Page 3 of Zirkov

“Stenikov, we’ve only worked together a few days, but this is one of those times where you have to decide if you’re going to trust your commander or not. If Earth Intelligence asks you anything about what happened today, including why we came here, don’t mention Maggie.”

“You’re asking me to lie?”

“I’m asking you to relay select facts. What and how you reveal information will condemn or protect a fellow marshal.”

“She’s not a marshal of GI7.”

No, she was much more. But he couldn’t tell Stenikov that. Not without making the male suspicious.

“She’s still a marshal of an allied world. And we’ve worked alongside her for two years. She’s one of us, Stenikov. When the humans ask why you were here, tell them I ordered you here, and that you arrived after me. Describe the scene in your own words.”

“What about tracking Marshal Walsh to the bus?”

“They won’t ask that. They don’t know I ordered you to follow her last night.”

“That doesn’t leave you an alibi, Commander. It’s better if we say we arrived together.”

“The fewer lies, the fewer chances we trip up. We found a dead og’dal. That’s all anyone needs to know. The humans will be happy he’s dead. To them, he’s another slaver.”

“Not all og’dals are slavers.”

“We’re dealing with a post-occupation world. The humans tolerate us because they need help building their planetary defenses. As long as Galactic Intelligence considers Earth an ally, we will follow our orders and work with the humans.”

“Earth is inferior. They have no technology, nothing of value to help in destroying the Coalition.”

“We are stronger against the Coalition if we share information, even with a backward planet such as Earth. They want to divest their planet of coalition sympathizers and supporters the same as Zyan, Dal, and the other planets in the alliance.”

“What do we do about Marshal Walsh? Do you want me to return to her apartment building?”

“No. I’ll handle her from here on. This situation just got complicated.”

“Do you believe she killed the og’dal?”

If she did, I’m sure she had a drekking good reason. At least I hope so…. Gods, Magdalena, what are you doing?

“I’m not sure what to believe. I cannot imagine her killing anyone, except in self-defense. But she was here.”

“How do you know?” Stenikov asked.

“Never mind.” He’d caught Maggie’s unique scent that reminded him of quirty flowers from back home. Only heartmates became acutely attuned to a mate’s scent. Clearly, his nose was as drekked up as the rest of him. She could not be his sholani, and he had only himself to blame.

For now, he had to focus on protecting her. For that, he had to appear impartial. No one could believe she was his sholani, especially Maggie.

CHAPTERTWO

MAGGIE

After using four days of vacation time to investigate why the hell she couldn’t remember meeting an og’dal, or who killed him, Maggie quietly entered the sixth floor of the DAA building. She half-expected her fellow agents and other personnel in Earth Intelligence would look at her like a criminal, but most ignored her. She breathed easier, realizing Zirkov never saw her with the body or found any evidence linking her to the crime scene.

“Mags! Welcome back. How was your vacation?” Shaunda asked from her desk. As an analyst, Shaunda fought crime sitting down, but that didn’t mean she took crap from anyone. Being the only other woman in the office meant she had to stand up to the guys 24-7. Despite the pile of work on her desk, Shaunda always smiled and made time to listen to Maggie.

“Vacation sucked. I didn’t venture far from home.” Maggie eyed the case list on the clipboard hanging from the side of Shaunda’s desk. She needed to get caught up, but rushing to look over the list would catch Shaunda’s attention. Analysts had an eye for details, especially changes in behavior. “But there’s something to be said for staying home and doing nothing but eat and sleep in. I slept like a teenager, Shaunda. Ten, eleven o’clock, even noon.”

“Girl, you’re living the life. I’m jealous.”

Maggie picked up the case list as she plopped into the chair next to Shaunda’s desk and casually flipped through the pages of open cases. “Anything major happen while I was out?”

“Ortiz finally proposed to that woman he’s been dating for two years.”

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