White Fire

CHAPTER THREE-2

Toni jumped off the counter and dropped at the woman’s side. “Jas?”

Jas grabbed her hand. “Whoops! Oh damn.” Her grip tightened on Toni’s fingers.

“You’re hurt.” Toni braced Jas’s back when the injured woman tried to roll over. Jas let out a little whimper. Toni cradled her shoulders. “Hang on, move slow.”

A wobbly smile greeted that comment.

Jeri appeared out of nowhere. He waved off the red-headed barkeep who he’d called Peti or Peta or something like that and scooped Jas into his arms. “Grab the bag, kid,” he ordered.

Toni snatched up the soft leathery pouch, overflowing with coin, and followed Jeri to the back stairs, apologizing profusely with every step.

“Forget it, Tones, it’s all good. Can’t feel it anyway,” Jas mumbled into Jeri’s shoulder as they climbed.

The roar of bar noise was still thick in Toni’s head, muting her hearing in the silence of the upper floor. Feeling seasick, she swayed from side to side, but the corridor seemed to bend in the opposite direction. She scolded the walls and demanded they stay still. Jas … Jas was hurt. “I’m sorry.” She never should have suggested dancing on the bar.

“Seriously, she’s fine, kid. Here, go in and drag the blankets off the bed, would ya?”

With her head unbalanced from alcohol and the climb, Toni staggered around Jeri to open the door. A large enticing bed was the first thing she saw. Tearing her gaze away, she glanced around the minimalist room. Comfort but not personal was what sprang to mind. One window, slightly blurry, was large enough to climb through and the door behind Toni seemed the only way in or out. It was secure enough. Toni wavered her way to the bed and pulled the comforter off. “Is she okay?”

“Just the ankle. Does it every kheghing time and no doubt she’ll do it next time, too. You shouldn’t have listened to her.” Jeri looked at Toni with his deep-set eyes. His face was barely flushed after his climb carrying Jasmine’s practically dead weight.

Toni winced. “It was my idea to dance on the bar,” she said, clutching at her aching head.

“Was it, kid?”

What? Her head hurt too badly to respond. What does he mean? She was sure the bar dancing had been her own idea. She swayed and stumbled into a wall. Huh, where did that come from?

“Kid, you’re both plastered. Sit down on the bed, would ya? Before you fall down.”

“I have to get back to my ship.”

He peered down at her. When did I sit down? Jas snored softly beside her as Jeri removed Toni’s shoes. “What are you doing?” she asked, her thoughts muddy. He shook his head at her, and that was the last thing she saw before she woke up on a giant bed next to a dark-skinned Belani woman and a man with four arms. Somehow, her shades had stayed on her face.

What the khegh happened last night? Toni rose part way off the bed only to collapse back down with a loud groan. Her head thumped. Her mouth felt like she’d swallowed her own shoes. Where the kheghing hell am I?

A moan escaped her lips. It was echoed by the women beside her. “Kheghing firepits, that’s awful.”

Toni didn’t want to risk moving again but managed to turn her head; happily, her stomach stayed where it was. She squinted at the woman. “Hey.”

Jas cracked open one eye and glared in Toni’s direction. Her ears twitched and lay flat. “If I tell you I hate you right now, will it ruin the friendship?”

Friendship? “It might.” Toni forced herself to her feet. Either she needed another drink or a massive cup of caff—like a mug the size of Mate. Speaking of … She stumbled determinedly from the small room, knowing she had to contact her partner.

A male voice croaked from the bed. “If you hang about, breakfast will be downstairs in thirty.”

At the thought of food, her stomach immediately rebelled. Toni raced from the room as laughter erupted from the bed. Dragging herself from the tiny washroom after revisiting her alcohol-filled evening, she slumped against the wall outside and activated her shades. Two pop up messages began blinking at her. She groaned. “Shh, not so fast.”

Mate: Boss, do you require assistance?

Zach: Boss, where are you?

“Still at the bar. I’m good, immensely hungover, but I’m fine.”

Zach: The contact?

“Still working on it.” If she didn’t move then the room didn’t spin. Right now, that was the best option.

Mate: Do you require me to enter?

“No, it’s fine. I’ll be out in a few hours. My contacts are making me breakfast.”

There were no further messages in response to that. The bar was empty when Toni made it downstairs. She sat—well, more like fell—and dropped her head into her hands. The pounding had become a plasteel jackhammer. Who authorized construction works to start inside her skull?

The tumbler placed beneath her nose startled her upright. Toni’s hand darted to her hip, but aborted the move—it was only Jeri. I fell asleep again. She leaned back and moaned. The sickly sweet smell of overripe fruit wafting up from the drink turned her stomach. She slapped a hand over her mouth.

“This will help,” he said. Jas fell into the chair opposite, and the two women stared blankly into the blue liquid.

“It actually does help,” Jas muttered. “It’s just getting to the part where you can drink it that’s the worst.”

“Worst,” Toni confirmed, squinting at the other woman. She figured she felt as bad as Jas looked—drawn and pale, rubbing wearily at red-rimmed eyes. Her hair even hung limply around her face as if it was too tired to look spectacular. “You look like crap.”

“You too,” Jas replied with a nod.

Both women grinned and groaned at the pain the movement caused before they downed their glasses. “Oh my gods,” Toni choked out. “What the khegh is in that?” She instantly felt better. Her stomach settled and her head started to clear. Toni looked up at Jas with wide eyes.

“Jer won’t tell me. Icy, isn’t it? Like a pure shot of sunshine. Right, now down to business.”

“What?” Toni blinked. What is she talking …? Oh. Toni sat up.

“Well, yeah, do you want the information I have or not?”

