Free The Price of Freedom by Joanna Wylde Page A

folded her hands before her and waited for permission to speak.
    "Where the hell are my pain tabs?" Bose demanded.
    "You used them all last cycle," she said quietly.
    "You're lying," he said, words slurring together. "I would have remembered to get more. I never forget them. There were two left."
    "I'm sorry, father," she replied quietly. Her heart raced. If she got caught in her lie, she was done for.
    But she owed it to Jess to help him… "But you called me late last cycle and had me bring you the rest of them. I believe you had more to drink, then."
    Bose wrinkled his forehead. She knew from experience that he had occasional blackouts. Not that he would admit it, of course.
    "Oh, I remember now," he said expansively, and she gave a sigh of relief. He was too proud to admit he might have blacked out. How much of his life was he missing, she wondered? He drank every night. What else could she get away with?
    "But that's no excuse for not having pain tabs when I need them," he said, his voice growing angry.
    "Father, I am not authorized to get pain tabs from the medical storage area," she replied quietly. "I want only to serve you, but I can't get you the medicine unless you give me that authority."
    He glared at her.
    "I'll take care of it," he finally said, his voice tight. "You go to the infirmary and get the damn drugs.
    I'll call ahead and let them know you're coming."
    "I believe they're closed for the cycle," she added in a soft voice. He threw his glass at her, grunting in disgust. She ducked, and the clear liquid splattered against the wall behind her. It had been a mistake to provoke him, but failing to bring back his pain tabs would be a bigger mistake.
    "I'll call the medic in his rooms," Bose said. "Now get my pain tabs, and then clean up this damn mess."
    "Yes, sir," she said, making for the door. She had to hide a smile. The first part of her plan was working out just fine.
    Most of the corridors were deserted as she made her way to the infirmary. The only people still awake were the women who prepared food for the returning blasters. They also prepared the gruel for the slaves. Bethany knew the tasteless mixture that formed their entire diet was nutritious. But it was also disgusting. Until she had started caring for the slaves on a regular basis, she hadn't realized how good her life was, she mused. They certainly had a more difficult time of it than she did.
    Garand, the station's medic, didn't look happy to see her when she arrived. He paced nervously outside the infirmary door, pausing only to glare at her.
    "You shouldn't have let your father run out of pain tabs," he said tightly. "He's a dangerous man when he's angry."
    "I realize that," she said dryly. "But if I had come to you before now, would you have given me pain meds? I was under the impression that all narcotics are restricted."
    "Well, they are," he acknowledged. "But in your case I would have made an exception. We both know your father goes through a lot of them. From now on you can come here and get what you need.
    I'll key your thumbprint to the lock. I can't afford to have your father angry at me again."
    Bethany stared at him, shocked. Without thinking, she blurted out a question.
    "What did he say to you?"
    "He threatened to have me put outside the airlock," Garand said, hands trembling. "He said he'd do it without taking me to the council first. I believe him, too."
    "I didn't realize that," she said slowly, mind spinning. Bose's actions were completely out of line, even for an elder. "I can't believe he'd do that. It would be crazy; it could cost him his seat on the council."
    "Do you really think he's still sane?" Garand asked, his voice bitter. "I don't."
    "I can't believe you just said that," she replied. "If Bose heard that he'd—"
    "What? He'd go crazy?" Garand gave a harsh bark of laughter. "Too late. Beside that, you're the only one who's heard me say it. It would be my word against yours. Bose hates you and the entire station