Free Andromeda’s Choice by William C. Dietz

but had grown accustomed to such indignities while serving in the Legion and knew how to handle it. All she had to do was stare at the wall and wait for it to be over.
    Raj dictated notes into a wire-thin lip mike as he circled her. “The patient has a number of significant contusions on her arms and legs, including the right side of her rib cage.”
    Then in an aside to McKee he said, “Lift your right arm please.”
    Raj clucked softly as McKee complied. “That’s quite a bruise. What happened?”
    â€œI was playing handball,” McKee explained. “It’s a rough sport.”
    â€œNo offense,” Raj replied, “but I haven’t seen any other handball players with injuries as extensive as these.”
    McKee shrugged. “I’m out of practice. We don’t have much time for handball in the Legion.”
    â€œNo,” Raj said, “I suppose not.”
    Raj took a dozen photos after that, gave McKee permission to get dressed, and left the room. McKee entered the waiting room five minutes later. Shelby was waiting for her. It became apparent that the security chief had seen the pictures of McKee’s bruises as she gave the legionnaire a small vial of pills. “Here’s a present from Dr. Raj. Something to help with the pain. And I think I speak for lots of people when I say thanks for what you did on Orlo II. I was a jarhead, so I can relate. You folks did a helluva job.”
    McKee accepted the vial. “Thanks. I thought you were ex-military.”
    Shelby grinned. “It never rubs off. Enjoy the rest of your trip.”
    McKee raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
    â€œMost likely. You had no motive, you were in your cabin when the crime took place, and there’s only one of you.”
    â€œMeaning?”
    â€œMeaning that you may be a badass, but even a badass would have a hard time killing three men, all with a knife.”
    McKee knew what she should say, and said it. “
Three
men?”
    â€œYeah. There were two guys with Royer when he was killed. It looks like one of them attacked the other two. But these are early days, so that could change. The folks on Earth will take over the investigation once we dock. Our job is to collect all the evidence we can. That’s where you come in. You spoke with Royer, we checked it out, end of story.”
    The women parted company after that. McKee was in the clear. Or that’s the way it sounded, and her spirits soared as she returned to the cabin. Once inside, she saw the blinking message light on her com set and lifted the receiver. The voice belonged to Larkin. “McKee, bang on my door. I have something for you.”
    McKee made it a point to keep some distance between Larkin and herself. But stupid though it was, she also felt responsible for him and, much to her surprise, missed him a little.
Not much,
she assured herself,
but a little.
    So she went out into the corridor and knocked on Larkin’s door. He opened it right away. “McKee! Where have you been?”
    â€œOut seeing the sights,” McKee answered vaguely. “What’s up?”
    â€œHere,” Larkin said, and he placed a casino-style chip in her hand. “That’s worth one hundred credits. Not bad for a fifty-credit investment.”
    McKee frowned. “You said the money was for a date. With a waitress if I remember correctly.”
    â€œI lied,” Larkin said cheerfully. “Would you loan me fifty to gamble with? Hell, no. But something romantic? Hell, yes.”
    McKee was both amazed and chagrined. Larkin was pretty smart in his own demented way—and knew how to play her. She would be more careful in the future. “That’s it? That’s why you wanted to see me?”
    â€œPartly,” Larkin admitted. “But we’re buddies, right? So let’s have a few drinks followed by a really good dinner. Whadya say?”
    McKee considered the proposal