The Wrong Trail Knife

by Jane Fletcher

jane.fletcher@virgin.net

Disclaimers: Please see chapter one

Chapter eighteen – The list of suspects

A noisy game of dice was in progress when Chip returned to the bunk-house. Katryn was looking down on the players, sitting on her bed with her legs dangling over the side. The football had provided a temporary distraction, but now her sense of anxiety was growing. She had to know what Chip had learnt, and in what direction this had sent her thoughts.

Chip shared a few wisecracks with the dice players, stripped off her heavy cloak and wandered into the sergeant’s room. Katryn did not wait. If she stopped to think she would lose her nerve. She slipped down from her bed and followed.

"Can I talk to you, ma’am?" Katryn blurted out.

"Sure – you’ve got nearly half an hour before dinner. Is this about Ellis?" Chip hung her cloak on a peg and kicked the door shut. Through it the sound of the dice players was muted but still audible, rising and falling. There was a sudden burst of ironic cheering, someone had been very lucky – or silly. Chip pointed Katryn towards the cushioned chest.

Katryn sat rigidly. Do you still think I’m innocent of murdering her? was far too abrupt. It was the thing she desperately wanted to know, but she didn’t think she could cope with the blunt answer of ‘no’. Instead she asked, "What do you make of things… now you’ve seen Roadsend?"

Chip settled on the edge of her bed. "It’s not easy." Her forehead wrinkled in thought. "I mean, the obvious candidate for murderer is Sergeant Takeda, but you can’t rule anyone out."

"Takeda!" Katryn voice rose. "But she was…"

"You look surprised." Chip said grinning. "Supposing I tell you how I see things?" Katryn nodded, it was exactly what she wanted. Chip continued. "There was no sign of a fight, and you didn’t hear Ellis shouting. From this I deduce that Ellis wasn’t startled by whoever she encountered in the stores; which might in turn imply that they’d planned to meet there. ‘Why’, has to be a guess, but everyone knew Ellis disliked you. Maybe someone told Ellis they suspected you of stealing, but didn’t want to make it public without evidence. She arranged a secret meeting and asked Ellis to get the key and bring her knife."

"Something like that would explain her words to me in the stable." Katryn said cautiously. "But the sentries… I don’t see how Takeda…" her voice trailed away in confusion.

"Think of the parts of the parade ground the sentries couldn’t see. Takada could have left the officer’s block and gone straight to the stores without being noticed. She could have stabbed Ellis, removed her knife belt and left again. The sentries saw Takeda walk across the ground, but they didn’t have the angle to tell which building she went into. Takeda could have gone to your locker, taken your knife, put it in Ellis’s belt then hung it up before going on to her own bunk-house. Of course, Takeda wouldn’t have known which locker was yours, but she could have riffled through the letters in them. It would only have taken a few minutes, and she had plenty of time."

"You don’t think it was simply chance whose knife she took?" Katryn spoke with a frown on her face.

"No. I think it was a deliberate attempt to frame you by someone who knew you’d be near by, and had heard about your threat to Ellis that morning."

"I didn’t mean it seriously." Katryn mumbled, embarrassed.

"I know." Chip said quickly, and went on. "But it does put a question mark against Takeda – would she have heard about it? She doesn’t seem the type to gossip. The women from your old patrol are more likely candidates."

"None of them left the White Swan."

Chip held up her finger. "None of them made a big thing of waving good-bye and heading out the front door for half an hour, but if they spent an evening drinking you can bet they all paid at least one visit to the latrine. We’ve seen it’s easy to scramble round from the back of the tavern to the riverside path, and we’re assuming the murderer had arranged to meet Ellis. Therefore Ellis could have opened the rear door and put out the bridge, and would be there to lend a hand up. Within seconds of slipping out of the tap-room the murderer could have been in the stores."

"How would they get the knife off Ellis?"

"Easy, ask her – I’ll demonstrate." Chip bounced to her feet. "You be Ellis, I’ll be the killer."

Katryn also stood, although she looked uncomfortable.

