by Niranjan K
Niek was relieved that even after his stubborn refusal, Alexander was still patient with him. He knew Alexander would still try to find dad, but after two years of no leads Niek was losing hope that he would see dad again.
“You shouldn’t lose hope, you know,” Alexander said gently, removing his hand.
It surprised Niek that Alexander knew him so well after just two years. No one except his dad had ever read him like that.
“I know... It’s just... it’s been two years, and still no news of him. In his letter he said he would be back, but so far... I mean... we don’t even know if he’s alive. If he was in danger as he said in the letter then he might be dead!”
“Let’s not go there.” Alexander said soothingly, “I know that you’re worried, and that it has been two years, and you miss him, but that’s no reason to assume the worst.”
“He hasn’t come back, or tried to contact me,” Niek pointed out. “Surely, he would have tried to find me when he heard of uncle Ruben’s death?”
“That’s assuming he heard of it.” Alexander said softly. “We’ve talked about this, Niek. If your father left Aeras before you, it’s quite possible he never heard of Mr. Dekker’s death.”
Niek snorted. “I may be a child, but I’m not a fool, Alexander,” he said. “My father left me to the guardianship of uncle Ruben, and in what universe does a man not enquire about his son or his whereabouts for two years? If he did, he would definitelyhave found out that uncle Ruben died the day he left!”
“Niek,” Alexander said, still gentle. “I never said you were a fool. Remember that you had to take the shuttle from Aeras to Prith, which takes more than 10 hours, and there is no guarantee that your father remained in Aeras. He could be in Ignis for all we know, and Ignis is so far away. Its proximity to the sun makes it almost impossible for communications and news to get through.”
“If he is in Ignis,” Niek muttered, but he was feeling tendrils of hope unfurl in his chest. He didn’t like the nightmares he had about dad leaving, but in a way, he also longed for them, because he got to see dad in them. Despite all Alexander’s care and kindness he wasn’t his dad. Niek was so sick of dad’s secrets, and the dangers that he hinted at in his letter. He had left specific instructions, a ticket to Nizhoni, and enough money to get Niek to uncle Ruben’s house. Uncle Ruben had been dad’s professor and mentor. Niek had met him a few times when he had visited their home at Takh, and they had got on well.
“It makes sense if you think about it,” Alexander said. “Ignis is mostly off the radar for the State, and if your father’s troubles were with them, then it is logical for him to choose a planet like Ignis.”
Niek nodded, grateful that Alexander found him some hope to cling to.
“I miss him so much,” he said. “I even miss Takh, you know. I know Nizhoni is more beautiful, and the entire planet has better climate and Takh... I used to complain about the cold all the time, the winds.” he sighed, glad that Alexander was listening. “I used to ask dad why he chose a planet that’s far away from the sun instead of something like Prith which is just ideal, but... now that I’m here, I just...I just miss Takh so much...” Alexander put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, and Niek muttered. “It nearly blew me away one day, you know, the wind. When I was about ten, and I was playing in the school yard and this big gust of wind came, it nearly blew us all away, and we clung to the railings of the nearest structure we could find... they built an indoor play area after that... I was so scared that day, but.. I miss even that...”
“Understandable,” Alexander said softly. “Your experiences in Nizhoni haven’t been all good either.”
“Llewllyn, you mean,” Niek said. “Yea, I guess, but you know, statistics say that Prith is safer, and has less crime than Aeras.”
Alexander chuckled. “Of course, you would know that.”
“I guess I had too sheltered a life in Takh.”
Alexander shook his head. “You’re a child, and you had the life of one. You should still be having one.”
“I think it’s a bit too late,” Niek muttered. “I guess I’m lucky I ran into you... I guess it’s the only good thing that came out of this whole mess with dad leaving, and uncle Ruben dying, and Llewllyn attacking me...”
Alexander’s lips tightened. “At least you don’t have to worry about him any more.”
Niek tried to smile. It was true, but it didn’t make him feel much safer, though it had been two years. That night, all he had wanted to do was to escape, and he had run into Alexander. He had been wary of Alexander at first, full of mistrust and anger, but the man had been patient, and kind. Llewllyn was now in stasis prison, and that was Alexander’s doing too. He had made sure Llewllyn was put away without involving Niek. Niek just wished it made him feel better.
Niek looked at Alexander. His appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest in the two years that Niek had known him. Niek had his own theory about why, but he dared not voice it, even to Alexander. After all, he just couldn’t tell someone he thought they were a Rogue. But then, Nick was almost sure that his dad was a Rogue too, and he’d never asked dad or told Alexander. His dad had never said anything, but it wasn’t that difficult to guess, not when they lived in the same house and saw each other every day, and Niek had always been good at noticing things that other people missed.
