Chapter Eleven
Dramok Dolgra reflected that for someone who’d nearly been violently kidnapped the day before, Charity Nath was in high spirits. Unaware of him watching her, she danced in the chicken coop. The exuberant Earther tossed feed like confetti to the squawking birds. She sang a stream of good mornings to them in an off-tune but chipper voice.
He chuckled. Her foolishness amused him despite having been summoned to the Amgar farm for such worrying reasons. She tossed her honey-hued hair so it stuck out in wild waves as she finally quit terrorizing the chickens. Charity left the coop to allow them to recover and eat in peace.
She caught sight of him grinning at her and laughed to have been caught acting goofy. No embarrassment stained her cheeks. “Hi! What brings you here so early?”
He approached her. “You. I heard you had a little excitement in the barn.”
Her face blistered red at his comment. Her jaw dropped in shock. A second later, understanding lit her face, and she giggled. “Oh, the attack. Yes. Awful. Scared me half to death.”
She certainly didn’t look scared. As Dolgra neared her, he figured out why…and the reason behind her initial embarrassed reaction. She carried the scent of being freshly showered, but a Kalquorian’s sexual aroma wasn’t so easily washed off.
I guess the barn saw more action than was advertised. She’s still seeing Dramok Ilid, I suppose. I wonder if it’s getting serious.
Keeping his expression and tone carefully neutral, he questioned her about the assault. Her description made it sound as if she’d been grabbed by a Kalquorian. While awful, it was a relief. Dolgra couldn’t imagine any of his species in his jurisdiction wanting to abduct her on behalf of Mercy or New Bethlehem, no matter how profitable the bounty was. Nor could he envisage the Earthtiques in control of those planets contracting with Kalquorians, in spite of how much they wanted to get their hateful hands on Charity.
Some asshole who deserves to have his dicks cut off and jammed down his throat thought he’d grab her. He tried to take what he couldn’t respectfully charm from a willing woman. A different rage danced in his mind. It was tempered by the possibility her real identity hadn’t been outed.
“I’m sorry a member of my community tried to hurt you, Matara,” he said. “I’ll do everything possible to track down the bastard and bring him to justice.”
“You don’t think my enemies realize who I am and paid someone to grab me?”
“I won’t discount the possibility. In fact, I’ll proceed from that assumption first, because it’s our chief worry. But if it were a Kalquorian, we’d have to also consider different reasons for the assault.”
Like Dolgra, Charity seemed to take comfort from the idea. Earthtiques were terrible indeed when a woman preferred the threat of sexual violence to being captured by zealots. In any event, Dolgra would discover who was behind the attempted confrontation and see to it the shithead paid.
When Charity disappeared into the house, Dolgra stepped in the barn. Deep shadows were nonexistent in its environment. When he’d alerted Dolgra of the attack, Nobek Groteg had also informed him he’d personally installed two strips of lighting fixtures a couple hours following Charity’s horrific encounter. He’d had the farmhands do the same in all the farm’s outbuildings to make sure no further violence would happen.
Groteg had investigated the barn himself, and Dolgra had no doubt Haven’s security chief and his team had been thorough. Nonetheless, he’d be remiss in failing to conduct his own survey.
He heard no one come in behind him, yet the air seemed to shift as he examined the inside of the building. “Don’t take it personally. I know you conducted an exhaustive search.”
“You wouldn’t be doing your job if you didn’t inspect it for yourself.” Groteg stepped beside him. He fairly vibrated danger.
Dolgra ignored the wishful tug in his chest and refused to look at the impressive figure next to him. Don’t go there. He’d already been stupid where Clan Amgar was concerned. He was unsure what had possessed him to give Sara the expensive bottle of bohut, but it had been dumb.
No Imdiko wants to live with someone so cold. I doubt a Nobek would either. Words snarled in the past had lost none of their vicious sting for Dolgra. Nor had the memory of the man who’d spoken them walking away, never to be seen again.
He’d been right. Dolgra wasn’t clanmate material in the slightest.
“Not working today?” His tone was light, hinting at none of his turmoil.