"And this is a row of crates." Chip pointed to her bed. "Right. We’ve just closed the rear door. I rush over to these crates and you follow." Her intonation shifted to an act of forced eagerness. "Thanks for meeting me here, ma’am. But before I say anything more I want to be sure of my facts. I think this is the crate." She patted the bed and glanced back to Katryn. "Can I borrow your knife, ma’am?" She held out her hand. After a second of hesitation Katryn realised she was expected to play her part in the charade. She pulled the knife from her belt and passed it over. Chip took it and mimed prising up the lid of a box. She peered down. "Yes. It’s like I thought. If you want to see." Chip stepped away. Katryn moved forward automatically, then realised Chip was now directly behind her. Katryn felt the knife handle tapped gently on her back. "And now you’re dead." Chip spoke the final words softly.

Katryn turned around, Chip smiled and handed back her knife. The two of them resumed their seats. "But, if it wasn’t Takeda, how did the murderer get my knife into Ellis’s belt?" Katryn asked.

"There’s a stock of grapple-and-lines in the stores – I know, I checked. The murderer borrowed one, locked the rear door, returned the key to Ellis’s pocket, and slipped out. She went to the wall by the kitchen and used the grapple to climb over. A trot along the river bank, round the corner and over the wall again into the space between A and B blocks. A quick visit to your bunk-house then back the way she came. She left the grapple hidden under the rubbish in the alleyway before climbing around to the White Swan. The whole thing would have taken her five minutes, ten at most. Probably no-one even noticed she’d been gone. If they did she could say there’d been a queue or she’d been chatting in the courtyard. When the militia asked if anyone had left the tavern for part of the night, the rest weren’t going to say ‘so-and-so took a little bit longer than you’d expect when she went for a piss’."

"Wouldn’t the missing grapple be noticed?"

"I’d guess the murderer collected it early the next day and snuck it back, maybe even posted it through a ventilation grill." Chip looked thoughtful. "Of course, for completeness there are two more suspects to consider. Bergstrom and Adebeyo were together all evening, but, like those in the tavern, one could have slipped off for a few minutes. I think we can dismiss Adebeyo. With her leg her days of abseilling over walls are finished, but Bergstrom could have used the riverside path to return the knife belt." Chip paused. "And I’m afraid the last suspect has to be you – if I can just work out a reason why you’d switch your knife with Ellis." The grin removed any serious intent from her last sentence.

Katryn sank back so her shoulders rested against the wall. She felt light-headed. Her first reaction was to not even care whether what was proposed was feasible. It was enough that Chip still believed in her. It then struck her that Chip was right. The facts did not add up to an impossible picture. Someone had murdered Ellis and tried to frame her – and came frighteningly close to succeeding. For the first time it fully hit Katryn that someone she knew had conspired to kill her. She wasn’t the primary target. She was sure it was merely incidental to the murderer’s plan that she’d have been hanged, but she wouldn’t have been any less dead. A cold feeling of anger gripped her. She raised her head, Chip was looking at her.

"You’re going to find the murderer?" Katryn said, more a statement than a question.

"I’m going to find her." Chip confirmed. She open her mouth as if to say more but the dinner bell rung out, greeted by shouts from the room outside. "Come on, let’s go and eat."

**********

By the time the patrol got back to Eastford the weather was deteriorating, while the action was starting to heat up, metaphorically speaking. Ash was already off, chasing reports of missing people. Kim’s patrol was dispatched to the south the day after Chip’s return. C patrol had less than a week to savour the delights of the Three Barrels before they were sent on a mission to Liffey’s Crossing, escorting an important convoy. In early February a series of bad storms hit. All the rangers spent the middle half of the month taking emergency aid to isolated homesteads, rescuing stranded travellers and, on one occasion, digging out corpses after an avalanche had overwhelmed several hill farms. By the end of February the snow-lions were getting hungry enough to try for domesticated animals.

