Poisoned Pawn by Jaleta Clegg Page B

ones Jasyn had stocked. There wasn’t anything personal about the space at all, nothing to indicate who he was, what he liked. No pictures, no collections of things, not even dirty clothes. I put the bag on his bunk and left.
    “Satisfied?” he asked.
    “With what? You keep it clean enough.”
    “Yes,” he said, and rubbed his hands together. He typed rapidly and hit the send button. Then he grinned wickedly, his green eyes gleaming. “That should stop Targon and the others for a while. As long as we don’t head back this way too soon, they should back off and leave you alone. We’re heading into Cygnus sector where the government does not tolerate interference in trade.” He leaned back, touching the keypad. The screen went blank.
    “Who are you sending messages to?”
    “Still suspicious, Dace?”
    “Always. It keeps me alive.”
    “You’ve got friends, if you’ll take them.”
    “And if they wear uniforms, I don’t want them.” I shoved a hand through my hair. “Are you cooking tonight or do I have to?”
    He stood, standing close. Too close. I took a step back into the lounge hoping I wasn’t too obvious. I liked him, no matter who he really worked for, liked him as a friend. But I didn’t want him getting any closer. He pretended not to notice. He walked past me into the galley.
    I went into my cabin and shut the door. I didn’t own much either. The only obvious personal touch was the blanket on my bunk, the bright striped one Jasyn had picked for me. I lay down and moved my pillow. I shifted the blaster I slept with then felt under the mattress edge where I kept the note Tayvis had sent me, a scribbled bit of paper creased and worn from handling. I had a picture of him, too, a grainy shot from a surveillance camera that Leon, our lawyer, got for me.
    I rolled over, punching the pillow behind me and studied the picture. Tayvis’ dark hair curled just at the ends, one strand brushing across his forehead. His eyes were brown, usually warm. Not the last time I’d seen him, I remembered and wished I hadn’t. He’d walked away from me, his face a mask that gave no hint of his emotions. I’d told him to go away, and meant it when I said it. I wanted to take those words back. I wanted to see him again so bad it hurt.
    There was a knock at the door. I shoved the picture and note back away as the door slid open.
    Jasyn leaned on the doorframe. “Just send him a note, Dace, and get it over with.”
    “I tried.”
    “No luck?” She read the answer on my face. “Cargo’s here.”
    “I’ll be right out,” I promised.
    She shut the door behind her. I sat up and rubbed my face. What was done and past, was done and past. I couldn’t change it. I could only hope the future was better.
    I went to help load ceramic collectibles.
     

 
Chapter Ten
     
    We lifted shortly after sunset, after eating the dinner Clark made. It was better than what I would have made, though nothing like Jasyn’s cooking. The cargo filled up less than half of the holds. The police gave us polite permission to leave, which sounded more as if they were happy we were going and would we please take our problems with us when we left.
    The ship had a slight wobble as we made the jump to hyperspace. I’d have to find a few hours to balance the shaft again.
    “Two days and a bit,” Jasyn announced as we shut down the sublight engines. “Good thing I managed to go shopping for supplies before you got arrested again.” She held up her hand to stop my protest. “I’m teasing you, Dace. Just quit making a habit of getting in trouble.”
    “I think I’ll just sit here when we get to Ytirus and fix that wobble in the thrusters.” I crossed my arms.
    “You want to borrow my book or have you read it already?” Clark locked in a final setting.
    “You got another one?” Jasyn asked. “What can you possibly see in them?”
    “Entertainment.” He flipped switches over his head.
    “I can think of a lot better things to be