“The office will com me for anything important. I wanted to secure the farm as much as possible after what happened yesterday. The incident occurred next to the support beam.” Groteg pointed, then led Dolgra to the spot. “I found no real physical evidence despite the struggle, unfortunately. Just the shovel Charity picked up when she called the guy out. She lost the opportunity to use it when he tossed it away. He was quick.”
Kalquorian quick was the unspoken theory.
“She didn’t retreat when she realized she might be in danger? Brave. Foolish.” Dolgra’s tone held grudging admiration for Charity’s courage.
As Groteg had said, there was nothing to see in the immediate vicinity. Dolgra was impressed at how tidy the barn was. He caught a hint of the rank remnant of the spray the assailant had used in his attempt to knock the Earther out. Beneath it was the smell of humans and Kalquorians. No surprise, given Clan Amgar was composed of and employed both species.
Dolgra caught a stronger scent. His gaze swung to a pile of chicken feed bags.
Groteg chuffed amusement. “She has no fear of the barn in spite of what happened. At least she doesn’t when she’s in the company of a man who interests her.”
“Dramok Ilid?”
“Nobek Detodev. He insisted on taking a shift patrolling the grounds to watch for trouble. She joined him.”
“Detodev? Interesting. He’s a bit of a loner.” For good reason. Pacifist Nobeks weren’t popular, except as punching bags for other Nobeks…at least until Detodev demonstrated how anger could overcome his peaceful intentions. Pushed hard enough on a few occasions to fight back, he’d put his detractors on the ground in decidedly authoritative fashion. To save face, those who’d learned better than to try him had spread the rumor he was a coward. Many of the uninitiated believed it.
“Matara Charity is apparently hard to resist. Ilid and Imdiko Mitag buzz around her regularly too.”
“Ready-made clan.” Dolgra did his best to ignore the notion Clan Amgar was a similar case, should the right Dramok appear to attract them.
No Imdiko wants to live with someone so cold. I doubt a Nobek would either. Or a Matara. The mental images of Sara and Utber stung. As did the presence of the man standing at his side.
Forget it.
Groteg shrugged at his assessment of the potential of the young people forming a clan. “Charity isn’t enthralled by Haven. She’ll leave as soon as she can. I can’t see Detodev chasing her as a potential lifemate, no matter how attractive he finds her.”
“Nor would Ilid. He doesn’t see himself as a real Dramok after his traumatic encounter with the Darks. It shook him to his foundations.” Dolgra had read Ilid’s psychiatric reports. A wave of sympathy filled him for the kid’s anguish.
It was too bad. Caring clanmates could make a difference.
As if you’d know about that.
Dolgra shook off the tangent of youthful love…or probably more accurately, youthful lust…to return to what should be his focus. “Your intruder left no evidence anywhere?”
“He was careful where he hid as he waited to ambush her. Judging from her description of the attack, I believe he jumped her from here as she passed.” Groteg showed him a space behind a metal tilling cylinder. “No sign he’d been there, however, or anywhere in this general vicinity.”
Dolgra put himself where Groteg had indicated. He looked up at the lights illuminating the area and how much sunlight came from the open doors of the barn. “Earther eyesight doesn’t compensate for darkness as well as ours. She would have been blind once she stepped past that area.” He nodded to indicate where the sunlight ended.
“I wish we’d had the lights yesterday. Safety’s never been an issue for us before.” Groteg scowled.
Dolgra walked back to where Charity had encountered her assailant. “He comes out and grabs her. They struggle. She gets in a good crotch shot and pulls free.”
“Then he ran to this window.” Groteg led him to the rear wall. “We found a few threads on the frame. The lab has them and should be reporting their analysis soon. It looked like flannel, however.”
“Haven’s unofficial dress code. No hair?” Dolgra frowned. Most Kalquorian men wore long hair. Crime scenes involving his people tended to offer plenty of samples.
“None. Maybe he wore a hooded jacket. Or a head covering. Bud caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure, but no details of his appearance. He verified he was big though, as Charity reported.”
“Muscled?”
“Bud couldn’t say.”
“Charity might have been wrong about that. It’s hard to be sure when you’re fighting off someone who came up behind you.”
Groteg considered. “She has a pretty good head on her shoulders. It could have been an Earther. A few around Sunrise are nearly our size.”
