“Yes, thanks. Trayla’s piloting the runner, getting us away from the scene. We’ll find somewhere safe to go for now and keep in touch.” Fiona could hear Natta asking her something softly. “Is Natta feeling better?”
“He’s fine. Did you hear from or see Lieutenant Grogan after you were attacked?”
“No. That’s obviously very worrying. Eazi says his comm unit has been off for hours, but assumed it was to prevent the Balcoans tracking him.” Now she wondered if he’d been taken out before they’d even reached the restaurant.
“When last did you see him with your own eyes?” Crin asked, and Fee guessed their minds were walking down the same path.
“I last saw him inside the first place we went to, and then in the street briefly as we walked to the next boutique. When we got there, he had gotten ahead of us and was leaning against a tree, as if he were reading messages on his comm unit.” She glanced at Trayla. “Did you see him after that?”
She shook her head. “I saw him by the tree as well, but not again.”
“That would have been a good two hours before we went to lunch.” Fiona told Crin. And if he’d been taken shortly after that, then he had already been in enemy hands for a long time.
“We’re sending people to look for him. You let me know when and where you’ve found a place to wait this out, and I’ll tell you what I can.” Crin gave a curt farewell and cut the call.
“We could have told her where we were going already,” Trayla said, but not in a way that said she was sorry they hadn’t.
“We could, but I think it’s best no one knows, don’t you?” She’d rather have Eazi as their contact than anyone else.
“I’m not like you,” Trayla said. “I’ve got to follow orders.”
“Well, let’s get some from the admiral, then.” Fee didn’t want to cut Trayla loose. She was glad to have her company, although she didn’t know if she would be safer away from Fee or with her.
“The admiral.” Trayla sighed.
“It’s not you going over their heads, it’s me,” Fee consoled her. “And I’m guessing the admiral won’t mind a bit.”
CHAPTER 14
Hal arrivedat the hotel in a sleek runner that Eazi had arranged for him at the space port.
He was carrying numerous bags, which was not his usual style of travel, but the extras were for Fee.
When he arrived at the door to her rooms and knocked, he heard the voice of a Grih and then a soft murmur he guessed was her.
The door opened, and he studied the woman in front of him.
Trayla, the Grihan operative, he guessed. Her eyes widened, and she stepped back, her head turning.
“Fiona. Captain Vakeri is here.” She moved deeper into the room, allowing him in, and she checked the hallway behind him before she closed the door.
Fiona stepped through into the lounge area in a robe, scrubbing at her wet hair with a towel, and stopped dead at the sight of him.
He let go of the bags he was carrying, and she leaped across the room into his arms.
He was expecting the weight of her, but he nearly staggered back under the onslaught.
“I thought you were patrolling.” She lifted her face up to his.
“The admiral decided it was a better use of my time to be down here.” He was aware of Trayla watching, so he only kissed her lightly before lifting his head. “I brought both of you your dresses from Eazi.”
Fiona’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “Now that’s what I call service. Can you come to the dinner as well? Even if we have to buy you a ticket?”
“Eazi’s already arranged it. Trayla, you’ll take the purchased ticket and pretend you don’t know us. Just mingle and keep an eye out for anyone who pays us too much attention. I don’t think there’ll be any drama, given the leader will be there.” Hal picked up the garment bag containing the dress Eazi had made for Trayla, and handed it over.
“I like the sound of no drama. It’ll be a nice change.” She took the dress with a smile. “I thought I was going to have a pleasant few days with Fiona, showing her around the city and doing a bit of shopping. I never expected such an interesting time.”
Hal grinned. “Interesting things seem to happen around her. Apparently someone shot at you this afternoon.” Eazi had told him, and he’d asked for the lens feed from Fiona’s tiny lens on her shoulder to see for himself.
