctum looks nothing like this. And that's not a matter of opinion." She waved the sheet at Zelenski. "Send someone to Fairfield with this and see if it bears any similarity to the place. The external outline is about right. But anyone navigating by it would end up trying to walk through walls."

"But..." Zelenski looked stunned.

Isabel picked up another sheet. "And this. It's not my handwriting. Marlena was trying to copy it, but the angle of the downstrokes is wrong. The loops are too narrow, and her hand was moving slowly when she traced my signature. Look at the quiver. But don't take my word. Go and check. I've signed enough documents in my life."

"I..." Zelenski picked up a sheet and examined the signature closely.

Isabel returned the paper to the desk and smiled grimly at Zelenski. "So. How much did Marlena sting you for this load of rubbish?"

The disbelief on Zelenski's face switched in an instant to fury. "I'll get her."

"I'd say good luck in trying, but I'm not sure you'll have the chance."

"My agents will—"

"How much longer do you think they'll be your agents?"

"What do you mean?"

"You seem to have forgotten that last night, you led an armed party into the very sanctum of the temple, in direct defiance of the Chief Consultant. You drew your sword, stole a key, attacked a holy Sister, and abducted someone the Chief Consultant had ordered you to leave alone. And then this morning you sent the Chief Consultant a threatening and abusive letter." Isabel fixed a hard stare on the Colonel. "What happens to a Guard who breaks her oath of obedience to the Chief Consultant?"

"But—"

"I could list the offenses you've committed, starting with unfitting behavior for an officer and ending with blasphemy and treason. I'd say you're looking at a court-martial, dishonorable discharge, and possibly a death sentence."

The blood drained from Zelenski's face. "I wasn't..."

"Admittedly, the forged letters might stand as a mitigating factor, but you acted against the Goddess's representative on earth on such a flimsy basis without checking first."

"But, I know...she..."

Isabel waited for the spluttering to stop. "However, you have something I want. My granddaughter. Which is why I'm prepared to do a deal with you."

"What?"

"I want you to hand over my granddaughter, unharmed, at the downstream docks tonight. There'll be a river barge waiting."

"Taking her where?"

"That's none of your business, and I'd have thought a very minor concern to you, given your current situation. If you do this, I'll plead your case with Bakara. As you've doubtless observed, I have influence with her. If we can resolve this with no harm done to anyone, then I think I can guarantee you won't be court-martialed."

"Influence?"

"Yes. Much the same as I now have influence over you."

Zelenski sank back in her chair, eyes closed. Isabel watched. The Intelligence Corps commander had reached her position by schemes, tricks, and double-dealing. Years sitting behind a desk had blunted her nose for a trap and let her rely on bullying rather than subtlety, but now that she was on the trail, it would not take long to reach her conclusions.

Zelenski opened her eyes. "You set me up."

"Me?"

"Yes. Marlena Azid couldn't have run all this on her own."

"You're welcome to your opinion. But my advice is not to think too much about it, because you won't like where you end up."

"I know where I've ended up. Right where you wanted me. Okay. I'll hand over your granddaughter at the docks. I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Not if you don't want to be in a cell within the next hour."

Isabel stood up and reached onto the desk. "I'll take my accounts sheets, if you don't mind. I might need them for the tax auditor. But it would be as well for you to burn all the rest."

As the door opened, Zelenski spoke again. "The story about Joannou, was any of it true?"

"Of course not. Do you think I'd let you anywhere near the truth?" Isabel smiled at the Intelligence Corps Colonel, still seated at her desk. "And do I need to tell you that it would be better never to mention any of this again?"

"No."

 

Riki tied the laces on her boots and stood up, again viewing the world from a clear four centimeters higher than usual. She clasped her hands around her expanded waist and shifted the padding slightly, getting it to sit more naturally. The other woman in the room, Devishi Tang, took a step back, examined her critically, and then handed over a long braided wig. Riki slipped it carefully on her head, pushing any stray locks from sight. After a final prod with her tongue at the pads inside her cheeks, everything was complete. Devishi stood beside her and the pair studied their reflections in a full-length mirror.

