Page 24 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

But it looks the same as always. Myra and her big, scared eyes. Whoever she’s looking at is definitely unwelcome. The surveillance cameras can’t rotate, so whoever Myra saw on that elevator could’ve been anyone.

An idea pops into my skull. “Hey man, do you remember the first time I asked you about Myra? You were busy because they were trying to find something that had been stolen. Did you ever figure out just what it was?”

“Oh yeah, bro. It was just a room comm. No big deal really, I don't know why Brev was all fucking crazy about it.”

“Brev wanted it? He came down here?”

“Oh right, yeah. The big man himself came all the way downstairs. I damn near died of shock.”

Now that’s something. Brev’s no spring chicken. These days he takes a retirement stance to business. If he bothered to get in with his staff personally to find this comm, then it must be important. Whether or not that has anything to do with Myra’s disappearance is still unclear, so I ask more. “Where do those elevators lead?”

“Uh, Service Station 10, Sanitation, and the stacks.”

“Does Myra live in the stacks?”

“All the dealers and dancers do.”

“Which one?”

I’m a prospective employee of Nova Casino’s security division. At least that’s what the badge Zorch printed for me says. I can’t justwalkinto the stacks. With some quick thinking and a borrowed jacket, I look like any other trainee on orientation day.

Zorch makes a quick map to Myra’s stack, along with two notes for getting in and out. “Remember, restroom breaks are encouraged. And don’t get caught.” Sure, easy enough for him to say. He can rest assured that if I get caught, he has all my money.

“If you look this way, you’ll see our break room.” An instructor leads us through a hallway. “It’s important to meet your personal needs throughout the day to prevent dehydration and strain. Restroom breaks are encouraged.” That’s my cue.

The rest of the group moves on to the break room, and I see my chance to slip out of sight in the john. Soon the group advances, and I’m just another guy who got lost on his way to the can. Opposite is a large door with an open window, leading to the stacks. Pulling out my map I see the dotted line, leading me to the last place she was seen.

I bang on the door as loudly as I can. Zorch told me Myra would probably have a bunkmate, but that the doors weren’t locked. Everything they own belongs to Brev, so as long as I make it look like I have a reason to enter, they won't put up a fight.

A panicked voice shouts from within. “What do you want?” Maybe it's Myra. My heart sings, until – “This better be fucking good, Jason!”

“It's Security Supervision, here for an inspection!” I try to sound as commanding as I can. Zorch said to toss the place, look for money and drugs, that kind of thing.

“Okay, fine.” A wrenching screech reveals a blonde woman, feathered and bedazzled. One of Brev’s dancers. “Make it quick.”

Tossing things around gives me no clues. This was a waste. Unless her roommate knows something. There has to be a way to press her without tipping her off.

“Are you the only one who lives here?”

She comes out of the bathroom, a slammer pinner sitting defiantly on her lips. “Who the fuck are you? See, because security gives notice whentheycome. And theyneverask questions.”

I’m staring at the woman as intently as I can. She won’t come between me and my mate. If she’s smart, she’ll talk. Otherwise, I might have to get creative.

“You’re that Kaleidian,” she says, lighting the pinner and blowing smoke in my face. I’ll ignore it. I need answers.

“She talked about me?”

“She said you made herweak in the knees.”

I choke on her words. Weak. That means she knows. Somewhere in her human brain, shedoesknow that we belong to each other. “So she….?”

“Fell flat on her ass? Does that mean something to you?” Suddenly I see this girl hasmeat an advantage. Tighten up, Zair, give her nothing.

“I haven’t been able to find her since then. What happened to her?”

“She grabbed a bag of clothes and left.”

“Did she say where she was headed?”

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