The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One V. Timlin (mobi reader .txt) 📖

“Who are you?” His tone was nothing short of irritated.

“My name is Vari Gufih, and this is my son’s business partner, Miss Anouk Herring.”

“We don’t keep books of people coming and going. Go away.”

Vari lifted one eyebrow and proceeded to speak calmly. “That sounds like serious negligence. Does Chief Constable Loka know about it?”

The enforcer’s lips thinned and he puffed out his cheeks as if trying to hold in wind. His moustache danced back and forth in the rhythm of his huffs, serving to add to Anouk’s mental caricature. She could almost hear Sir David Attenborough explaining, ‘Male walruses can become very aggressive when their territory is threatened.’ She had to bite her lower lip not to burst out laughing.

“Well, is Nat Walla still with the chief constable?” Vari pressed.

The enforcer pulled a desk telephone from under the counter and grabbed the headset. Anouk stared. It was almost an exact replica of those late Victorian telephones she had seen in museums with a box-like base, brass hook and L-shaped headset. The only difference was it lacked a dial, and the translucent base revealed all the wiring and parts.

A light flashed inside the telephone as he reeled a small crank on the side of it.

“It’s Sergeant Rosmarus. There are two women enquiring if Chief Constable Loka is still having a meeting with Nat Walla.” He murmured a few times into the receiver then placed it back on the telephone hook. “Nat Walla left three hours ago.”

Anouk’s stomach dropped. She flicked her eyes on Vari to see her reaction. Her eyebrows crinkled ever so slightly before they smoothed and her expression was unreadable. What did it mean? Was Nat in trouble or had he just taken a detour and was back in camp while they were in the constabulary?

“I wish to speak to Chief Constable Loka then,” Vari politely demanded.

“He’s busy, and he’s not taking any visitors.”

“I see.” Vari unfastened her gun belt and placed it on the desk under Sergeant Rosmarus’ nose. “That way?” She pointed to the stairs leading to the upper storeys.

“Yes, but…”

“Thank you.” Vari headed for the stairs.

“Will you look after this as well?” Anouk put her katana on the same heap as Vari’s revolver and dagger then trotted after Vari.

“You can’t go there without an appointment,” Sergeant Rosmarus called after them.

Vari wasn’t listening, but took long strides up the stairs, her skirt hem flaring around her ankles. Anouk glanced back to see if the sergeant was coming to stop them. He wasn’t, but he was shouting something over the phone.

“Do you know where Chief Constable Loka’s office is?”

“Yes. I’ve been here several times when Fitzwil and I were still active bounty hunters. Only Loka wasn’t the chief constable then. I assume he has inherited the office from the former chief constable along with the title.”

Vari and Anouk walked up one more flight of stairs, no one coming to stop them. Vari opened the third door on the left and burst in. A young police constable jumped from his chair and darted to the chief constable’s door, blocking their way.

“You cannot go in without an appointment.”

Vari smiled, but the irritation on her face was plain. “I need to see Chief Constable Loka now, and I’m not leaving before I have spoken with him.”

“You have to make an appointment,” the young man ordered, with a tone of forced patience.

“Chief Constable Loka,” Vari raised her voice. “It’s Vari Gufih, and I need to speak with you now.”

“Madam, please lower your voice,” the enforcer hissed, his face crimson. He fidgeted in front of the door as if trying to decide whether he should move them out of the office with force or call for help.

Vari stood fast, challenging the young enforcer with her glare. Anouk folded her arms over her chest in a sign of defiance. He was more knees and elbows than muscle. Anouk was sure she and Vari could push him aside if needed. The thought of challenging law enforcement made her heart race faster. She had never questioned authority in this way. Maybe this wasn’t the best time to start. They might end up being incarcerated, but Vari’s presence and example gave her the courage… and she liked it.

The office door opened and an older man appeared in the doorway.

“Constable Ethini, what is this racket?” he demanded in a gruff voice.

“I am sorry, chief constable. I tried to tell these ladies they have to book an appointment.” Constable Ethini’s voice was high-pitched by comparison.

Chief Constable Loka was a head shorter, but twice as wide as his aid. His thick dark hair continued down his cheeks transforming into wide sideburns that merged with an impressive bird-wing shaped moustache under a straight nose. He wore a similar dark enforcer uniform to that of his secretary. The yellow brass buttons on the coat reflected the light of the electric lamps as if just polished. Maybe that was what the chief constable had been busy doing.

Chief Constable Loka glowered at his uninvited guests.

“What is it you want, Mrs Gufih?”

“You had a meeting with Nat this morning.”

Chief Constable Loka narrowed his eyes. “Yes. What of it?”

“Sergeant Rosmarus said he left hours ago.”

“Mrs Gufih, get to the point,” the chief constable snapped.

Anouk blinked at this open hostility and lack of manners. Vari stared back at Chief Constable Loka without twitching a muscle on her face.

“He hasn’t come back to us as he promised.”

“That is not my problem.” The chief constable turned to go back into his office.

“I beg to differ. Your men are not capable of capturing Stalo, and you need men like Nat. It’s in your best interest to be mindful of his importance to you as long as Stalo is loose.”

Chief Constable Loka froze in the doorway. He turned his head and scowled at them, his face red.

“Alright. You have ten minutes.” He stormed into his office without another word.

“Oh my God, he’s rude,” Anouk whispered to Vari who gave her a crooked smile and shrugged.

The office was