Poisoned Pawn by Jaleta Clegg

calling up my record on his desk console. “You have quite a police record as well. All charges taken care of, I see.” He scrolled down. “And then there is this very interesting section. It refers me to the nearest Patrol headquarters for information. Should I call them?”
    “What are you charging me with?” I didn’t want to explain any of my past. None of it was my fault. Well, most of it wasn’t.
    “Disturbing the peace, which we take very seriously on Shamustel.”
    “They were shooting at me.”
    “Your crewman has been charged with assault.” The police commander was being very reasonable, which meant he wasn’t going to be reasonable at all.
    “But that man had the gun.”
    “Why was he following you?”
    “I don’t know.”
    That got me a raised eyebrow and a skeptical look.
    “I have legitimate business here.” I pulled out my contract. “I’m just trying to make a living. It isn’t my fault I was shot at and attacked.”
    “We’ll see about that.” A noncommittal answer that could be interpreted any way I wanted to. “We’ll run a full check on you and your business. Until then, captain, I would suggest you and your crewman remain on your ship.” He speared me with a look. “And don’t lift until we give you permission. You may go now.”
    I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of him but decided it wouldn’t be smart. I clamped my mouth shut and left his office.
    I stomped my way through the busy room, collecting a few stares and whispers as I went. Man number one was gone, hopefully locked up tight somewhere. I didn’t see Clark anywhere in the room.
    He wasn’t out in the lobby either. He was in front of the building, leaning against one of the fat pillars, waiting for me. I stopped in front of him, glaring.
    “Who are you really?”
    “Trevyn Clark.” He knew what I really asked, I saw it in his eyes. I also saw a stubbornness there that rivaled my own.
    “Who do you work for?”
    “You, at least that’s what my contract says.”
    “Who planted you on my ship?”
    “Dace, this is a bit public, don’t you think?” He took my arm and pulled me away.
    I dug in my heels and dragged him to a stop. “I want answers, Clark.”
    “So do I. Let’s go back to the ship and find some.”
    I gave in. No matter who he really worked for, I thought Clark was on my side.
    Jasyn was waiting for us, like I’d expected. She leaned against the hatch, arms crossed, as we walked up. “You were on the news. I’m surprised I didn’t have to come bail you out again.”
    “Again?” Clark asked, eyebrows raised. “You do this often, Dace?”
    “You should know,” I said, shoving past him into the ship. “Didn’t Lowell give you my record to read?”
    “Are we back on that again?” Jasyn followed me in. “Tell her you don’t work for the Patrol, Clark, so she’ll shut up about it.”
    He didn’t say anything. He stepped inside and thumbed the controls. The hatch slid shut.
    Jasyn looked back and forth between us. “Are you going to tell me what happened, Dace? Or do I have to beat it out of you?”
    I went to the cockpit and sat in front of the computer. “I was attacked. The police arrested one of the men shooting at us and restricted me to the ship. Clark, too, so you’ll have to collect our cargo.” I handed her the contract. “And record it with the Guild.”
    She sighed. “I swear you do this on purpose, just so I have to do the paperwork. Your hand’s bleeding.”
    “It’s stopped.”
    “What are you going to do here, Dace?” Jasyn asked.
    “Find some answers, I hope.”
    “To what?”
    That stumped me. What questions was I really trying to answer?
    “Who’s following you and why,” Clark said in the doorway. “Those men were after you, Dace.”
    Jasyn rolled her eyes. “I’ll just go take care of the cargo, shall I? Payment up front?”
    “Some.” I gave her the short version of my conversation with Juntis Shoot. “I left a request with the