by K Bledsoe
Diarmin rushed into the hold with a quick look around to make sure there was room for the plates. Allison came running up, dangerously close to the crane.
“What’s going on, Dad? Why the cargo hold? Aren’t we going to install them?”
“We need to get out of here now Allison. Go start preflight and finish programming those new specs.”
Allison’s eyes widened. “But I haven’t…”
“Do it now! Please. We have to get back to Sulous. Quinn is in trouble.”
***
Allison dashed up to the bridge and straight to the control board. She input the sequence for preflight and double-checked her new specs. They were as best she could do without a few hours of testing, so she turned to go prepare the cabins for flight. Without gravity. Again.
She paused with her foot at the top step. She had never seen her father so rattled. Not even when being chased by strange ships. What kind of trouble could Quinn be in? Arrested? For what? Dressing up? She looked at the monitor of the cargo bay and saw that her father was supervising the storage of the grids. He would be occupied for several minutes.
Allison sat at the command console and brought up the messages. She had long ago learned her father’s security passwords and was in in a heartbeat. There were a lot, all from her mother, sent at different times. To be sure, Allison played them all back.
“Checked into hotel. Hope the grid buying and installation go well.”
“Quinn went out to get breakfast, and after we eat we are going to start inquiries about the slave trade.”
“Well, our son is not back with breakfast and since he has blanked his locator, I assume he has decided to try to find the criminals all by himself. He studied all the information that Allison dug up, so I have a good idea where he will look. Will give you an update soon.”
“Diarmin, I don’t like this. Quinn is either really good or really lucky. He has found the edges of these… these people and his locator still isn’t working. Where are you? You should already be out of transspace and onplanet.”
The final message was encrypted, but this gave Allison only a moment’s hesitation. She had designed a special program that only took a few breaths to decrypt. But her moment of smugness at her success vanished as she heard the message.
“Quinn has been taken. By them. Get back here, Diarmin. I need help.”
A chill overtook Allison. Never had she heard her mother ask for help. With anything. And the sound of her voice. Low, expressionless, stiff, like her teeth were clenched but not. Allison shivered. Her mother only sounded like that when getting ready for a dangerous mission. Quinn wasn’t just in trouble; his life was in danger. She swallowed against a suddenly dry throat and went to finish prepping for departure.
Chapter Twenty
“Warn me about what, Jonah?”
Now I have a name to go with the face. She had recognized the man that Allison had discovered. He looked to be in his late twenties, probably educated and with a vital job. This was someone who could help her, not only with the case but with finding Quinn. If he was on the companion’s side.
“The prince is getting suspicious.”
Lavan shot to his feet, eyes wide.
Lenore hissed at him to sit down, but it was Jonah’s hand on Lavan’s arm that immediately calmed him.
“We are fine for the moment. I have bought some time, and you know they are in Session for a few hours more. Let me explain.”
The companion sat down as Lenore glanced surreptitiously around the room. Nothing seemed out of place, so she focused on the man, only to find him staring at her.
Jonah cleared his throat and glanced at Lavan, obviously uncomfortable with a stranger. Lavan seemed to guess the reason for Jonah’s unease.
“This is the woman who is searching for Maya,” he said. “You can trust her, and she needs to hear about the prince.”
Jonah nodded but his closed expression told Lenore that he didn’t trust her. He turned to the companion, appearing to ignore her.
“Hahn came to me last night, asking about the health of his father and being quite friendly. At first.” Jonah took a breath and continued. “It wasn’t long before the prince started to ask about you. He wanted to know if there was anything wrong.”
Lavan’s eyes widened.
“I told him I thought you were fine, but suggested that if there was something wrong, it might be that you were a bit lonely for, um,” he glanced at Lenore, but went on. “Um, personal, female companionship.”
Lavan burst out laughing, though Lenore could detect a nervous edge to it.
“Marvelous, Jonah. I couldn’t think of a better thing to throw him off the track. Wish I had thought of that.”
“But that won’t last long so I came to warn you, and maybe help if I can.”
Lenore decided this was a good time to take back control of the conversation.
“Why would the prince come to you?” she asked.
Surprise filled Jonah’s face, but he looked at Lavan instead of Lenore. At the companion’s nod, for permission she assumed, Jonah turned to her and explained. “I am Jonah Wilkerson, Chief Reviewer of Royals, the person who keeps track of all of the royal family for security reasons.”
“Young for that position, aren’t you?”
Jonah colored slightly. “I have been at the palace longer than anyone else and have seniority.” Lenore filed that information to inquire about later.
“So that’s why the prince came to you specifically.” She waved her hand to indicate Lavan. “You know him well, from seeing him all the time.”
Jonah nodded, and Lenore turned to the companion.
“Are you aware that part of Jonah’s job also entails erasing any camera recordings or other public views of you and the royalty?” Both started at this statement and spoke simultaneously.
“How?”
“What?”
Her hand stopped the questions.
“That is part of what I do. Now to business.” She leaned back in her chair so that she could watch both closely. “What do you know about the slave trade in the city?”
