Page 74 of Sky Song
She sent the letter off, thinking how small was the chance that Lyle actually knew Simon. But knowing what Lyle did about the genetic research, what was the chance that he did not?
A knock on the door distracted her - her heart leaping at the thought it might be Lyle. Throwing open the door, she found Paloma silhouetted against the dusk that was just beginning to gather about their quaint, lovely neighborhood. New flowers went into bloom, and their fragrance spread over the area in the gentle wind.
Hipper was very quiet, a sure sign that no aliens were nearby.
Paloma was looking at Cricket without saying anything, her eyes were watchful, if not antagonistic.
“Hey,” Cricket greeted her. She wasn’t up for another confrontation today.
“Hi, there. Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
Inside, Paloma continued to scrutinize her. “What, a difficult day?”
“Just tired.”
“That’s what you get for breaking into a classified records system. And for hanging out with aliens.”
Suddenly, Cricket wanted to cry. “Please, not today.” She made a move to leave the room, but suddenly, Paloma was standing between her and the door.
“He isn’t here, is he?”
“No.”
“Do you know how illegal is the stuff he’s dragging you into?”
Cricket dropped her arms, and they hung limply at her sides. “Honestly? I don’t want to know.”
“You should. For example, a mere possession of that little thing with encrypted files carries a sentence of up to five years. In prison, Cricket!”
Cricket stared straight ahead, past Paloma’s face set in hard lines.
“Where did he get it?”
“I don’t know.”
Paloma narrowed her eyes.
“I swear! I don’t know what he does when he isn’t with me.”
“Just so you know, two men wound up dead with broken necks behind Atticus.”
Cricket's head snapped back. “What does it have to do with Lyle?”
“They were known gadget dealers. Coincidence?”
“Of course!” Outrage was hot in her throat. “Will you blame everything on him?”
“I’m not blaming anyone. Just a weird turn of events.” Paloma went on to talk about the murders. “Zaron is fit to be tied. The peacekeepers came to ask him questions, and he’s mighty nervous.”
“If he did nothing wrong, he shouldn't be nervous. I thought that club of his was legit?”
“Most of it is. None of the alien patrons are. Zaron walks a thin line.”
“I’m sorry, am I supposed to care?”
“Of course not.” There was a curious note of bitterness in Paloma’s voice. She lowered to sit on the floor. “Since I’m now involved, I want to know more about Lyle. What’s his agenda?”