“Yes, of course,” Toni replied.

“Dan didn’t do it. I don’t expect you to believe me, but he didn’t do it. He’s an a*s, but he wouldn’t steal shipments marked for Milten Seven. That water is desperately needed.”

“Desert world? Yeah, I can see why Marn’s water is necessary but he’s a smuggler—so are you. Why do you care?”

“People will die without that water.”

Understanding suddenly, Toni sat back. “You’ve got a base on Miltern Seven?”

Jas snorted. “The Cross doesn’t have bases anywhere.”

Toni doubted that was the truth and made a mental note to visit Miltern Seven soon. Just to make sure those shipments were only going to the human settlers. Jasmine’s face was serious. Toni couldn’t detect any of the facial tells that indicated it was a lie. Still, she didn’t really know this woman. She couldn’t take Jasmine’s statement on face value, no matter how much Toni might like her.

“What makes you so sure? He flies a Stargazer called the Renegade, doesn’t he?”

“Yes …”

“And the Renegade was spotted in the vicinity of every ship that’s been hijacked in the past five weeks, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, but—”

“And you’re telling me there’s no connection?” Toni raised an eyebrow and waited.

Jas pointed a finger, her face remaining a mask. “Technically, I’m not telling you that. Only that Dan didn’t take the shipments.”

“He’s a smuggler, isn’t that in the job description?” Toni accused.

“You agents always get this wrong. Listen, pirates steal for themselves. Smugglers ensure shipments get to where they’re meant to be.”

“For a fee.”

“Of course. But we don’t steal.”

Toni rolled her eyes and leaned back. “You really expect me to buy that?”

“I just—”

“Tell me where he is and I’ll ask him myself.” Toni’s stomach growled, waking her up to the fact that it was empty. Shenghi, I could eat a spaceship! She also had to get back to work. If Jas couldn’t give her anything concrete then she had to get moving. Besides, she had a name. She could hunt the smuggler down herself now.

“I can’t do that.”

“Jas.” Toni let her voice become a growl as she leaned forward. Time’s up. “You came here because you had something for me. What is it?”

“I told you, I work for them. He didn’t do it.” Jas’s clear gaze didn’t leave Toni’s face. She hadn’t twitched during her impassioned speech. But she worked for them. Toni knew she had to take everything Jas said with a healthy dose of caution.

“Then who did?”

Both of Jasmine’s eyebrows rose and her right ear flicked. “I don’t know.”

“Jas.” Why would she bring Colten to Toni’s attention? There had to be something else going on here. Perhaps it wasn’t what Jas knew at all. “You think Dan Colten knows who is hijacking the ships?”

Teeth shining brightly, Jas pointed a finger again just as Jeri placed two steaming meals in front of them. “Feeling better?” he asked. They both nodded. “Good.” Jeri patted Toni on the back. “Can’t wait until next time, girls. You make a great show.”

What did he mean by that? At Jas’s laugh, the memories came flooding back. “Wait, I danced on a bar? Oh, shenghi pit demons!” Toni dropped her head into her hands. Heat flooded her body. Oh no no no. What had she been thinking? And in The Reef? She’d be a laughing stock. Oh khegh, Zaambuka will hear about it! She sighed, pretty sure this was the most embarrassed she’d ever felt. What else? Toni leaned back to glance under the table. “How’s your ankle?”

“Eh, sore, but Jeri strapped it. I’ll get it zapped tomorrow—happens all the time. Don’t stress it. Speaking of … here’s your cut.” Jas pushed a bulging hand-sized bag over the table. Curious, Toni took the leathery pouch and peered inside. It was full of glittery beveled discs.

“Not bad, huh? We are so doing this again.”

Toni stared at the coin. Why on Marn am I working as an agent when one night of drunken dancing nets this? Catching Jas’s eye, Toni grinned. “Khegh, yes.” Her momentary sense of pleasure plummeted. What would Zaambuka say when he found out about her wild behavior? Rubbing at her chest, she pictured his disappointed face. An agent shouldn’t behave that way. “Look, where can I find Dan Colten? I promise I’ll only talk to him.”

Jas narrowed her eyes.

“Agent’s honor, I promise.” Mostly. Toni held eye contact, burying her emotions deep down. Years of being her parents’ disappointment made it pretty easy. Jas’s eyes scanned Toni’s face—the woman was obviously used to being deceived. But Toni was a pro. After a moment Jas leaned back and nodded, clearly satisfied.

“I’m heading to Bar Four on the island of Iikie on Nizlec Six. I think you should come with me. I really want you to try a Zeev. It’s a drink I like. Bitter, but you grow to like it.”

“Zeev, huh?” Toni filed that away. More mysterious messages. Who did Jas think was listening in to their conversation? There was nobody in the bar. Actually, Toni understood. If you were always watching over your shoulder, you assumed someone was lurking within earshot. “I guess I could try that. If there is anything else you can tell me, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?” Toni let a hint of uncertainty creep into her voice.

“Sure, of course,” Jas answered, smiling brightly.

Toni recognized the lie. She held back a snort, knowing she was probably just as transparent. She wanted to smile when the woman said nothing to call her out. Yeah, she liked Jas. Toni would go to Nizlec Six, but it would not be to talk to Colten. “When?”

“Tomorrow night.”

Toni nodded. Mate appeared at her side as she left The Reef. Of course he’d waited. She dropped her hand to his head and ruffled his fur.

“Well?”

“Yeah, I got something.” She wondered if Jas would actually show up on Nizlec Six. Recalling the awful headache she’d suffered from this morning, she almost hoped Jas wouldn’t show. Toni didn’t think she’d survive another party like the one she’d just woken up from.