'Carim, why don't we have answers yet?' The older man was impatient, anxious for anything good he could tell the royals and their lapdogs regarding the recent crime. He had had very little sleep ever since the incident, and was understandibly highstrung. Given that, Carim decided to approach the conversation in as delicate a manner as possible.
'Sir, there simply aren't any forthcoming from our current investigations. Our men on the street aren't coming up with anything, either. If you could just get the dignitaries' immunity suspended, I really think we might have a better chance of finding the guilty party among them.'
'You have no idea, do you Carim?' The other man's temper began to slip its reigns. 'You really don't understand exactly what would happen were we to do that! Comprehend this - remove diplomatic immunity, and we create a diplomatic
disaster in its place. Every single foreign power would be antagonised by such an action. Baron values its allies, and certainly doesn't need to make enemies.'
'I comprehend that, sir. I just don't -'
'Care, I know. You just don't
care!' He thumped his fist hard on his desk, and then did his best to hide the fact that he wished he hadn't. 'The whole country could go to the dogs, as long as you get your man. That's just like you, Carim.'
Carim maintained a carefully blank face.
'Actually, sir, if you'd have let me finish, I was going to say that I just don't think foreign diplomats should be exempted from the laws of the country they are visiting. Do we give the same benefit to people visiting Baron for other purposes? In my experience those latter individuals tend to be a more respectable bunch anyway.'
Simmering still, Colonel Kae sat and put his head in his hands.
'Mmph. You
may be right, Carim, but that doesn't mean the choice is yours to make. For now, keep following any leads we have already.'
Nodding, Carim saluted, and turned to leave.
'Keep me informed, will you? Of
everything.'
A pause.
'Everything important, sir.'
It was only after Carim had made a swift exit that the colonel realised precisely how ambiguous that response, when given by Carim of all people, had been. But then, as Carim was thinking to himself at precisely the same time, they'd known eachother for a long time. The Colonel should have known better.
Edited by: Blaze Yamato Spirit at: 8/23/04 11:44 am