The secretary held the door open and motioned for Jane and the others to enter Teo Bhrams’ office. It had once been one of the hotel’s suites, and it still reeked of luxury. The designer had only changed the room by replacing the expensive bed with an equally expensive desk.
Bhrams was already on his feet. As he came around the desk, he finished buttoning his jacket. “Jane! Darling.”
“Hello, Teo.”
They kissed cheeks, but Bhrams stepped back when the carrier she was holding hissed at him.
He eyed the growling crate. “What’s that?”
“This sweetheart is my cat, Cuss.”
“Cuss?”
Jane nodded.
“Is it safe?”
“She’s perfectly safe…as long as you don’t stick your fingers in the cage.”
Mr. Bhrams nodded, then glanced at the two men who’d followed Jane into the room. “And these gentlemen?”
“Oh, they’re fine. I had them declawed.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The older man’s smile was nothing more than a twitch. “Ah.”
Jane motioned behind her. “This is Joseph Tate—”
“Your assistant.” Bhrams held out his hand.
As the two men shook, Tate said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.”
“Likewise.”
Jane said, “And this is Dr. Moric Sipos.”
“Dr. Sipos?”
“A biologist,” Sipos explained. “Not a medical man. I can tear you apart, but can’t put you back together.” He offered a broad smile.
Bhrams did not return it. His eyes lingered on the scientist for a moment before he looked back at Jane. “What can I do for you? Is there a problem?”
“How did you know?” Jane tried to force a smile. “Was it the cat?”
“You almost never call on me unexpectedly. The only time you’ve ever asked me for a favor was in a rather dire circumstance. To insist on seeing me at such a bizarre hour, as a favor—well, I assumed it was life and death.”
The sad attempt at a smile dropped from Jane’s face. At that moment, anyone could have seen how exhausted and scared she was. Teo Bhrams’ keen eyes certainly caught it.
“Is something wrong with your work?” he asked.
“Yes. It turns out there are still human-xenos.”
Bhrams drew in a long slow breath. His brow furrowed.
“They found me,” Jane finished.
“How can I help?”
“First, I’ll need to get into your vaults. Then we’ll need computers and scanners.” She rubbed her eyes with the flat of her palm. “And coffee.”
Bhrams twitched another smile. “A lot of it, I presume?”
“Gallons.”
“It sounds like you don’t intend to sleep tonight—or, rather, this morning.”
“I have nowhere to sleep. My house has been demolished.”
“Jane!”
“No, Teo. It’s all right.” She sighed. “We have a lot of work to do. I can sleep later.” When it’s all safe, she added in her own head. When I’m safe.
But her rational mind stepped in and checked the thought. Her heart sank as she realized it might be a long time before she was safe again.