Page 72 of Badass Alien Boss

“He hasn’t been back.”

“Has anyone else been looking for him?”

“Several managers and employees.” The assistant shrugged.

“No one from outside the company?”

“No…”

He thought it prudent to say no more. Revealing a Galpol agent might show up could be construed as interfering with anofficial investigation. They shouldn’t be trying to talk to Korsan at all, except it was the only way to discover what was going on. Tervik wouldn’t share any information.

The agent had been right about one thing. There were too many coincidences to be happenstance. And he had a horrible hunch his brother was in the center of it all. “If you do hear from him, would you tell him I need to talk to him?”

“Of course.”

“Have a good evening.”

“You, too. I’m glad you’re doing better, Michaela.”

“Thank you.”

They went to Korsan’s apartment next. Either he wasn’t home, or he refused to answer the door.

“What are you thinking?” Michaela asked as they stood outside.

“I think we should get out of here before Tervik shows up.” He ushered her down the hall, into a booster, and out of the building.

“Where would Korsan go?” she asked.

“Hopefully, not the spaceport.”

“You think he would flee? That would look bad for him. Should we try to intercept him?”

He shook his head. “If that was his intention, he’s gone already. Let’s go home.”

Midway to the apartment, he asked, “Are you hungry? Do you want to get something to eat?”

“I’m almost afraid to eat, but since we know it’s not the food I’m allergic to, I guess I should try. As long as it’s not Mama Murta’s,” she joked.

“Anything but that.” How had she fooled so many people for so long? Would Galpol interview former leaders and high-ranking members of the military? He recalled the raids of supposed cartel strongholds, which failed to nab a single Prellimand the ambushes by Prellim on Luturnan outposts. How many government secrets had she passed to the cartel during her tenure? Murta had done irreparable damage.

“I would love to march into her café and tear the cap from her head and reveal what she is!” Michaela scowled.

“You wouldn’t get two steps to the door,” he said. Murta would kill her on the spot. Or Chaumi would. Or Murta’s husband. Was he Prellim, too? Or just a brainwashed sympathizer?

“Yeah. Besides, if it were that simple, Tervik would have done it.”

They doubled back to a café they’d frequented and ordered a familiar meal. They were going through motions of normalcy, acting as if nothing unusual had happened when their lives had been upended. In their building, two other residents boarded the booster with them but got off on lower floors. They continued up to their floor.

Korsan stood outside their unit.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The two brothers eyed one another, Korsan looking hangdog, Ruyn appearing as if he wanted to punch him out.

“Let’s talk inside,” Michaela urged. As soon as the door shut behind them, she asked, “Would anyone care for a drink?”

“No.” Ruyn glowered.