Page 5 of Border Control

“They're, well, pretty cool.”

“Mm. And Ellen's first bed and breakfast guests, are they behaving themselves?”

“First bed and… oh! Oh, yeah, they're pretty cool too.”

“Uh huh.” I can usually tell when Arabella's distracted. Granted, it happens fairly often. But she's being… a little overly sunny.

Like she's having to cover for something.

“I'm coming over for lunch. Can you let Ellen know when she gets back?” Although I'll text her too, just in case Arabella forgets.

“Uh… sure. So… Nicole told you?”

“Told me what?” What’s Arabella hiding now? My fingers drum on my laptop case.

“That she’s, uh… Ellen’s gone on holiday.”

Holiday? Ellen never goes on holiday. “Is that a joke? What about the—” I lower my voice. “Bed and breakfast guests?” I grate out.

“Ah. Right. So. Nicole didn’t tell you, then.”

The resulting beat of silence drags on way too long. I pinch the bridge of my nose and shut my eyes. “Where’s Ellen? Really?”

“So, uh, don't panic, but she, uh, she… She kind of went off with Ilia. In another spacesh—another car.”

Putting my elbow on the table, I sink my head into my hand and press my phone close to my ear. “What the fuck?”

“The guys say she'll be okay?—”

“Of course they say that. I'm coming over.”

She sighs. “Really, it's fine, but sure. You can see progress on the barn. Ooh, and the new marketing account I set up.”

“Progress? They've kept building?”

“Yeah. You're gonna be impressed, it's really taking shape. Gara's been helping me stay organized and?—”

“I'll see you in half an hour.” It'll take that long to run back to my apartment, but then I'll drive like a madwoman.

“Really, Law, it's been five weeks since Ellen left. It's okay.”

Five weeks? I suppress a shriek. “Why didn't you call me? I guess you may have been busy, but this is a pretty big thing to keep to yourself.”

“I called Nicole. For help with the animals.”

Nicole didn't tell me either?

Why?

Don’t they think I can handle it?

Arabella continues, “You're busy with the inquiry. I didn't want to add to your plate. I've got this, Laura.”

She does sound confident, more than usual. “You and Nicole have been managing the farm animals, too?”

“Just me and the guys,” Arabella says, pride ringing in her voice.

“Well… okay.” It’s so not okay. Those aliens could be up to something.