In the Black

by Sheryl Nantus

  Sam stared at the rare whisky like a starving man would a chicken leg. Kendra laughed and poured three shots before placing the bottle under the table.

  “Out of sight out of mind.” She picked up one glass and waited for Sam to follow suit.

  April walked back in with a tray, delicate white porcelain cups sitting next to a white teacup dotted with cherry blossoms. Sam could smell the hot green tea steeping.

  April placed the tray on the table and pulled up a chair to sit between Sam and Kendra.

  “Cheers.” She picked up the last glass on the table. “To good friends.”

  “To good friends.” The golden liquid burned Sam’s throat.

  “Cheers,” Kendra echoed before downing the shot.

  April proceeded to pour the tea while Sam resisted the urge to lick the inside of the shot glass. Six months without a drink and she’d missed it.

  Not so much the aftertaste in her mouth from the bloody nose.

  She touched it with her free hand, afraid to imagine facing a mirror.

  “It’s not broken,” April said, picking up on her actions. “Trust me, I’ve seen broken and that’s not it. Going to be a bitch for a few days, though, and you’ll have a bit of trouble breathing.”

  “Thank you. I don’t mean to be rude—” She almost stopped speaking, seeing the expressions on the two women’s faces. “But what’s this for?”

  Kendra sipped the green tea. “What? You never had tea before?” She gestured at Sam to pick up her own tiny cup.

  The scalding liquid chased the whiskey down her throat, both fighting for domination in her belly. “Six months and we’re working associates, barely talking between landfall and nowhere near bosom buddies. Now...” She couldn’t find the words to explain the emotional confusion bouncing around her battered brain.

  “You handled a tough situation with great skill,” April replied. “Let us show our appreciation for it.”

  “You want to thank me, you send Grendel a note.” She didn’t want to sound ungrateful but a headache was crawling up her spine and threatening to return the tea and whiskey with full force. “I’m sure he’d appreciate hearing from you. I’m going to get a lot of shit for this one and could use the support.”

  “Consider it done.” Kendra watched her finish the drink. “Now you should go rest up and unlock the Belle, let us get a few more appointments in before shift change.” She threw April a wink. “And before Marshal LeClair comes back.”

  “Ah. About the marshal—” Sam wasn’t sure what to say. “We’re not—”

  April held up her hand. “Don’t make me regret breaking out the good booze.” She smiled. “We’re not immune to your needs, Captain. You’re not the first woman to deal with the stress of being isolated from basic human wants and desires.” She nodded to Kendra. “As courtesans we’re trained to be aware of what people need even if they don’t know it themselves.”

  Sam nodded, her mind numb.

  April reached over and patted Sam’s knee. “He’s a good man.”

  “It’s just for a night,” Sam mumbled. “Get it out of my system and get back on track.”

  Kendra cocked her head to one side. “Is that how you see it?”

  “What else?” Sam croaked.

  Kendra smiled. “What else indeed?” She helped Sam up from the chair. “Thank you for the hospitality, April. We’ll let you get back to your customer.”

  April nodded and bowed to the pair, pressing her hands together. “Thank you for your company, Captain. Until next time.”

  Sam staggered out the door into the hallway, not sure what had just happened. She let out a grateful sigh as she stepped into zero gravity. It was just what she needed for her aching bones.

  Not so much for her belly. The whiskey had hit her hard. She swallowed, hoping Kendra didn’t see her discomfort. “Belle?”

  “Captain?”

  “Where’s Jenny?” Sam asked.

  “Right here.” One of the vents in the ceiling popped open. “Belle let me know it was safe to come out.” Her head and shoulders appeared over them. “I missed all the good stuff.” Her lower lip jutted out. “Should have called me. I’d have dropped a wrench on his head.”

  Sam’s head swam with variations on that scenario. None of which ended well.

  “Thanks, Jenny. Can you come down and give me a hand? I’m, ah, I’m going to my quarters to rest. Belle, please announce we’re open for business.” Sam couldn’t help grinning despite the pain. “Again.”

