“Of course I have no such knowledge,” she said unconvincingly, sniffing deeply several times as if she’d just developed an allergy to telling lies. “That’s preposterous.”
“Oh? Really? Does your daughter suffer from an arranged marriage, by any chance?” Cam asked bluntly.
Governess Latham Borne drew herself up to her full height and said imperiously, “Be that as it may, she needs to be found. Immediately. What are you going to do about this situation, Security Man?” Her tone implied she substituted the word “servant” for “security” in her head.
Cam wanted to answer, “Big fat nothing!” but he cleared his throat, ignored her intended slur and said, “Do you have a picture of your daughter?”
She pulled a paper thin, transparent, postcard-sized Alpha-Prime photo generator from the pocket of her expensive caftan, swiped the bottom edge a few times to find the right image and handed it to him. Cam glanced at the upside-down picture and noted a dark-haired figure dressed in equally expensive clothing, but didn’t study it. He simply placed his communicator over the surface, pushed a button and drew his device across it, transferring the image.
He handed the device back to Governess Latham Borne and gave his communicator to Axel.
“Make a copy for yourself and then distribute it wide to our search personnel.”
“Wait!” Governess Latham Borne put her hand to her chest, adding dramatically, “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Axel asked.
“I will not allow my daughter’s photo to be circulated like she is some gulag-bound criminal. No. Absolutely not! That course of action is completely out of the question. I do not give my permission to have her picturecirculated.” Governess Latham Borne said the word like she had to hold her nose to utter the stench-worthy verb.
Cam narrowed his gaze. “What do you expect me to do? Carry her picture around to every home in the state of Arkansas and look for her all by myself?”
Her half-shrug suggested that was exactly what she expected. “That’s your job, isn’t it,SecurityMan?” Her disdain again came through clearly in her tone. Cam had news for her. He was no one’s servant.
The director stepped between them and tried a more reasonable tone. “I’m sorry, madam, but wide circulation is the typical protocol in a missing person case. Several people looking for your daughter all at once will yield results faster than only one operator out and about searching.”
“She’s not a missing person. She’s my daughter who is more simply lost on a peculiar, uncouth planet. There’s no telling what might have happened to her with bands of humans rambling around causing trouble. Listen to me closely, as I will not repeat myself. I want her found without some backward colony security lowlife ruining her pristine reputation. Can I assume that I am understood in this matter or do we need to contact Alpha-Prime’s Technician League for guidance?”
The Technician League was powerful, but wouldn’t give a rip about a missing Governor’s daughter on a far-off planet. Even so, Cam decided silence was the best response.
He turned away from the woman’s imperious stare and sent Axel a look that said, “Sheesh. Rich people.” The corners of Axel’s lips turned up slightly.
The director, as disagreeable as he typically was, gave Cam a distinctly uncomfortable look of remorse. He pulled both Axel and Cam to the side, out of earshot of his imperious guest. “Please don’t mistake her…well, obvious concern and angst about her daughter for anger. You see, Governess Latham Borne doesn’t understand our established search procedures and—”
“Don’t worry, Director. I get it,” Cam said, forcing calm into his tone. She was rich. She was used to having every wish she expressed carried out instantly and without question and every demand she uttered satisfied immediately, if not sooner. “She’s upset about her missing daughter and the circumstances of her disappearance. I won’t take offense.”
The director nodded, taking the gracious out Cam offered. Cam understood completely, that the woman had no regard for anyone’s feelings or workload, but he didn’t plan to give in to her foolish demands.
“We’ll search a few places first-time visitors to Earth have been known to frequent and linger at, then report back in an hour or so. If she returns to the ship on her own in the next sixty minutes, please notify Axel immediately. He’s taking point on this matter.” Axel’s eyes widened in an expression that said, “Who? Me?”
“Yes. Of course. Thank you,” the director said.
Cam was about to say, “Don’t thank me. Axel is the only one who will be searching. I’m going home to someone delicious,” whenhe brought up the picture of Alexandria Latham Borne on his communication device. He studied the wealthy girl’s general physique, noting she was every inch the rich, expensively groomed Governor’s daughter. Wearing what had to be an expensive cranberry-colored designer outfit from Alpha-Prime, the young woman in the photo seemed to say, “I’m privileged and I know it.”
His gaze slid to her face, expecting to see a haughty, superior expression. Instead, he saw very familiar rebellious hazel eyes and a mischievous smile.
Cam’s heart stuttered then flipped over in his chest. He brought the photo nearer, as if closer examination would change it. It didn’t. It was her.
There were no blue streaks in her hair, but it was definitely the sexy woman sleeping in his warm bed, waiting for his return.
“I bet you’ll find her first,” Axel said.
Normally, Cam would have said, “I’ll take that bet.”
But not today.
Chapter Two
