Poisoned Pawn

by Jaleta Clegg

  “Oh?”

  “She said you didn’t have a heart. She was right.”

  Lowell studied the younger man, his silver eyes opaque. “I do what is necessary,” he said quietly.

  Clark looked away, unable to meet Lowell’s eyes. “I’m very glad I don’t really work for you.”

  “The price can be quite high,” Lowell’s smooth voice was rough on the edges, a tinge of regret the only emotion he let through.

  The hatch opened again. Cold air smelling of snow swirled through the room. The lounge filled with men in black uniforms and one older woman in the silver of regular Patrol. Lowell stood, smiling a bland greeting.

  “Sector Chief Querran,” Lowell said. “I trust your trip here was pleasant?”

  “On a cruiser filled to capacity with Enforcers?” Querran snorted. “Not hardly.”

  Clark decided he could like Sector Chief Querran, maybe. She was slender, her iron-gray hair cut short. She wore a no nonsense expression, but her eyes were kind. He stood, wondering if he should salute or not. He was not wearing a uniform. He didn’t know if he was officially still a Patrol officer or not. Lowell hadn’t been very clear on that issue. Clark hadn’t thought to ask.

  “You are Major Clark?” Querran said and held out her hand, making the issue moot. “Sorry for inconveniencing you this way.”

  Clark took her hand. It was firm, warm and solid as she gripped his. She broke it off, turning to look around the ship.

  “Cozy,” she commented. “Which cabin?” She waved her hand at the row of doors.

  “We’ll leave that up to the owner,” Lowell said. “Let’s review the plans.” He drew Querran into a chair and spread papers over the table.

  Clark was dismissed, he could sense it. The ship was full of Enforcers, stowing gear, wiring up new systems in the cockpit. Ilod shouted at someone in the engines. The ship was too full, too noisy. Clark went to Dace’s cabin, knocking before opening the door and entering.

  Jasyn sat on Dace’s bunk, staring at nothing, holding the lute she had bought on impulse. She shifted her look to Clark, ready to protest until she saw who it was. “What now?”

  “What cabin arrangements do you want?” Clark asked.

  “They can sleep in the holds, in vacuum.” She bent her head, her hair sweeping over her face, escaped from the tight braid. She plucked a single string of the instrument. “Do you really think Lowell’s telling the truth?”

  “That Dace is alive? Yes. The rest? Who knows?”

  “There isn’t much in here. Dace didn’t own much. We’ll have to let them use it.” She stood, the lute cradled in her arm. “I’m not sharing my cabin, though. I don’t care what Lowell’s paying.”

  “I don’t blame you, Jasyn.”

  She stood in front of him, close enough that he could smell the faint scent of her hair.

  “I’m sorry about what I said earlier,” she said. “You aren’t bad, for a Patrol agent.” She gave him a half smile, a quirk of her lips.

  “You aren’t bad yourself,” he answered.

  She searched his face, her smile fading.

  “We’ll get her back,” Clark promised.

  “I’m sure Lowell will see to that,” she said. “The trick will be getting Lowell to let her go.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  I must have really pleased Luke. Breakfast was twice as big as normal. There were new files in the reader and more news clippings. I ate, browsing through the news while I stood at the table. Nothing much had changed. My supposed father was still distraught, unwilling to give comment. Rumors were flying that he had liquidated assets, collecting the ransom money.

  I moved in front of the window, thinking about the news and chewing a last bit of pastry. The forest drank in the bright sunlight and gave back only dark green. The bird soared in the sky, circling slowly over the vast stretch of trees. I doubted that Hom Daviessbrowun was going to pay ransom for a complete stranger. The rumors meant that Lowell was most likely arranging something. I wondered what. And if I’d survive whatever he had planned. I thought back over the encounters I’d had with Lowell. He was involved, very high up, in the undercover division of the Enforcers. He was Tayvis’ commanding officer. Lowell wanted me in the Patrol, under his command. He wanted me as an agent. He had tried several times to recruit me. I wasn’t willing to give up my freedom, not for the Patrol and most definitely not for Lowell.