  Jenny pulled herself out of the vent and took Sam’s arm. Kendra nodded her approval and turned away.

  “I missed all the fun,” Jenny said as they started toward the galley.

  Sam flinched as she failed to clear the opening, catching her foot on the bottom of the hatch. Not enough energy left to lift her damned foot even in zero gravity.

  She was too old for this.

  “You look like shit,” Jenny said.

  “Thanks. I’m going to bed. Don’t wake me up unless we’re under attack.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Daniel glared at Dane Morris, hoping the bastard would wake up and try to escape.

  The medical officer caught the angry stare and clucked his tongue. He sat inside the cell beside the killer on the metal bench, applying a bandage to his maimed cheek.

  “What?” Daniel said.

  “I see that look. If I find any more bruises on this fellow between now and when we turn him over to the transport, I’ll be pointing at you.” He didn’t wag his finger; he didn’t have to. “I’m responsible now for his personal wellbeing. You can be as pissed off as you like, but go punch a wall. You’re not touching him.”

  Daniel nodded, taking his lumps in silence. He wasn’t going to deny he was tempted to take a few shots at Morris.

  But not tempted enough to cross the line.

  Etts, still attached to his belt, beeped. It was a low, ominous tone.

  Daniel chuckled at the AI’s choice of sounds. “Of course. Put him on the line.” He steeled himself for the conversation.

  This wasn’t going to be pretty.

  “Marshal LeClair.” The voice from the speaker was calm and smooth, like silk. “This is Grendel, the assigned Guild representative for this area.”

  “I know.”

  Grendel continued without missing a beat. “I understand you have a man in custody for the murder of Halley Comet, the courtesan from the Bonnie Belle.”

  “I do.” He waited, letting Grendel take the lead.

  “He’s one of our employees.” Daniel imagined Grendel’s lips turning up in a sneer on the last word.

  “He is.”

  “I’d like to have him immediately transferred to Guild authorities. I have a private ship on route to Branson Prime that should arrive in a few hours.”

  “What?” Daniel looked around the room, thinking for a second he was being pranked. “Why?”

  “Morris has broken his contract with the Guild, opening him up to civil charges. We want to have him appear in front of Guild personnel to explain his actions and have his status as a courtesan possibly revoked.”

  Daniel shook his head and smiled. “Grendel, I didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday. I hand over Dane Morris to you we’re never going to get him to trial for Comet’s murder. He’ll disappear into your system forever and you’ll keep this quiet.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.” Grendel’s icy tone betrayed his intentions. “I’m following protocol as per our arrangement with the Service. We have an agreement—”

  “This isn’t some dispute over a payment or someone getting pissy because they didn’t enjoy themselves as much as they thought they would. This is a murder case and as such trumps anything you and your lawyers can try to argue.�
��

  “Marshal—”

  “Take it up with my superiors. I’m shipping Morris out on a prison transport to a Justice base. Your reps can interview him there and discuss further details regarding his status.” Daniel jerked a thumb back at the cell and the two men inside, knowing the Guild rep couldn’t see it and not caring. “He’s going down for the murder and I’m going to make sure everyone knows it. You’re not going to hide him inside your bureaucracy and make him disappear. Halley Comet, her family and her friends deserve better.”

  “Please hold on for a minute, Marshal.” Daniel had a vision of an old-school telephone switchboard operator connecting Grendel with his superiors.

  A loud groan took his attention away from the Guild rep. He turned toward the prison cell to see Morris leveraging himself into a sitting position with Danforth putting the final touches on his bandaged face. The boxer cradled his torso and winced.

  Daniel found no need to inform him of where he’d gotten his injuries.

