Page 49 of Saved By the Servali

His hand clamped down on her father’s shoulder. It could easily have been his neck. “Imagine my surprise when I found out my future father-in-law was making the trip to you alone. I had to get a portable hypersleep chamber—not fun, but worth it—and slip in the back here. I’ve been awake a lot longer than John with nothing to do but think.” His eyes narrowed, not matching the broad smile he gave her.

Her father shook his head in consternation. “Nessa, I knew you were in love with some fella, but I thought I was going to meet him when I got here, not on the flight! It was good to have a few hours to get to know Merton. Real nice guy.”

“Oh?”

“But this hypersleep concoction—I don’t like it. I plum forgot he was on here, and here Merton told me we got on together back at the MWIP. Woke up to see him sitting in the chair and almost had a heart attack.”

“We wouldn’t want that to happen, John! Defeats the purpose of Nessa and I trying to take care of you,” Merton said with a hollow laugh.

Nessa swallowed. In a few minutes, the crew would wonder why she hadn’t emerged. They would check on her. Her tortured nerves eased a little. People here had her back.

But Merton had a knife, and he was right in front of her. His hands on her father. “Let’s get Dad out of here, and you can come and meet everyone,” she said in a sweet voice. “Come on, Daddy.”

“Just a minute, Nessa. His legs are still asleep. He’s been in one position for too long. Seems pretty weak.”

“Well, there’s a big banquet waiting for you, Dad. I’ll help you. I’m sure Merton will lend a hand. Come on, Merton. I’m surprised you took the trouble to bring my dad all this way! You said father-in-law, but you know that’s not right.”

Merton’s face clouded. “Are you playing dumb? Do you really think I would fall for that?”

One eyebrow slid into an arch. “You believed it when I said it was ‘good for me too,’ so...”

Merton frowned, and the knife clicked in his hand, blade extended by several shining inches. “You talk to me. You’re alive after all, and suddenly every agency in the galaxy is asking questions—very pointed questions.”

“Did you two have a fight?” her father asked, blinking, shifting in his chair.

Nessa went to reach for him, and Merton’s blade sliced the air just in front of her fingertips. “Hey!” she hissed, snatching her hand back.

“Hey!Ihad a good thing going. Three times I made sure a capsule went out. Three times of making sure the schedule and manifests jelled, and I got little boosts every few cycles. I thought you might be smart enough not to ask questions.”

“Wait, you thought I would see a shuttle that looked derelict and pass it?” Nessa’s face wrinkled in disgust. “If I didn’t already hate your guts, I’d be offended.Professionally insulted. I actually care about my job.”

“Which is stupid, because the jobs don’t matter, Nessa. The money matters. That’s what makes the world go ‘round.”

“That’s what makes it like it is. It can be used for good or evil, like everyone and everything. Want to have a debate about it over dinner?”

“I’m not going to some party with your genetically made monsters! You’re not even supposed to be alive!” Merton growled. “You went through a hyperjump without a hypersleep chamber.”

“You what? Nessa, when did that happen? Get your damn hand off my neck, boy—my daughter is done with your sorryass!” John Kinney stood up suddenly, then pitched forward, knees giving out.

“No!” Nessa screeched and slammed her hands down over Merton’s arm, forcing the knife down before her father toppled onto it. The blade sliced her forearm but left her father unscathed.

“You are going to tell them the ‘truth.’ That it wasn’t me. That you left to meet me off-world because we’ve been having an affair that’s forbidden by the MWIP. You thought I was going to give you a promotion for your sexual favors, and when I didn’t, you refused to come back. You decided to stage your own kidnapping and make up these crazy stories because you didn’t get the promotion. You showed your true colors—a jealous, crazy bitch with revenge on her mind. They’ll believe it.”

“Ew! No, I will not say that! Daddy, stay down. Merton, that’s stupid. Even if I lied, there is a trail of evidence!Youmade the schedule.Youprobably told Joe to take my spot, and he’s not even an inspector.Youhave access to security drone footage. Your account—”

Merton’s dark face was shaking with rage, sweating, and so suffused with rushing blood that he was plum purple. “Stop talking! You talk too damn much, and it’s time to just be a good, quiet little girl and do what I say—unless you want this shuttle to be a coffin for two.”

KAMAU PACED. HE’D HURRIEDto the bay and waited inside the observation room on the lower deck, waiting to see Nessa and John emerge.

But they didn’t.

Don’t be impatient. Emotional moment. They’re having a private talk. A sweet fatherly hug and she is pouring out herheart to him—or he’s ill after the journey, and she needs help. I’m not there to help her!

Silly boy. She would call for help. She has her new personal computer with her, and it’s a touch away from calling the entire crew to her side!

Except that I can see it there—against the wall.

His stomach prickled, and his tail stiffened.

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