Clan and Conviction (Clan Beginnings) Read Online Free

to get here.  I’ve been following the Delir case for the last year.  I wanted a piece of that action and put in for the transfer several months ago.”
    Gelan snorted.  “My ego shot down in flames.  Well, at least Delir has done one good thing, bringing you here.”
    Wynhod sobered.  “Seeing you again is a nice side effect.  I am sorry it took your partner’s death to get me here.”
    Just like that, Gelan’s good mood evaporated.  He stared at the dregs of milk left in his cup.  “Amik was an excellent enforcer.  He took down three of the bastards before they got him.”
    Gelan didn’t go into detail.  Knowing Wynhod, his new partner had already read all the reports about the attack that had killed Amik.  Gelan had been pinned down by the explosive percussion blaster shots while the Nobek had been caught out in the open.  Even with half a dozen gang members firing on him, Amik had never flinched.  At least he hadn’t until an extremely unlucky blast blew through his head where an armored formsuit didn’t protect.
    Thinking of that day made Gelan mad all over again.  He wanted to find the leaders of the gang that had caused so many problems throughout the territory.  Find and kill them.
    “You’re growling.”
    Wynhod’s quiet voice brought Gelan to his senses.  The investigator felt his chest and throat vibrating with barely suppressed fury.  The angry sound was soft but definitely there.  He felt his face flush with warmth and stopped.
    “If you knew what we’re up against with Delir—” Gelan started, but the growl came back.  He took a deep breath and met Wynhod’s gaze.  “We can’t pin down the leaders.  The gang members kill themselves before they can be questioned, and the witnesses are too intimidated to talk.”
    “So I’ve been told.”  Wynhod popped a final bite of his breakfast in his mouth and spoke around his chewing.  “Too bad we can’t truth-drug victims without their consent.”
    Gelan sighed.  “I doubt they know anything of worth anyway.  The gang leadership keeps itself off the streets and out of sight.  Meanwhile, Delir keeps showing up and innocent people keep dying.”
    “Better medicine for a better Empire.”
    Gelan snorted.  “I’m sure that Benor Pharmaceuticals would not appreciate their slogan being used in connection with Delir.  Especially coming from someone in our precinct.”
    “Why’s that?”  Wynhod sounded bored.
    “The owner, Dramok Benor himself, donated a dozen new shuttles to us last year.  He does military-grade weapons manufacture too.  Everyone who wasn’t on duty was required to report to the event, which was a big, fancy to-do.  The man does a lot of good for the community, but he’s always ready to receive his accolades.”
    “A bit of an egotist, huh?” 
    “That’s putting it lightly.  Head Investigator Utta says the man wants a parade for every blaster and shuttle he puts in our hands.  I heard the food and booze was good at that last self-congratulatory shindig, but the speeches went on forever.”
    Wynhod smirked.  “Let me guess – you decided to put in for overtime that day.”
    Gelan returned the grin.  “Damned straight.  Given the choice between dressing up and hobnobbing with politicos and business leaders, or ramming your skull into the impenetrable wall that is Delir, which would you have chosen?”
    “I guess I’d take the same terrible route so many are these days and drowned myself in Delir.”
    Drowned, indeed.  Delir was a raging tidal wave that threatened to sweep all the territory under. 
    Gelan shook his head.  “That shit has stolen enough lives.  There has got to be a way to get it out of commission.  I put every second I can into finding a way to make this stop.”
    The hallucinogenic drug Delir had become Gelan’s personal nightmare.  Even before Amik’s death, it had been driving law enforcement crazy in the Southwest Mountain Territory.  It wasn’t the taking