Alien Hostage (23 page)

Maf rubbed his brow, having to twist his misshapen arm awkwardly to do so. “Do not provoke him for now. I want him to have the chance to consider his actions carefully. But under no circumstances do you let him or his clanmates take them off that property.”

“Understood.” Sitrel smirked. “Perhaps being exposed to the Earther and hybrid filth will bring Falinset to his senses.”

“One would hope. He is an intelligent man, but we’ve seen how intelligence falls to the urge to breed.” Maf sighed, his face settling into tragic lines as he appealed to his most trusted companion. “How is it possible that I have to play games with Falinset? I command nearly half the Empire’s ground forces and a third of its fleet. I control the companies with the best technologies that will win us the Empire. Yet I cannot find common ground with my own son!”

“He may yet come around, my leader.” Sitrel’s quiet voice sought to soothe him.

Maf’s earlier anger had devolved into grief he had come to know all too well. “He should be at my side in this glorious endeavor. And yet he may very well be harboring the blood of my enemy.”

“He should be reminded of what’s at stake.”

“You mean threatening the families of his clanmates yet again?” Maf shook his head. It injured Falinset every time Maf had to use his Imdiko and Nobek for intimidation. That meant it hurt Maf as well. The young man failed to see that his father did such things to benefit him. Maf had endured much misery when it came to doling out warnings to his son’s clan because it widened the gulf between him and Falinset.

I do it more for him than myself. He is more important to me than anyone, including Feyom, whom I loved first. Why does he not see that?

Only Falinset gave Maf the sense of melancholy that harassed him now, cutting deeper than his bent, aching body. “I won him his clan. I cleared the way for his success in investing, the success that allows him to shut himself away from me. All the gifts I freely give, all the love a father can show to his child – all turned against me. All twisted worse than this carcass I’m imprisoned in.” He punched his crooked thigh, as if punishing his body would make a difference. “It’s this foul bag of meat I’m forced to walk the world in. Why does Falinset not see past this ugly shell? Why does he not see the real me, the crusader?”

“He is still young. Men his age do not often see beyond packaging.” Sitrel’s tone was as serene and sensible as ever.

“Probably. I’m surprised he didn’t ask me to find a way to get him de-clanned from his Nobek after Wekniz was burned so badly.” Deciding he’d had enough talk about Falinset, enough of being saddened by his distant child, Maf straightened in his chair as much as his frame would allow. He waved impatiently, as if doing so could erase the hurt in his soul. “Enough. The plan moves forward as scheduled for now, but everyone is to be ready to proceed sooner if needed.”

Sitrel took out his handheld and tapped its surface. “Is there anything you wish me to do to secure the princess beyond what is already being done?”

Convince my son if he has her to give her up to us. But how?
Maf’s heart throbbed with renewed grief. His road was a lonely one even with a man like Sitrel to walk it with him.

Too much was on the line to not act soon in the matter of Falinset’s potential involvement in his plans for Noelle. Maf made the hated but necessary decision. “If it seems certain Falinset has the princess and he doesn’t contact us to be advised within a couple of days, go to him yourself. Tell him Imdiko Nur’s parents will be set up for arrest if he has anything to do with hiding the princess from us.”

Sitrel’s eyes narrowed with worry. “It will expose your identity as the Basma to him.”

“Won’t the woman have done that already? Maybe it will help him finally see me for the leader I am. Maybe it will do some good.”

Sitrel’s voice was low, his expression careful as he said, “And if he is pro-Imperial?”

Maf sniffed. “He has said on many occasions that he cares only for his clan and the rest of the Empire can rot. So let it be threats alone. They are all that ever sway him.” The old sense of hopelessness when it came to Falinset filled him yet again. His tone heartsick he muttered, “My son has wealth and Feyom’s clan’s good rank to sustain him. He has clanmates who come from high-ranked families. He has an empire once I win it for him. What more can I offer him to bring him to my side? Just intimidation, and that has brought me little so far.”

