Chapter 4 #2
The constable swept past him in a huff, as if annoyed by the minimal amount of work she had accomplished.
No, none of this would do.
Zalis stepped into the room and spoke quickly, before doubt could make him hesitate. “Justice or vengeance?”
If the context of his question confused Gemma, she did not ask for clarification. She said, “A good person would say justice.”
“Understood.”
He left to chase down the worthless constable. It was clear to Zalis that the constable had no intention of following through with a proper investigation. Gemma deserved both justice and vengeance for her ordeal, but he could only guarantee one.
“Constable Pama,” he called out, catching up to her easily. “A moment of your time.”
She stopped, her back straight and shoulders tense. “If it is indeed a moment. Do not waste my time.”
“I have a contact to help with the investigation on Earth,” Zalis said. On his comm unit, he had contact information for a government agent who had been extraordinarily competent.
“I already explained that I cannot investigate what happened on Earth.”
“Yes, you have given many reasons as to why you will fail in your duties. Reasons that I find unacceptable.”
“It’s not my job to please you.” The constable folded her arms over her chest, as if that would make her intimidating. Instead, it simply reminded Zalis of prey covering their vulnerabilities.
He could physically intimidate the constable. He was larger and stronger. Use brute force to get his way, to force the constable to perform her duty. From her stance, it is what she expected.
How disappointing.
“One must wonder if anyone is pleased with your job performance,” he said.
The constable’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed together.
“You Mahdfel. You think you can do whatever you please, abusing your power by acting like we’re living under martial law. You don’t intimidate me. I’ll report you to the Council,” Pama warned.
Zalis resisted the urge to explain that martial law had been well over a century ago, when the Suhlik first invaded Sangrin.
Insisting that she perform her duties was hardly an abuse of power.
Instead, he said, “Your threats require improvement. Considering that I arrested one corrupt council member days ago, I am unconcerned.”
He stepped forward. The color drained from Pama’s face.
Perhaps a little physical intimidation.
“You, however, should be concerned about the nine humans who were rescued,” he continued. “Six are still missing.”
“Humans,” she sneered. “They will return to their world soon. Why should I waste resources and time pursuing the matter? Tholla is a very busy port. Too busy. Let the human homeworld deal with their mess.”
The constable was intractable.
If only one of his more loquacious team members were present. He wondered what Lorran or, stars forfend, even Ren would say.
Lies. Half-truths.
Gentle persuasion, as Lorran called it.
Zalis would try his best.
“Tholla is an extraordinarily busy port. Have you considered why that is?” he asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Pama opened her mouth to answer, but he continued to speak.
“There are larger and more technologically advanced ports in the core of the system. Tholla is near a gate, and being near a transit route is always beneficial to a port’s health.
It is not the vintage charm of the facilities or the convenience that keeps the ships arriving.
It is Tholla’s lax attitude toward rules and regulations.
“The Mahdfel generally do not concern themselves with how civilians conduct their business. We patrol the fringe of the system, repelling Suhlik, capturing bandits, and answering distress calls.”
Zalis could not remember speaking so many words at once. It was exhausting.
“The treaty prohibits interference. Tholla’s governance is not your concern,” Pama said.
“The treaty demands that the Mahdfel protect the population of Sangrin. As I said, we patrol and rescue. We go where our assistance is required in this system and all others where we have a treaty, including Earth.” Zalis paused, letting the constable catch up to the obvious conclusion.
“You will investigate this matter fully and to the best of your abilities. Request assistance if your skills are inadequate. If I find the investigation lacking, then I will be forced to intervene.”
“Intervene?”
“I understand that you are not a politician and perhaps cannot appreciate such a complex situation,” Zalis said, his tone still neutral.
“There is a pattern of Earth citizens being trafficked in this region. The Mahdfel will uphold our treaty with Earth, and therefore, we must intervene with frequent inspections of the port and cargo vessels. Every ship entering Tholla and departing will be inspected for trafficked beings, humans and otherwise. The inconvenience will be a burden for merchants and travelers alike, but necessary.”
“You can’t do that. Ships won’t hang around all day to be inspected,” Pama said.