"So, Dev? What do you think?" Riki asked.

"You don't look a lot like me. But I guess you look more like me than like yourself, which should be good enough. There isn't going to be anyone on the barge who knows me by sight."

"Except Steph."

"She doesn't count."

Riki grimaced and lifted the long hair off her neck. "August isn't a good time to be walking around with all this padding strapped around me."

"I'm sorry. I'd have put more effort into losing a few kilos, if I'd known the problems it would cause you." Devishi laughed as she spoke. She was one of Isabel's granddaughters, an easygoing young woman with a sharp sense of humor, who had been summoned from her usual base in Eastford to assist in the scheme.

Riki grinned. "I think it's one of the reasons you were picked. Padding is an easy disguise to make me look like you from a distance."

"And if I thought losing weight would make me look like you, from a distance or anywhere else, I'd give it a go. Even though I'm a Tang, I think I got most of my genes from the Coppelli side of the family, and they've never had the reputation for turning out beauties."

"Tanya is..." Riki stopped herself and covered by adjusting her wig. "Tanya is going to be so pleased to get out of prison."

"I'll bet. I should think you'll both be happy to see the back of Landfall."

"I've enjoyed being here. It's been fun."

Devishi laughed. "You ought to watch that attitude. Playing games with Grandma Izzy is addictive, and you don't want to know the sort of trouble she can get you into. Trust me, I speak from experience."

 

The Chief Consultant's prayers were getting more desperate, judging by the fervent muttering. The heavy scent of incense was choking. Bakara knelt by the shrine, but she was on her feet before Isabel was halfway into the room, although she waited until the door was closed before speaking.

"What did she say? Have you got the documents?"

Isabel smiled. "Yes. It worked."

"Praise the Goddess." Bakara turned back to the shrine and raised her clasped hand to her forehead, clearly giving thanks for her reprieve.

Isabel waited until she had the Chief Consultant's attention before continuing. She pulled a wad of papers from inside her shirt. "Here they are. The map you drew for Azid. Some regrettably indiscreet letters. Not one is much in itself, but together they add up to a complete picture."

"And this is all of them?"

"Zelenski assures me these were all she had."

"She swore an oath?"

"Yes."

Nodding, Bakara took the offered documents and leafed through them, stopping at her own hand-drawn map. "What should we do with these?"

"I'd recommend burning them as soon as possible."

"Yes. Of course." Bakara looked at the shrine, where a row of small candles was lit. "A suitable offering. Though I'll be giving more to the Goddess later."

"As will I."

Isabel watched the Chief Consultant burn the documents, one by one, in the small gold offering bowl beneath the shrine. The thought shot through Isabel's head that, at the very same moment, Colonel Zelenski was probably in the process of burning her forged copies of the very same documents. It was neatly symmetrical and ironic.

And of course, the sheets Bakara was burning were not the originals—those were still safe inside the Coppelli mansion—but they were not deliberately clumsy and inaccurate, like the copies sold to Zelenski. Isabel had considered handing over the originals to Bakara, but the Chief Consultant's eyesight was weakening, and it would take far more than a ten-second scan to spot the work of a skilled forger, such as the one Isabel employed. With an ever-uncertain future, the original documents might yet find a use.

When the last sheet had been turned to blackened ash, Bakara again faced Isabel. "Thank you. As ever, you've been most helpful, and you will find me suitably grateful."

"I'll consider myself adequately repaid by the safe delivery of my granddaughter into your secure accommodation." Isabel let her face reveal a hint of distress. "Her mother and I had family issues, from when she was a child. I've always felt I was partly to blame for what happened...her joining the heretics. If we'd worked out our relationship better, maybe..." Isabel sighed. "The past cannot be changed. But I feel I owe it to her to make sure her daughter is safe and unharmed for the rest of her natural life. The repayment of debts. Does that make sense to you?"