Sitrel abruptly gasped. “There is something I think I could give you to offer your son. One of the two things most clans would kill for. Falinset is surely no different in that regard.”

Maf bolted upright at the growing excitement on his aide’s face, ignoring the blast of pain that rang like a thunderclap through his body. “What is it, Sitrel?”

“The trick is to get her out of there. Will she come with me though? We’ve never been close. I’d need one of your security specialists since the place is so heavily monitored. But maybe...”

“Tell me.” Maf could barely breathe for the hope he felt.

When Sitrel told him his idea, Maf laughed out loud. Indeed, if Falinset did not thank him for this gift, then all hope of a relationship was most assuredly lost.

* * * *

Imdiko psychologist Govi offered a tight smile to the Nobeks crowding his small, nearly bare office in the hospital’s psychiatric wing. He offered the pleasant expression out of polite habit, not out of feeling. The smile no doubt looked faked because it was.

The three men standing before his desk were Global Security officers. He’d invited them to sit on the scattered seating cushions. All business and no pleasure, they’d refused. One was Govi’s own clanmate Raxstad, a man so muscular that he was almost as wide as he was tall. Raxstad had no real reason to be there except that Govi was upset. It was nice to know that even with the intense search going on for Princess Noelle, Raxstad had opted to be there for his Imdiko.

The men in charge of investigating Matara Narpok’s disappearance were Nobeks Lidon and Adu. Govi was familiar with Lidon, a former fleet officer with a noticeable limp. The proud warrior had been decorated and was known for his excellent work ethic. His Imdiko clanmate Degorsk was on Govi’s staff.

Lidon’s partner was new, a man who had come up in the ranks. Govi knew little about Adu except that Raxstad had mentioned he had a spotless record. Dr. Degorsk complained the man had no sense of humor but few Nobeks enjoyed Degorsk’s jokes.

Lidon’s creased but handsome face was as determined as his gravel voice. “Let’s have it from the beginning, Dr. Govi. When did you discover Matara Narpok had gone missing?”

Govi consulted the notes on his hovering vid readout, though he’d memorized the particulars in the hours since the young woman had disappeared. “Right after outdoor therapy, which occurred immediately after breakfast.”

“Explain outdoor therapy, please.”

Govi felt a spark of impatience, the normal reaction of someone who wanted the police to stop talking and start looking. He’d already been through this with the local police force. Surely someone as meticulous as Lidon had already read their report. They should be out there, looking for the helpless, confused woman who had apparently wandered off.

Yet the rational part of him knew Global Security was doing their job, asking questions all over again in the hopes of triggering some new memory that had gone forgotten before. He should be grateful they were looking into it given Narpok’s disappearance was a regular police matter. That Raxstad had gotten Global Security involved was a favor Govi had no right to bemoan.

Taking a deep breath, Govi answered. “Patients go out in the garden on top of the hospital. They get sunshine and a little exercise. If the patients are doing well, they can wander the garden mostly unsupervised.”

“Mostly?”

“Orderlies are close by at all times. Two were available during the morning therapy, during which time Matara Narpok was in the garden.”

“And did they keep an eye on her the entire time?”

Govi felt a wash of guilt. “We thought there was no need. Narpok has been doing remarkably well since regaining her senses. She’s still quiet and a bit withdrawn, but that’s to be expected. She did lose several years to the catatonia, after all.”

Lidon frowned slightly. “Were the orderlies distracted at any time?”

Govi consulted the reports again. “Um, actually there was an instance where someone not part of our group accused one of our patients of taking his handheld. The orderlies had to deal with that, but it was resolved quickly. It turned out the Nobek had dropped his device near a bench. He apologized profusely for the trouble.”

“You didn’t happen to get the man’s name, did you?”

Govi shook his head. “He was visiting with his sick father he said. He left before the orderly got his name for his incident report.”

“Did the orderlies note Narpok’s presence around that time?”

Govi frowned as he studied the report. “Four of our patients were noted in the vicinity. Narpok was not one of them.”