“A fully armed battlecruiser in orbit will be an incentive for compliance. I imagine other ports will seem more appealing.” Zalis grinned, letting his fangs show.
He had no power to deliver on any of the threats he outlined.
Only the warlord could make such decisions. Pama did not need to know that fact.
Her nostrils flared, clearly frustrated.
“Any income generated through dubious means would, of course, vanish,” he added, unable to resist a last verbal jab. Gentle persuasion was surprisingly enjoyable.
“Are you suggesting I take bribes?”
“I have no evidence of that.” Though he would not be surprised. Tholla had a well-earned shady reputation.
Pama held his gaze, as if assessing his earnestness.
Zalis could not explain why, but he would do everything he promised and more for Gemma.
It wasn’t simply because he made a vow to Emmarae.
There was something else, some other reason that required more reflection than he could spare at the moment.
“You’d cripple an entire planet’s economy out of spite?” the constable asked.
“Incorrect. You would cripple the planet because you willfully ignored your duties to that female in there,” he said, pointing to Gemma’s room. As an afterthought, he added, “As well as the other eight people we rescued.”
She tossed back her horns, clearly annoyed. “Very well. The investigation will remain open as long as the victims are in the system. When they return to Earth, and they will because that is the policy, I will be forced to close the investigation.”
The constable’s vow was less than ideal, but it was an improvement.
“Acceptable.” Barely.
He would give Gemma both justice and vengeance if possible. Until then, he’d have to be satisfied with bringing her abductors to justice.
GEMMA
Gemma knew Emry had arrived before her twin appeared at the door. It wasn’t a creepy twin thing. She heard footsteps down the corridor and recognition rang through her like a bell. Her heart fluttered, excited and afraid in equal measure.
If this were a dream, if she woke up to find herself back in that cage, she’d be devastated. Heartbroken.
This had to be real.
Please be real.
A gentle touch on her hand calmed her spiraling thoughts. Zalis grounded her in the moment.
Emry paused in the door. Gemma released a breath. This was real.
“Emry—”
“Gemmy-bean—”
There was so much ugly crying. Emry crawled into the hospital bed, and Gemma held her twin.
They spoke at the same time. Gemma babbled about her mistakes and the abduction.
Emry told her all about her difficulties getting anyone on Earth to care that Gemma went missing and how she had to ask Ren for help, all this between gasps for air and sobs.
Somehow, they understood each other perfectly. Gemma’s soul felt whole.
“I missed your face,” Gemma said, finally pulling out of the embrace.
“You see my face every day in the mirror.” Emry’s gaze darted away, as if embarrassed, which was weird but whatever.
“I see our face every day. I miss your face.” Gemma cupped the side of Emry’s face, the side with the scar.
With that dramatic feature covered, it was hard to tell they weren’t identical twins.
Not completely. Gemma was an inch taller.
Emry had a scattering of freckles. Before the car accident that took their mother’s life and left Emry scarred, the differences between them had been subtle. Only the most observant people noticed.
“I’m sticking with you,” Gemma said. “I know you hated the bakery—”
“I don’t hate the bakery,” Emry protested.
“If you want to work on a cruise ship again, fine. Private chef? I’m in.
Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.
I know it sounds codependent and unhealthy, but I missed you.
I don’t want to go months without seeing you.
” The idea of being alone again made her stomach ache, but it was more than that.
Being alone meant she could be taken again.
Being alone wasn’t safe, and Gemma craved safety.
“I missed you, too,” Emry said. More avoiding eye contact.
Oh. Now Gemma recognized what was going on. Not embarrassment. Guilt.
“Hey, what is this?” Gemma asked.
“I…” Emry flushed pink. “I’m staying with Ren.”
“Ren? The guy who broke your heart? You want to stay with him?” Gemma asked, repeating the words because they made no sense. “I guess he’s decent enough with the rescue, but don’t make any big decisions because you feel grateful.”
“It’s more than that,” Emry started. Before she could explain, they were interrupted by the guy in question.
“I have additional questions for Gemmarae.”
This again. The frustrating interview with the constable had been hours ago. She had no idea what new insights Ren hoped to pluck from her memory.
“I’ll go,” Emry said, rising from the bed.
“Stay,” Gemma said, grabbing her wrist.