Sean visualized the sleek teardrop ship carefully sliding against the Belle sideways, matching up their hatches with calculated precision. A small metal extension would extend from the Razor’s Edge, nothing more than a foot or so, lining up with the Belle’s hatch and creating a pocket of vacuum between the two ships. Once the seal was confirmed as secure and airtight the vacuum would be replaced with regular atmosphere so that the two hatches could be opened, allowing exit/entrance between the two ships. It was a delicate procedure best left to the docking ship’s AI, which was why Sam was down here with them, tapping her foot and trying not to rush the door.
Sam stepped forward, moving closer to the hatch. She tucked her hands behind her back in a soft parade rest, her former military training coming to the front.
Sean sniffed the air.
Their indomitable captain was wearing perfume.
* * *
Catherine wasn’t fooled by the nonchalant attitudes of those around her. Everyone in the room wished she’d never come on board. She’d brought, at the very least, an upset in their productive and profitable routine.
At the worst she’d brought them death.
The hatch swung open with little fanfare and a man stepped through.
Marshal Daniel LeClair.
He wore a weathered leather jacket with UNS patches on it, a white T-shirt and jeans—hardly what she’d expected. The shirt was tight over his shoulders and the jeans, well, the jeans were tight in all the right places.
All he needed was a set of spurs and a cowboy hat to make the fantasy complete.
Catherine realized she’d been holding her breath and let it out slowly.
LeClair’s gaze settled on the captain, smoldering sparks firing the air between them. For a second Catherine thought he was going to charge over and devour her whole.
As quickly as the inferno began, it stopped. The looks between Keller and LeClair cooled off to a slight sizzle, each struggling to keep up the professional charade.
Catherine put her hand up to her mouth to cover her grin.
There was no way those two weren’t a couple.
LeClair took a few steps away from the door. “Captain Keller.” He stopped in front of her and extended his hand.
“Marshal LeClair.” She took it and gave a hearty pump. “Pleased to see you again.”
“Please. Call me Daniel,” he replied.
Catherine could have sworn she heard a giggle from behind her.
Sam didn’t react. “Shall we go to the cockpit and discuss our options?”
He tilted his head to one side. “I could use a cup of coffee.”
Sam’s face went scarlet. “I think we can arrange that. The galley first, then.”
“Yes. I think we need to all have a chat first.” He crooked a finger at Catherine without directly looking at her. “Including you.”
It was like being called out by the school principal. She fell into step behind the pair as they exited the landing bay.
She felt Sean behind her, his musky scent somehow calming her. Ahead of her, LeClair talked to the captain. He leaned in, too far inside her personal space for mere friendship.
“I’ve asked Etts to break docking and begin defensive maneuvers circling around Belle. Without me on board he does a better job, or so he says.” He chuckled. “Supposedly my inability to take high-G turns makes me a liability.”
“I like the way you take them,” Sam murmured, almost too low for anyone to hear.
The black box on the marshal’s hip let out a beep sounding suspiciously like a raspberry. Catherine stared at it as they made their way through the hallway.
A tap on her shoulder. “It’s his AI,” Sean said in a stage whisper. “Just like Belle, but he doesn’t talk. Well, not in a way we can understand.” The heated air brushed over her ear, sending a shiver through her body.
“Oh.” She almost tripped over the hatch leading to the galley and would have fallen if not for Sean taking hold of her waist. He pulled her to one side, allowing her to regain her balance without blocking the doorway.
The rest of the courtesans followed, muttering to each other.
As they entered the galley they spread out, filling the small room.
“Anyone else want coffee?” Sam went to the drink dispenser.
No one spoke.
“Right. Two then.” She tapped on the panel, making a point not to look at LeClair.
“Okay.” The marshal put his hands on his hips and glared at Catherine. “First, I’m glad you’re alive, Ms. Rogers. There’s plenty of people thanking their lucky stars your crew had the wherewithal to shove you into a life pod.”
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
Sean put his hand on her shoulder, steadying her.
“It’s more than likely that your enemies wished you hadn’t been so blessed and they’ll undoubtedly want to finish the job. Mercs are easy to find and hire if you offer enough money,” LeClair said. “We’re not going to assume they’ve given up because you got on board the Belle.”
“They’re not going to get her,” Sean growled.
She felt the heat from his hand and pulled it into herself, using it to quell her momentary panic.
Daniel’s gaze went to Sean’s before returning to lock with Catherine’s. “One option we have is for me to take you onto my ship and head for a Justice base. We’ll run faster than the Belle and the Razor’s Edge does have some nice defenses.”
He glanced sideways at Sam and hesitated, long enough to unnerve Catherine. “But I’m not sure that’s the best choice.”
Sam glared at the marshal, her eyes narrowed. “What? Finish your coffee, get your ass to the docking bay, both of you get on board and get going.” She made a sweeping move with her hands to illustrate her argument. “I’m not seeing the problem here.”
A tube of coffee slid into the dispenser. Sam snatched it up and tore off the tab with her teeth.
