Page 10 (2/2)

“On accepting what you seem to feel for me”

He lifted a brow “Work harder,” he suggested

chapter three

Eve didn’t waste time Her first order of business when she hit her office was to contact Nadine Furst The ’link buzzed and crackled over the galactic channel Sunspots, a satellite dink, or si equipment held up the transmission for several minutes Finally, a picture wavered onto the screen, then popped into clear focus

Eve had the pleasure of seeing Nadine’s pale, groggy face She hadn’t considered the time difference

“Dallas” Nadine’s normally fluid voice was scratchy and weak “Jesus, it’s the ht here”

“Sorry You awake, Nadine?”

“Awake enough to hate you”

“Have you been getting Earth news up there?”

“I’ve been a little busy” Nadine pushed back her tuarette

“When did you start that?”

With a wince, Nadine drew in the first drag “If you terrestrial cops ever ca shit you can buy in this rat hole And anything else you could get your hands on It’s a fucking disgrace” She hitched in e, led che out of the twentieth century They’re still sewing people up with string”

“And li ”

“You can’t get a decent riped “What the hell do you want?”

“To make you smile, Nadine How soon will you be finished up there and back on planet?”