Not This Time by Michelle Howard

Author:Michelle Howard [Howard, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: michelle howard, marriage in trouble, sci fi romance, space colony, romantic suspense
Publisher: MH Publications
Published: 2023-08-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Decker propped his hands on his hips and studied the scene. Again, the tug of familiarity caused him to frown. Around him, images were recorded, samples taken and preserved while others present worked to map out the timeline of events.

“This is brutal, Deck. Not the unsubs usual level of care. Almost as if he was rushed,” Roy muttered from beside him.

Decker turned sharply toward his partner. He’d heard those words before. Where? How?

“Deck?” Roy watched him with a frown. “Are you alright?”

Decker cleared his throat. “Sure. Trying to figure out why this one is different.”

Something was missing, something he needed to see. Gaze narrowed, he asked, “Do we have anything left behind?”

“Just found something,” a tech called out.

Tension lined Decker’s muscles as he shifted his weight on his feet and strode forward. “What do you have?”

The tech held up a clear cylinder mounted on a flat base. Inside rested a single green chip amidst a blue fluid. “Partial scale. Not from the vic. Analysis running now.”

Roy came to stand next to Decker. Moisture dampened his palms as he waited. It was almost as if he knew what the results would be. The tech waved his hand in a brisk motion and a bluish white holo appeared next to the cylinder he held. Letters and numbers scrolled by.

“Rotilian,” Decker whispered under his breath, drawing a sharp glance from Roy.

The tech read the results aloud. “Rotilian, age span of thirty to forty cycles for their race. Name on record, Lathan Oodor. Last known residence on Colony 4. Triony.”

Roy jerked, gaze still locked on Decker as his lips parted to speak. Urgency thrummed along Decker’s nerves. “Send me the residential listing. I’m SI Decker Samuels, comm code 3323. My partner and I will head to Lathan’s home now.”

“Yes, SI,” the tech replied.

“Let’s go,” Decker snapped at Roy as he turned and raced for the door.

Outside, Decker took the front passenger seat. As his partner drove twice the advised speed, Decker pulled out his holstered weapon, checking the laser fuel cells.

Light buzzing sounded from his hip. Decker patted his pocket and absently glanced down at the alert on his personal comm. His brows drew together as he read the automated message. Magera must have forgotten to turn the security system back on after getting home.

He paused and studied the alert. The pressing urge to go home and check on her hit him again. Shaking away the feeling, he shot off a quick message reminding her about the alarm and tucked his comm back in his pocket.

When they arrived at the building where Lathan Oodor lived, Decker warned, “Keep sharp. We don’t want him slipping away from us this time. We’re gonna catch that bastard today and end his spree.”

After clearing the place, Decker slid his hands into his pockets and surveyed the room they stood in. “Fuck!”

He turned to face his partner, seeing the same expression he probably wore. This place fit the profile of the Colony Ear Ripper. “Notify Sec Forces. Oodor’s not here but this is definitely where he lives.

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