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“I’m glad to hear it.”
I wasn’t sure I believed her. It was in her eyes. She did her best to hide the painful experiences she’d had to endure. I felt angry that anyone could mistreat this woman.
“Do you have any references I can look at?” I said, steering the subject back to the job position. “Preferably on Arcturon Prime or in the local cluster?”
“I’ve only just arrived here,” she said. “I’m afraid I don’t have many references.”
“How about on other planets in the Titan empire where you’ve worked?” I said.
She smiled.
“Sure,” she said. “Of course. I’m sure I can get them to write a reference for you.”
“Not written,” I said. “I need to see them face to face. You can tell so much more about a person when you see them in person.”
“Right,” she said. She looked very despondent. “Of course.”
“The position will require you to live in,” I said. “Is that a problem?”
“No.”
“No boyfriend or husband issues?”
“None,” she said. “Just me.”
She suddenly seemed so small in that massive wing chair. Just her. Alone. On the far side of the galaxy. It made me want to scoop her up in my arms and care for her.
I blinked at my instincts.
“I need to warn you about Cleb, who you’d be taking care of,” I said. “He can be… a bit of a handful.”
“I’ve had to deal with many difficult kids over the years,” she said confidently. “I’ve found the way to make them behave isn’t to attempt to control them. It’s to—”
She lost her train of thought and shook her head.
“Sorry,” she said. “I need to mention something. You asked for references, but I won’t be able to give them. Not unless you send someone to Earth.”
“Why not?”
She couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Because… Because… I was sworn to secrecy,” she said.
“Secrecy?” I said. “What sort of secrecy?”
“It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you, would it?” she said, eyes glinting with mischief. “I educated children of rich and powerful Titan families. I had to sign non-disclosure agreements before they allowed me to take on the position.”
I knew many of the rich Titan families. I wondered which ones she was referring to.
“But… How am I supposed to know you’re as qualified as you say you are?” I said.
She shrugged.
“You’re going to have to trust me,” she said.
“Trust you? I don’t even know you! You just came off the street. You could be anyone. You might be dangerous.”
“Do I look dangerous to you?” she said with an arched eyebrow.