"Yes. I think so. I've made the arrangements you asked for. A barge will be waiting at the downstream docks after sunset. Three Sisters and a squad of Guards will be on board."

"Thank you. My granddaughter, Devishi Tang, will also be on the barge, with an attendant, but I hold you responsible for ensuring Tanya is handed over safely at Southwater."

"Of course."

Isabel smiled. "Once my heretic granddaughter has disappeared from the eyes of the world, I think it would be better if we never mention any of this again."

 

Riki stepped from the carriage, accompanied by her attendant, Steph, who was carrying their baggage. The river barge was moored a few meters away. Behind her, the driver flicked the horses' reins, and the carriage rumbled across the cobblestones, returning to the Coppelli mansion. Apart from activity around the barge, the downstream docks were deserted, lit only by the rising moons.

After the heat of the day, the cool dockside was pleasant. The sound of water slopping against the stone quay was scarcely louder than the whispering from the three Sisters huddled by the foot of the gangplank. Uniformed Guards stood to attention in a line along the waterfront. The crew were dark figures on the barge, acquiring detail only when they entered the circles of light given by the lanterns, mounted bow and stern.

At Riki's approach, the Sisters broke off their quiet conversation and turned to her. Their white robes were luminous in the moonlight. One took a half step forward. "Good evening."

Riki bowed her head. "Good evening, holy Sisters. I'm Devishi Tang. I have a letter from my grandmother, introducing me and my attendant, and one from the Chief Consultant, but you'll need better light to read them."

"That's not necessary. We've been informed of who you are."

"And has"—Riki paused—"my cousin arrived yet?"

"No. We're still waiting for her, but—"

The Sister broke off at the sound of more wheels, rattling over the uneven stones. An enclosed prison wagon appeared around the side of the nearest warehouse. The plain-clothed driver reined the horses to a stop close by where the Sisters and Riki were standing, and then she and her second jumped down and went to the rear of the wagon. The door was unlocked and three more women emerged. In the middle was Tanya.

Riki felt her insides kick. Had Tanya been mistreated, despite Isabel's assurances? The light was too poor to tell. Riki wished there was a lantern close by, though she could do nothing with the information, whatever state Tanya was in, and it was no bad thing if the darkness prevented the Corps agents from identifying Marlena Azid, should any have seen her visiting Zelenski.

Tanya's body language shouted bewilderment and fear, but this told Riki nothing. It was the role she was supposed to be playing.

"This is the one?" the lead Sister asked.

"Yup. Here's your heretic."

"Thank you."

The Sister gestured to the uniformed Guards, who formed up around Tanya and rapidly bundled her up the gangplank. Throughout this, Riki hung back, as if disinterested. Only after Tanya was out of sight below deck did she also mount the gangplank, followed by Steph and the three Sisters.

While the crew made ready to depart, Riki stood in the middle of the barge, well away from the lanterns, and watched the four Intelligence Agents around the prison wagon. They in turn were looking at the barge and showing no sign of leaving. Riki pursed her lips. If they had hurt Tanya, Riki wanted to come back to Landfall, hunt them down, and do something equally nasty to them. But it was a childish impulse and missed the point. Riki's expression eased into a smile.

Isabel Coppelli had won. She had beaten the Corps. Tanya was out of the dungeon and on her way home. That was the real score.

 

The four agents watched in silence as the crew cast off and the river barge drifted into the night. They then clambered back on their wagon, but still made no attempt to move from the dockside. After a few minutes' wait, the sound of hooves announced the arrival of a lone horsewoman.

The rider paused by the wagon. "The heretic left on the barge?"

"Yes. With her escort."

Another agent pointed at a speck of light on the water. "There you can just see the stern lantern."

"Right. I'm on it." The horsewoman, Lieutenant Maz Turan, waved an informal salute and urged her horse onward, following the barge downriver and away from the city of Landfall.