Page 55 of Alien Haven

He didn’t care when the bastard sobbed an agreement. His command had been for Detodev, to give him an alternative to unleashing the fatal violence he hated so much…and to assure him some aggression was reasonable in this instance. The Nobek shot him a look of gratitude before resuming a baleful stare at his prisoner.

Groteg showed up at Detodev’s home several minutes ahead of a couple of his officers and the Earther side of Haven’s security. The Earther detachment included its department head Wright Connelly and his second, Martin Wilkes. Since the case involved humans as perpetrator and supposed intended victim, Connelly’s group would take custody of Scott O’Neal.

“Drunk and disorderly not enough for you, O’Neal?” the gray-haired and immensely competent Connelly said in his gruff voice after hearing witness testimony. Nearing retirement age didn’t hamper him from doing an impeccable job, in Groteg’s opinion. “Adding stalker to your rap sheet now, huh? Sounds like you’re an Earthtique to boot…which isn’t a crime, but Haven’s an awfully strange place to make your home if you don’t approve of Kalquorians and Earthers mixing. Makes me wonder what your plans here are, exactly.”

Safe from Detodev’s dangerous hands, O’Neal scowled rebelliously and refused to respond. The majority of his ire seemed to be aimed at Wilkes. The assistant chief stood by impassively, disapproval written on his harsh features.

“Get him outta here,” Connelly told the officers standing guard where Detodev had caught him.

“I can write him up for you, boss,” Wilkes offered.

“You do that. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

The human law enforcement group, with the exception of Connelly, escorted O’Neal to their shuttle. Groteg could tell his human counterpart wanted a word, so they stepped off to speak privately.

“We’ll keep you in the loop, seeing it’s Detodev’s property O’Neal was trespassing on.”

“Thank you, Chief,” Groteg said.

Connelly eyed him, his faded blue scrutiny typically sharp. “Any idea why O’Neal would take offense to your ward seeing a potential clan? Considering how many mixed-species relationships we have here, it’s funny he’d single out the newest kid on the block.”

“It does seem strange,” Groteg admitted, his thoughts churning a mile a minute. “Almost obsessive in nature. She says she never met him before, but perhaps she forgot him approaching her when she was out having drinks.”

“She might have turned him down. A girl as pretty as her no doubt gets her share of attention, wanted and otherwise. If booze was involved, there’s a chance she wouldn’t remember one out of several flirting with her.”

“O’Neal doesn’t have a history of stalking young women, does he? On Haven or prior to coming here?”

“We never got a complaint I’m aware of. There’s the possibility he got in trouble elsewhere, but we do a thorough check of those who move in from Mercy and New Bethlehem. At least I do.” Connelly frowned. “He’s been here since before me.”

“Maybe your predecessor missed something.”

“I’ll give his entry documents another look, just to be sure.” Connelly called to the knot of those waiting to be released from interviews. “Terrific job catching him, Nobek Detodev.”

The Nobek dipped a nod, his gaze averted. Connelly bid Groteg goodnight and departed in his private craft.

Groteg assigned his officers patrol duty on Detodev’s property. O’Neal was far from the size of Charity’s previous assailant, judging from her description. It brought a spark of fury to realize there was more than one person involved in the attempts to kidnap her. How many ruthless bastards had the bounty set against her?

He tamped down his rage and joined the foursome of Charity, Detodev, Ilid, and Mitag. “I’d like to add my commendation to Chief Connelly’s, Nobek. You did well capturing and holding O’Neal until we got here.”

Detodev appeared unsure if he deserved the approval, but he accepted it. “Thank you. I’m glad to have helped.”

Groteg could have added his admiration that the younger man hadn’t ripped the bastard apart. It was probably what Detodev considered his greatest accomplishment in the affair. The elder Nobek doubted mentioning it would have beenappreciated in front of Detodev’s peers. Better to treat it as perfectly natural, he decided.

Instead, he directed his next comment to Charity. “Do you need a ride to the farm?”

She grinned, as pert as if nothing of particular note had happened in the last hour. He marveled at her resilience, especially considering O’Neal’s stalking had come on the heels of the attack in the barn. “Thanks, but we haven’t had dessert yet. I refuse to let some weirdo peeping jerk deprive me of chocolate cheesecake.”

He chuckled, expressing his appreciation for her strength. “I’ve learned it’s a bad move to get between a human woman and chocolate anything. It’s a wonder you let O’Neal live.”

She laughed. “Sara taught you well.”

He glanced at the young men. “Detodev, my officers will stand guard until one of you brings her to the farm.” He paused. As offhandedly as he could, added, “They’re already working graveyard shift, so it doesn’t matter how late dessert goes.”

The trio of Detodev, Ilid, and Mitag couldn’t hold his gaze as they mumbled their thanks. On the other hand, Charity’s smirk was pure wickedness.

He thanked the ancestors as he headed for his shuttle there were three of them to entertain her. He had a feeling they needed all the help they could get where Charity Nath was concerned.

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