“We have to consider all options. No one has shown up on Haven from New Bethlehem in the last year. The Mercy refugees who fled the rioting were thoroughly vetted.”
“So Earthtiques from that quarter are out.”
“Unless operatives were sent to Haven early on for long-term surveillance.”
Groteg’s brows rose. “I never figured the fanatics for the long game. They always struck me as impetuous. Overly eager to act.”
“I’ve seen subtle signs Mercy or New Bethlehem might have had spies watching us for a while. Their governments’ conversations with Haven’s Earther governor have occasionally let slip they’re aware of more than they should be.”
“Mercy is currently in chaos, thanks to the revolt and Dark Death. Those few refugees we took in prior to Haven shutting its doors to all but the most extreme emergencies…do you have any indication operatives slipped in?”
Dolgra shook his head. “It’s possible, but the Galactic Council…before the Darks took control…froze Mercy’s assets when its government tried to pull a financial scam on Joshada. The lack of funds for needed programs were part of what started the unrest. When the government tried to fake an attack by their detractors and the footage of Copeland’s alleged presence on Kalquor came to light, it all went to hell. Short story, Mercy doesn’t have the money to pay operatives unless they pull it from where it’s most desperately needed. Who can guess if they actually plan to pay the bounty once they get hold of Matara Charity?”
Groteg considered. “You can’t discount the fanatics. They’d do it simply because they’re determined to return to Earth’s old ways.”
“There is that. Which is why I’m considering the few Earthers who are as tall or muscled as our people as potential suspects. There are those whose physical regimens develop them to match our natural muscle.”
“True.” Groteg seized on the idea. “I can think of four men on the Earther side of Haven’s security force who’d qualify.”
“Give me the names, and I’ll investigate them.” When the Nobek gave him a funny look, Dolgra explained, “You shouldn’t be looking into this where Earther law enforcement is concerned. It could be seen as a conflict of interest. Your focus will be to investigate those outside of Haven security who match Matara Charity’s description of her assailant.”
“All right.” Groteg rubbed the back of his neck. “As for Charity’s fling with the young men…particularly the Dramok you brought in…”
“I doubt it’ll hurt to let her have some fun. You know Detodev personally. I’m fully informed of Ilid’s history.”
“Imdiko Mitag had to pass a thorough background check when he put on the event for the Earther governor. He’s so clean, he squeaks.”
“Despite his family’s history. It surprises me he’s so well-adjusted, considering his background. He sued for emancipation, you know.”
“I know, along with the reasons for it. He had more than his fair share of reasons to become an utter asshole, if not worse,” Groteg agreed. “No sign of trouble, however. We were impressed by his demeanor when he joined us for dinner.”
“If you’re okay with him being around her, it’s good enough for me.”
“I’m reassured where they’re all concerned, especially given your opinion of Ilid. Charity has less chance of being assaulted in the company of three strong men.”
Dolgra had to point out one factor. “Nobek Detodev’s pacifism won’t prevent him from defending her?”
Groteg snorted as they started to leave the barn. “Detodev’s biggest problem isn’t an unwillingness to fight. It’s how bad he feels after he’s been forced to do so and has committed the damage his opponents had coming to them. He lets guilt for the mistakes of his youth color every instance he engages in self-defense.”
“That’s a rough mindset for a Nobek.”
“He’s willing to watch out for Charity, which is a step in the right direction. His usual reaction to the danger would be to avoid it. Isn’t it a little early for cocktails, my Matara?”
Dolgra’s heart skipped a beat as they emerged in the sunshine and found Sara waiting for them. It sank to note she held the bottle of bohut he’d given her.
“I believe we mistakenly got someone else’s delivery. This is very expensive.” She smiled and offered it to Dolgra.
He drew himself up and smiled as innocently as he could manage. “No mistake. I have to bring you packages when I stop by to keep up appearances. I thought your clan might appreciate a treat rather than the usual container full of packing materials.”
Groteg peered at the label. His eyes widened in surprised appreciation. “Quite the treat.”
“It’s too much. I priced this vintage when I was researching presents for my clanmates last Christmas.”