Probably, dad’s disappearance had something to do with that. After all, Rogues were said to be criminals, and were hunted down to be kept in cryo prison until someone invented a way to terminate them. But those history lessons were no longer believable; they castigated all Rogues as criminals and highly dangerous to everyone. Dad wasn’t, and neither was Alexander, and they were both—almost certainly—Rogues. It was possible that all that criminal talk was just propaganda by the Elite. They probably didn’t like it that those who had been on their sides once were now against them. He couldn’t find any references to his dad or Alexander in any of the history books though, and if they were Rogues, they should have been there, shouldn’t they? Perhaps the books only had the Rogues who had been captured. But if he was a Rogue, why wasn’t Alexander at all worried?
Alexander sat up, yawning. “If I sit here any longer, I’ll end up falling asleep right here,” he said ruefully. “Up, you brat. It’s time you were in bed.”
“I don’t...” Niek paused. He hadn’t had a nightmare about Llewllyn in a while, but whenever it happened, he had found himself unable to sleep alone. “I don’t think I’ll fall asleep.”
“I’ll stay with you till you do,” Alexander promised. “Come.”
Niek gave a warm smile as he rose and trailed after Alexander, but he paused as he thought of Shayla.
“What about Shayla? She’s probably waiting for you.”
“Quinn?” Alexander asked.
“Miss Lambert is asleep,” Quinn replied.
“Okay,” Niek said. “I didn’t want her to break up with you because of me.”
He liked Shayla. She was fun, charming and she could cook like a dream. Quinn and his bots were better than the synthesiser and a lot better than Alexander, but Shayla was in another league. He hoped she would stay.
“We’re not in a relationship,” Alexander said calmly. “This is just an interlude for both of us. She’ll be leaving for Aeras tomorrow, and I’ve no idea when I’ll see her next. She’s a busy woman.”
Niek sighed. There went that hope. At least he could be relieved that his nightmares aren’t causing problems with Alexander’s casual relationships. He did sleep better when Alexander stayed in his room after nightmares. He could not really explain it. Most of the time, all Alexander needed to do was stay in the room. Not only did Niek fall asleep, but he wasn’t disturbed by nightmares again that night. His nightmares were rare these days, though they had been very frequent in the beginning.
Niek climbed into the bed, and Alexander sat down on the chair by his bed.
“Go to sleep,” he said gently.
Five
“I’ll need another week off,” David said without preamble. “Ellen is home, but she needs rest, and someone to be around her for another six months. I hired a nurse for her, but well, there’s no one to take care of Paige, and I can’t send her to school.”
“It looks like you need a private tutor for Paige,” Alexander said, as a smile curved his lips as he thought of his meeting with Houghton the previous week. Alexander had run into the private tutor Houghton had hired for his children, one who was obviously unhappy with her employer. It was petty, and he knew it, but it would be deeply satisfying to steal Houghton’s employee, especially now that Houghton was licking his wounds. Perhaps he would not have done it, had the opportunity not arisen, but it did, and he was not above using it.
“Yes, but I can’t just hire anyone you know. Paige has- well, - special needs, and I need someone I can trust, at least until I get a handle on the situation.”
David sounded worried, and uncertain, and Alexander understood. He didn’t exactly know what the “special needs” David talked about were, but he knew there was something different about the child. She had an unerring instinct regarding people: it was as if she knew when they were lying or were not to be trusted. Even though she was too young to understand concepts like trust—she would simply say she didn’t like someone—Alexander knew that she had never been wrong. Paige was also reluctant to go near people, to touch them, and crowded places always upset her. So, David’s concern about school was justified.
“There’s someone I can recommend. I don’t know how trustworthy she is, but I think she’d be interested in the job,” Alexander paused. “And as for trust, you have to start somewhere. Talk to this girl, give her a trial, and then if you feel you can’t trust her, let her go. Besides, you know Paige is able to judge if this woman can be trusted.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. What if Paige takes one look at this lady and says, ‘Daddy, I don’t like her.’ You and I both know that I won’t be able to keep her after that, but what will that poor girl think? It’s not as if she did anything.” David sounded even more worried.
“If Paige says something like that, then we both know it is only a matter of time before she does do something.” Alexander was firm.
“I can’t just fire or not hire a person because my daughter says she doesn’t like them.” David sounded upset.
He was worrying far too much in Alexander’s opinion.
“Considering you’re hiring her to take care of Paige and teach her, why not?”
“You make it sound so easy.” David’s tone held a note of complaint.
“It is easy,” Alexander replied.
It was, if only people would realise it, but David was too nice a person, had always been, always worrying about how others might feel. That was what made it so damn easy for McManus Corp to fire him, citing breach of contract and to try and steal his work. David would always look at himself first for blame, before looking elsewhere, and in spite of Alexander’s best efforts had remained mostly unchanged.
“Look, why don’t we settle this now? Is Paige here?”
“Yes, she’s in the outer office where your Assistant is cooing over her.”
“I’m rather glad she likes Nolan. I’d hate to replace him.” Alexander touched a panel on his desk. “Miley? I’d like you to place a call to a Kaylee Ashton, 406, East Street.”
“Call connected, Mr. Selwood,” Miley’s voice came, and Alexander swiped his finger on the panel again.
