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I already knew what that decision was. I needed to get into her quarters and make sure she was all right. Crazy, weird scenarios popped into my head, like Sten holding her hostage because he was secretly a serial killer.

I realized that made no sense, but my brain had read so many books that outlandish scenarios no longer seemed that outlandish.

I glanced in both directions to be sure I was relatively alone, which I seemed to be. I shielded the keypad partially with my body and tapped in my access code just under the printlock touchscreen. Nine nine zero nine nine zero nine nine.

I didn’t know exactly what that meant, other than it was a pretty high security clearance. And it got me a code that opened just about any door.

I went inside, and the door closed. The lights flickered on. “Zanya? Are you here? It’s me, Ellis. I just came to check on you.”

I stood there, listening, but heard nothing. “Zanya?” I walked into the living area. The pila was still on the table, what remained of it anyway. It was little more than a golf-ball-size hunk of crystal now.

Everything looked pretty much as it had the night Benni, Vashti, and I had come to see her. “Zanya?”

I kept expecting her to answer me. I don’t know why. Eternal hope, I suppose. But I already knew, deep down, she wasn’t here. And she hadn’t been since she’d left on that date.

I decided to borrow Frank’s question. “Computer, how many occupants are in these quarters right now?”

“There is one occupant in these quarters.”

I sucked in a breath, fighting tears. I didn’t know why it hit me like that, but it did. In the computer’s voice, it sounded so cold. So … ominous.

I swallowed and got myself together. I was here. I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to find out anything I could. There was one thing in particular I wanted to see.

I went into her bedroom and opened her closet. I went piece by piece through the clothing hanging there without finding what I was looking for. She kept her hamper in the same place I did.

I grabbed it and emptied it onto the bed, which was neatly made. Zanya was exceptionally tidy. There wasn’t much in the hamper, either. I checked the bathroom. A towel hung on the drying rack and a robe on a hook on the back of the door.

The purple dress she’d worn on her date was not in her quarters. It wasn’t definitive proof she’d never made it home, but it was good enough for me.

I did my best thorough sweep of the rooms, looking for anything that might be a clue as to what had happened to her, but there was nothing.

I had a pretty good idea where there might be something, though.

Sten’s quarters. If he’d done something to her, if he’d hurt her in any way, I was going to put every fighting move Frank had taught me into action.

I left Zanya’s quarters, my stomach in knots and a tendril of anger worming its way up my spine. I lifted my wristband to my mouth, keeping my voice down as I sent him a speech-to-text message.

Just looked through Zanya’s place. No sign of her, and I don’t think she’s been back since she left on her date with Sten. Going to look in his place next. I don’t know if he has her or has taken her somewhere, but something is definitely going on.

I sent the message as I strode toward the elevators, trying not to let my emotions get the best of me.

Should I tell Benni and Vashti? I struggled with that one. After all, they did not have the day off like I did. Telling them might only frustrate them because they wouldn’t be able to help.

I rode the elevator down to Sten’s deck, trying to find my way back to his quarters. I knew using my code on Zanya’s door and soon on his would mean leaving a trail, but I didn’t care.

If this got me into trouble, so be it. I would take the hit. I was not going to abandon my friend in her time of need.

I found Sten’s quarters and punched in my code. The door whooshed open. I stepped inside, fists balled, ready for anything. “Sten? Where are you?”

The door shut behind me. The lights didn’t brighten as they had at Zanya’s. Maybe a modification he’d made himself. Most mechanical and engineering crew had those sorts of skills. “Sten? Answer me. Now.”

Nothing. I took a breath and went another direction. “Computer, how many occupants are in these quarters right now?”

“There is currently one occupant in these quarters,” the computer voice answered.

My hands unclenched. That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. I exhaled and did a slow turn around the room, looking for signs of … anything. But nothing jumped out at me. Sten was as neat as Zanya was, which might have been a factor in them hitting it off.

I rolled my shoulders, wishing once again that I knew what was going on.

I didn’t really want to check his bedroom, but I did. The bed was neatly made, and there was no indication that anyone had been there recently. I went into the bathroom next. The sink and toothbrush were dry.

What was going on? How had Sten and Zanya both disappeared? My frustration hit a new peak.

My wristband chimed, making me jump. I checked the screen. Frank had texted me back.

Have you already been to Sten’s?

Yes. Found nothing. I don’t think he’s been here either. Very frustrated.

I can imagine. No sign of him?

None. You have any ideas?

Not really but let me think.

Ok

With a sigh, I went to sit on Sten’s couch and do some of that myself. Where could they be? What in the universe had happened to them?

An idea came to me. I texted Frank . Can you track their wristbands?

Yes. It’ll take some doing, but I can. I’m leaving work early. Back at my place in 10.

Meet you there.

I was about to get off the couch when a little sparkle of light caught my eye near the Instachef. I got up and went to have a closer look. On a shelf above the unit, next to a photo I assumed was of his parents, sat a few shards of crystal.

The remains of his pila? I couldn’t be sure, but that’s what it looked like. I took a picture of the shards and left.

By the time I’d reached Frank’s, I was more despondent than frustrated. When he let me in, he pulled me into his arms and hugged me. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to figure this out.”

I nodded, doing my best not to give in to what I was feeling. “Thanks,” I said softly. It was the only word I could manage. I sniffed.

He let me go but not before he kissed my forehead. “Come on. Let’s find their digital signatures and see where they are on this ship.”

I exhaled and followed him into his office. He was still in his jumpsuit, so he’d probably just gotten in himself. “I really appreciate you doing this.”

“I know you do. But I’m not just doing this for you. I’m doing it for me, too. Sten is my friend. Not as close as you and Zanya, but still.”

He fired up his computer, and I sat next to him, watching him work even though I understood almost none of it. He tapped away at the keyboard, entering strings of letters, numbers, and symbols that might as well have been a foreign language.

“Gracie refuses to take off her vest, by the way.”

I smiled. “That’s sweet. I’ve already promised Harry another sweater. Maybe I’ll make her a second vest, too. It’s a great way to use up scrap yarn.”

“She’d love it, I’m sure.” He hit Enter and sat back, looking at me. “This is going to take a few minutes. Long enough that we could get a short workout in. What do you say? I know you probably don’t feel like it, but it would be good for you. The boost of endorphins might make you feel better.”

“You’re right that I don’t feel like it, but I know you’re also right that it will probably help my mood.” I took a deep breath. “How long is this going to take?”

He glanced at the big screen across from his desk. “Digital signatures are pretty heavily encrypted. It could take an hour. It could take three. I don’t know. But the bot will alert me when it’s in.”

“Okay.” I got to my feet. “I’ll run home and change and meet you at the gym.”

“You’ll see. Punching that heavy bag will do wonders.”

I gave a noncommittal nod. “It can’t make me feel worse.”