“However—” Daniel’s voice rose, “—our concern is with the people who tried to kill you. First by sabotaging your ship and now, possibly, by hiring mercs to finish the job. I’d like to say no one knows where you are but that’s not a secret anymore.”
Sam glared at him.
“The news is out, in other words,” she said.
“In large glowing neon letters,” Daniel continued, “While en route here I received a news flash announcing the attack on your ship and your survival on a Mercy ship. This ship, to be exact. They named the Bonnie Belle.” He studied Catherine. “Your enemies know you’re alive and know where you are, more or less. I’m willing to bet they’ve already offered a bounty for your head to anyone who can get to the Belle or intercept me before we get to a Justice base.”
She steeled herself against the news. She wasn’t going to appear weak in front of the marshal, in front of the entire crew.
Sean reached down and took her hand. He squeezed it, his body heat surging over her skin and raising goose bumps.
Daniel continued. “The odds are likely if I take Ms. Rogers and leave that the Belle will still be chased and attacked if for no other reason than to make sure all the bases are covered. She could have left information on board, or she might have talked to one of you about the details of her testimony. If she dies you could be called to discuss what was said.”
Bianca coughed something that sounded like a curse.
“Isn’t that hearsay?” April asked. “It wouldn’t be allowed in a court of law.”
“Probably but I’m not the one to make that call.” Daniel looked around the room. “It doesn’t matter if she did or not, these are people who won’t leave loose ends dangling and the Bonnie Belle is one hell of a loose end. The only way to be sure the danger is over to all of those executives is to board the Bell
e and kill everyone aboard whether Ms. Rogers is here or not, which should tell you how important Ms. Rogers’s testimony is. These people would rather take the chance of being hunted down by most of the known universe than let her get to court.”
The drink dispenser ejected another coffee.
Sam picked out the tube and threw it at Daniel.
Not to him. At him.
The hot plastic tube smashed into his chest. He grabbed it and glared at her.
Catherine gasped. She’d suspected there’d be some sort of power struggle between the two, given their respective positions, but nothing as overt as this—
“You take her and go. We’ll be fine.” Sam nodded at Jenny. “We’ve had some ideas on modifications to the ship. We can take care of ourselves until we make landfall.”
Jenny looked from Sam to the marshal before retreating into a corner behind Kendra.
“The Belle doesn’t have any weapons. Unless you’ve managed to jury-rig some lasers or rail guns or something I don’t see how you can fend off an attack.” He glanced at the mechanic. “No offense but even you’re not that good.”
Jenny peeked around Kendra’s side with a nervous smile. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it as Sam tossed her coffee on the table and advanced on Daniel.
“We’ll manage.” Sam jabbed her finger into his chest. “You know the rules. My ship, my responsibility. We can run for the belt if we pick up anything on radar, hide there until they get tired and leave.”
“Really.” The one word carried volumes. “Hide in an asteroid belt that’s been mapped and documented for decades. You think it’d be that easy to avoid dedicated killers?”
Sam scowled as he ripped the top off of his coffee tube and began to drink.
Catherine looked at Sean, who shrugged.
“I think—” Catherine started.
Daniel’s hand sliced the air. “Frankly I don’t care what you think, Ms. Rogers. My job is to get you to safety and protect the crew of the Bonnie Belle. I can accomplish both.” He glared at Sam. “I can multitask, as you well know.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed as she stared back at him, not giving an inch. “I think you’re underestimating this crew and her abilities.”
“Theirs or yours?” Daniel replied. He stepped toward her, his hands on his hips.
“Sorry to interrupt this lover’s spat,” Catherine strode between the two, breaking their connection, “but don’t I have a say in this?”
“No.” They replied in unison.
Catherine raised both hands and wagged an index finger at each. “Yes, yes I do. I’m in charge of my own life and I will have my input into this decision.” Her voice rose to the conference room discussion levels with which she’d crushed interns and experienced businessmen alike. “With all due respect to each of you, it’s my call, my decision.”
Sam chewed on her bottom lip while Daniel took a sip of coffee. They glared at each other but didn’t speak.
She might be adrift on a Mercy ship in borrowed clothing and in danger of losing her life but she could still take over a meeting.
“People have already died because they had the misfortune of being around me. I will not be responsible for more deaths without at least having a say in the decision.”
“So what do you want?” Kendra entered the battleground. She was grinning, obviously enjoying the interaction.
It wasn’t too often both the captain and marshal were silenced, it seemed.
“You.” Catherine pointed at Daniel. “Make the argument for me to stay on the Belle. Then you—” she turned to Sam, “—tell me why I should go with him.”
The marshal sipped more coffee, an amused look on his face. “This isn’t one of your high-level executive meetings, Ms. Rogers, where you get to call the shots.”
“No but I doubt you feel like dragging me kicking and screaming into your ship. Not to mention what I’ll say once we get to a Justice base, one way or another. So start talking and lay out your position.”
She waved him forward.
Daniel finished the coffee with a long, loud slurp and tossed the empty tube to Sam.
She let out a growl and tossed it in the trash bin.
