An Uncommon Second

[Kay-Larr]

Recently Kay had hired a private investigator by the name of [member="Callum Calahad"] . He was already settling into his work, trying to solve the murder of [member="Eddak Manod"] . He was at the top of his field and came highly recommended.

But now she had to test his skills even further. She didn't have just one case for him. Instead she had a few. Yet it wasn't as though Kay was going to dump them all on him right away. No, she wanted to give him a bit of time. Sometimes wgen working on a puzzle, it was best to step back every once in a while and focus on something else so that clarity could be found.

Kay had a big task for him. One that would include a trial for her imprisoned husband and former High King of the CSA, [member="Veiere Arenais"] . Him and his followers had attacked a Jedi Temple on Deneba. A few had escaped to give her the news. It was unbelievable when she had heard it. Even now she had found it difficult to imagine her husband slaughtering people for not choosing to follow him. It was proving to be a public relations nightmare and she had hoped to survive it. Hopefully after the trial, whatever the outcome, it would be all over.

She sipped her tea as she waited in her office, having sent word for Callum to meet with her. It was time to see how well he could handle more than one case at a time.

 

[Callum Calahad]

Callum had been sat in his office, examining the information he'd collected for the Manod case, when one of the Palace staff had delivered him the message. [member="Lady Kay"] needed to see him, urgently. Working for, and in parts with the Queen of the CSA had been interesting so far, definitely one of the more unique work situations he'd been in. Walking down the corridor, he started to get an idea of what this meeting would be about. Word had spread quickly about the attack on the Jedi Temple on Deneba, and the very public arrest of the Queen's husband, [member="Veiere Arenais"]. Upon reaching the door of Kay's office, Callum knocked firmly before walking in.

"Your Highness, you wished to see me?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay set down her cup as [member="Callum Calahad"] knocked on her door. She got to her feet as he stepped inside, bowing her head to him as he acknowledged her. "Yes, I have another case for you. Please have a seat." She sat down, folding her hands on top of her desk in order to keep her from fidgeting. She waited until he had sat down before she began.

"I'm sure that you've probably heard of my husband Veiere and his unfortunate actions on a Jedi Temple on Deneba. He is currently under arrest as everyone wanted. We'll arrange for a trial in the future. What I need you to do is to gather unbiased evidence. I can't do it myself...even though I want to." No. She couldn't even be a judge in this case. It wouldn't bode well for confidence in her government.

And having to keep her husband under lock and key was tearing her up inside.

 

[Callum Calahad]

Callum wasn't shocked at what [member="Lady Kay"] was asking him to do, he'd already started background checking her husband when he heard of the arrest, incase it could link him to the murder of [member="Eddak Manod"]. Still, he could imagine that this wasn't easy for her, having her husband imprisoned whilst the people called for punishment, some wanted his death in fact.

"Of course Your Highness, I'll begin promptly. I'll need access to his belongings, at least those you are willing for me to see." He paused and looked round the office, pondering if there was anything evidence of his plotting within. Unlikely but not out of the question. "I suppose I'll be heading to Deneba soon enough, guessing it would be too much to ask for a royal escort?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded a little. The only thing that she'd keep hidden from [member="Callum Calahad"] was Veiere's holocron. But that was mainly due to where it was hidden. It was very special to her and as far as she was concerned, it didn't have any part to do with this case. "I will bring you to our Estate. It's hidden, so I ask that you keep it's location to yourself..." Kay and Veiere liked to have their privacy afterall. It gave them a chance to be themselves with no pressures of government.

"You may have an escort and anything else you need. I'm not going to put up barriers for you in this. There are some rumours going around that I knew and supported the attack. But those are all false. I hope that this would do well to help clear my name." There was no doubt in her mind that she'd be a part of the trial too. Afterall, she was Veiere's wife. Kay only hoped that their children were not to be involved.

 

[Callum Calahad]

Callum nodded and looked to the window. Raining yet again, seemed to be a common theme with this planet, or at least with his time here. [member="Lady Kay"] had put a great deal of trust in him, and he'd do everything in his power to show her he'd earned it. When he took the job, he hadn't expected it to be a long term endeavor, put proving his worth could get him more... permanent employment, with a very power boss.

"Thank you Your Highness. And yes, you will likely be called upon in the trial due to those rumors, but only as a formality. I'll need to collect some things from my office before we depart for your Estate, would you allow me 10 minutes to get ready?" He had no idea when they would be leaving, whether it be today or in a weeks time, but he'd rather get it done quickly, at least so that he could investigate the primary crime scene and put Kay's mind at ease.

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Yes of course. Take the time that you need. I'll meet you at the front gates of the Palace." She got to her feet. Just what sorts of things [member="Callum Calahad"] needed for his investigation, she wasn't sure. But then again she was no private investigator. And she tried to avoid having herself investigated as much as possible. There were some things best left under the rug.

Once Callum had left to go to his office, Kay finished her tea. She couldn't let it go to waste. She then left her office and had Olivia arrange a transport to take them to the Estate. The place would be empty, she knew that, for she had moved back into the Palace once everyone had gone. Being in the Estate by herself was far too lonely and quiet. At least here she had felt needed.