  I grimaced. I had no freedom, not now. I watched the flyer wistfully. My prison was very comfortable, but it was still a prison. I leaned against the window, pressing my nose hard against it. My breath fogged it up. I turned away.

  The furniture had been moved back into place. I pushed it all to the edges as far as it would go, clearing the floor in front of the window. I sat down and started in on the stretches and exercises I’d been neglecting.

  I lost myself in the familiar routine. It was easy to forget time when I had nothing to fill it with.

  “What are you doing?”

  I lost my balance and tumbled onto the soft carpet. Luke stood at the top of the smaller set of stairs. He looked elegant, as usual, wearing his preferred flowing shirt and tight pants. This shirt was pale silver to match the stripes in his blue hair.

  “Exercising,” I answered, rolling over and sitting up.

  “What an odd pastime.”

  “There isn’t much else to do,” I said, hating the whine that crept into my voice.

  “You wish more freedom? You crave something more than quiet?” He leaned against the railing on one side. “Would you like to walk in my gardens?”

  I stood slowly, suspecting a trap in his words.

  He laughed, a full throated laugh that boomed in the room. “I promise to keep my pets locked up.”

  “Why?” I studied him suspiciously.

  “Because you pleased me. Rewards, Miya. Much more pleasant than punishment.” He looked me over, up and down, his eyes lingering where sweat had glued the thin tunic to my body. “Knock when you are ready. Rinth will guide you.” He met my eyes, and smiled. “You please me, Miya. Very much.” His eyes swept over me again. I resisted the urge to cover myself with something. “I regret that I must spend the day taking care of business matters. Perhaps you will consent to walk with me tonight?”

  I made myself smile and nod. Inside I was shivering and sick. I wanted to scrub away the slimy feeling his look left behind.

  He gave me a last lingering appraisal then left. The door closed behind him with the now-too-familiar sound of locks clicking into place.

  I showered and changed.

  The gardens were nothing special that I could tell. Plants clipped and pruned severely into artificial shapes lined walkways of stone and sand. I wandered the grounds, touching flowers, pretending to be surprised by statues in unexpected places. Rinth followed me, giving no sign that he noticed any of it.

  The air smelled of pine trees, their sharp scent stirring memories of other times. I paused at the top of a small rise and looked out over the high stone wall at the forbidding darkness of the wild forest.

  “You will not go there,” Rinth said in his high voice. “There is danger. You will stay here in the gardens. you will come back now.” He closed his stubby hand around my arm. It was useless to resist him. He led me back to the mansion.

  I expected to go back to my rooms. Instead, Rinth took me across the wide stone patio and through a clear sliding door into the dining room. The table was set for one. Rinth took me to the table and waited until I sat. He went back to the door, a pane of the window that slid aside, and moved to close it.

  “Please,” I said impulsively, stopping him. “I like the fresh air. Leave it open.”

  Rinth stood absolutely still. I waited, holding my breath. Rinth finally lifted his hand from the door and stepped away. The faint scent of pines drifted in, mixed with the smell of sunbaked stone. I felt a slight thrill of victory. I was gaining Luke’s trust, maybe.

  After lunch, Rinth took my arm again. He le
d me back to my rooms, his steps implacable. I tried briefly to talk him into letting me walk outside. He paid no attention to me.

  I paced my rooms, unable to sit still longer. I thumbed through the reader but found nothing I wanted to read. I stared out the windows in the bedroom. The scene remained the same. Endless miles of forest stretched to a distant horizon. The sky above was empty.

  The windows would not open. I found no controls, no break in the smooth panels as far up as I could reach. I was locked in a cage with the only way out through a furry xeno. I had no idea what Rinth was. I did know it was impossible to get past him. Even if I did manage to pick the lock on the door, which I couldn’t, I’d checked, I wouldn’t be able to escape Rinth.

  I paced the rooms, my feet silent and bare on the thick carpet. Fifty steps from the door to the back of the closet. Thirty around the outside of the sitting room. Twenty across the bedroom. I paced and circled, restless after the taste of free air Luke had allowed me. I wondered if it was just another ploy, another cruel tactic, another way of asserting his control over me.

