by Imogene Nix
Tomi struggled against her embrace. “I need to—”
“Tomi, they have to do their job. Let them find out she’s not involved. Be there for her. Be her anchor.”
His lips formed white lines while his eyes raged at her.
“I’m here for you both,” Kumi assured him. “But you have to understand. Carmichael has a job—”
“His mission was to protect you.”
Kumi sighed and let her eyes follow his gaze to the woman at in the secured cell of the shuttle. Gillian’s red hair was a stark contrast to her bone white features. Kumi could hear her plaintive cries of “I haven’t done anything.”
“Then you’ll give us the answers we need.” Carmichael frowned and looked in Kumi’s direction. She saw the worry in his eyes.
“Tomi, you need to fasten yourself in.”
Kumi watched as Tomi did so, hearing the click of harnesses around her, and nodded in Carmichael’s direction once she was sure Tomi was secure. Her lover took the seat next to their prisoner and they lifted off, the gravitational forces pushing them back against their seats.
Gillian sobbed, her skin turning blotchy. “Why? Why did you arrest me?”
Carmichael didn’t answer and Kumi understood—he wanted a secure location with recording facilities. A place where he had the technology to follow through on any information he might glean.
When they arrived in the brig, Carmichael had his men take Gillian to an interview room. Kumi worried her lip. “Will she be—”
“You can watch from the viewing room.” He pulled her into a tiny room with a large window. Tomi followed them, so there was no real privacy. Carmichael brushed his lips over her cheek. “My men are just outside if you need anything.”
He moved away, and the swish of moving metal echoed. He stepped through and the door closed behind him.
“You and Carmichael?”
Kumi nodded at Tomi’s words. “Yes. Ever since I met him, it’s always been him.”
“But his age…” Tomi sounded strained, but she ignored it.
“His age is not an issue, for either of us.”
Tomi turned away as the door in the other room opened. They watched through the window as Carmichael stalked into the room. “Take a seat, Gillian. We could be here awhile.”
“Where’s my representation? I haven’t done anything.” Gillian’s voice wobbled, and Kumi wanted to reach out and fold her arms around the woman.
“Your DNA was found at the scene of a shooting.”
Gillian froze. “What scene? What shooting? What are you talking about?” She sniffled as she glanced around, true fear clear on her features.
“An attempt was made on Kumi’s life yesterday. Someone with a damned good aim used a laser rifle to—”
“Laser rifle? I don’t own one. Besides which, even if I did... Well, everyone knows there is a residue that puffs backward.”
Carmichael laughed, it was dark and cold. Kumi shook a little in the viewing room.
“This is the man you intend to spend the rest of your life with?” Tomi’s voice was heavy with anger.
“I do.” She didn’t look at her brother, just focused on the tableau unfolding in the room beyond.
“Not everyone knows that. Only someone with experience...” Carmichael leaned just a little more forward, invading Gillian’s personal space.
“Captain Snow, I know about these things, okay?”
The red-haired woman shrank back a little in her chair as Carmichael loomed over her. “How do you know?”
“I just do.”
“Tell me, Gillian. How do you know this?” Carmichael’s voice was silky. Dangerous.
“My brother is ex-military,” she shouted, and Tomi started.
* * * *
Carmichael felt as if all the wind had been knocked from his lungs. We didn’t even know she had a brother. How did that information escape our investigation? Even worse, her brother is ex-military and we still missed this intelligence? Unforgivable. He tensed as cold fury built inside his gut.
“So how does that account for him having the same DNA as you?” Carmichael raked his fingers through his hair.
“We’re twins. He’d been deep undercover for some time. Something to do with the Indy freighter movements. So when he joined that section of the Federation forces, they had to delete his records from the systems so no one would know. That just left mine.” Gillian bowed her head and placed it on her folded arms where they rested on the metal table. “You’d know the drill better than me. But he’s not even here, on planet. Not right now. He had some work to attend to on Ripen 9. He left three days ago.”
