“We’re looking for two men: Claude Rityanne and Pierre Richat. Those may be aliases; we have reports of men matching their description all over the world, working in different capacities for different powers.”

“I can check the registry, detective, but I assure you we have no one by that name staying here,” the desk clerk said. Beneath the desk, be pressed the button installed for the very purpose of announcing police raids. “Perhaps if I were to leave the till open, strictly by accident, you might reconsider your search?”

“Bribery?” the detective laughed. “You’re lucky I don’t haul you before a federal judge for that. I can’t be bribed.”

“And more’s the pity,” a voice said from behind him. The detective gasped as his companion was impaled from behind with a sword, only to stare with fading, unbelieving eyes as a similar swordpoint burst through his own chest.

The man cleaned the blood off his weapon. “Dispose of the bodies in the Alergian part of town,” he said. “Let them spin their wheels for a while.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Richat,” said the clerk.