Groteg beamed at her. “What a lovely thought, my Matara. I’m glad you didn’t, though. We’d have had to leave an entire field unplanted if you’d indulged us so handsomely.” He chuckled at the idea of such extravagance.
“Two fields, my Nobek.” Sara held the bottle to Dolgra. “Thank you for the generous gesture.”
“Please enjoy it,” he insisted, hoping his face wasn’t red. “As I said, it’s a thank you for taking Charity Nath on, especially in view of yesterday’s attack. It’s the least the Kalquorian fleet could do for you. They aren’t paying you enough for her lodging and safety, in my opinion.”
“But…” she looked to Groteg for help.
Dolgra backed toward his shuttle. “I’m running late on my deliveries. Save it to celebrate a good harvest, the end of the Darks, the end of Dark Death…whatever. I’ll check in later, Groteg, and let you know what I’ve found.”
He hurried to his shuttle before they could insist on him taking the bottle. It had been a stupid move to give such a gift. He’d had no business trying to charm Clan Amgar.
No Imdiko wants to live with someone so cold. I doubt a Nobek would either.
Truer words had never been spoken. He was better off alone.
Sara watched Dramok Dolgra’s shuttle take off, She turned her gaze to Groteg. “Being the head spy on a planet pays well if he can afford to hand out these as thank-yous.”
“I guess.”
They continued to gaze at each other for the space of several seconds. Sara could tell the wheels were turning in her Nobek’s mind just as they were in hers. Was it truly appreciation for them taking care of and guarding Charity? Dolgra hadn’t shown the least hint of anything but genuine gratefulness. Did the stunning and single Dramok’s gesture contain a hidden motive?
Her consternation Dolgra might be interested in them returned. Was the mysterious spy for Kalquor making a bid to court Clan Amgar, a family with three busy children, hectic regular jobs, and a farm that consumed their few spare hours?
When she thought of it in those terms…
Amusement lit Groteg’s face at the same instant Sara laughed. “Nah,” they chorused. Chuckling, they resumed their usual busy day.
* * * *
Charity had resolutely focused on chores and a university assignment during the morning. When Mitag commed her about joining him in town shortly following lunch, she felt justified in asking Sara and Groteg for the afternoon off. After some debate, they gave their permission. They added the stipulation Mitag would pick her up. She wasn’t to leave his sight while she was off the farm.
The Imdiko was more than happy to agree. In fact, he sounded a bit insulted anyone would question he’d do so. “As if I’d have you walk to town or beg a ride. Of course I’ll keep an eye on you. Do they honestly think a guy who owns a business as successful as mine could be so irresponsible?”
He was over his pique by the time he landed his craft on the Amgar lawn. He greeted Charity’s hosts cheerfully. “Jennifer and I will do dinner out, if it’s okay. When would you prefer I have her home?”
Charity managed to stop her eyes from rolling. She hated being treated as if she were a high school kid who had a curfew. It was because everyone was worried for her welfare, she reminded herself. She concentrated on appreciativeness for their concern.
Sara and Groteg merely asked she inform them of how late her plans would go and where she’d be as soon as she and Mitag had decided on their itinerary. Delighted to be regarded as a responsible adult, she hugged the surprised pair before dashing on board Mitag’s shuttle.
“Where are we off to?” she asked Mitag.
“Here and there. I haven’t made particular plans; I simply wanted to see you. I hope that’s okay.”
“Spontaneity is my middle name.”
“I have to stop by the town’s event hall for a minute to see how my crew’s doing. They’re setting up the reception decorations for the big party. Once I see they have it under control, I’m all yours,” Mitag grinned.
“Oh, is it the Western-buckaroos-in-tails wedding? I so have to see this.”
Minutes later, she was standing in the midst of a space that shouldn’t have looked as good as it did, given the description Mitag had shared. She blinked at the hay bales set in interesting patterns against the walls, an arch made of farm tools, and another of chicken wire. She gaped at white and silver tulle bunting fashioned in astonishingly complicated bows, which decorated the gleaming steel and bale squares. White roses cascaded artfully in resplendent glory.
“If there’s a section of heaven specifically for farmers and ranchers, this could be a fair representation. It’s actually elegant, Mitag. You managed to pull it off.” She couldn’t keep admiration from her tone.