Captain LeCoup lead C and D patrols out to deal with a large pride. On the fourth day they met up with half of the 12th squadron who had been similarly dispatched from the Clemswood barracks. The tiny hamlet where their paths crossed was not big enough to shelter everyone so the rangers from the 23rd squadron went further up the valley, to the next lonely cluster of dwellings. That night Captain LeCoup and her two sergeants returned for a joint briefing. The women from the 12th were lead by Lieutenant Bergstrom. One of the others was introduced as Sergeant Sivarajah. Chip studied her. From Katryn’s account it was hardly surprising the experienced corporal had been promoted into the position left vacant by Ellis’s death.

The meeting was routine. The gully the lions were using as a den had already been identified and a rough map drawn. After a short debate a co-ordinated plan was agreed on, with roles assigned for a dawn sortie the next day. In less than half an hour the officers from the 23rd were ready to leave, however Chip wanted a private word with Jan Sivarajah first. The chances were the women from the two squadrons would not even get close enough to recognise each other but, if they did, Chip did not want anyone attempting to lay into Katryn.

Chip slipped around the edge of the room to get to the newly promoted sergeant. "Jan Sivarajah? Can I have a quick word with you?" With her head Chip indicated an empty corner.

"Do I know you?" Jan asked in confusion, once they were out of hearing by the others.

"No. But you know one of the women in my patrol. Private Nagata."

Jan’s expression flickered from surprise, to concern, to something looking a lot like guilt. "Oh, so that’s where she… um, yes… yes I do. She was…"

Chip cut her off. "I know the whole story, including how she left the 12th. What I wanted to say was, after we’ve finished with the lions tomorrow, if she should be noticed I don’t want any of your girls thinking they can carry on where they left off."

"No." Jan said immediately. "No they won’t – you have my word on it. I …" She broke off, biting her lip, then looked up at Chip. "Please, tell her I’m sorry about what happened. I should have stopped it, but I was…" She held her hands up in a pained gesture. "... just tell her I’m sorry."

"I’ll pass it on."

"Katryn didn’t deserve all the blame. I know you must find it hard having her in your patrol, but don’t hold it against her. Ellis pushed her so hard anyone would’ve snapped. But I know she can be a good ranger."

"Katryn didn’t kill Ellis."

Jan stared uncertainly at Chip. "Are you sure you’ve got the whole story?"

"Yes – possibly more than you."

"It couldn’t have been anyone else. And it was her knife." Jan said obstinately.

"No it wasn’t." Chip glanced across the room. LeCoup was standing by the door, looking in their direction. The captain didn’t yet have the appearance of impatience, but it was not wise to keep her waiting. "I can’t hang around and talk, but it wasn’t her knife. Katryn’s was new issue from Fort Krowe. Ellis was stabbed with her own knife. The amount of wear gave it away. Someone made a switch and the only reason I can think of was to frame Katryn."

"Why didn’t Dolokov tell us that?"

"You know your captain better than me."

Chip started to back away but Jan caught her arm. "You’re sure about the knife?"

"I’ve seen the report, signed by Lieutenant Sanchez, and Captain Dolokov."

Jan looked as if she was biting back her words but then released Chip’s arm "Okay, there isn’t time at the moment, maybe we can talk some more tomorrow. And I promise there won’t be any trouble."

**********

The skirmish with the lions went largely to plan and was over before the sun had cleared the horizon. The rangers assembled afterwards in small clusters, stamping their feet in the cold while shouting good-natured jibes to each other. Chip made a quick headcount of her patrol, ensuring everyone was present and unhurt, and particularly that Katryn was safe, then went to report to Captain LeCoup.

It was not the weather to stand around in the open, however two women from the 12th had received minor injuries which required attention. As the most gifted healer present, Carma Achillea from D patrol was sent to tend to them. Chip took advantage of the delay to go in search of Katryn’s ex-corporal. It was apparent the same idea had occurred to Jan. The sergeants met in the open space between the two groups of rangers.

"Sergeant Coppelli." Jan hailed her.

"Hi again." Chip gave the more informal greeting, pulling her cloak tightly around her. A sharp wind was gusting over the hillside, and the clouds held the promise of more snow. The two of them moved on to a spot sheltered by a tangle of bushes.

