Free aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement Page A

He wasn’t as adept with reading English as he was in
his own language, but a few words caught his attention.
    Billings.
    Danger.
    Drugs.
    Niail
opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Kimi looked up, her expression
full of surprise. The man gave him a huge grin and stood.
    “You’re
out of bed.” He held out his hand for Niail to shake. “I’m Bobby. I thought you
were a goner for sure when I picked you up last night.”
    “His
healing is amazing.” Kimi pulled out a chair for Niail. “It’s almost
miraculous.”
    Niail
sat with a grunt, and turned to Bobby. “I owe you thanks.”
    “No
problem.” Bobby waved aside Niail’s words. “I would do it for anyone. You
really pissed someone off, though.”
    “Do
you know who?”
    “My
guess would be drug dealers. Do you have a beef with any gangs?”
    Niail
tried to focus on the night of his accident. The fog in his head had been
clearing, but no images of the night surfaced. Pain shot like a knife through
his temple. He winced and then everything was blank. He shook his head.
    Bobby
tapped the table. “They’re a problem in the area. We have a lot of tourism, and
of course the casino. Rumour has it that we’re also a popular area for drug
traffickers.”
    Niail’s
eyes narrowed. “What kind of drugs?”
    “The
bad junk.” Bobby leaned back in his chair. “I’m all for a bit of weed every now
and then, but the hard stuff, like cocaine and heroin, really messes people
up.”
    “Then
why use it?” Niail frowned. They knew it could destroy their lives, yet they
still bought it. He doubted he would ever understand humans.
    Bobby
shrugged. “They get hooked.”
    “It’s
illegal and yet they still get it.” Kimi shook her head. “Now the dealers are
selling to young children.”
    “It
should be stopped.”
    Niail
crossed his arms over his chest. Humans seemed helpless to maintain the law on
their planet. On Cygnus these men would not be allowed to live.
    Kimi
heaved a sigh. “The police try. When one operation is shut down, another one
starts up. It’s a battle they can’t win.”
    “Do
you know who is in control?” Niail kept his voice neutral.
    “Miles
Kowal.” Bobby held Niail’s gaze. “He owns furniture stores throughout the
state. His head office and main warehouse are in Cut Banks. That’s where he
opened his first store.”
    “He’s
a pretty big name in the state. He’s constantly in the papers meeting with one
politician or another. Just last week he dined at the Governor’s house.” Kimi’s
voice was doubtful. “I can’t see him being involved with drugs.”
    Bobby
frowned. “I’ve always had my doubts about him running an honest operation. Some
of the guys that work for him have bad reputations. After last night, I asked
around. My information says that the man is crooked.”
    “Are
you certain?” Kimi bit her lower lip. “An accusation like that could destroy an
honest man.”
    “No
doubt about it.” Bobby leaned forward. “I saw a number of petty dealers outside
his store today. Kowal was out there talking to them. It didn’t look to be a
pleasant conversation.”
    “That
doesn’t prove he’s trafficking drugs.” Kimi reasoned.
    Bobby
shrugged. “It’s not likely that he was discussing furniture with those guys.”
    “No.”
Niail’s voice was firm. “The man is involved.”
    Kimi
sighed. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
    “It
was only luck that I was able to help you last night.” Bobby lowered his voice.
“They had thrown you off the truck and were aiming their guns when a commotion
further down the road caught their attention. They drove off with their tires
spinning and left you.”
    “You
risked much to save me.” Niail was grateful to Bobby. Only his fellow Hunters
would have endangered themselves to save him. “I will not forget. If you ever
need help I will be there.”
    Bobby
grinned. “What can I say? My training as a healer kicked in. Once I saw those
symbols on your arm,