Kay exited the Palace with a few guards in tow. A transport was waiting for them. She stepped inside and had a seat. Curiosity made her wonder what Callum would bring.

 

[Callum Calahad]

Callum nodded in response, before standing from his chair and giving a bow. Leaving the office, he headed for his quarters. [member="Lady Kay"] had been generous with his accommodation, and for that he was grateful, as he would've been fine sleeping in the staff quarters. Nevertheless, entering the room, he walked over to the table in the corner, where he'd set up his investigative files and equipment. Opening one of the draws, he removed his DT-29, and the voice recorder. He had brung a video recorder, however he thought it best to leave that behind, given the secrecy of the estate he was about to visit. Being a PI meant privacy was a mainstay of his job, and he understood better than most the need for people to keep things to themselves, especially those in power. He couldn't imagine being in the public eye his whole life, no way to do anything without someone getting word to the press that you'd bought some new soap.

Before leaving the room, Callum made sure to lock the draw, as well as the windows. He then left, locking the door behind him and heading for the front gates. Upon arrival, he approached Kay. She was accompanied by her guards, so hopefully that meant he wouldn't have to use his blaster if for some reason they were tracked. Better safe than sorry though.

"Your Majesty, I am ready to depart if you are."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay bowed her head as [member="Callum Calahad"] joined her on the transport. She signalled the driver and soon they were off. "We have no cameras at the Estate, no recording devices of any kind. It's a place of privacy. So you'll not have any footage to go through in there."

She remained silent for a moment, trying to shift the blame from herself for what had happened. Yet it was very tough to do so. She'd need evidence to show her otherwise. And more so than just Veiere telling her that it wasn't her fault. Kay had always felt that she worked too much. Yet it was hard to do otherwise. Especially for someone in her position.

"Where would you like to visit first? His workshop? Veiere spent a lot of time in there." Indeed he had made armour and other things for them during his spare time after their children were born. Maybe a bit too much time.

 

[Callum Calahad]

The lack of recordings of any kind was problematic, but completely understandable. And the likelihood was that Veiere wouldn't have spoken his plan aloud anyway. Still, it meant Callum would be going off physical evidence only, no use for fancy equipment. As the shuttle moved closer to the estate, Callum noticed how quiet [member="Lady Kay"] was. All of this must've been difficult on her, no one wants to find out that their loved one did something terrible.

"I know this must be hard on you, Your Majesty... I never really had a family before so I can't really relate. But all the same, I offer my condolences." Callum had never been good at sympathy, always too focused on the past than the present. "His workshop would be a good place to start, if you'd allow me to poke around a bit?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked to [member="Callum Calahad"] and gave him a small smile in appreciation. "Thank you. Most of my closest friends are, at least in my eyes, considered my family. And we all make mistakes, we've all done something that we're not proud of. It's how we handle those mistakes that's important." Some choose to ignore them, some choose to repeat them, while others try to make up for them.

"You're allowed to take a look around. That's fine. Just let me know if you plan on taking anything." With [member="Veiere Arenais"] in a specialized cell within the catacombs of the Palace, she could direct any questions to him.

It wasn't much longer before they approached the landing pad of the Estate. Kay clenched her jaw in anticipation, knowing how quiet and empty the place was. She missed the days when they all lived there together, Veiere and the twins. It was lovely.

She stepped out of the transport after her guards. "His workshop is this way, towards the back." Kay led the way. The grounds were becoming slightly wild without them being tended to. But they still looked good. The workshop came into view, the small building easily visible on the grounds. She approached the door and placed her hand on the touchpad to unlock it. Clicks could be heard on the otherside of the door before it opened. Kay then stepped aside. "After you." She wasn't exactly sure if anything would be found.

 

[Callum Calahad]

Callum stepped inside and was immediately taken back by the sheer beauty of the estate. He'd felt the same way when he arrived at the palace for the first time, but this was amazing on a different level. It was homely, and yet it reflected just how stressful light in the eye of the public must've been. It felt almost wrong to be there, as if he'd walked onto someone's ship whilst they were busy. Heading to the workshop, Callum inspected the plethora of devices on display, knowing nothing about any of them. He'd never really had a mind for creation, at least not on this scale.

"Describe your husband to me, his mannerisms, his ideals." It was a sensitive topic, and Callum didn't wish to upset [member="Lady Kay"] by saying anything harsh about her murderous husband.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay clasped her hands in front of her while [member="Callum Calahad"] explored the workshop. She wanted to fidget, but she forced herself not to.

"Veiere is...well an incredible man. He was born to lead, but has always been reluctant to do so. I first hired him as my bodyguard and advisor, for his age and experiences gave him a different viewpoint than my own. I was drawn to his courage, his strength and his want ofdoing the right thing while protecting the innocent. It doesn't matter what side of the Force they served, or whether they were Imperial or not; what mattered was whether or not they were unjustly being treated in a bad way. He's a great protector. Even with the attack that he did on Deneba, he tried to protect myself, our kids and the CSA from the fallout. But...perhaps due to whatever had misguided him, he failed to see that his efforts to seperate his actions from us weren't enough."

She had yet to face many others after what had happened. Whispers and rumours spread in part by the media have kept her isolated for now. Instead she just worked on ways to try to fix the debacle.