Free Salvaged Destiny by Lynn Rae Page A

the possibility, he thought about the
conversation he’d had with Major Sekar upon his return. He’d informed his
commander that they hadn’t had any success and that he’d spotted another cart
out in their general area. The major had sobered even more than his usual grim
expression at that information and ordered him to carry regulation weapons with
him at all times.
    Then his commander asked how Del Browen had performed and
Lazlo happily described her skills and abilities until the major held a hand up
to stop him. He warned Lazlo that her safety was his responsibility when they
were out on this assignment and Lazlo had taken that advice quite seriously. Not
that he hadn’t already felt entirely responsible.
    There were quite a few pedestrians out on the Boulevard. It
was early evening and there were families interspersed with individuals, the
flow of movement a bit slower than the normal rushed pace of life during the
day. Lazlo hadn’t spotted anyone that he’d arrested before, so that was
promising.
    Lazlo watched a man try to manage the erratic trajectory of
a determined toddler girl. She was about two feet tall and headed for a planter
filled with damp soil that would look especially grimy smeared on her clean
yellow jumper. The man caught her before she could grab any dirt and she gave
him a thwarted look.
    Lazlo felt like laughing—she had the same expression Del had
when he’d maneuvered the promise to share a meal out of her. The little girl
stuck out her chin and with an amazingly flexible twist nearly escaped the man’s
grip, her tiny hand just brushing against the side of the planter before she
was caught up in a hug and lifted away.
    “Aww, let the girl have her dirt.” A familiar voice spoke up
at his side and Lazlo glanced over to see Del Browen also watching the little
drama.
    “You wouldn’t say that if you had to wash her clothes.”
    She looked up at him, her gray eyes amused. “You saw the
state of my things today. That’s my usual laundry challenge. I could handle a
little mud.”
    Lazlo nodded and looked at her. She was wearing plain tan
pants and a white shirt, loose and buttoned all the way up and down. Not
eye-catching, but presentable and not at all soft or accessible. Exactly what
he’d thought she’d wear out to dinner. But despite his hope that she would
dress in something more out of character and revealing, he still wanted to
compliment her.
    “You look very nice, Citizen Browen.”
    “Thank you for the kind effort, Lieutenant Casta.” She
sighed. “I know what I look like.”
    “You do look very nice. Tidier than you did earlier.”
    “Oh now that’s not much of a challenge, I looked as if I’d
been drug behind a cart before I changed.” She quirked an eyebrow and glanced
over the people wandering around them.
    “Mine weren’t much better. I’ve been thinking we should
dispense with the titles, since we’re working together.”
    “Maybe. All right, that makes sense, Lazlo.” Despite her
reluctance to say it, Del smiled a little and turned toward him when she did.
    “Del.” He tried it on and found it very pleasant to say. “Where
would you like to go, Del?”
    “Someplace quick. I’m hungry.”
    “No Mendel Club tonight?”
    At his mention of the port’s most expensive and elegant
restaurant, Del snorted and shook her head. “Can you picture me there?”
    “Sure,” Lazlo agreed easily. Why wouldn’t he want to take
her there? “It’s really good. You’d like it.”
    She looked at him with disbelief. “Not tonight, big man. The
closest I’ve ever been to that place is picking up the refuse at the back door.
Let’s just go to a quick counter. There’s a good noodle place over on—”
    “Upper Southwest. Yes, I know that one,” Lazlo broke in. “Sorry
to interrupt, but here comes a patrol. Get ready for some questions.”
    He saw Tate and Wood ambling their way, uniformed and
surveying the Boulevard. Tate spotted him first and gestured for