“Damn it.” He turned in the direction of the large window, knowing Kumi was there with her brother Tomi, watching the goings on in the room. Gillian’s words were believable, and he was fairly sure she spoke the truth. He believed her. He knew how the covert forces worked. Hell, he’d written some of the manuals himself. That didn’t mean his people wouldn’t make the necessary checks.
As he turned back, he critically scanned her body language. Her stiff posture indicated fear and anger as well as innocence. Gods, I hope so. As it was, he was already worried about the fallout from Kumi, not to mention Tomi, after this mission was over.
They needed information, as much as they could get. “Fine. Then you won’t have any problems giving us his address and those he is known to associate with.”
She started, lifting her head. The black liner around her eyes had run and he noted the rivulets of black trailing down her face. “Yeah. Sure. But can you...you know, release me for a moment so I can wipe my face?”
Carmichael released her restraints, giving into his well-honed instincts. She smiled—a wobble of her lips—as she accepted the tissues then swiped away the black from her cheeks. “It’s a good thing the senator can’t see me. He likes his staff to look immaculate at all times.”
Frowning at her words, Carmichael was left feeling like something scraped off the bottom of a shoe. Just how much damage have I done if she is innocent? He shrugged the thought away. Kumi had to be safe, so she could save the planet from financial ruin, and so they could be together. Kumi or Gillian? There was no contest in his mind.
Even as he watched Gillian finger-comb her hair, he pulled out his scribe pad and noted down the information she gave him. The list wasn’t long, but he was sure it was pretty close to exhaustive.
Gillian laid her head on the table as Carmichael headed for the door. It slammed shut behind him and his long strides took him to the viewing room where Kumi waited with her brother.
This time Carmichael wasn’t taking any chances. He’d leave her there on the ship where she could be protected. If the bastard was on Reunion, he’d find him.
At the door to the viewing room he stopped. I could just leave. Not tell her. For an instant, he toyed with the thought. It would stop her machinations, but reality impinged. That might damage their relationship, his mind countered. So he discounted the idea. The door opened at his command and Kumi was there. Waiting for him.
“I know. You have to go. This time I won’t...” She launched herself at him, her lips whispering against his neck. For a moment, he savored the feel of her, close against him. “Just come back to me safe, okay?”
His chest expanded with pride while he thanked his stars that this woman was his. He pulled away. “Hopefully this won’t take long.” Then he turned and left her.
* * * *
Waiting for Carmichael to return felt like the longest hours of her life. The Emancipation’s men showed her to the galley and she thanked them for the kindness. She decided to grab a cup of tea, hoping it would occupy her hands and mind while she waited. Tomi followed her and gave instructions that Gillian also have her needs attended to.
Once they sat down though, Tomi barely spoke and her heart bled for him. She had experienced the pain of thinking Carmichael hadn’t wanted her, how much worse was his? He’d pushed Gillian aside and now had to watch as she w
as arrested and interrogated, considered a suspect in his sister’s attempted assassination.
“Tomi, you know he was just going his job, don’t you?”
He turned away with a grunt and she sighed against the lip of her cup. It would take time to heal this wound. So she sipped at the hot tea in her hands.
When the medic appeared just over Tomi’s shoulder she smiled. “I’m fine, you know.” Her smile died away when she noted the look on his face. Black oily sensations crept up her spine. Cold seeped into her pores.
“No. Madam Kumi...”
“Carmichael. He’s hurt.”
The medic nodded, and her heart rate slowed.
“He’s...” She couldn’t finish the thought. He promised to come back in one piece. “I have to...” She jerked up, the tea spilling.
Tomi was there, his hand holding hers, standing beside her. She didn’t know how he got there. Didn’t care. Right now she needed her brother.
“Is he here yet?” She wanted to move, but didn’t know where to go. Her brain wouldn’t function. Carmichael! She wanted to scream her frustration and fear.
“Madam Kumi, we don’t yet know the extent of his injuries, but the team has him en route.”
