Page 24 of Escape Clause

A bleary-eyed, sleepy Prudence appeared on the tech screen. But when she saw who it was, she squealed. “Oh, my god, Hope! Are you on Caradonia? Of course, you are. How is he? Is he like really handsome? Are you married yet? I’ve been waiting for a message. Tell me everything!”

Hope laughed. “Yes, I’m here. Krogan and I got married yesterday. He is handsome and very nice.”

“You don’t regret going?”

She didn’t hesitate. “No.” Up until the wedding, she’d had big doubts, but the short time in her new husband’s company had settled her ambivalence. He was a kind, moral man, and she could do far worse than spend a year with him. Upon returning to the apartment, they’d laughed some more about the ceremony and had mimicked the officiant’s terrible delivery, eaten a delicious dinner prepared by Don Juan, and watched the sunset.

Prudence expelled a huge sigh. “I’m so relieved because Gleezer the Geezer is still trying to hunt you down. His goons searched my parents’ cottageagainyesterday. He still thinks they’re hiding you. He’s been at the bakery every day, too.”

“I’m so sorry I dragged you into this.”

“You didn’t drag us. We love you, and wechoseto help you. Besides, everyone relishes seeing Gleezer thwarted. Everybody but your stepmomma.” She chuckled. “He accused Rose of having a change of heart and hiding you, so he had your cottage searched. She did not like that at all. I heard he slapped her with a new surtax, and, if she doesn’t pay up, he’s going to take the cottage.”

Hope grinned. “It couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. Karma is a bitch. Maybe one day Gleezer will get to meet her, too.”

“Wouldn’t that be great?” Pru grinned. “Anyway, I’m so glad you’re safe on Caradonia because Gleezer pulled in his cronies from Regional.”

“What do mean?”

“Clifford heard from a customer whose husband works at the village hall that Gleezer met all day yesterday with a regional commissioner. I don’t know for sure that it’s about you, but since he’s unaware you left the planet…”

It would be just like Gleezer. He wouldn’t hesitate to bring in cannons to kill a gnat.

Although the larger cities were autonomous, the small hamlets were grouped into regions with additional oversight by an elected commission. Bloomhaven was one of five villages in its region. Gleezer always boasted he had a commissioner in his back pocket. From the way he’d been allowed to run roughshod over the villagers, it was obviously true.

“I would hate to get you in trouble.”

“You’re won’t,” Pru insisted.

“Eventually, he’ll think to check the flight manifests and will find out I’m on Caradonia.”

“So what? He can’t prove any of us helped you get there. If the mayor and his cronies have a problem, they can take it up with the king of Caradonia—ifthey ever figure out where you are.”

“Caradonia doesn’t have a king,” Hope said.

“Whoever is in charge.”

That would be Krogan. She grinned. The notion of Gleezer the Geezer confronting her big alien husband who happened to be governor-general brought her great pleasure. She knew without a doubt Krogan would protect her. “Be sure to delete this transmission from your tech-tab when we’re done,” she cautioned.

“I will. Now, tell me more about Krogan. What’s he like?”

“He’s built! Super tall and muscular. Way too attractive for me.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Pru chided. “When are you going to look in the mirror and see how pretty you are? The only person who wouldn’t say so is your evil stepmother because she doesn’t like the competition.”

“Anyway…he’s the governor-general of Caradonia.” She changed the subject back to Krogan.

“Marrying up! Well done.”

“The pictures and holograms did not do him justice.” She pictured how handsome he’d looked in hiswedding clothes, and how the swath of silvery scales had sparkled against his blue complexion. By morning, the silver had receded to a thin band along his hairline. Was there any significance to how the glitter spread and retreated?

“He seemed kind of cold at first, but he’s not that way at all. He cares about his planet. He’s very much respected and loved by the men here.”

“Only by the men? What about the women?”

She filled her in on the devastation caused by the nano-virus.

“That’s tragic!” Prudence said. “So that’s why they started the Cosmic Mates program.”

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