“What about afterward?”

Govi shrugged. “Nothing was mentioned. Come to think of it, security vids didn’t show her after that altercation either.” He’d noted the last time she’d been seen, knowing it was important to establish that item.

Adu took up the questioning. His voice was smoother than Lidon’s. “Had Narpok indicated wanting to go anywhere? Did she ask to visit anyone?”

Govi’s mood saddened to think of Narpok’s isolation. “She has no one left outside of the Imperial family. A few distant cousins who have never bothered with her. She’s at her best when the empress or Imperial Mother Tara comes to visit. And at least one of them comes every day to see her. As well as my Matara, Michaela.”

Raxstad nodded and glanced at the still vids floating over the corner of Govi’s desk. Side-by-side was a shot of the entire clan and a close-up of the unit’s heart and soul: Michaela and their young daughter, Serena. The pair had the same black corkscrew curls, identical facial features, the same warm bronze skin color. Only little Serena’s purple Kalquorian eyes differed from her mother’s stunning beauty. Seeing their beloved mate and child momentarily eased some of the tightness in Govi’s chest until he thought of how upset Michaela would be over Narpok’s disappearance. Michaela had taken an interest in Narpok in the last two years, probably because Empress Jessica was her best friend. Knowing how important it had been to the increasingly busy Jessica that Narpok have reliable visitors, Michaela had started volunteering her time when no one else could spend an hour or so with Narpok.

Lidon gave Govi an interested look. “So you’ve viewed the security vids yourself. We will do that next, but did you note anything out of the ordinary?”

Govi shrugged, his expression remained morose. “Unfortunately, there was a glitch in the system during that time. We didn’t even get footage of that altercation between the patient and the Nobek. The vids are back up now, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. The last time Narpok appeared on them, she was wandering around the subik flowers. They’re in bloom right now,” he ended lamely. Nobeks would have little interest in flowers.

Yet the three officers exchanged startled looks at his words. Adu, his sharp face looking more pointed with excitement, turned toward the door and hurried out. “I’ll get on that right away.”

Lidon tapped fast on his handheld, on which he’d been taking notes all along. His fingers blurred; Govi watched fascinated. He’d never seen anyone type so fast.

Lidon said, “What is the location of the subiks? Where exactly are they located in the garden?”

Confused, Govi said, “Near the access door to the hospital. They’re the first thing you see when you walk out there.”

Making a sound suspiciously like a growl, Lidon put his handheld in its pouch on his belt. He gave

Raxstad a quick nod and hurried out of Govi’s office too.

The Imdiko looked at his glowering clanmate. “Why all the excitement over the flowers, my Nobek?”

Raxstad shook his head. The tension of the last few days had driven creases in his strong face. Even in the warm, muted light of the office, he looked ten years older since Noelle’s abduction. “It’s not the flowers, Govi. It’s the fact the vid surveillance went out at the same time that Nobek distracted your staff and Narpok isn’t to be found after that moment.”

Govi gasped. “You don’t think – another Matara abduction? But Narpok is Kalquorian.”

“And the Basma already has the princess,” Raxstad mused. “It doesn’t make much sense, does it? Still, Matara Narpok was once in line to be empress. We’ll have to tighten security around the Imperial family even more.”

A fresh wave of despair broke over Govi. He gave Raxstad a stricken look. “Mother of All. Narpok only just returned to reality. If she’s been attacked, this could finish her mind.”

Chapter 15

Nur had told Tasha he’d decided that nothing was as adorable as a child giggling. He must have been in heaven since Noelle trilled amusement at the moment. He grinned at the bubbly sound because as he said, it was impossible not to.

Sitting on the floor a few feet in front of the princess, he manipulated vid animals, a child’s program he’d found in the entertainment library of the clan’s vid subscription system. They were Noelle-sized creatures that ranged from realistic ronka calves to fantastical creations that were as cute as they were entertaining. The program allowed the user to customize the critters as well.