"I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what you said last night." Jan opened the discussion.

"It gives a lot to think about." Chip agreed.

Jan’s lips compressed in a thin line as she glared down at the snow. At last she said, "No matter what way I added it up, it didn’t work out well for the 12th."

"True. You’ve got a murderer in your midst."

"Yep." Jan sighed. "That was pretty much the final conclusion I reached."

"Did you have any names topping your list of suspects?"

"Do you honestly expect me to answer that?"

"Not really." Chip replied evenly. "Though it would be helpful if you did. I’ve learnt enough to know half the squadron had reason to want Ellis dead and I think I can show that nine women had the opportunity to do it, yourself and Katryn among them. Except Katryn wouldn’t have switched knives."

"You think I might…" Jan began.

"You had a hefty grudge over your gene-mother."

"So you’ve been doing your research." Jan’s voice was tight.

"It’s good practice for a ranger who wants to stay alive."

Jan looked up to meet Chip’s eyes. For the space of a dozen heartbeats they held the contact and then Jan gave a wry grimace, but her face showed approval. "Very good practice." She drew a deep breath. "And you’re right. I hated Ellis. I think part of the reason I didn’t stop the others roughing up Katryn was because I felt so guilty at being pleased about her death. My gene-mother was the only one of my family I cared about. She knew I loved her, but I never got to explain why I..." Jan’s voice died, then she said softly. "You always think you’ve got more time than you have." She shook her head as if to dislodge the memories. "Yes. I was happy to see Ellis dead, but I didn’t kill her. And it wouldn’t have been with a knife if I had. I’m the squadron’s top tracker. I pick the trails, say where it’s safe to go. Do you know how easily I could have rigged an accident? Since mum died there have been several perfect opportunities." Jan’s eyes bored into the horizon. "I’ll admit I thought about it. I was tempted, but I didn’t."

Chip studied the other woman thoughtfully. "From what I know I can give reasons why any of my nine suspects might have wanted to kill Ellis, but it’s only an exercise in stringing together facts. You know them, what they’re like as people, how they react. If you don’t want to tell me who you think did kill Ellis, perhaps you could tell who you think didn’t?"

Jan hesitated briefly, and then spoke. "Nine suspects? Well since I’m on your list I guess you’ve worked out a way someone who was in the White Swan could have managed it. So…" She pursed her lips. "Tina… she’d never knife someone in the back. She’s got a temper. If Ellis had been battered to death Tina would be the one I’d look at, but she’d never stoop to back-stabbing. Bo hasn’t got the brains, the ability or the guts to be a murderer. Pat doesn’t care about anything enough to kill for…"

"Not even being obliged to sleep with someone against her will?"

Jan gave a humourless laugh. "Your research is slipping. I’m sure Pat didn’t find Ellis attractive, but she used to lead her on. Ellis might have thought she was the one in control, but it was Pat who made the running, and got all the benefits."

"And the other two?"

"Sal and Nikky? I can’t see either had a motive."

"I’d heard Ellis had threatened to block Sal’s re-enlistment because of her drinking."

"There was no way Dolokov would listen to Ellis’s recommendation and Sal knew it." Jan rubbed an hand over her face. "So that’s six of your nine. You said Katryn was one, but I’ll assume, by now, you’ve got a good idea of what she’s like. So who else is on your list of suspects?"

"Lieutenant Bergstrom?"

"Oh yes, her." Jan squinted towards the rising sun. "I’d say that if she didn’t resort to murder when she was Ellis’s subordinate I can’t see why she’d do it when she was in a position to make Ellis’s life awkward by way of revenge. And I guess your last suspect is Adebeyo." Chip was about to correct her, but stopped, interested to hear what Jan might offer. "The only person with a good word for Ellis. I suppose it would be nicely ironic for Ellis to be murdered by the nearest thing she had to a friend, but with so many people who hated her guts…" Jan did not finish the sentence.

"And Sergeant Takeda?"

