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“Which she might reject, should she learn how far you went where Fitch and King were concerned. I wonder if she’d be more upset you treated them as you did or the fact you kept it from her?” Bryant stepped back, putting space between them. He didn’t drop his gaze. “We have an agreement. You’ll allow Earth to deliver justice on our terms. In exchange, I’ll share the plans of the Earthtiques with you, and I won’t tell Stacy what you’ve been doing behind her back.”
“I hate blackmailers. They’re cowards,” Kuran growled.
“And I’m no fan of Kalquorians. Thank the prophets we don’t have to like each other to work together for the good of Earth.”
Kuran wished he had skipped the conversation and snapped the man’s neck as he’d first been tempted.
* * * *
Selt fought off a grin as Blythe uttered a little scream. She turned scarlet when she recognized him. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
The Nobek waved at the shuttles parked on the lot outside the Earther hospital. “Like what? In public? In broad daylight? You’re jumpy, Matara Blythe. Maybe you’ve ruffled too many feathers lately.”
“Or maybe you Nobeks should learn to be polite and make a little noise when you approach.” She finger-combed her long blond hair as she spoke. Selt wondered if it was for his benefit.
The dinner she’d had in the company of his clan had gone well, as far as he could tell. His clanmates were as fascinated by the tough little reporter as he. The biggest question, besides whether Blythe found them attractive, was if a clan of spies could manage dating a woman eager to break news ahead of everyone else.
He forced himself to put business before hopes of pleasure. “Listen, be careful of Speaker Mitchell. In fact, avoid being alone with him at all costs.”
“Why? What did he do? Is he behind the attack on Dr. Etnil?” Her eyes brightened in rabid interest. Selt found it disconcertingly entrancing.
“You were at the press conference. There aren’t any suspects at this time.”
“Cal Mitchell is a known opponent of Governor Nichols. Etnil and his clan’s relationship to her…not to mention his clanmate Kuran’s continued presence as head of on-planet security…is a major issue. Come on, Selt.” She batted her eyelashes at him and sidled close. “Off the record, what have you heard?”
“This is serious.” Selt did his best to ignore her warmth and delicious scent. His cocks twitched a warning, telling him he was failing. “Whether we discover Mitchell had any part of it…and there’s no proof he did…he isn’t someone to mess with. Bad things have happened around him.”
“All the more reason to discover the truth.” She pouted adorably. “If you won’t give me straight answers, why am I talking to you?”
“I’d hoped it was because you found me as attractive as I find you.” He was happy to set aside less pleasant subjects. “On behalf of my clan, I invite you to another dinner, drinks, and whatever entertainment we can dredge up on our little station? If you’re free tomorrow night.”
She eyed him, the hint of a smile playing at her lush lips. “I should say no. You’re terribly unhelpful where information I need is concerned.”
“I’m terrific company, though.” It was his turn to move close. “Very attentive to my date’s desires.”
He was gratified when she swallowed hard. Her gaze swept over him, and she blushed. “Is this an effort to charm me from digging too deep in matters you don’t want me to discover?”
“Your pleasure is my only motive. Shall I pick you up at, say, six o’clock Earth time?”
He watched as she cast around for a reason to deny him, a reason he was hopeful she didn’t want. She huffed at last. “Fine. But make it six-thirty, and I’ll take my own shuttle. I can’t be seen with you in a way that looks compromising and upsets my boss…or Speaker Mitchell.”
“As you wish. I look forward to it.”
“Stop smiling, Nobek Selt. It’s a dinner date, nothing more. You haven’t won me over.”
“Yet.”
* * * *
Kalquor, fleet psychiatric hospital
His parents thought he was asleep. Though they kept their voices low as they huddled in the hospital room’s far corner, Ilid heard most of what was said in tense tones.
His mother, Diju: “Another com from Admiral Tranis? I thought you make plain to him Ilid is done helping the fleet.”
Codab: “You know I did. I told him our son has sacrificed enough for the empire.”
Jadel: “I should think so. This is ridiculous. He won’t be happy until Ilid succeeds in killing himself.”
