Free Alien Eyes by Lynn Hightower

access to witnesses,” Delia said. She daintily wiped her hands on Mel’s jacket, which hung from the back of his chair. “But nothing critical.”
    â€œNothing they can screw up,” Mel said. He looked from his jacket to Delia.
    â€œAnd what have the professional cops come up with?” Halliday said. “A secured prisoner who vanishes from her hospital bed. What kind of security was there, anyway? She—”
    â€œShe was in restraints, Roger,” David said. “Nets and leather buckles. Somebody let her out. When, I don’t know. Aslanti thinks it was just before lunch. Around ten-thirty, or so.”
    â€œThat’s just before lunch?”
    â€œHospital schedule,” Mel said.
    â€œBut they got great elevators,” David added.
    Halliday leaned back in his chair. “Theories, please. Who and why?”
    â€œIzicho?” Pete said. “Sorry, String, but that’s what the doctor said.”
    String moved from side to side.
    â€œGet a grip, Gumby,” Mel said. “We got to be objective.”
    â€œWhy objective? I know things. Is good to know, then not the time wasted.”
    â€œWe got to prove it,” Mel said. “Best favor you can do the whole Izicho secret police bunch is prove they had nothing to do with Dahmi, or the cho invasions.”
    String turned sideways, both eye prongs stiff. “That may a point be made.”
    â€œSure it is, Gumby. And you got to at least admit the possibility of some kind of extremist group of Izicho involved. I mean, what do the Izicho think, String, of the Guardians?”
    â€œAnarchists,” String said.
    â€œYeah, well, see, most people think the Guardians have the right idea. Personal freedom—it’s a hangup with hot dogs, String.”
    â€œMuch trouble.”
    â€œOkay, say you’re right. What kind of trouble?”
    â€œNot obey community rules. Laws. People hurt when this to be case. Follow Guardians, no rules, then what? Killing allowed? Theft?”
    â€œOkay, String. Suppose you got a group of Izicho who are real worried about the Guardians. Maybe they think the combination of Guardian politics and Earth freedom are too dangerous. Maybe they decide to do something about it.”
    â€œWhat does this have to do with Dahmi?” Delia said.
    â€œThe neighbor—Painter—she said Dahmi was a big fan of Angel Eyes.”
    Pete snorted. “Angel Eyes. She’s too old for this stuff, she’s retired.”
    An old Elaki. David wondered if the ancient Elaki Mother-One was still on the sidewalk outside the office.
    â€œShe used to run the Guardians,” Delia said. “She’s still got lots of popular support.”
    â€œYeah, well, so does Reagan,” Mel said.
    â€œHe’s dead.”
    â€œFinally.”
    â€œThat could be attractive,” Pete said. “Blaming it on Reagan.”
    String looked from one to the other. “What is Reagan?”
    â€œTrust me, Gumby, there’s some things about humans too horrible to know.”
    David rubbed his eyes. “Suppose it was Izicho. Suppose it was just like Dahmi said. She finds out, somehow, she’s a target for a cho invasion. Why would the Izicho take her now? They’ve accomplished what they want.”
    â€œShe would be most dangerous,” String said.
    â€œAw, come on.”
    â€œNo, Detective Mel. Please to hear this. She not irrational if follow the theory. Soon to recover from shock. Soon to have nothing to lost. Soon to be most dangerous. Mother-One with pouchlings to avenge. Could be much trouble.”
    â€œI believe it.” Delia pointed at David. “We all know his wife.”
    String bowed deeply. “Rose Silver much admire.”
    David bit his thumbnail. “What about the Guardians?”
    â€œThem?” Pete frowned. “Why? They should be on her side.”
    â€œOhhhh,” Delia said. “I see it. Sure. They are on