Free Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon Page B

Stella heard the barely voiced “Just like me” as the girl burst into tears. “We have to try,” she sobbed. “We can’t just let him disappear—what if they put him in a ship, take him away—”
    “It is a dog, sera,” the Security officer said. “Isn’t it true that dogs can track individuals through cities, even?”
    “Some dogs,” Stella said. It was at least an idea, better than some. She patted Zori’s shoulder, feeling at least sixty. “Zori, you really should go home—”
    “I—I can’t,” Zori said. “I think my father—I told them—”
    “Sera Louarri has made accusations against her father,” the officer said. “Until those allegations are resolved, it would be better for her to have no contact with her parents.” He gave Stella a meaningful look; it took her a long pause to catch on.
    “Oh, no. You want me to take her in? In the middle of all this?”
    “It would be a great kindness,” the officer said. “And in accordance with our customs.” That sounded more like a forced exchange of hostages than a kindness. “It might be helpful in our investigation of your cousin’s disappearance,” he continued. “Sera Louarri seems to be linked to more than one problem. Otherwise, I’m afraid she’ll have to stay in protective custody in jail, and we have no facilities for that, really.”
    “I do not think I can take the responsibility for another juvenile,” Stella said. “Not when I’ve already lost one.”
    “You will have our assistance,” he said. “Please, sera…”
    Zori looked at her, tears obvious. Stella could not ignore that, any more than she could have ignored Toby. “But is it legal?” she asked.
    “You will become her warden under our regulations governing protective custody.”
    “The problem I see is that my ward was abducted and his escorts attacked—one of them killed. I’m not sure I can keep Zori safe, if someone comes after her—and her family certainly may.”
    “We will notify her family that she is in protective custody. They will understand what that means under our laws and customs. We will provide additional security for you—quite reasonable, as your cousin was abducted—and this should deter potential attackers. You are free to use your own security service, as well, and make such additional arrangements as seem best. We would recommend that she not attend school tomorrow.”
    “Very well.” Stella thought a moment. “I would like an official vehicle, with shielding, for our return to my apartment; whoever went after Toby may have intended to go after Zori as well. And she needs a chance to clean up and get some rest.”
    “I don’t need rest—!” Zori burst out.
    “Are you sure the dog can’t help us find him?” the officer said.
    “Not absolutely certain,” Stella said. An idea glimmered in the back of her mind; she needed time alone to figure it out. “And it is an idea to be tried, perhaps.”

 
    CHAPTER
FOUR

    B ack in the apartment, Stella prepared for whatever might come next, opening the first drawer of a locked cabinet to look at the array of knives there.
    “I didn’t know you had weapons,” Zori said, eyes wide. “You’re a businesswoman.”
    Stella smiled. “That’s true, but even businesswomen may have weapons.”
    “Toby said you weren’t just a…” Zori’s voice trailed away as Stella considered the row of weapons in the next drawer and chose two.
    “Just a pretty face?” Stella said. In the same drawer was a complicated web harness; Stella eeled into it, attached holsters, and slid the weapons home, then removed them and laid them out on the desk. “That’s been useful, Zori, a few times in my life. People see the pretty face, the yellow hair, and they think that’s all I am.”
    “I didn’t mean to insult you,” Zori said, flushing.
    “I’m not insulted,” Stella said. She locked that drawer and opened the next, each compartment stocked with a different ammunition. “I’m flattered