This time their reactions couldn’t have been more different. Lavan sported a confused look while Jonah’s face tightened. The responses supported her speculation on who would be most useful.
“There’s no slave trade in our city, or on the whole planet for that matter,” said the Companion. Jonah nodded stiffly, so Lavan was emboldened to continue. “It was investigated thoroughly years ago during the search for the princess. What little was found caused the organization to be wiped out.”
“I see. Well, this is what is going to occur. Lavan, since you are under suspicion, I think you should stay inside the palace for now.”
“But I want to help.”
“Of course, but I think we are lucky to have the assistance of Jonah and he will be your go-between.” They looked at the reviewer and he nodded again.
“But…”
“Meanwhile, I need you to find whatever you can about the former slave trade. Any names or details would help me greatly. Can you do that?” Lenore smiled reassuringly.
“That’s easy. Hahn always teases me about reading too much. I’ll say it’s a history project.”
Her wristcomp vibrated against her wrist. “Excuse me for one moment.” She stood. “Discuss how you will contact each other without the prince becoming aware of it.”
As their heads bowed toward each other, Lenore took a few steps toward the back wall away from any other diners. She held the wristcomp to her ear so no one else could hear the message. It was from her husband and it was short.
“Message received. On our way.”
Lenore breathed a little easier. With her worries about Quinn, she had pushed to the back of her mind her concern with why it was taking so long for communication from Diarmin and Allison. There were so many people looking for them…she shook her head slightly and berated herself. Time to focus on the present. Especially since her client an
d his friend looked like they were leaving. In two strides, she was back at the table.
“Done with your plans?” she asked. At the nods, she continued. “Before you go, did you bring me the information on the tattoos?” Though she was focused on the companion, she was aware of Jonah’s sudden tension.
Lavan colored slightly. “Oh, yes. Jonah’s arrival distracted me from the purpose of calling this meeting.” He sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, I was unable to access the tattoo records. I couldn’t even get into the secure room.”
“Are you telling me the companion is not allowed in secure areas?” asked Lenore.
“Well, I could raise a fuss, but it would likely get back to the prince and I don’t want that.”
“Of course not.”
“I can do it,” said Jonah quietly.
Lavan’s look of relief added appeal to his young face. “Of course.” He shook Jonah’s hand and smiled. “Thank you so much. I owe you for your loyalty.”
Jonah bowed, and Lavan checked his wristcomp.
“Now I should get back. Coming, Jonah?”
“If you don’t mind,” said Lenore. “I would like to keep talking with Jonah since he will now be my contact.” She flashed a smile at the companion and bowed low. “Thank you, sirrah, and the next time we meet, I hope to have a positive report.”
Lavan smiled back and left. The remaining two sat down, and Lenore could tell Jonah was extremely nervous.
Good.
“Now, Jonah. Tell me the real reason you are here.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Raahi swore silently. The berth that had held the ship belonging to the off-worlders who had met with Companion Lavan was empty. She had paid dearly for the information and now it was useless. She was tempted to blame the man who sold it to her, but she’d had it two days ago. It had taken longer than she thought to scrounge up a uniform that would let her pass into the correct section of the spaceport. And then she had wasted a day looking in the expensive district, expecting the richly dressed visitors to be in the high-paying yacht berths. But the ship had been in a belly-down berth usually used for cargo ships.
Discreet questioning showed the workers to be surprisingly close-mouthed about the strangers. It meant that either they didn’t know anything or the off-worlders had already paid for their silence.
Raahi kicked at a trash receptacle in frustration. She would have sworn that those people had responded to the call to find the lost princess and her companion. A wry smile crossed her face. They must have realized that it was an impossible task and left the planet. Or maybe they had been here to receive cargo and she was looking in the wrong direction. Too bad. They might have been willing to pay well for any information, either cargo or lost princesses, and Raahi was the best in the city. But instead she’d missed another chance to be out of the slums and on her way to a normal life.
Well, it wouldn’t be the first time a plan had gone sour. She headed out of the spaceport and back toward her home. Ducking through alleys and back streets, she never took the same way twice. Despite her annoyance with her failure, she was quite aware that a gang of toughs were watching her as she passed by. She knew it wasn’t to rob her. Her appearance did not suggest that she had anything worthwhile. Except that she was female and alone. The gang consisted of three men and a woman, all with ragged clothing like hers and faces that read of desperation to find pleasure in anything, even if it was in hurting others. Her hunch was confirmed when they left the alleyway to follow her.
Raahi had only glanced at the group, but she knew exactly who to take out. As she turned a corner into another alley, the rush of footsteps told her where each person was. She waited for the exact moment when the footsteps were right behind her and paused. She ducked under the blow she knew was coming and spun in a crouch. She didn’t go for the attacker but the person behind and slightly to the right that she knew was the leader.
In one swift move she had him in a headlock with her left arm, her right hand holding a tiny knife in front of his face at eye level.
“This might be a small knife, but it will go right through your eye to your brain if you don’t tell them to back off.”