  Rinth took me to dinner. I ate alone. I let my surprise show, but it got me no information. Rinth ignored me. The thin woman serving the food said nothing. She didn’t even look at me. She may have been an android except I doubted they’d make one so unattractive.

  The next day was a repeat, minus Luke’s visit. Rinth took me walking again, carefully steering me away from the walls, keeping me to a central portion of the garden. He stepped in front of me when I tried to choose a different path or even leave the path. I got the message and stuck to the paths he approved of. I had no doubt that if I pushed the issue, my privilege of walking outside would be removed.

  I ate lunch alone in the dining room, breathing the fresh scent of outside air as long as I possibly could. I’d heard that many spacers preferred only filtered air. I could never get my fill of fresh air. I found the smells of a planet were like spices, something to be relished, even if sometimes unpleasant.

  I spent another afternoon pacing, watching a storm build. Clouds piled up on each other, dark gray and purple. They drifted off to one side. The mansion remained in sunshine.

  Dinner was brought to me in my room. I spent a restless evening watching the distant storm and browsing the reader. I finally gave up and went to sleep.

  Another day, the same routine. And another. I began to wonder what business of Luke’s kept him away. I saw no one except for Rinth and the thin serving woman. I tried staying out in the garden longer, lingering over flowers. Rinth had some kind of internal clock. When it was time, he would take my arm and drag me into the dining room.

  Halfway through the endless fifth day, the routine changed. Luke breezed into the dining room as I lingered over my food, taking as much time as I could possibly manage. He strode across the room and shut the sliding door.

  “Why is the door open?” he demanded of Rinth.

  “Because I asked him to leave it open,” I spoke up.

  Luke’s glare transferred to me. “You will not interfere with my orders. Ever.” His voice was cold steel.

  I shivered and dropped my fork.

  Luke’s manner changed abruptly. He smiled, anger vanished. It didn’t fool me. He was like a sandcat, all sweet temper until you were too close. And then the sandcat ripped out your throat.

  “I wish you to be extra charming tonight,” Luke said. “I have important guests. You will convince them that you wish to remain here with me. You will say nothing of being kidnapped.” He made a face. “Such a nasty word. I have treated you with nothing but courtesy, haven’t I?”

  “Only courtesy,” I lied and smiled at him. I read the threat behind his genial voice. He could and would torture me in any way he chose at any time he chose. I had no wish to experience more. One taste of his cave had been enough.

  “Sweet Miya, you must learn to lie more convincingly,” he said, stepping close and pulling me up from my chair. “Go to your room until I send for you. I brought you a present. You must wear it for me tonight.”

  I didn’t want anything he bought for me. I smiled and pretended to be pleased that he would give me a gift, but both of us knew it was a sham.

  Rinth took me back to my prison and locked me in. The gift was waiting for me, spread across the bed. Under any other circumstances, I would have hardly dared to breathe. The dress was made of the most expensive fabric I had ever touched. It was spun gold so fine and delicate that it stirred with every breath. I looked at it and swallowed bile. It was strapless, sheer, and would leave little to anyone’s imagination. I was going to have to wear it.

  I spent a very nervous afternoon pacing and avoiding looking at Luke’s present. What game was he playing now? Why did he want me wearing the dress? Why didn’t Lowell hurry Hom Daviessbrowun and his ransom money and get me out of here? I would have joined the Patrol as a toilet scrubber if it would have gotten me out of that room. I would have signed anything Lowell handed me if only it would get me away. Torture didn’t have to involve physical pain, I realized. Luke was playing mind games with me. And I was losing. Miserably.

  I put off dressing until the last minute. Rinth grew impatient enough to actually come into the bedroom where I sat at the vanity, wrapped in a towel and playing with the cosmetics.

  “You must dress now,” Rinth said. I looked at the hard gray pebbles of his eyes and knew that he was capable of dressing me whether I wanted to be or not.

