The Court of a Thousand Suns by Chris Bunch; Allan Cole Page A

indeed, no sign that anyone had ever been on the ship besides this individual.
    "But Halperin produced evidence that it was physically impossible for one human to have consumed the amount of rations missing from the ship. The miner contradicted him. Swore that he was a hearty eater.
    Pity."
    Evidently that was the end of the spindar's story. By then, Sten knew better, but asked what happened anyway.
    "The planetary patrols in the frontier worlds are somewhat pragmatic. Not to say ruthless. They purchased an equivalent amount of rations and sat the suspect down in front of them. Gave him thirty days to prove his innocence. Trial by glut, I suppose you would refer to it. A definite pity."
    Again the spindar dug out instruments and, attaching extensions to them, swept the ceiling area. "The man died of overeating on the third day. Odd system of justice you humans have.
    "This case," the spindar continued, reseating himself, "is even stranger. You do, just as you warned me, Lieutenant, appear to have a great quantity of nothing."
    For Sten, that was the first positive lead toward finding the disappeared Dr. Knox.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    "And what, captain, does nothing give you?" the Eternal Emperor asked.
    The Emperor might appear less angry, but Sten was determined to keep the briefing as short as possible.
    As long as he stuck to business, he probably couldn't get in much trouble.
    "This Knox did not want the room cleaned. My theory is that he was afraid some personal evidence might still be in the room's automatic cleaning filters.
    "We found no fingerprints. No traces of dead skin, no urine traces in the bed, no sweat or oil stains in the pillow. Also, there was no IR residue in the bed coverings."
    "Thank you, Captain. I will now assume you and the techs produced every sort of zero-trace science can look for. Explain."
    Sten did. Knox not only cleaned the room minutely, but also used sophisticated electronics to remove all traces of his occupancy.
    "So. Your, uh, Knox character's more than just a professional doctor."
    "That's the assumption," Sten said carefully. "Haines—she's the police OIC on the case—is tracing doctors who might have learned another set of skills."
    "If your Knox is as good as you say, Captain, I'd assume he was an offworlder."
    "Haines is checking all Prime World arrivals within the last E-year, sir."
    "Good luck. Prediction, Captain: You're going to draw a big fat blank."
    "Probably. Which is why we're working angle B—the bomber."
    The Emperor shrugged. "If you've got one pro, why couldn't the bomber be just as faceless?"
    "Because the bomber—" Sten caught himself before he could say "blew it."—"made a mistake."
    The Emperor considered. "All right. Work that angle. Is there anything else?"
    Sten shook his head—there was no point in mentioning the tacsquad's mysterious presence until Haines had more information.
    "One more thing, Captain. For your information only. The Tahn Embassy's Principal Secretary has requested an interview with me. I think we may both assume what it will be regarding.
    "And I really would like to be able to tell him more than 'I got plenty of nothing.'
    "That's all, Captain. You may go."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    Sten fingered the pore-pattern key on his mailbox and absentmindedly fished out its contents. It was the usual junk— The Imperial Guard Times, Forces Journal , the palace's daily house organ, the latest promotion list, an ad from a military jeweler—all of which went into the disposal. Sten tucked one fiche—reminder of his somewhat past-due bill from a uniform tailor—into his belt pouch and started to close the little door. Then he saw something else and fished it out curiously.
    It was a real paper envelope, addressed by hand to "Captain Sten, Imperial Household." Sten fumbled the envelope open. Three other pieces of paper dropped into his hand. The first was a blank envelope.
    The second was a thick engraved paper card:
    MARR & SENN Request the Honor of
    Your