“You need a hole in your head.”
“That’s disrespectful.” Her father eyed her with a definite scold.
“I certainly hope so.” She stared at him, fury building. How dare he? He had no say about her private life. And her life wasn’t even private. Here he was laying all this out in front of an old boyfriend, practically a stranger these days. A nice-looking, well-mannered stranger, taller than she.
“Perhaps I should step outside,” Cary murmured.
“Perhaps I should step outside,” she said. “Clearly I don’t belong here. Did you put Mother up to baiting me here for this? Did she join your little conspiracy voluntarily?”
The Colonel laughed. “Oh, please, Kylie, you’re not that important. I don’t build my whole day around you. Cary made the appointment to discuss the needs of his superiors. He’s impressed me with his upbringing, his bearing, and I thought he’d make a good match.” His amusement turned dark. “He had no idea I was going to bring up this subject.”
“I wouldn’t have stayed if I’d known,” Cary said. “Please excuse me.” He started for the door.
“Cary, please. Stay and conduct your business. I’m the one who doesn’t belong.” Kylie set her jaw, meeting her father’s gaze. “Whatever it is you’re really after, you can send a textual message to my office.”
She brushed past Cary, making it to the door before he did. He wore a very expensive aftershave she recognized. And loved.
No. No. No. No time for that.
Footsteps followed her into the hall. They weren’t from her father’s heavy Tirellian boots. She slowed her retreat. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“Not at all.” Cary hurried to catch up. “Col. Sanderson tends to come on a little strong.”
A frustrated snort was the best she could offer. She tried to make it sound like a dismissive laugh. “Tell me about it.”
“It sounds like I don’t have to.”
They came into the front hall. Her mother and sister had vanished, and Kylie’s cases still sat on the bottom stair. She took it as a sign. “Since I don’t have to go track these down, I think I’ll head out.”
“Which way are you going?” He waited while she shouldered the two cases then held the front door open for her. He was altogether too kind. She liked that.
“Returning to the spaceport, I guess.”
“Well, how about that? It’s just on my way.”
His grin rejuvenated her spirits. “Perfect.”
Nissa came running out the door. “Ky? Where are you going?”
The cloud of her mother’s dress swirled into the doorway, her expression stricken and disappointed.
“I’m going home. I’m in the middle of a serious investigation. No time to play games.”
Cary pointed at a sleek black sports car Kylie had noted when she’d arrived, but she had thought it one of her father’s toys. She nodded and walked with him.
Nissa chased after her, grabbed her arm. “You can’t go now. We haven’t seen you in months. Please. Mother wants you to stay.” Her voice faltered. “She hasn’t been well, Ky. You really should spend some time with her.”
Kylie suppressed a quick pang of guilt. She’d like to stay, but not at this point in the case. Timing was critical. If her father hadn’t forced her hand, she wouldn’t have come at all, not until these murdering criminals were locked up or dead.
“Nissa, I can’t. I’ve got to get back to work. If you really need me, you’ll find me at the office.” She reached for Nissa and held her close. “Good luck with him.”
She let Nissa go and stashed her cases in the back seat of Cary’s sweet ride. Her sister just stood there, mouth open. He held the door open for her, and she slipped into the low, form fitting front seat. Cary came around to the driver’s seat, and started the engine, which rolled out a contented purr.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I hope so.” Her sense of relief brought a smile to her face.
Avoiding Nissa and a couple of gardeners, he followed the driveway, shifting up through two then three gears, until the manicured lawn was a blur. “Hold on.”
“You bet.” Kylie fastened her seat belt and obediently grasped the side rail.
Cary swung out onto the main road, cornering nearly on two wheels and floored the accelerator. It was exhilarating.
Driving twice as fast as anyone on the road, Cary weaved in and out of traffic. Nirvana on his face, he had complete control of his vehicle.
Not in the least afraid, she leaned back while the thrill erased the bad taste of her exchange with her father.
Good thing the top wasn’t down. She’d be fighting with her hair all the way back to Andan.
Memories of Cary flooded in, dances they’d attended, parties she’d hosted, evenings spent walking alone in the woods at sunset. She’d liked him well enough, but both sets of parents had serious plans for their offspring. Cary had apparently followed his parent’s wishes. She was no less proud she hadn’t.
Their wild ride reset her anger meter back to exactly zero. When they arrived at the spaceport, Cary slid, tires screeching to a stop, into a spot in the departures lane. He closed his eyes. “That was amazing.”
“It was,” she agreed. “How do you avoid arrest and prosecution for the speeding violations?”
He chuckled. “My employer is kind enough to provide me with diplomatic plates.”
The bad-boy mischief in his eyes made her laugh. “Always making sure that back door is open. Kind, indeed.”
“Shall I walk you in?”
“What? Oh, no. Thanks. I can manage.” Hesitating until she regained her land legs, she opened the door, stepped out then rummaged behind the seat for her cases.
He climbed out, studying her across the car’s shiny roof. “Despite the matchmaking, it was nice to see you again, Kylie. The last girl left fingernail marks in the leather armrest.”
“Takes a lot to shake me up.” It was nice to see him, too. He was just the sort of fun spirit who made a great companion. Too bad she had duties awaiting her on another planet, and he worked here.
“I, ah, travel for business,” he said. “I might find myself on Andan in the next lunar phase.”
“Is that so?” A flush of pleasure warmed her face.
“Can I stop and take you to dinner? Not because the Colonel suggested it. Because I want to.” The warmth of his smile went right through to his laughing eyes.
“Sure. I may be tied up with a case, but let’s see.”
“Great!” He reached in his pocket then handed her a business card. She did the same.
She fumbled to get one of the cases hung over her shoulder. “Can we take a drive when you come? My car doesn’t have dip plates, but…” She was already anticipating another breathtaking ride.
“Can’t imagine anyone would pull over a member of the SIRT team. Win-win.” He winked. “Have a good flight.”
“Thanks. And thanks for not being put off by my father.”
“Had one like him. Not to worry.” He waited for her to step onto the curb before sliding back into the driver’s seat. He purred away from the spaceport, and a large black van took his place, discharged its