“Where? Where will they take him?” The medic looked startled at her demand.
“What? Oh...the shuttle bay. They’ll enter via the shuttle bay.”
She surged forward, dragging Tomi after her. They arrived in the cavernous hangar as the gray craft landed on the plascrete in silence, while her heart beat rapidly, somewhere in the region of her throat.
“Gods, don’t let him be hurt badly. Please.”
Tomi squeezed her fingers, and she drew strength from his as she focused on the gray transport.
The door opened with a loud hiss. The first sound she heard was him growling at his men. “This is ridiculous and overkill. It’s only a flesh wound.”
Her breath whooshed out. Assured he wasn’t dead or on death’s door, her knees wobbled as if they’d collapse beneath her. She straightened her spine as he appeared at the aperture and noted the dark patch at his shoulder, the charred edges of his uniform. Her stomach roiled. She rushed forward, stopping in front of him. Carmichael’s eyes narrowed and she saw the banked anger in his gaze.
“You get that seen to before you interrogate anyone, Captain. And that’s an order.”
The men around him laughed before smothering their outburst with coughs. “I need to get the information...” But his words died away. “Fine.” He turned to his men, hissing as the movement must have pulled on the wound site. “Take him through to Interrogation Two. Make sure there is no contact with the other prisoner.”
His men hauled the suspect between them. He sported a bloodied nose and grazed cheek while groaning and shuffling along. She couldn’t regret any action they’d taken, because it meant she had Carmichael there with her. Maybe not whole and hale, but alive and spitting, and that was fine with her.
Once Carmichael had been attended to, he insisted on interrogating the man, Anderson Edgemont. Gillian’s brother, Kumi had to remind herself. She sat in the viewing room appraising him. His red hair was paler than Gillian’s long, bright locks and his chin was weak. His eyes seemed shifty in Kumi’s mind.
“State your full name for the record.” Carmichael in action was a sight to see. He lounged indolently against the wall, an almost bored expression on his face. Kumi knew the looks were deceiving. A muscle in his hand jumped and jerked.
“I don’t have to.” Anderson moved restlessly in his chair with a smug expression.
“Hmm, maybe, maybe not. My men found traces of laser residue on your clothing.” Carmichael pushed away from the wall, his lope restrained and yet somehow animalistic. Slowly, he advanced on the prisoner, stopping mere inches away and leaning down. “But maybe you’re just a good lad.” With the flat of his hand, he slapped the man on his left shoulder.
Anderson jumped with a yelp. “You can’t do this. It’s intimidation.”
The smile that crept over Carmichael’s face was feral. “This is a military inquiry. You know what that means.”
The man paled. Normal interrogation rules were suspended in situations where military statutes were enabled.
“You can’t be serious. I’m just—” Then he stopped and slumped back into his chair. “Representation. I want a rep.”
“What a shame, there isn’t any here. Just you and me.” Carmichael leaned in closer. “Who’s your contact? Who are you working for Anderson Edgemont? Who is so important your only sister’s life is on the line?”
Now the man gulped and Kumi felt the coiled snakes in her belly twist.
“He will not turn Gillian into a bargaining chip.” Tomi spoke, his tones furious.
Kumi laid a soft hand on his arm. “He won’t. Trust me. He doesn’t harm innocents. I’m sure of that.”
Tomi pulled away from her touch.
“Just let him do what he has to.”
“Damn it. Damn you, she’s not involved,” Anderson yelled, and Kumi’s gaze flicked back to the room beyond. “She’s got nothing to do with it.”
“Then you’ll tell me who and I can let her go. Otherwise...” Carmichael waited as the man tugged on his bonds. Letting him draw his own conclusions.
“Dobry. Dobry Tichenko. In Madam Kumi’s office. He’s the contact with the Indy warriors.”
This time it was her turn to feel shock. Dobry? He was the traitor?
* * * *
The night drew in while Carmichael settled Kumi in his cabin, unwilling to let her go. Keeping her close meant he could protect her.
