Free Laura Jo Phillips by The Lobos' Heart Song Page B

you now,” Jackson was saying to him, over and over again, nearly shouting at him in an effort to penetrate his rage.  “She needs you, Faron, do not fail her.”
    Faron heard the words and put meaning to them, focusing on them with all of his will.  The only words that Jackson could say that would matter to him, he had said.  His Arima needed him.  She had been abducted and injured and she needed him.  Her need took precedence over all things, including his own rage.  It was long minutes before Faron was able to open his eyes and know that he was in control of himself.
    “Thank you, Jackson,” he said when he was able to speak the words of a man once again.
    Jackson clapped him on the shoulder.  “Come now, pick up that luggage and let’s get you Lobos and your Arima out of here.”
    Faron rubbed his hands over his face and nodded.  He was in full agreement with Jackson on that.  He picked up two suitcases while Jackson grabbed the larger one.  He looked around and frowned.  “Does she not have a handbag?” he asked.  Jackson looked at him in surprise.
    “I have spent the last several months observing Lariah and the Dracons,” he explained.  “As far as I can tell, Earth women do not like to go anywhere without a handbag.”
    Jackson grinned at the oddity of the toughest, most feared warrior on all of Jasan knowing about such things as handbags.  His grin faded.  “She was wearing pajamas in that crate, but they did not put her handbag in it with her.  I will make some inquiries and see if her handbag can be located.”
    Faron nodded and headed out of the office, Jackson at his side.  “By the way, I must tell you of an unpleasant discovery we have just made so that you can tell our Princes.”
    As they walked through the spaceport Jackson quickly explained their discovery of the large amount of unclaimed luggage being stored.  Faron understood the implications and was as disturbed by the knowledge as Jackson was.  When they reached the ground-car Rob and Clark took the luggage from them and loaded it into a luggage carrier mounted on the roof.  While they did that, Jackson picked up a silver case and showed it to Faron. 
    “I don't know what this is, but they called it a prime controller ,” he said.  “It looks something like an injector, but larger.  I believe the Princes will want to see it, and most likely send it to the council for examination.  It's in a foam insert so it should be protected against breakage and safe enough to travel with the luggage.”
    Faron opened the case and looked at the silvery object inside.  There was something about it that made his hackles rise.  He closed the case quickly.  “I agree, it should be fine with the luggage,” he said.  He handed the case to Rob who added it to the other luggage on the roof.  Faron reached into a pocket and pulled out a small white memory crystal.
    “The other missing woman,” he said as he placed the crystal into Jackson’s hand, both of them knowing that the color of the crystal indicated there was not very much information stored on it.  “According to Captain Graey, that holds all of the data the company had on her.  Her name is Summer Whitney.  Candy Bride from Earth, age 25, traveling alone.  There is an image of her, as well as her visa and other usual information on the crystal.” potential
    “Did you find anything suspicious on board the Cosmic Glory ?” Jackson asked as he stared sadly at the tiny crystal in his hand.
    “No,” Faron replied.  “There were no unusual scents in either of the women’s compartments.  Just those of several humans, male and female.  The rooms had both been cleaned but that was to be expected.  I haven’t quite made up my mind about the captain though.  He appears incompetent and scramble brained.  Too much so for a Liner Captain, I think.  But that is not enough of a suspicion to prevent him from leaving our system.”
    “Did he explain why they did not