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There are charges from my account made at local diners and shops every day over the last thirty days. There are even several pictures of me, taken from security films, or so it would seem.
“This can’t be right,” Hector says, and shoots the uniformed police officer a glare. The officer looks nervous, but shrugs.
“We’ll have to h
ave our team analyze this,” Chief Mortimer says, handing the holodrive to the officer. “But at first glance, it appears to be legitimate. If this is correct,” he shoots a pointed look at his officer. “We’ll have no grounds on which to hold Mr. Fox.”
“Impossible!” LeBlaie says again. This time he shakes his finger at me, but doesn’t say anything else.
“If everything checks out, you’ll be free to leave, Mr. Fox,” the police chief says to me. Then he leaves with Hector.
“Well?” Gaz says once we’re alone. “What do you say? Am I the best? Or am I the best?”
“You’re certainly something,” I admit. Then, not knowing if the room is bugged or being watched, the two of us wait in silence for over an hour. We both know they’re going to do a rush job on analyzing the content of the drive. We also both know it’s going to check out completely because I’m one of the best computer specialists on the planet. After awhile, the chief himself returns with my release paperwork.
“Mr. Fox,” he says. “Your lawyer’s holodrive checked out. You’re free to leave.”
“About fucking time,” I groan, rolling my eyes with exaggerated frustration. Gaz and I stand and I look at the chief. “Good luck finding whoever took that jerk’s ship.”
“Actually,” Chief Mortimer has the decency to look a bit sheepish. “The ship has been located.”
“Is that right?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Turns out, the ship was never out of the docking bay. It was simply moved to a different docking slot and the correct number was never updated on the ship’s records.”
“So this guy has been searching for me for a whole month and his ship wasn’t even missing?”
“I’m afraid so,” Chief Mortimer says.
“All’s well that ends well,” Gaz offers up, and the chief shakes his hand. Then Gaz and I head outside and get into his hovercar.
“Tell me something,” Gaz says as he drives off. “How long did it take you to forge that holodrive?”
“What makes you think I forged it?” I tell him.
“Don’t fuck with me, Fox. You were always good at computers. I know a plot when I see one and you definitely wanted to establish it was impossible for you to have stolen that ship. I don’t believe for a second you just happened to get arrested walking down the middle of Main Street, and I don’t believe for a second you just happened to have a record of your whereabouts and financials for the last month just sitting on your dresser.”
“Like you said,” I tell him. “I’m good with computers.”
Gaz realizes he’s not going to get anything else out of me, and he sighs, but keeps driving. I settle back in the seat and relax as he guides the hovercar to my brother’s home. Fiona is safe there, and I can’t wait to see her. It took us a few days to set everything up to clear my name and get Hector his ship back, and then I was in jail.
I’ve missed her, perhaps more than I should.
Now that justice is about to be served, the only thing I want is her.
I close my eyes as the car moves swiftly through the city, and I think of Fiona.
Chapter 25
Fiona
I’m sitting at the table gripping a hot cup of cocoa when there’s a sound outside the little house.
“They’re back!” I jump up faster than I should and run outside just as Quinn is getting out of the car. His lawyer, Gaz, is with him, but I don’t pay much attention to him. My eyes are on Quinn. I run into his arms and kiss him desperately, eagerly.
I kiss him like he’s been gone forever and not just a few days.
“I missed you, too, baby,” Quinn says, holding me tightly.