"That’s ten." Jan looked sideways at Chip. "Oh… whatever. Takeda is too conscientious. If she was going to murder someone she’d have scheduled it on the duty roster and filed a report afterwards."

"I’ve heard she has a bit of a temper."

"Takeda? Never." Jan shook her head. "It says a lot about Ellis’s goading that she ever got any reaction. And even if Takeda’s temper did flare up enough to commit murder, she wouldn’t have framed someone else."

There was a call from LeCoup. Carma had returned and further down the hill the rangers from the 12th were heading for their horses.

"Looks like its time to go." Chip said. "Thanks for your help, maybe we’ll meet up again."

"That’s okay. I think I owe Katryn something. I’m pleased she’s settled down in a squadron, I had been worried about what might happen to her. She deserves a decent sergeant."

"I try my best and, like you, I owe her. Within a month of joining the 23rd she’d saved my life. As you said last night, she’d got the makings of a very good ranger."

**********

The tap-room at the Three Barrels was full of rangers. Over half of the squadron had descended on the cosy tavern to swap stories. Kim’s patrol had returned to Eastford at the same time as C and D and there was a fair bit of news to exchange. Because they were rangers this exchange was done at high volume, accompanied by large amounts of beer. The atmosphere was lively. Several women were singing a ballad of questionable taste.

In one of the quieter corners Chip sat at a table, going over what she had learnt with Kim, while Katryn added the occasional remark. Chip knew they had to find a way to whittle down the list of suspects – working out how was the problem.

"The trouble is motive. There are just too many people who wanted Ellis dead." Chip concluded.

"True." Kim agreed. "Becoming a sergeant doesn’t do much for your popularity, but she does seem to be in a class of her own."

"I hope so." Katryn added her own heartfelt tones. "I don’t want to run into someone like her again."

Chip frowned. "Except I don’t think hatred was the driving motive. You lash out at someone you hate in a fit of anger. This murder was coldly planned in advance."

"Okay. So give me some nice rational reasons to kill her." Kim suggested.

Chip slipped down slightly in her chair as she mulled it over. "We know she was the sort of person who liked to have a hold over others, which is only half a step from blackmail. I’m sure, in her own eyes, Ellis thought she was on the side of the righteous. So it wouldn’t be for money, but maybe to try and get what she believed she had a right to – promotion. She knew Adebeyo and Bergstrom from way back. They were both senior officers to her. She might have threatened to use some information she had on them."

"Such as?"

"If Adebeyo has never skimmed anything from the stores she’s unique among quartermasters."

"That’s a bit sweeping. "Kim protested.

"I don’t mean anything major. Just it’s very easy for them to start thinking of the stores as their own personal property. It may only a flagon of beer, but they can still be court-martialled for it. And with Bergstrom there’s the story about her going to pieces during the fight with the Mad Butcher. Suppose there were a few more details Ellis kept to herself, so she still had a hold over her? Ellis was desperate for promotion. Perhaps she tried putting pressure on."

"But neither of them could have done anything. It would be down to Dolokov to recommend Ellis for a lieutenancy."

"Oh, yes. But Ellis wasn’t a particularly reasonable woman. And it would mean her victim was in an impossible position."

Kim shook her head. "It’s feasible, but it’s a lot of conjecture. And I’m not sure about all this abseilling. It’s a shame we don’t have much of a motive for the one with the best opportunity."

"Sergeant Takeda?" Chip fixed her eyes on the ceiling while running through everything she knew. There wasn’t much to work with. "Well... we know she takes her responsibilities to her patrol seriously. She had someone’s life to avenge, and we don’t know what she and Ellis were arguing about earlier that day."

"Might just have been Ellis thinking it funny one of Takeda’s patrol was in the lock-up." Katryn said. "I agree with Jan’s assessment. Takeda hated Ellis, but she’s not the sort of person to act on emotion."

Chip tilted her head towards Katryn. "Do you go along with Jan Sivarajah’s opinion of the rest of your ex-comrades?"

