Crisis On Doona by Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn Nye

Author:Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn Nye [McCaffrey, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Event Horion EBooks
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

KELLY FOUND Kiachef in the pub of the Launch Center, weaving to a circle of his captains a story of derring-do during an ion storm in which he and one of his men had rescued the ship, getting the cargo and everyone on board to their destination with nary a scratch. The Codep captain’s talk was punctuated with alliterative triads and circumlocutory references, but he had a knack for making a story come to life. When the others drifted apart to discuss the merits (and veracity) of his tale, Kelly approached him.

“Captain Kiachif?”

The spacer looked up. “What may I do for you, little lady?”

“My name’s Kelly Solinari. I’m a friend of Todd Reeve.”

“That’s something we have in common,” he said kindly. “Come and commune, with a cup of cheer?”

“No, thank you,” Kelly said, declining the offer of a drink. “I don’t really feel very cheery. His father said that you offered to help clear him of these accusations against him.”

“I’ve been of that mind, if you understand me.”

Kelly dropped her voice to a discreet whisper. “It is Admiral Landreau, isn’t it, who hates Todd and his father enough to frame them?”

“Hates ’em lock, stock, and block. Always has since they made a fool of him. Only he made more of a fool of himself. They didn’t have to help much, if you see what I mean,” Kiachif said. Having spoken his mind in as guarded voice as she had used, he took a deep drink and let out a sigh of satisfaction as he put the glass down.

“You don’t happen to remember any other distinctive horses wearing Reeve markings?”

Kiachif screwed his face. “I remember that one, like I told Ken. But perfect pat and plain, Miss Kelly, I didn’t think much of that incident. You see, that Aden feller, their manager, was doing the shipping, so it seemed natural that all the horses had Reeve Ranch marks. That leopard-spotted one just stood out so much among the bays and browns.”

“But it did have a Reeve brand on it, then?”

“Yup, it surely did.”

“But how could it have?” Kelly’s voice went squeaky as she tried to keep it low and couldn’t repress her outrage.

“Well, now, the freeze brand is not supposed to be alterable. Technique’s practically perfect. But nothing’s perfect.”

“Oh, don’t tell me someone has a system for altering brand marks! Can you think of the havoc that’ll cause?”

“Nope, don’t want to think about it. I want to think how I can prove Todd Reeve never rustled nothing in his life, never stole nothing, never fiddled with log tapes or deviated from his registered flight plans. I want to think how ships been getting through one of the most secure security systems in the galaxy. That’s what I want to think about. And this helps.” He lifted his empty glass and signaled a passing barman. “Bring the bottle!”

When the bottle had been brought, he inspected the cap with a narrowed eye before he broke the seal and filled his glass. Kelly was somewhat astounded by his capacity but she kept her expression polite.

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