“Ah, yes. His booty. I thought it had already been returned to some financial institution on Alpha-Prime.”
Diesel grinned. “No. We confiscated the treasure and hid it away here on Earth. We don’t actually know where he got the gold from, so no way to know who to return it to. It’s possible he stole it from different places over a period of time, had it melted down and reformed into the ingots we found.
“We just spread it around that it had been sent back to the homeworld. If Indigo Smith goes to Alpha-Prime, he’ll figure out soon enough that it’s a lie, if he hasn’t already. It’s possible the scum-filled gang that helped spring him has already figured out where the treasure must be and shared that information.”
Raphael nodded. “So, logically, he’ll come here.”
“That is the going theory, which makes me glad you stuck around.” Diesel’s gaze flicked to Francine, his gaze dropping to her ring finger before returning to Raphael’s face. Raphael wondered how far Francine would want to take their fake engagement. Should they try to fool all the Alphas here on Earth?
“When will Indigo Smith make his way here, do you think?”
“There’s no way to know for certain, but I’d say two to three weeks. It will depend on the criminal contacts still willing to support his antics and Indigo’s ability to fund them. My understanding is that he pays those who help him very well, but he’s got to lay low for a while. There are Guardsmen scattered across several galaxies between here and the gulag, all of them hunting for him. Unfortunately, Indigo has lots of help and certainly more than one plan to stay free.”
Raphael nodded. “I’m headed to Ichor-Delta for a wedding in a few days, but I should be back in time to help keep a lookout for him.”
Diesel nodded. He looked meaningfully at Francine’s ring finger. “Is ityourwedding?”
“No. Not our wedding. Not quite yet.” Raphael slung his arm around Francine and hugged her to his side. “Don’t worry, Diesel. I’ll ensure Indigo is put back in a gulag before I leave Earth permanently. Hopefully, he won’t be placed in the same sissy gulag as last time.”
“We can dream. Thanks, Boudreaux. I appreciate it.” Then he grinned and looked from Raphael to Francine and back. “Also, congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Raphael nodded once and squeezed Francine’s shoulders. He pondered the new information on Indigo Smith as Francine closed the door. After a few silent minutes, he caught her watching him with a small frown.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Should I not have told Diesel about our newrelationship?”
“No. It’s fine. Besides, Diesel probably won’t gossip.”
“Then what?”
“Nothing really.”
“Something.”
“Okay. I really hate the thought of you leaving Earth permanently.” She shrugged and gave him a sad smile.
“I see. Well, I hate that thought, too.” He moved closer, so near he was able to press her into the door. She didn’t stop him. “Let’s think of something else. Where were we before that bothersome interruption?”
Francine touched a finger to her bottom lip. “You were kissing me like you wanted a real fiancée.”
He pinned her with an ardent gaze. “I’ve never had a fiancée before.” He paused and added, “Well, except for the fake one with the bounty hunter I told you about, but it wasn’t even for a full day.”
“Why do you think that is?”
He lifted one shoulder in half a shrug. “I’m a bounty hunter. I go where the jobs are, and while my permanent residence can be anywhere, I’ve never really settled down in one place. But I could.”
“Could your permanent residence even be on Earth?”
“Indeed. Even on Earth.”Even though it’s hell and gone from everywhere I usually work.
“Okay.” With that, she draped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his, resuming the incredible kiss. Raphael would worry about Indigo Smith later. Much, much later.
The kiss intensified, if that was possible. Francine started urging him toward the sofa in her living room, like she had before Diesel showed up. What would she do to him if they made it all the way over there?
The doorbell rang again. Francine ignored it, continuing the kiss and the subtle herding toward the sofa. A knock came next. Outside, a female voice shouted, “Yoo-hoo, Francine! I heard a very interesting rumor at the Supernova Supermarket this morning and I came over to see for myself.”
Francine broke the kiss and her eyes widened. “That’s my landlady, Mrs. Greenstone.”
“Should I hide?”