He beamed. “Thanks. I’ll be glad when it’s done. I look forward to the bride no longer comming me to share yet another of her bright ideas.”
“Such as flannel? Livestock?”
His hand covered her mouth as he darted terrified glances around the room. “Hush! I don’t trust her to not be lurking, ready to spring on me.”
They were still laughing when Ilid stepped in the gleaming, gorgeous hall. “I was leaving the bakery and saw you two come in here.” He yawned sleepily and scanned the room. “Swanky setup. This isn’t the horror show you were describing, Mitag.”
“I don’t do horror shows. I’m talented that way,” the Imdiko asserted in a pompous tone.
“It should have been a monstrosity, but he made it beautiful, didn’t he?” Charity stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to Ilid’s cheek. His sleepy but good mood appeared to brighten at her welcome.
“I had no idea farm tools could work for a romantic setting. Or hay.” Ilid chuckled and nudged Mitag.
“Hay can make for decent bedding if you loosely pile it.” Charity offered a wicked leer.
“Are you talking from experience?” Mitag wasted no time jumping on the innuendo.
“Not yet. But I can tell you with some assurance, feedbags do in a pinch.”
“And you know this for a fact how?” Ilid demanded playfully.
“Ask Detodev.”
“Now it makes sense why she smells so strongly of our strong, silent Nobek,” Mitag told Ilid.
“I caught it, but I wasn’t going to say anything. I thought he had to get up early this morning?”
“It’s easy to get up when you’ve been up all night. In more ways than one.” Mitag’s sally earned Ilid’s laughter.
“What do you mean, you could smell him on me? I showered.” Charity thought they were making fun of her. Maybe disbelieving her.
“You smell strongly of soap, shampoo, and a little less powerfully of Detodev.” Ilid’s purple eyes twinkled. “The Kalquorian sense of smell is quite sensitive. You weren’t aware?”
“I’d heard but…you can actually tell we…?” Charity groaned. “That means Groteg and Utber must have smelled Detodev too. And Dramok Dolgra! The Kalquorian farmhands…prophets, are you saying if I sleep with a Kalquorian, every other Kalquorian around me can tell?”
A young Dramok assistant of Mitag’s walked past, carrying an armful of roses. “From at least three feet away, Matara,” he snickered.
Charity’s face burned as Mitag and Ilid roared laughter. She didn’t mind her intimate hijinks revealed to those she hoped to indulge in future intimate hijinks with…but half the damned colony would realize it too?
“How am I supposed to get away with anything on this ridiculous planet?”
* * * *
“The traitor’s daughter is roaming the main drag in the company of two Kalqs. She’s all but crawling on them, the little whore. She’s grabbing their arms, putting her cheek on their shoulders, letting them touch her.”
Wilkes frowned at his com, from which Scott O’Neal’s snarling voice emitted. He was glad his office door was closed at the Earther security headquarters. It kept his space soundproof against anyone listening in. Nonetheless, he instinctively lowered the unit’s volume. “You aren’t being obvious you’re watching her, right? No one’s close enough to hear you talking like this?”
“‘Course not.” O’Neal adopted a more cautious tone nonetheless. “Damn shame we have to hide our moral decency in public when sluts behave so disgusting. We should be able to string ‘em up on sight.”
Wilkes took a deep breath and hoped he hadn’t made a mistake hiring O’Neal to spy on Nath when she was in town. His fellow traditionalist wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he worked at the feed and seed store, much of which was open to the outdoors. Its central location in Sunrise’s main business thoroughfare offered an excellent view when it came to watching the townspeople. From his vantage point, O’Neal could see up and down the main street and not be obvious…as long as he wasn’t glowering at those he looked at.
“Just do as I asked and keep an eye on her. Don’t let anyone see you do so, okay? She’ll get what’s coming to her when we send her to New Bethlehem.”
Wilkes clicked off. Nath and a couple Kalquorians were apparently forging friendships, if not outright affairs. It made getting his hands on her a lot harder. He had no problem taking Kalqs out if he had no better choice, but it would raise a lot of questions for anyone to go missing or show up dead.
“Fuck me,” he sighed. His problems where Charity Nath was concerned kept mounting.