The morbid turn of my thoughts kept me awake long after N’kal fell asleep, and I slipped out of bed to avoid waking him with my fidgeting.
I turned on the TV for some background noise to drown out my more intrusive thoughts, avoiding anything of a romantic or crime-drama nature. I stuck to a stupid sitcom about nothing, an older show but one that didn’t require much concentration to follow. While the show played on the TV, I found a pen and paper and started a list of things to do in the coming days.
First off, I needed clothes. I missed my usual business casual. I was not made for the revealing comic con getups, nor was I comfortable wearing the loungewear left for the Xalanites when I was ostensibly on duty. It would mean leaving N’kal alone in the cabin for a few hours while I shopped, but I didn’t want him to risk himself just so I could get some new clothes. Better if I went alone.
Secondly, I needed to figure out a way to interrogate the suspects without being obvious about it. That one would take some time to mull over.
I tapped the pen against my lip as I pondered whether or not the Director would allow N’kal to be issued a gun for his protection. He seemed like a capable shooter at the con against the AXL creeps, so I wasn’t terribly worried about any accidents. I’d rather he was able to protect himself if I wasn’t around, or if something happened to me.
What else? Maybe a security detail? Hmm …
While I debated the merits of having AARO agents follow N’kal around when I wasn’t available, a growing sense of unease bloomed in my gut. Someone was watching me.
I did my best not to be obvious. I didn’t run to the windows to peek out into the darkness. I didn’t draw my weapon. Letting my watcher know I was on to them wouldn’t achieve anything beyond possibly scaring them off. Instead, I made a show of stretching and yawning. I stood and rubbed my lower back. Had to appear normal, like I wasn’t suspicious.
With a steaming coffee cup in hand, I meandered over to the window, taking my time. I sipped my brew and leaned my hip against the windowsill. No movement caught my eye, but that didn’t mean they were gone; it just meant they were careful.
The gauzy curtains moved slightly in the breeze from the ceiling fan. I made a mental note to add blackout curtains to my list, as the exposure made me uncomfortable. I didn’t need pretty décor. I needed functionality.
Twin flashes of yellow in the distance confirmed my suspicions. A Xalanite was watching me.
Before I could make my way to the door to venture outside to hunt them, N’kal startled me by appearing at the bedroom door. He yawned loudly and stretched his arms over his head. Since the position put him in full view of the window, I moved to keep my body between N’kal and the glass panes. I didn’t want him in a direct line of fire, so I made myself into a barrier. He cast a curious glance my way as I reached behind me to pull the thicker, more opaque set of curtains shut.
“You’re up! Did I wake you?”
He shook his head. “No. I rolled over in my sleep, and you were gone. I wished to make sure you were all right.”
I shook my head with a grin. “So in a way, I did wake you by not being there. Well, I’m sorry about that. I couldn’t sleep, and I thought it would be better if I came out here to think for a while.”
N’kal shrugged and crossed the room, drawing me into his arms. “It is not a problem. I would rather be there for you. I can go without sleep if necessary.”
“Not quite a necessity for you to be up, but I’m grateful for the company.” I stretched up on my toes to kiss him. I wrapped an arm around him and guided him away from the window over to the couch. Even with the curtains closed, I didn’t want him too close to any exposed areas. I hadn’t had a chance to properly safeguard the cabin. That needed to go on my list, too.
Speaking of the list, N’kal was sharp. He picked up my paper and read it, his brows furrowing as he scanned my scribble.
“You wish to go into town without me?” he asked. “I do not understand. There is plenty of clothing here. You don’t need to leave for more.”
I took the list from him with a sigh. “Not the right clothing. I can’t wear these PJs for interrogations or security detail. Besides, the stuff in those drawers is for Xalanites. At the very least, I need some shirts designed for human women. While I’m there, I can discreetly question the locals. See if there’s anything suspicious they’ve noticed.”
“Why can I not go?”
“Because you’re the target. If you stay here, you’re safer than out in the open with me. It’s just a short shopping trip. I’ll be gone and back in no time.”
His pout was adorable. Good thing I was set in my resolve to protect him, because a lesser woman might have given in to that. “I can help you. I can be … a lure. If I am out in the open, as you say, the perpetrator might slip up in their haste to get to me.”
Oh, lordy, I forgot he watched procedurals sometimes. Now he’ll be getting ideas. “No. I’m standing firm on this one. You’ll stay here while I grab some things to wear.”
He harrumphed and grunted, but he finally let the subject go.
Since neither of us could sleep, I put on a movie for us to watch together. I opted for something light again, still not eager to dredge up the emotions that swam beneath the surface of my mind. That trauma would have to wait for another day. Maybeonce things had settled, and N’kal was safe, I could finally face those demons.
We watched movies until the sun came up. It was nice to snuggle on the couch, though I tried not to let my guard down. I kept myself on high alert, eyes and ears open for any signs of our stalker returning.
At six o’clock, well before I expected anyone to be up, a knock on the door startled me off the couch. I shot to my feet and drew my weapon, though I knew that was a silly response. If the person at the door was a threat, they wouldn’t have alerted us to their presence by knocking. My nerves didn’t care about the logic of it, though. I was keyed up enough that I would have jumped at anything.
Our visitor turned out to be none other than Director Hall herself, already showered and dressed in a crisp uniform. She smiled as she handed me a small bag.
“Here. I thought you might like some creature comforts. Laptop—courtesy of the AARO—new phone, and some sundry other items. Just little things.”