Katryn’s nose scrunched in thought. "More or less. I don’t think Sal took Ellis completely seriously. Certainly not when she was drunk, and Ellis was killed after Sal had been in a tavern for a while, which meant…" Katryn finished the sentence with a wave of the hand. "In the same way, I don’t think Bo took anything seriously."

"Drunks are unpredictable, and I’ve never known one who wasn’t in debt. Ellis strikes me as the sort to lend money just to tighten her grip." Chip said. "And by all accounts Bo was the one who Ellis used to pick on most before you arrived."

"So why kill Ellis when she was no longer the main target for abuse?" Katryn countered.

"What about the one who was sleeping with Ellis?"

"Pat?" Katryn shrugged. "Despite months in the same patrol I’d say I hardly know her; Jan reckoned it’s because there’s nothing to know."

"Ellis was chancing her luck there. It’s always a bit dicey when a sergeant sleeps with one of her patrol. If there was any evidence of coercion Ellis would have been in deep shit. LeCoup would be down on us like a ton of bricks at first hint of it in the 23rd." Chip fought to keep her tone level, and almost succeeded, although the sight of Kim across the table, smirking at her, didn’t help. Fortunately Katryn’s attention was fixed on something on the other side of the room. Chip risked a disapproving frown at her friend, but this only served to amuse Kim more. Chip managed to regain full control of her voice. "Maybe Pat objected more than she let on."

Kim shook her head. "In that case she could have made an official complaint, which would have been just as effective in stopping it, and far less risky. What do you think, Katryn?"

Katryn’s eyes had been riveted on the far wall. She recalled herself. "Er... maybe. Um… Tina. For her I’d go completely with Jan’s assessment, Tina would use her fists, not her knife."

"Except we’re not talking about an attack in anger."

"Perhaps." Katryn relaxed visibly. "There’s more going on in Tina’s head than you’d guess from looking at her. Only the Goddess knows what lies at the bottom."

"So who does that leave?" Kim asked the question.

"Nikky and Jan herself." Katryn tilted her head to one side. "I like Jan, although I know that’s no proof she isn’t guilty. And I can’t think of any reason Nikky would have to murder Ellis – plus she isn’t the sort to plan things out."

"Supposedly it’s always the ones you don’t suspect." Kim threw in. "Except in my experience the first name to come to mind is the right one, nine times out of ten."

"And what’s your experience of this sort of murder hunt?" Chip asked wryly.

Kim raised her eyebrows, miming innocence. "Who said I was referring to murder?" She pointed to a group of three local women who had just entered the room and were looking at the rangers. "Now do you see the attractive one on the end? If that woman’s partner came around here tomorrow, complaining her other half had gone out for a drink with friends and not come home, whose is the first name you’d think of?" Kim got to her feet, smiling. "…and what are the chances you’d be right?"

Chip matched her friend’s grin. "Kim, really! You’re the sort of woman who gives rangers a bad reputation."

"I know, but someone has to do it." Kim glanced at the three women and then back. "If you like I could try and get her friends to come over."

Katryn looked away. Chip hesitated for an instant – not because she was tempted, but she had caught the probing edge in Kim’s voice. "Thanks for the offer, but don’t bother."

Kim shook her head in mock sorrow. "What a way for rangers to act! You can’t keep this up for long, or you’ll have the whole squadron knotted with frustration on your behalf."

"I’m sure nobody is keeping a tally."

"Just as well – there’s nothing to count." Kim was completely unmoved by the angry glare Chip was directing at her. She tapped Chip’s shoulder. "… catch you tomorrow." Kim smiled once more and then sauntered in the general direction of the attractive local.

Chip cleared her throat. "Um... ignore her... She was just being daft."

"I’m not so sure. Isn’t it one of the rules that all rangers should go at sex like a three-year-old in a cake shop – one bite out of everything?"

"No." Chip’s reply came out more sharply than she intended. "Kim’s just..." She paused, gathering herself. "Kim has her own demons to fight. Her family were all killed by bandits when she wasn’t much more than a kid. She was the one who found the bodies. I think Kim… she plays around so much, it’s a defence thing. A way of keeping people at arm’s length. She won’t let herself get close, then she can’t get hurt."