“Will you?” She indicated the bed.
He shook his head. “No. I need to do this first.”
She nodded and lay down, a hiss escaping, reminding him she wasn’t anywhere near healed.
Carmichael settled himself on the chair in front of the computer screen. Turning his mind to the case, he wanted to snarl. The man, Dobry, was a sleaze. That much had been obvious in the way he’d oozed in Kumi’s presence. But on top of that, he was willing to watch her die. To order her death while pretending he wanted some kind of a relationship with her.
“Over my dead body.”
“Carmichael? Did you say something?” She lifted her head with a wince and his fury ratcheted up yet another notch.
The thought of the man’s cold-blooded planning fueled the rage that he’d banked deep inside him. The light pen in his hand snapped with a crack. Tiny dribbles of blood ran over his fingers. Only two questions remained in his mind—why and how.
Seeking the evidence he needed was only way to end the man’s schemes. But there were so many levels of security in the system when dealing with the global government. Each search string needed an administrator override. He swore his frustration as the machine in front of him beeped.
“Perhaps I can help you?” He turned at Kumi’s soft words. She’d slid off the bed and made her way over while he’d cussed. The fact was he couldn’t access the information. They needed help.
“I can’t get into the secure human resources server.”
Kumi rounded the desk, and for one moment, he was tempted to pull her down to his lap. To kiss her. His body reacted, turning hard, but he noted the shadowed eyes and the tight lines around her mouth. He damned his libido and moved aside to give her access to the screen.
Kumi worked at the keyboard. “You know, I would never have guessed Dobry was behind this. I thought he was my friend.”
He rubbed her shoulder as she sighed. It was long and sad sounding. “How long have you known him?” He watched with interest as she tapped in the override sequence.
The machine flashed and beeped. Permission Denied.
“What the... Why is it saying permission denied?” She started again, whispering her actions as the keyboard clacked. Again, the machine flashed the same message. “Gillian is a whiz with this stuff. Let me get her.” She stilled and looked in his direction, having half risen from her
chair.
“I’d rather not. But if you think...”
“She’s not just a PA. She is also a trained comp tech.”
Thoughts skittered through his mind. The one that stood out was that he needed help. They had to find Dobry and his background before he took flight. If we lose him...
“Do it.”
Kumi depressed the communicator, found the cabin that Gillian had been moved to, and arranged an escort. “We can trust her. I know we can.”
Carmichael kept his own concerns under wraps. When the ding of the door let them know that Gillian had arrived, he was calm and controlled. On the outside, anyway. His men had apprised him that Tomi had followed Gillian into the tiny space of the cabin earlier. While he wanted to ask what was said, he kept his mouth shut. It wasn’t his business.
Kumi quickly explained the situation, and Gillian took up a seat, tapping on the keys with brutal efficiency. The first time the permission denied screen flashed he felt a surge of satisfaction. She’d been as stymied as them. But when he glanced at Gillian, she was smiling. “Oh, clever bugger, aren’t you?”
Again, the woman tapped commands, but this time a yellow screen flashed. “Usually when techs create a system like this, they chatter about their work. I’d heard some whispers that a back door entry was left open.”
They entered the main system. “Find me everything on Dobry Tichenko.”
Gillian nodded. “You know, if I was a bad guy, I’d probably be able to fudge this and you and your techs would never know.”
The thought had already crossed Carmichael’s mind. That and how could he head hunt her for his crew if she was truly innocent. The sound of the door opening split his attention for a moment, and Tomi entered the cabin. Carmichael’s face tightened, and he found it odd that Kumi’s brother would be there now. “What made you come here?”
Tomi’s lips thinned. “One of the men alerted me that Gillian was here. What are you—”
“Hang on. What’s this?” Gillian’s tense voice broke Carmichael’s concentration for an instant.
There, on the screen, was a tiny blip, and they all focused on it. Four heads leaned close to the computer.
“He’s been amending the system. Let me find his override passcode.” Gillian tapped, but it beeped.