“Ms. Rogers, staying on this ship will give you a lot more protection than speeding along in the Edge. Etts is running a protective orbit around the Belle and if there’s any future attack he’ll do his best to protect us all. But because he’s a scout ship his weaponry is limited. We’re not equipped to stand our ground and brawl. That’s what the big boys are built for. We’re meant to assess the situation and cut and run.” He paused to catch his breath. “Whether you’re here or not, the Belle has become a target and it’s my assigned duty to keep everyone on this ship safe, not just Catherine Rogers. The best way for me to do this is by staying on board and helping everyone here, not flying away and hoping for the best. We could still be caught by a fast pirate ship—Etts is good but not that good. A well-armed, high-powered ship can get to us before we reach the Justice base perimeter and get under the safety umbrella of the other patrol ships.”
Catherine noticed he didn’t look at Sam.
“Understood.” She motioned at Sam. “Your turn.”
The captain snorted “I can’t believe I have to justify anything on my own damned ship.”
Catherine waited.
“Okay,” Sam started. “Let’s begin with the simple concept of you getting to safety so you can testify against the Global Transport ghouls who sent people to their deaths with substandard building materials. That’s got to take priority and I don’t see why you’re not already on the ship with Dan—Marshal LeClair, running hot to the nearest base. Without you there’s no case or one hell of a lightweight one their lawyers can pull apart.”
“They have my preliminary interviews and I’ve given them some of the documents. But I can tape an updated testimony here and transmit the rest of the documents I picked up before my ship took off. In fact, I’m going to do that right after we finish this conversation,” Catherine replied.
“But they’d rather have you alive to testify,” Sam protested.
“True. They could still build a case but it wouldn’t be as strong without me there in person. Even with taped testimony it could be picked apart. My death would add a certain amount of credibility to my words but having me there would be definitely preferable.” Catherine nodded. “But I have to agree with the marshal. Leaving you unprotected would be dangerous.” She resisted the urge to look at Sean. “I won’t have more blood on my hands. I can’t have any more.” Her voice broke on the last sentence, causing her to stop.
Sam cleared her throat with a pained grunt, drawing Catherine’s attention.
Her lips were pressed into a tight line. She looked as if she were on the verge of tears, holding back only because she was in public.
Catherine realized with a jolt that the captain of the Bonnie Belle knew about loss. She knew what Catherine was talking about.
“Damn it.” Sam turned on her heel, away from the group. “Okay. You get the interview taped pronto and we’ll send it out priority one.” She gave a sideways glance at Daniel. “Double transmission from Etts and Belle should guarantee it makes it through, right?”
He nodded, tucking his hands into his back pockets. “Definitely.”
The black box at his hip gave a cheerful beep as if to acknowledge the mission.
Sam grunted. “Jenny, please make up a corner in the landing bay for the marshal. Toss down a spare mattress or something. Seems he’ll be staying with us for a bit longer.” She walked toward the far end of the galley, headed for the cockpit. “I’ll be on the bridge if anyone wants me.”
The hatch slammed shut behind her.
“She’s pissed off,” Harry muttered.
“You’re a qu
ick learner.” April shook her head. “Won’t be seeing her for a bit. She’ll be cooling her heels and cursing up a storm if I know her.” She eyed Daniel. “Win the battle and lose the war. You might be right but it doesn’t take the sting out.”
“Okay.” Jenny clapped her hands together. “I’ve got work to do.” She sprinted for the corridor. “Give me a good half hour, Marshal, and I’ll be ready for you.”
“Nothing fancy,” Daniel yelled after the spry mechanic. “Clean sheets and a pillow’ll be enough for me.” He grinned at Sean. “Give me time to start working on my apology.”
“I hope you brought knee pads.” Kendra jerked a thumb at the closed hatch, a wicked grin on her lips. “You’re going to be needing them.”
Chapter Nine
Catherine left the small group behind as she walked to the drink dispenser and called up a coffee for herself.
She didn’t want to admit it in public but the captain had a point. Jumping on the marshal’s ship could get her to safety faster than trundling along in a Mercy ship, no matter how many tweaks Jenny made to the engines.
But leaving the Belle wouldn’t make them any less of a target. Taking the UNS ship would take away their only defense and she couldn’t do that to them.
To Sean.
She imagined the chaos on the Belle when the killers caught up with them. Their guns would rip through the Mercy ship’s hull with ease, tearing it back like tissue paper. It’d be the same as her own ship’s fate with the courtesans dying a painful if not quick death.
Or they might board the Belle.
A shiver ran along her spine as she tried not to visualize what the bastards would do to the courtesans on a Mercy ship before, during and after killing them out of spite and necessity.
Staying might not have been the logical decision but it’d been the best for her heart. She couldn’t leave them behind. Whatever distaste she might have for Mercy ships and the people on board them had been whittled down to almost nothing thanks to the time she’d spent here.
They weren’t Mike and his whore. They were real women and men who deserved respect even if she didn’t quite agree with their philosophy.
In the Void Page 13
