Chapter 14. Husband and wife
The Functionary sprawled on the sofa in his two-level apartment and was sipping twenty-year cognac from a glass and smoking a cigar rolled on the bodies of black beauties, at least that was the supplier’s version. The Functionary was relaxing. He was disturbed that he could not satisfy the request of the man who was so important to his family.
“What’s wrong, darling?” his spouse came up, sat down beside him, and covered his hand with hers.
The Functionary often shared with her government-level rumors and secrets and thus maintained his authority in her eyes. He did not know if he should tell her about his conversation with the Seer and its consequences or conceal it, being aware that the whole case was unflattering. But he wanted to share and learn her opinion which could help to make another decision. He exhaled another jet of smoke:
“I’d like to tell you something. I think you might find it interesting. Do you remember the night when I had to leave unexpectedly?”
“Yes, darling. Sure, I do. I’m used to it. That’s your work. Where have you been?”
“I visited the Seer.”
She became nervous and took a sip from his glass.
“He called and asked for an unusual request,” the Functionary fell silent again.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” his wife’s eyes opened with curiosity. She understood that the visit to the Seer had nothing to do with her.
“He asked me to detain two people whom he found to be a menace to the society. I sent my guys twice to hunt and to no avail, they failed. I have decided to roll the operation back because one of the suspects works for a powerful government authority. I don’t have power to detain a man of this level. I’ve broken the rules.”
“Whose task are these people carrying through? Do you know what their purpose is?”
“No,” the Functionary shrugged. “They are eager to get to the City, but no one helps them. They seem to be all by themselves. I think the Seer doesn’t know what to expect from them or knows this, but hides this information thoroughly. One thing is certain. He is interested in catching them.”
“Can’t you do something for him?” his wife asked compassionately.
“I suggested that he should go to a private company; he listened to me and hung up. Of course, this problem can be solved without his approval, the more so that the Seer has allocated some money to detain them …”
He should not have said the last sentence.
“And you took the money?” she raised her voice. “Have you forgotten everything?”
“How could I refuse when he stuck a packet in my hands! The Seer hypnotized me,” the Functionary was not sure if his wife would believe that smart story. “The Seer is a strange man: some people hypnotize to take something, while he does this to give you something. Who can understand an unworldly man?”
She calmed down a bit.
“You must help him,” she squeezed his hand. “Hire people. If you don’t have enough money, we’ll pay extra. Maybe he has noticed danger and tries to do something before something horrible happens? Your responsibility is the security of the society. That’s your job.”
“You see, darling… It’s two different things: to pursue a criminal that all people are anxious to see jailed or detain someone who has not offended the law. Charge a person without direct or indirect evidence? Make him a criminal based on a tip-off? It’s very dangerous. Witch-hunting was the darkest and most horrible times in human history. A crowd, that believes any slander, will agree to the actions of such clairvoyants as the Seer, but no normal court will condemn a person for an uncommitted crime. Can you judge a person based on clairvoyant premonitions? Do you know about a changeable psychological factor and why court wouldn’t accept the evidence from a lie detector? Because an experienced criminal can cheat, while a frightened innocent person can condemn himself. Even if the Seer is right many times, but without direct evidence, DNA test, fingerprints, appearance or voice check, or witnesses our society will be in the darkness drowning in anarchy with a quick to judge court.”
“And if someone is going to offend the law?”
“This is to be proven. And how would you do this? Suppose police detains a suspicious person in front of the bank. He is searched, and a gun, stocking, and a bag are found. Can we pursue him for robbery? No. For attempted robbery? No, either.”
“What about the gun, stocking, and the bag?” his wife would not agree.
“He can be pursued for carrying unregistered arms, but the suspect can say that he has just found it and is carrying it to the police station. A stocking happens to be in the pocket by accident and the bag is for shopping. Unless he confesses and admits an attempted robbery, they’ll have to let him go. The same with a foreteller, everything seems clear, he describes the appearance and habits of the suspect, crime details, but does not provide evidence or proof.”
“But there are administrative arrests. No charge is needed to jail a person in this case.”
“Administrative arrests are typically based on accusations of trusted persons. The investigator must find evidence and make the suspect confess as soon as possible. If he lingers and evidence is not found, the detained person is released. But we even have not been tipped off. We are not police. We cannot plant drugs, weapons, provoke a fight or hire a prostitute to have the suspect charged with rape. There are dozens of ways how to put a man in jail, but our service is engaged in investigating real crimes,” the Functionary explained proudly.
“Hire people to at least follow him! Sure, it’s not the whim or eccentricity of the Seer. If he warns about a threat, there is danger.”
“I’ll do that. Good advice,” the Functionary assured her. “But I don’t think it is a threat to the society. The Seer has never warned of pending terrorist’s acts or asked to detain a criminal. His acquaintances happened to warn about acts of terrorism when he told them not to go to certain places. We always treat such messages with care.”
“Have you asked him to cooperate?”
“A couple of times. But he always answered that he belonged to the whole world. The Seer is a cosmopolite and helps politicians only with personal matters. Today he is with us, and tomorrow with another agency or in another country, which is our enemy. All are willing to receive him, all have problems.”
“Then why has he asked to detain them.”
“I don’t know. Maybe they are a danger to him or his friends? I believe the clue is in the City. What do you think; shall I give them a chance to get to the City?” the Functionary said cautiously.
“You tried to detain them and failed, but you can pursue them. Hire people.”
“I am afraid my guys can not only pursue, but also leave traces. Rumors of injured comrades spread fast and it will be hard to prevent our guys from violence,” the Functionary sighed.
“Then don’t lose time, darling.”
The Functionary was pleased: everything seemed to be more or less comfortable. He was torn by curiosity and wanted to know the reason why the Seer resorted to him.
“Many people are waiting for the Seer’s fall,” the Functionary was thinking. “I hope, someone will take him down somewhat. And what if this person is the Stranger? The Seer seems to fear him. I can use this to make an interesting game called the ‘counterbalance’ and besides earn points for an excellent idea. Now I don’t have time to lose, I must act.”