“Miss Ashton?”
“Yes. Who is this?” She sounded worried. Did she think this was about her indiscretion in letting her tongue run away the other night? She had nearly stated that the State used prisons for locking away its enemies. While it was a truth, it wasn’t something anyone spoke aloud. Fortunately, his informant had been as good as his word and the conversation had never attracted the Elite’s attention.
“This is Alexander Selwood. We met last week. I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”
“No, no, you’re not.” Surprise was evident in her voice. “I have the day off. Why are you calling, Mr. Selwood?”
“I have an offer for you. Would it be possible for you to come to Selwood Corp? Just give your name at the reception.” Alexander could see David’s eyes becoming round even as his lips thinned.
“Offer? What-”
“I’ll be expecting you in 20 minutes.”
He swiped his finger on the panel to terminate the call, and looked at David who looked like he didn’t know whether to be amused or disapproving.
“A bit high handed, wasn’t it? What if she doesn’t come?” David’s tone was also torn between laughter and judgement.
“She will. She hates her present job.” Alexander was certain of that. In spite of her moralising tone and disapproval of what they did here, she wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to work at Selwood Corp.
“Which is?” David looked at him curiously.
“Private tutor to Elliot Houghton’s children.” Alexander said with some relish.
“Elliot Houghton’s- And you think she can be trusted!” David looked outraged.
“I’m not that bad a judge of character,” Alexander said mildly. “And as I said, she hates that job. I’ll tell Nolan to leave her in the outer office with Paige for five minutes, then Nolan can bring Paige to you and you can ask her how she liked the lady. If everything goes well, you can hire her.”
“And if it doesn’t? What will you tell her after dragging her all the way over here?”
“I’ll ask her if she’s interested in giving part time tuition to Niek,”
David snorted. “Bet Niek will love that.”
Alexander chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ve a good feeling about this girl.”
“You always have feelings about good looking girls,” David said drily. “That doesn’t mean much.”
“This isn’t that kind of feeling,” Alexander grinned. “Besides, I don’t get involved with my employees. Also, I don’t remember mentioning her looks.”
“I guessed,” David said. “And if I hire her, she won’t be your employee. If I don’t, and she refuses your offer, she still won’t be your employee.”
“This may surprise you, David,” he said. “But I’m really not interested in her.”
“So what is this? Thumbing your nose at Houghton? Really?” David frowned.
“That too, plus, you need a tutor for Paige.”
Was that so difficult to understand? David did need a tutor for Paige; the Ashton girl needed a different employer, and if Houghton was put to the trouble of hiring another tutor, well, that was far less than he deserved. Alexander would have liked to destroy him, but he had to remind himself that he couldn’t draw attention to himself. If the man didn’t have a family, Alexander would have found a way to get rid of him permanently, but he did, and Alexander was trying to change.
David shook his head. “If I didn’t already like you, I’d hate you. You’re a cold blooded bastard at times.”
“Just a pragmatic one,” Alexander smiled, but from the slight frown on David’s face it was clear that David felt it was insincere.
He dropped his eyes to his desk, and away from David’s earnest blue ones. David was one of the few friends he had, but it was unlikely that their friendship would survive the truth. He knew David. If David knew the truth about him... worse, if Niek found out... Alexander shook off his thoughts. There were parts of his past he did regret, that he didn’t want anyone to find out about. There was a lump in his throat and a tight feeling in his chest that he couldn’t explain when he looked at David and trie
d to imagine his reaction to finding out that truth. It was not as bad as the feeling he got when he tried to imagine Niek finding out, but it was bad enough to be concerning.
Not that there was any possibility of either of them finding out, but he’d lived long enough not to take anything for granted. Only three other men knew the secret hidden in his past, and one of them had as much to lose from it coming out, one was his friend and employee and the other... if the other had intended to do anything about it, he would have done so a long time ago.
Perhaps he should have changed his appearance, but Alexander had stayed out of the grid long enough for his appearance to be forgotten by all except those who personally knew him. Still, he’d been careful enough to lie low, even in a persona like the one he had on now.
One good thing about living on a planet controlled by someone like Thaxter was that anyone could stay out of the public eye if they wanted. Alexander remembered media personnel pushing their microphones into people’s faces, taking photographs, even following people around and sneaking into their houses and workplace. All that was in the past. Media no longer had the freedom to do as they pleased, and after the execution of a few rebellious reporters and photographers, no one dared to try anything now. Besides, what good would exposing Thaxter do? Everyone knew what he was, and as long as he was that way, and the Elite were with him, there was nothing anyone could do except get themselves killed.
A miniaturised hologram of Nolan appeared on his desk, jolting him out of his thoughts. “Mr. Selwood, there’s a Miss Ashton here to see you. She says she has an appointment, but-”
“It’s all right,” Alexander said. “She does have an appointment, and I’m sorry I neglected to inform you. Could you just ask her to wait for five minutes, and Nolan? Please come inside.”