"She cares about you."

"Yes, well... as a friend." Chip looked across the room. Already Kim had the local’s undivided attention. "I think by now she knows you can’t cut yourself off from everyone. And she’s grown. She doesn’t need the emotion armour, but she carries on out of habit."

"But the rest of the rangers all act pretty much the same."

"I don’t."

"What about the trader in Landfall?"

Chip swallowed, unable to think of anything to say. "I... er... she was...."

"You don’t need to explain. It’s not you who’s out of line, it’s me." Katryn said bitterly, then buried her face in her hands. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have joined the rangers. I never was any good at one night stands."

"It’s not compulsory."

"Isn’t it?"

"No. It’s your skill with a bow that counts, not your performance in…" Chip swallowed the end of the sentence. She realised she had got into a conversation with Katryn that she desperately didn’t want to have.

Katryn let her hands drop and looked towards the bar. "Or perhaps I should give it a go... act like a proper ranger... see if it helps. You never know, I might get to like it. What do you think of my chances with her?"

Chip followed the direction of Katryn’s eyes and realised they were fixed on one of the women standing near the bar. Chip felt her own eyes narrow, surprised at the strength of her response. The woman looked like a perfectly nice, ordinary person. It was completely unjustified to want her to drop through a hole in the floor.

At the sound of movement Chip turned back, bracing herself for the sight of Katryn getting to her feet, however the opposite had happened and Katryn was sunk down further in her chair, her eyes now glued to the floor.

"Katryn, don’t worry. Kim was just joking. Nobody in the squadron will give a toss about what you do. You don’t have to prove yourself like that."

"Oh, it’s not what Kim said. It’s just me, thinking... wondering if it would provide a distraction, since I can’t have the woman I want."

The last of Katryn’s words were spoken so softly that Chip wasn’t sure if she’d heard them correctly. She made an intuitive leap that hopefully wouldn’t land her in anything too nasty if she got it wrong. "Your partner from Woodside... Allison wasn’t it? You’re still in love with her?"

Katryn looked puzzled for a moment then shook her head. "No. I think I’ve completely recovered from her."

"Oh, so..." Chip’s voice died. She had the sense that she was missing half the conversation.

"Is HQ really so down on affairs between rangers?"

"Only if it gets serious." Chip gestured towards the room. "It’s a safe bet several of the women here will..." Half way through the sentence the implications of Katryn’s question caught up with Chip’s brain. She stumbled through the last few words. "er... wake up in each... other’s beds... tomorrow."

Chip averted her face while her mind scrambled through memories of the last few days, trying to work out who Katryn might be referring to. Had anyone been receiving extra attention from Katryn, or spending more time with her? Or was Katryn speaking hypothetically – reverting to a previous topic as a way to avoid what was becoming an increasingly awkward conversation.

"But it all gets a bit trickier between a sergeant and a lower rank?"

Katryn’s words were devoid of emphasis, but they hit Chip like a sledgehammer. She scoured the people standing at the bar, trying to recall exactly where they’d been positioned a few minutes earlier. She had thought Katryn was staring at the local woman – but where had Kim been standing?

It figures – the two best looking women in the squadron. The thought shot through Chip’s head, followed by, I can cope with it... easy... all I have to do is first saw my own head off with blunt knife and it won’t bother me in the slightest.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said." Katryn’s voice recalled Chip from her stunned silence. On the other side of the room the singers broke into another, even bawdier song. Katryn gestured in their direction. "Why don’t we go and join in?"

"Er... yeah... sure." Chip felt dazed. She turned her head and found herself staring deep into Katryn’s eyes.

Katryn blushed and dropped her gaze. "Look... I know the rules... I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Please, forget I spoke. I won’t mention it again." She gave a weak smile, then rose from her chair.

"That’s okay." Chip stood and followed across the room, frowning. Her confusion mushroomed – just exactly what had Katryn been saying? Chip’s eyes dropped to the empty tankard in her hands. Might the better question be, just how much had she herself drunk?

continued in chapter 19

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