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Ivy could see the back of the guard’s head through the glass window as she sat at the table with Karn. She took a deep breath as she stared at him. “Why were you restrained?”

“I might have punched another prisoner. The guard is being cautious.”

“It sounds like you’re having fun in the cells.”

“I’m thinking of renting a room down here it’s so great.” Karn shrugged. “I didn’t figure they’d keep me in here for this long.”

“My boss is making arrangements. I don’t think you’ll be here much longer.”

Karn jiggled his knees up and down as his feet tapped on the floor. “About that. Any chance you can change her mind? I’ve never been one for getting my hands dirty. Mining will involve getting dust everywhere.”

“No surprise there. There’s nothing I can do. She’s suspended me from work.”

Karn’s smile slid off his face. “I had no idea. I didn’t think you’d get in trouble over this. Did you tell her you had nothing to do with it?”

“Of course. She didn’t believe me. When Diadora gets an idea into her head, she won’t let go. She thinks we’re involved and I’m in on this with you.”

“I’ll tell her otherwise. I’ll say I broke into the office, messed with your database, and you stumbled in and discovered me.”

“Which would be great because that’s the truth. I’m not involved with whatever it is you’re doing. Which is what, by the way?”

“It was a bit of fun messing around with your data, so some horny aliens can get their matches earlier than they’re supposed to.”

“You were paid to match make?”

“In a way. I was working off a debt. All I had to do was upload information into your system.”

“Well, that bit of fun has got me suspended. I thought I’d deleted all the damage you’d done, but my boss noticed the next day. Diadora discovered drone security footage of me.”

Karn shook his head. “I didn’t mean to mess things up for you. You must have a lot going on right now.”

“Actually, no. I’m going to be bored without work.” Ivy had nothing else going on in her life. Without her job, she’d end up sitting in her quarters with nothing to do. If she wasn’t working, she was eating. If she wasn’t eating, she was asleep.

“Sorry, Ivy. You shouldn’t have gotten involved with this. I don’t want you to think badly of me.”

“I do.” Ivy gestured at Karn’s jiggling legs. “What’s with you? You haven’t stopped moving since you came in here.”

“It’s nothing.” Karn stopped moving, his hands pressing on his thighs. “I know you better since I came in here. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Well don’t. There’s nothing to think about. You need to focus on making sure I don’t lose my job.”

“I don’t want that. I’ll help you however I can.”

“Why shouldn’t I make sure you get sent to that mining prison?”

“Maybe you should.” Karn slumped in his seat. “I hope you don’t, though. I like you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I’m getting to know you. I like what I know. We’re the same.”

“I’m nothing like you. I don’t cheat and lie.”

“I mean, we both strive for the best. I’ve seen your designer purses and fondness for the finest champagne. You always go after the classiest things. I bet it’s not just in the things you buy. You want to be the best in the business. You’re great at what you do. Everyone loves My Single Alien. That’s all thanks to the great publicity you put out. Without you, the agency will be nothing.”

“They don’t know that. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have suspended me.” Why was Karn being so nice to her? He must think he can sweet talk her into dropping the charges.

“Then they’re idiots. We are the same. I like nice things and work hard to make sure, when people want an intelligence gatherer, my name pops into their heads.”