  “The Guild’s not going to let you prosecute me,” Morris said. “They don’t want anyone to know this sort of thing happens.” He turned away from Danforth with a laugh. “I’ll be working within the month on another ship with another name. The Guild won’t let a moneymaker like me get away.” He tapped his temple. “Some people like the danger.” His fingers ran over his bandaged cheek. “And scars, if that’s what it ends up like.”

  Danforth scowled and pulled away from Morris. “Obviously you’re feeling well enough to talk. I’ll go now. Please call if you have any problems with your injuries.” He moved to the cell door and waited with his back to the former courtesan.

  Daniel walked over and unlocked the door. Danforth strode out, a look of disgust on his face. He didn’t say anything as he exited the security area, passing Huckness, who came in.

  “We pulled the rope and the fake uniform from Morris’s quarters, just like your captain said. She gave permission before she fell asleep for a search so it was legal and all. Wasn’t hard to find, he had it sitting in a drawer plain as day.” He looked in the cell. “I see our sleeping beauty is awake. ’Bout time the little shit woke up.”

  Daniel put a finger to his lips before pointing upward and mouthing the word “Guild.”

  The chief nodded and crossed his arms, glaring at Morris. The boxer countered by stabbing his middle finger in the air.

  “Marshal?” Grendel’s voice came from the speakers. “You’re a reasonable man. Surely you see the damage that could be done by letting the general public know about internal Guild business.”

  “Murder isn’t internal Guild business,” Daniel replied. “And the public deserves to know the truth.”

  Grendel chuckled. “The public doesn’t want to know the truth at times. Sometimes they ignore it and sometimes it’s in their best interest to pass it on by.” His voice deepened. “Like the Hub. Why don’t you ask your sweet Mercy ship captain about that?”

  Daniel clenched his teeth so tight he thought he’d pop a filling.

  He knew better than to take the bait.

  “This conversation is over.” Daniel glared at Morris through the bars. “He’s going out on the prison transport. And don’t bother sending your attack dog Trainer over to try and talk me out of it. I know all about him and I won’t let him near Morris. Nothing is going to happen to him until he gets to a Justice base, and then your lawyers can do their best.”

  A heavy pause hung in the air. Huckness raised an eyebrow and looked at Daniel, who shrugged.

  Morris snorted and bowed his head.

  “Understood. Have a good day, Marshal.” The communication link went dead.

  Huckness tapped his earpiece and mumbled something into it. He turned toward Daniel. “I’m putting my best men on guard at the door. No one’s getting near this bastard until we put him on that transport.”

  Morris rubbed his head, fingers brushing the short blond hair. “They won’t let me go to trial. They’d rather have me killed.”

  “Even if the story came out, that wouldn’t stop the customers from coming.” Daniel swept his arm toward the wall. “Hell, look at the miners lining up now, lined up in the landing bay before we got to you. They all still wanted their time with the girls, knowing one of them could be a killer. They wanted time with you.”

  Morris laughed. “That’s part of the thrill, Marshal. Dance on the wild side, dance with the devil. There’s no better turn-on.” He lay down on the metal bunk and turned away from Daniel, letting out a grunt as he shifted to find a comfortable position. “I’m tired. Catch you on the flip side.”

  Daniel waited a few minutes, trying to figure out if Morris was really asleep or not.

  “Bastard,” Huckness said. “I’ll be watching him from my office.” He walked toward the door. “Times like this I hate being so damned principled.”

  Daniel watched the chief leave and turned his attention back to the supposedly sleeping courtesan.

  “If you had killed her I’d have taken you down without mercy,” he said in a low voice, just loud enough for Morris to hear. “She’s the one who saved your life.”

  Daniel walked out without a backward glance.

  The security guard in the hallway snapped to attention. Technically he didn’t have to as Daniel wasn’t his direct superior, but it was appreciated.

  Daniel stopped and studied the youthful face. This had to be the kid’s first tour, his uniform still freshly pressed and the creases in his pants razor-sharp. His nametag was brand-new.

  “Malloy.”

  “Sir.” The guard’s voice was high-pitched and nervous.

