Free The Lazarus Particle by Logan Thomas Snyder Page A

doesn’t add up.”
    The skin around Xenecia’s lenses creased thoughtfully. Perhaps even in contrition. “I will admit to striking him to subdue him for capture, but the bruising on his chest… no, that does not make sense. It certainly was not there when I checked him for hidden weapons or transponders afterward.”
    “Exactly. I think Morgenthau-Hale is up to something. I think Fenton discovered something so important they’re willing to take it from him at all costs.”
    “Assuming you are correct, what would you have of me, advocate?”
    “I want to hire you.”
    “And how do you know I am available for hire?”
    The advocate made a tsk ing sound. “You said so yourself not two minutes ago. ‘You have come to tell me I am even more fucked than I could have previously imagined.’ I’m guessing that’s because the review board denied you the bounty and the life bonus, right?”
    “Supposing they did.”
    “ Supposing they did , then you’re out everything. All that time and effort. But supposing I’m willing to pay out, say, every credit I have to my name, then you’ll at least have made something out of it.”
    “How much?”
    “Eighty-two thousand, six hundred, and eighteen credits. Like I said: Every single one I have to my name.”
    “That is a fraction of what I was promised,” she scoffed.
    “It’s your choice. You can take nothing from a broken promise or you can make the people who broke it pay.” Roon folded her arms across her chest. “Either way you’ve got five seconds.”
    From behind the polarized inscrutability of her lenses, Xenecia studied the advocate woman for the full five seconds. For such a short, soft woman, this Roon McNamara certainly drove a hard bargain.
    “Time’s up,” Roon said. She slapped her sides and turned to leave. As she did, she muttered, “Guess I’ll have to find someone else. I hear Quint Samuels is making a remarkable recovery. Maybe he’s in the market for a fare.”
    It was a shrewd gambit on her part. Xenecia knew Quint was in no condition to hunt. She had seen as much for herself. Even so, the thought of Quint or anyone else stealing another fare from her was enough to override all sense and reason. “Stop.”
    Roon stopped just short of the door. She allowed a single beat to pass before turning back to regard Xenecia stolidly.
    “If I accept, how do I know you will pay out?”
    “Two things. First, if you pull this off—that is, if you get Fenton and I to safety— you’ll have earned it and then some. I know what I’m asking won’t be easy, and I know it’s worth a lot more than I can offer.”
    “And the second?”
    Roon made a face somewhere between a smirk and a scowl. “Based on what you did to Fenton just to catch him, the last thing I want is to get either of us on your bad side.”
    “Fenton was not on my bad side. He was just a job.”
    “My point exactly.”
    “Ah.” Xenecia flashed a humorless smile, showing more teeth than mirth. “Very well. I shall take your fare.”
    They shook on it, Xenecia’s grip nearly grinding to dust the bones in Roon’s hand.
    “So, okay… now what?” Roon wondered.
    “Now, we think of a plan.”
    “We? Because I don’t think Fenton has a lot of time. When I went to visit him in sickbay this morning he was gone. Dr. Jenner wasn’t on duty and I didn’t ask anybody. I thought it would be better for him if I didn’t.”
    “Good thinking. And, yes, we. I will need your help as surely as you need mine if we are to pull this off.”
    “Okay.” Roon fussed with the hem of her jacket, suddenly looking a lot less composed. “Do you—do you think they’re torturing him?”
    “Almost certainly. All the more reason to do what needs to be done as quickly as possible.”
    Roon shivered, suppressing a frown at the thought. “I think I’m probably going to regret this, but what needs to be done?”
    “I am going to need a distraction.”
    “How big of a distraction?”
    “Big enough