Unfinished

by Kendra C. Highley

  * * *

  Quinn huddled in the butler's pantry cabinet just behind the library. He'd invented a little com amplifier-something Dr. Martine had suggested as a test-that allowed him to hear through the library wall. He'd sent Lexa back into the rafters, and she should be right above them by now.

  "We can't delay," the governor was saying. He sounded cross, which meant Miss Maren had him where she wanted him, most like. "We need to move now."

  "I don't see how that's wise," Miss Maren said, her voice cold and clipped. "I won't help. But I won't stand in your way, either."

  "Better than nothing," the governor said. The sofa creaked. "I think we'll retire for the evening. I beg you to reconsider. There won't be a better time than this."

  "Give me tonight. If I change my mind, we can discuss it over breakfast before you return to the city."

  Their voices faded as they moved across the room. Quinn waited sixty seconds before easing out of the cabinet.

  Preston stood right in front of him, holding a tray of highball glasses. He jumped and the glasses rattled, but he didn't drop them. "What were you doing in my cabinet?"

  His shoulders slumped. He'd lie to humans, but not to a fellow artificial. "Miss Maren asked me to gather intel on the governor. This seemed like a good way to do it."

  "Yes, but she was in the room. What were you going to learn that she doesn't already know?"

  Quinn shrugged and forced a winning smile. "It's good practice, anyway. Goodnight!"

  He hurried away from Preston, who was staring at him like he'd lost his mind. Better for the butler to think him crazy than to be caught.

  When he got upstairs to the training room, Doc and Lexa were waiting. Doc said, "Maren's coming up. Get anything?"

  "I think so," Quinn said, hoping he was right.

  The click-clack of fancy high-heeled shoes announced her arrival. When she and Dr. Martine came inside, Miss Maren looked at both of them, her nose wrinkled. "Well?"

  Quinn gave her a data stick with the file on it. "Lexa got into their rooms, and we copied his data pad. We found one file that might be of particular interest. It's called Independence."

  She cocked her head. "Is it now?" A slow, cold smile spread across her face. "We got him. We finally got him."

  "What happens next?" Lexa asked.

  Miss Maren gave Dr. Martine a calculating look. "You just bought yourself six more months, Caldwell. Don't waste them."

  Then she was gone.

  "What did that mean?" Lexa asked, sounding panicked.

  "Easy there." Dr. Martine leaned down so he could take her hands. "It means everything is going to be okay."

  "Good work tonight," Doc added. "Now go to bed."

  Quinn tugged at Lexa's sleeve. "Come on."

  On the way to her room, she asked, "Was Mr. C right? Is it okay?"

  "For you, I think so. For the governor, I doubt it." He stopped by Lexa's door. Who cared about the governor when she was safe, at least for a while longer. He hadn't felt this relieved since he heard that Piers was going on a three-week business trip last summer. "You did well tonight. Get some sleep and maybe Doc will give us some free time to play tennis tomorrow."

  "You hate tennis," she said, kicking at the carpet.

  "But you like tennis, and I like you."

  Lexa giggled. It was a bubbly sound, full of surprise and sweetness. A tiny spark awoke in Quinn's heart. She didn't laugh often, and he decided to find ways to make her laugh more.

  He suddenly felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say or do. He should probably go. "Goodnight, Lex."

  "Goodnight."

  Her door shut with a click, and Quinn leaned against the wall. They had a six-month reprieve, but that's all it was. Dr. Martine needed to do something to convince Miss Maren for good, but what? Because Quinn wouldn't let them kill Lexa. No matter what he had to do.

  Even if he had to take her place.

  With a sigh, he pushed himself off the wall and started toward his room. When the muted sound of gunfire sounded from upstairs, he jumped. It sounded like it was coming from the governor's suite.

  Lexa's door flew open. Her face was pale. "Are we under attack?"

  "No." He cast a weary glance at the ceiling. "I think the governor just found out that the Quad doesn't like traitors."

  She was shaking. "I'm still worried they're going to come steal me away some night, no matter what the boss lady said."

  "If that happens, I promise I won't stop looking until I find you," he said. "I won't let anything happen to you."

  Lexa threw her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. "I love you. You've always been my best friend."

  Quinn patted her back, enjoying the fierceness of the hug. "And you're mine. Time for bed. I promise I'll see you in the morning."

  She pulled away, smiling and went into her room. Once the door shut again, Quinn stumbled to his own room, exhaustion overwhelming him. He meant what he said-he wouldn't let anything happen to Lexa.

  But that wasn't within his control. And he only had six months to convince Miss Maren otherwise.