Betrayals by Babylon 5

Author:Babylon 5 [5, Babylon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-07-20T19:37:24+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Refreshed from a good night’s sleep-for a change-and on time, Ivanova approached her desk in a far better frame of mind. She wasn’t due to take over in C and C for a half an hour, and she sorted through the data crystals in her in basket, looking for Retting’s revised report.

Ah, there you are. She plugged it into the reader and pulled her chair forward.

Her foot struck something and there was a tiny click. Ivanova froze, but nothing happened. She leaned over in her chair until she could see under the desk. In front of her right foot was a plain white plate with a data crystal on it. The crystal was lying on its side, apparently knocked over when she’d nudged it with her foot.

Oh no. Her abdominal muscles tightened and an icy spasm shot through her. Earthforce! she thought desperately, grasp-ing at the first clue they’d had to calm herself. It must be someone in the military. Had to be. Access to the offices and C and C were severely restricted. So that narrows it down to just about everybody I know and work with, she thought sourly.

“Garibaldi,” she said into her link, her voice weary.

“On my way, Susan.”

“My office this time.”

“Great. I can use a change of scene.” There was a pause.

“I didn’t even know you used your office.”

“I use it in secret,” she snarled. “I like to keep my subordinates guessing.”

“Be there ASAP,” Garibaldi assured her.

“Ivanova out.”

She leaned back in her chair and studied the crystal by her feet. Someone I know, she mused. Her thoughts strayed inevitably to Larkin. But is that because he ‘s the most logical suspect, or because I don’t like him? She grimaced. Both probably. He’d improved since their talk, but she still didn’t feel safe turning her back on him. Maybe that distrust is carrying over into this, she reasoned.

Susan shook her head. It didn’t make sense. In some ways, Larkin was the logical suspect. He was new and weird, and his records, despite a glowing service report, left her with the impression that he was a bad bargain from a gypsy trader.

But he couldn’t know about Vanya. Her records were sealed to him and she certainly hadn’t poured out her heart to the man. To a great extent she’d kept herself to herself even with her best friends. I certainly wouldn’t discuss my family with a subordinate. And if I did, it sure wouldn ‘t be with Ilias Larkin.

“Well, it’s not outside the door.” Garibaldi’s voice made her jump.

“No,” she said, shifting her chair. “It’s under here.”

Hands in his pockets, the Chief leaned sideways as he peeked under the desk.

“Maybe we’re dealing with somebody very short,” he said. “Why on the floor when he could have put it on the desk?”

“Because inconsistency is the hobgoblin of great big minds,” she snapped. “How the hell should I know.”

Garibaldi raised his brows at her and she looked away.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Well, this narrows it down a bit,” he said. “It must be somebody in Earthforce.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.