Conversation · Joyce Messier

"It was the nerve-center for the operation. She could contact a whole fleet of lorries."

"Taking it out of commission will deal a blow to the smuggling network. Excellent work."

"It's Lieutenant Kitsuragi's favourite radio station!"

The lieutenant's stone-like face remains impassive, yet in his eyes -- a flash of reproach.

"I've told you what I've found, now it's your turn." (Conclude.)

"I appreciate you placing your trust in me. Thank you again for looking into this matter. You have my gratitude -- and the gratitude of Wild Pines Group..."

"Now, per our original agreement, it's time for me to share company secrets with you." There's a change in her demeanour. A caution comes over her. A tension.

"I found research about something called ULAN frequencies related to the operation."

"High intensity microwave frequencies? They're used for navigational purposes, to compress the interisolary space. They may use it to communicate with incoming freighters..."

As the shipments approach Revachol? Hmm... somehow you suspect something more sinister.

Let's be honest, you have no idea what that meant -- interisolary microwave compression? Moving on...

"It seems the architect of the operation has gone missing. An abandoned lorry is near the statue."

"A runaway? Good work, this is a tangible lead towards solving the whole mystery."

"She's a fan of vintage movie stars. The inside of the cab was plastered with posters."

"We contain multitudes, do we not? It might not be pertinent to her... profession, but who knows? It may help you find her yet."

She means: you know her closer now, in some way you know her soul a bit.

"It's a she, by the way."

"Clever. Few suspect a woman in this sort of skulduggery. Good move on their part."

"I came upon a few hidden maps illustrating the range of the smuggling network."

"A first-rate find -- that should tell you all you need to know about their network, I would imagine."

"It's an octopus whose tentacles reach every corner of the city."

"An ominous vision..." She nods solemnly. "At least you understand the gravity of the situation. And the maps should prove very valuable indeed."

"Yes. They're spread all over Jamrock... and beyond. I couldn't even identify the exact end points."

"So this goes beyond Jamrock... she looks inland. "At least you now understand the gravity of the situation. And those maps should prove very valuable indeed."

"You sent us on a wild goose chase. There's nothing to investigate."

"I don't believe that for one moment, officer." There is a pause, then her stern expression clears. "I'm just going to assume that departmental regulations prevent you from saying anything more..."

"Hold on, you seem anxious to know. Why's that?"

"I've kept my eye on the camionneurs -- even tried to get to know one. It's a mystery I'm already invested in: which one of them, if any, could organize such a complex operation?"

"Wait, where exactly are these eyes located?"

"It doesn't really matter -- and I do apologize for the surveillance. Wild Pines can't afford to be blind at a time like this."

One of the tall buildings overlooking the roundabout, most likely. That would give them a read on the entire quarter.

"In any case, it's a relief to know someone has looked into it. If I may ask -- will there be an official investigation? I assume you discovered there is an operation..."

"Word has travelled, yes, but nothing of real substance has surfaced yet, I gather?" She smiles, then explains: "Wild Pines has eyes on the intersection -- but not ears."

One of the tall buildings overlooking the roundabout -- it would give them a read on the entire quarter.

"It appears we're being monitored every step we take, colleague." The lieutenant shrugs. "Did we have any other business here?"

"On the contrary, officer," she smiles. "There are yet camionneurs you have not talked to. And don't look so surprised. In a time like this it would be strange if Wild Pines didn't have eyes on the harbour."

They must have someone in an overlook position, near the gates...

"I suggest you go back and canvas for more suspects."

"By the way, I've talked to Evrart Claire."

"Thank you. That's all for now." [Leave.]

"Of course, detective -- take care."

"Tell me about Wild Pines. What do you do?"

"What we do -- I'm afraid I don't speak for Wild Pines as a whole. It's a giant undertaking."

There was a touch of discomfort there. She wants to merely represent.

"Fair enough. Tell me something else."

She nods.

"So what do they do?"

"The Pines' core competency is logistics -- container shipping, freight, that sort of thing." She points to the small dots on the horizon. "See those airships there, blinking? Those are the shipping side of things..."

...then to the east, toward the harbour: "And that is the terminal. Another subdivision deals with energy -- oil and gas exploration. Offshore platforms."

The Wild Pines Group is one of the original Revacholian indotribes -- companies awarded royal monopolies by the king (the suzerain) himself, centuries ago. The king is long gone, but several of the indotribes remain.

She enjoys talking about the company. It would not hurt to inquire more.

Who are the other indotribes?

Saint-Batiste, LUM, an unknown entity known as Brightest Star...

"You're in good company, it seems."

"Why, thank you." She does not register the real meaning of the remark.

"How much money does Wild Pines have?"

"I'm not at liberty to discuss the company balance sheet, but I can tell you that last year the company booked more than 20 billion reál in revenue."

A... billion?

"Numbers like that mean nothing to me."

"Yes, past a certain point numbers begin to seem imaginary. But they are quite real for the 72,000 employees who depend on Wild Pines for their pay checks..."