  I put the dress on. It was as bad as I’d feared. I didn’t look in the mirror. I didn’t want to know what was showing. There were shoes with the dress, little more than straps of sparkling dust.

  “You are late,” Rinth said. “You must come now.” His chubby hand closed on my arm. I had no choice. I went.

  The dining room was wide open to the night. The lamps burned on the stone patio. People drifted in the night, their talk and laughter a pleasant sound. Rinth let go of my arm when I was safely inside the dining room. He gave me a slight push towards the open door. I got the hint and walked across the room.

  Talk stopped when I stepped outside. Faces turned to me. I didn’t recognize any of them. Five men and two women. Older men, distinguished looking. Important people, my brain said, disconnected from the rest of me. The women wore evening gowns in jeweled colors. They were older, biosculpted into a semblance of youth. I guessed they were wives of two of the men. I finally focused on Luke, at the center of the gathering. He wore black, flowing sleeves looking like evil wings as the night breeze plucked at the shimmering fabric. He smiled at the reaction I’d caused, at the dress I wore.

  “My house guest.” Luke gestured with a glass half full of a drink the color of fresh blood. “May I introduce Miya Daviessbrowun to you, gentles?”

  One of the men started, face astonished.

  “But she was kidnapped!” one of the women blurted out.

  “She is here as my guest,” Luke said and laughed. “With her father, do you blame her for arranging to run away? I assure you, Miya is here by her choice.” His eyes warned me as he sipped his drink.

  I made myself smile. “I am here,” I gave it a slight emphasis, “by my choice, yes.” It was either appear and behave as he wanted me to, or face the cave or worse. I made the choice to cooperate with him.

  “You see, Representative Tyell, this whole kidnapping story is an attempt by Hom Daviessbrowun to gain attention and sympathy. He is using you.” Luke took the older man by the arm and drew him towards me. “He wishes you to make allowances for his manufacturing plants on your world, doesn’t he?”

  “How did you know that?” Representative Tyell said, astonished.

  “He is, isn’t he?” Luke dropped the man’s arm and took mine. I repressed the shudder I wanted to give at his touch.

  “Yes, and he’s using his daughter’s kidnapping to play on my sympathy,” the man said, his piggish eyes trying to look shrewd. “He told me some story about her living in a hole.”

  Luke squeezed my arm. I forced a
smile.

  “This is a very luxurious hole,” I said. “Luke has been a most gracious host.”

  That must have made Luke happy, he shifted his hand to my back and handed me his drink. “You look thirsty, my sweet.” His eyes told me that I’d better drink and enjoy it.

  I lifted the cup, fully aware of the unspoken message he was forcing me to send. He wanted these people to believe I was here as his lover. I sipped the drink. It burned like acid in my mouth. I swallowed and handed his glass back. He smiled his approval. I felt sick.

  “I do believe dinner is served,” Luke said. His hand pressed on my back, turning me around.

  He seated me on his left, close enough so he could give the illusion that I was with him because I chose to be and close enough so he could interfere if I decided not to play along. The other guests were directed to their seats. Luke introduced them as they were seated. They were important people, including the most influential members of the sector government and business owners. One of the women owned most of the retail businesses of an entire system. Her husband was chief of police of the same system. I kept my thoughts on that arrangement to myself. The fact that they were here with Luke meant that they were corrupt, naive, or stupid.

  Talk over dinner revolved around new legislation and business regulations. Luke charmed his way into their confidence. He laughed at their jokes, complimented them on their foresight in coming to him, and downplayed his own role in sector politics. He told them he was considering dabbling in business. He told them he’d inherited a family fortune and was looking for ways to invest it. I could almost see the gleam of avarice in his guests’ faces. Luke did an impeccable impersonation of a rich playboy with more money than brains. They believed him completely.

  None of them spared any sympathy for me after that first introduction. Luke was careful that I gave the impression that I was happy. He kept one hand on top of mine through the dinner. His guests believed he was besotted with me. In reality he pinched me every time he thought I wasn’t being happy enough.