Page 69 of Alien Haven

They answered in the affirmative. Charity thought the officer appeared troubled despite his cheerful response. His tone sounded forced.

“Everything okay?” She wondered if the Kalquorian-big bruiser appreciated such niceties. His strong features were more brutish than a number of Nobeks she’d come across.

“It could be better,” he sighed. “O’Neal…the man who was caught spying on you? He committed suicide this morning.”

Only Detodev failed to gasp. The Nobek’s eyes widened in shock, however.

“I’m sorry to hear it,” Ilid managed. “We were hoping for answers for his actions rather than him coming to harm.”

“A troubled man.” Wilkes stared at the street, his expression regretful. “He’d been brought in for minor offenses in the past, but he never showed any inclination for serious mischief. I guess you never know the thoughts in a person’s head.”

“Wow. Does he have family here? They must be devastated,” Charity said.

“Maybe on Mercy, where he came from. We’ve sent inquiries. Since they’re in a rather messy state these days, it could be a while before we know for certain.” He drew a deep breath as if to set aside the unpleasantness. His smile when he gazed at them again was genuine. “What’s on the agenda? Detodev, I almost never see you in town during the day.”

When the Nobek merely shrugged, his usual reserve kicking in, Mitag answered. “We dragged Mr. Sociable out for a day off. I almost convinced him to buy a nice shirt for tomorrow’s show.”

“I already have a nice shirt,” Detodev muttered.

“Oh, you’re attendingCow Patties in Paradise? I’ve heard it’s hilarious.” Wilkes glanced down the street in the direction of the two-story theater.

“It looks like fun,” Ilid agreed.

“I might have to see it myself, if any tickets are left. I’ll leave you to it, then. Have a good day.” Wilkes nodded and continued down the street, his steps quicker and demeanor lighter than before.

Charity watched him go. Big guy. It reminded her of the size of her attacker in the barn. Wilkes would have been scary if he hadn’t spoken to them with such friendly ease and no sign of judgment. If three Kalquorian men hanging around an Earther woman offended him, he hid it well.

“It’s wonderful to be around so many non-Earthtique types,” she marveled. “Haven is a different world in the best way possible.”

“Despite the lack of culture and predominance of natural fertilizer?” Mitag teased.

She tossed her napkin at him. “No place is all bad. Or all good, for that matter. As accepting as the university on Jedver was of diversity, thanks to it being in Galactic Council space, I occasionally ran into anti-Kalquorian types among my fellow Earthers. Some were obnoxious to other species too, holding onto Old Earth’s crap about being ‘God’s Chosen.’”

“I’m glad you aren’t among those kinds of people,” Ilid said.

At the looks they gave her, crazy longing filled Charity again. She covered it by smirking and speaking in a flippant tone. “I think I’m becoming quite the Kalquoriphile.”

Charity and the gang were beginning to talk dinner plans late in the afternoon when she received a message from Nobek Groteg. He insisted she return to the farm for dinner. Because he made no mention of the men being invited, she grouched, “I guess you’ll have to do what you can to have fun in my absence.” She flung the back of her hand to her forehead for melodrama’s sake. “I must leave you. Go on without me, if you can manage.”

“It won’t be easy,” Ilid said, his palm to his heart and expression woebegone as the others chuckled. More seriously, he added, “I guess we can’t be too greedy, having enjoyed last night and today together.”

“Ha! Greedy is my calling card.” Mitag playfully pawed at Charity’s shoulder. “I’ll be plotting how to steal you as soon as possible.”

“You do that,” she grinned.

Too soon, she was walking in the back door to find Sara and Groteg in the kitchen waiting. She could hear Utber elsewhere in the house telling James to “wash those grubby hands now, or I’ll wash them for you.”

“Spaghetti?” The delightful scent eased a small portion of Charity’s regret she wasn’t having dinner in the company of her friends instead. Impulsively, she hugged Sara. “It smells divine. Thanks so much for the day off to play. Oh, and for bringing us breakfast. Best day ever in a long while.”

“I’m glad.” Sara hugged her in return, but her expression was cautious. The manner in which her gaze darted to Groteg warned Charity all wasn’t well.

The Nobek wasted no time getting to the nitty-gritty. “The man who was spying on you last night is dead.”

“I heard. Suicide.”

“Maybe.” Groteg’s expression was dark.

Charity’s heart skipped a beat. “Assistant Chief Wilkes seemed pretty sure.”

---