  “I know you already got this instruction but let me repeat it. No one sees the prisoner, no one goes in. Only Chief Huckness and Medical Officer Danforth allowed in.”

  He saw the unspoken question on the man’s face.

  “Not Swendson. Not Trainer. Neither gets access to the prisoner.” Daniel leaned in and made a show of inspecting the man’s nametag. “I’ll know who to blame if someone does get in.”

  The guard did his best imitation of a bobblehead, swallowing hard as he stared at the wall.

  Daniel walked down the hall and entered the security office. Huckness turned around in his chair, away from the bank of monitors.

  “Just set up the schedule until the transport arrives.” He jerked a thumb toward the screens. “Damn bastard’s sleeping like a baby.” The chief shook his head. “Hope he gets a rough time in prison.”

  “I’d bet on it. Killing a woman is bad enough, never mind it being a courtesan.” Daniel jerked his thumb back down the hall. “I hope you don’t mind but I gave the guard a bit of a hard time, wanted to put him on his toes.”

  “Malloy? No problem there. Breaking the puppy in hard. He got here a month ago and still hasn’t gotten the stick out of his ass. I like him because he hasn’t gotten enough time here to play politics yet.” Huckness smiled. “Let me guess. You emphasized no visits from our favorite foreman?”

  “Better to be safe than sorry.” Daniel resisted the urge to look at the monitor. “I want him safe and sound until that transport gets here.”

  “He’ll be out of our hair in a few hours.” Huckness turned back to the multiple screens. “I’m not moving from this chair until he’s gone. This base’s had enough trauma for a year—I want this business settled and done.” He pointed a thick finger at the black-and-white image. “Settled, done and gone.” He raised an eyebrow. “No offense.”

  Daniel nodded. “None taken. I’m going back to my ship to get started on my report. Call me if anything happens.”

  Huckness tilted his head to one side. “I can set you up in some guest quarters if you’d like. Ain’t too fancy but we have them for when the bigwigs drop by for inspections. Keep you close in case you want to visit our favorite killer.”

>   “No thanks.” Daniel felt the weariness settle on his shoulders like a heavy coat. “I think I’d feel more comfortable back on the Razor. No offense.”

  “None taken. Totally understandable.” The chief rapped his knuckles on another screen, this one showing the arrival ports. “I’ll call when the transport is on final approach. Already got my squad picked to escort Mr. Morris off Branson Prime and into the delicate hands of the justice system.” He put his hand over his mouth, covering a yawn. “Then I’m taking a nap before cashing in my discount on the Belle.” He winked. “I don’t plan to sleep through that.”

  * * *

  It was a waking dream, the worst type of dream she could have.

  She was back at the Hub. She knew it was a dream but she couldn’t change a thing, couldn’t change her choices or stop the inevitable.

  The firefight had raged from the landing bay through the hallways and now they were heading for the mess hall. The yelling in her earpiece confirmed they were winning but just barely against the terrorists who had somehow infiltrated the military base.

  “Stay frosty,” she warned the survivors. They’d lost half their unit getting this far but the end was in sight.

  Emerson took point. He crept around the corner and motioned for them to move up, indicating the route was clear.

  It wasn’t.

  “Sam? Sam?” Jenny’s voice came through a fuzzy fog. “Grendel’s on the line. Belle was going to wake you up but I thought you’d like to hear me break it to you.”

  She fought her way up out of the haze, fingers tangled in the thin mesh.

  “Give me a minute.” Her heart was pounding, her hands clammy and wet. “Let me at least get a drink.” She swallowed hard, focusing in on the wall. “Thanks, Jenny. Appreciate it.”

  “No prob. Later.” The speakers went silent.

  Unwrapping herself from the zero-g netting took only a minute. She pulled herself over to the bathroom area and glanced at the digital clock set in the wall.

  She’d slept six hours straight through. It’d been a long time since she’d managed that much without a nightmare waking her up.