She had hardly needed to say anything as the group stood with mouths open, staring at their prey turned violent. Nonetheless, the tough gurgled a command to back off. The girl was the only one to look angry instead of surprised, so Raahi accepted that information.
“Now, back off or someone will lose his pretty looks.” Hah, none of them are pretty. Not in facial features or disposition. They shuffled backwards, and Raahi also backed herself and the leader away from them. When she felt it was far enough she spoke into her captive’s ear.
“Try it again and I won’t stop with just threats.” She shoved him in the back forcefully enough for him to stumble and, for good measure, raked her knife along his shoulder to teach him a lesson. She spun and ran, taking a side bet with herself on who would follow.
She heard footsteps and glanced back. Yep, she was right. The girl was hot on her heels. Some people did not know when to give up. Raahi stopped suddenly and pivoted to face the girl. The girl hadn’t anticipated Raahi’s actions, so she backpedaled and tried to stop. As the girl collided with her, Raahi flexed her knees and used the force of the girl’s charge to toss her to the ground. For good measure, she stomped on the girl’s left knee, not quite breaking it but ensuring she would no longer follow.
“I said, ‘Back off.’ Next time you will know better.” Another glance showed the rest of the gang simply watching their cohort being taken down. Raahi grinned at them, knowing she had to show a tough face, though she was a bit sickened at her own violence. A nod from the leader holding his bleeding shoulder indicated she had earned their respect and wouldn’t be bothered anymore. Raahi continued to her home, reining in the shakes that always followed a fight. Her lips twisted. At least she had worked off her frustrations.
Only when she was sure that nobody was following her did she head to her tiny apartment. At the top of a four-story building with no elevator, the apartment was cheap. The room was barely larger than a shipboard cabin, with a bathroom so narrow that she could touch all four walls while standing in the center. The “kitchen” was a single heating unit in the middle of a board on top of a refrigerator that came up to her waist. The couch folded out into a bed and a single lamp shed the only light. No windows, but that was fine with her. She preferred the security from anyone trying to spy on her.
With a huge sigh, Raahi stripped and tossed her coveralls on the couch. She was tempted to sell them and at least make some of her money back, but they had been extremely useful and perhaps could come in handy again. She grabbed a drink from her refrigerator and sat on the couch, willing her pulse to return to normal. It didn’t take long. This wasn’t the first time she had to fight off a gang and it wouldn’t be the last. She hated the necessity of the violence, but it was the only way she had survived this long. It was why she wanted out so desperately. She grabbed her tablet beside her on the couch and began to scan the local feeds.
Time for a new idea.
***
Lenore waited while Jonah attempted to answer her question.
“Like I said, I came to warn the companion.” His eyes shifted and wouldn’t meet hers.
“You could have easily met him at the palace. Why here? Why with me?” Her mind was screaming at her to hurry up and go find Quinn, but the logical part was saying this man needed to be cultivated. He could help. With the case and Quinn.
“I really can’t at the palace. Too many ears. And I didn’t know he was meeting with you.”
“There are ears here,” her wave indicated the security cameras, “And of course you knew he was meeting me.”
Jonah’s head snapped up, and now he looked her in the eye. She pressed her advantage. “In fact, you were the one to allow the message through about the reward for the lost princess.”
His eyebrows lifted, eyes slightly larger. “Who are yo
u?”
“I am someone who is good at what I do. Now, please, answer my questions honestly. Why aren’t you concerned about these cameras?” Several expressions crossed his face, and she held on to her patience as he shifted through doubt, then awe, perhaps some memories until he finally showed acceptance, not quite defeat but close.
“You know I am Chief Reviewer. I can erase any files.”
“And?”
Jonah actually twitched. “I have a device that scrambles my identity for cameras and whatever it misses, I can erase later.”
Lenore’s mind flashed a picture of the girl who had followed them whose face had been blurred beyond recognition in the photo Quinn took. “Interesting, may I see the device?”
Jonah cleared his throat. “Um, no. It is an implant.”
Only years of training kept her eyebrows from rising. Diarmin would love to get his hands on that tech. She would circle back to that gem of information.
“All right. Let’s discuss the slave trade. Obviously, you know much more about it than the companion.”
Jonah nodded slowly. “Yes, but not much I’m afraid. Only that there is indeed a viable trade, and it was never shut down like most people believe.”
“And where does your knowledge come from?”
“I was there when the search was conducted for the princess. A small organization was found, but it was a dead end, said to have nothing to do with the disappearance.” The sour look on his face primed Lenore for his next words. “A few arrests were made, the organization disbanded, but nothing more could be found. With no further leads, investigations were stopped.”
“Then how do you know about the current situation with the slavers?”
“I have kept up with my inquiries over the years but,” Jonah shook his head, “every time I get close, or think I do, the trail goes cold.”
“Your inquiries? What about the local authorities?”
Jonah’s eyes flashed angrily, and his face darkened as he looked down. For the first time Lenore could sense a fighting spirit. “I am pretty sure they are being paid off. They do nothing.” His lips twisted like he wanted to spit but held back.
