Page 33 of Kranow (Brides of the Mylos #4)

Ironically, it was Melissa ’ s twins that gave Junrig the idea that he shared with Gundar a few days later as they both rode the elevator to begin their shifts. Gundar had been reluctant, but nearly ten days later, when Sachuu ’ s team had still come up with nothing, he decided that he would see if Marley would agree to it. She had, much to Kranow ’ s dismay. Despite the initial suggestion having come from himself, Junrig was dismayed when the plan became a reality. He ’ d been somewhat mollified when Melissa ’ s and Steven ’ s parts in the plan were reduced to merely dropping a tidbit where Jackie O ’ Hannigan would hear it, before taking off with their young to Disney Paris accompanied by himself, Steven, Hathor, and their collective young.

“ Doesn ’ t it look as if nothing had happened here? ” Steven asked. He beamed at Jackie O ’ Hannigan from across the table. “ This is the real Mylos Fleet, you know, ” he continued waving his hand to gesture in a sweeping motion. “ Just us and our families getting on with our lives, enjoying our families and children. ”

“ Just like everybody else, back on Earth, ” Melissa nodded. She put a hand on her chest. “ Oh. My. God. I can ’ t believe she ’ d show her face here. ” She looked pointedly towards the path that ran between the cafe and the park. Marley was strolling past, laughing at something Kranow was saying to her as they walked along, arm in arm.

“ I thought she was your friend? ” Jackie said, arching an eyebrow,

“ Was our friend. And Melissa, bet she hasn ’ t figured out yet that they ’ re on to her. I feel real sorry for Kranow. He obviously hasn ’ t got a clue. ”

“ I feel like I ’ m missing something, ” Jackie said, glancing between the two friends.

Melissa flushed. “ I probably shouldn ’ t have said anything. ”

“ Girl, hush. I don ’ t care who knows. She ’ s gonna get locked up soon enough. ” Steven leaned towards Jackie to speak in a confidential tone. “ Darla told Melissa that while in the UK, at the airport no less, Marley was seen speaking to someone on Interpol ’ s terror watch list. It looked like he handed her some kind of piece of paper. Sachuu searched for it while they went off sightseeing on the island, but she had gone into the bathroom right after getting it. She must have read whatever was on the paper and then flushed it down the toilet. ”

A calculating gleam came into Jackie O ’ Hannigan ’ s eyes. “ Did she really, now? So, they think she ’ s planning another attack? ”

Steven and Melissa both nodded. “ Or coordinating another bride snatching, like she tried to do with me, ” Melissa replied.

“ What will happen with her baby? ” Jackie asked.

Melissa blinked in surprise. “ Oh, I suppose Kranow will have to raise it. Or maybe he ’ ll send it to live with her sister. ”

“ Poor guy. He ’ s going to be devastated. He ’ s really believed in her all this time. We all did. I can ’ t stand seeing him being strung along like this. ” Steven began to rise from his seat. Melissa caught his arm. “ Steven, sit down. You gotta let Security handle it. You don ’ t wanna mess up their case. ” Steven sighed loudly and sat back down.

“ Fine. This calls for some more wine, though. ”

“ No more for me, thanks, ” Jackie said, glancing at her smartwatch. “ I have to go meet my new PA at shuttle bay four and if I don ’ t dash, I ’ m going to be late. Hopefully the new production assistant will also be onboard. ”

“ Oh, so you ’ re going to finish the Fleet special? ”

“ I wouldn ’ t miss it. Maybe we ’ ll even get to cover Marley getting her just desserts. ” She gave them a shark-like grin before pushing her dessert plate away and standing up. “ Thank you for inviting me to lunch. I ’ ve been so down since losing …” Her voice caught and she dabbed dramatically at her eyes before glancing away. “ I ’ m sure you understand. ”

“ Oh, we do. We wanted you to not feel so alone, ” Melissa said.

Jackie sniffed while Steven and Melissa pretended not to notice that her eyes had never held any trace of tears, instead bestowing her looks of mock sympathy. “ It ’ s nice to know people care. ” Steven and Melissa watched her walk away. When she was well out of sight, Melissa turned to face Steven. “ Evil cow, ” she said.

“ Indeed. I ’ ll make that a bottle instead of a glass, shall I? ”

“ No, let ’ s just finish and go home. I want to get on the next available shuttle. I don ’ t think I can stand being within the same fleet as her for another second. ”

****

“ Marley? ” Kranow called out as he entered the kitchen. Marley turned around to see what he wanted, spoon still in hand from where ’ d she been hand mixing waffle batter. She looked at him expectantly. Kranow gave her a large grin. “ I just got a message from Sachuu via my kunnarskyn. Our friends have safely checked into the resort. Not only that, but they reported that Jackie O ’ Hannigan took the bait and is hoping to perhaps catch you ‘ getting your just desserts ’ for her show. Though I do not understand what you having dessert has to do with anything. Did they know you were baking this cake? ”

“ Oh, thank goodness. I was worried she ’ d figure out something was up and do something to them. And getting just desserts is an expression that means getting what you have coming to you, like punishment. ”

Kranow nodded his understanding. “ I will endeavor to remember that. And you needn ’ t have worried. A shadow detail is on her, no matter where she goes, in addition to the AIs specifically tracking her and anyone else she comes into contact with. No one is being ruled out as possible accomplices. In addition, shuttles and shuttle bays and all public areas are being inspected. It is as safe as it can be possibly made without being obvious or inconveniencing and frightening Fleet families. ”

Marley knew he was right, but that didn ’ t stop the gremlins from whispering dreadful thoughts in her ear, giving her mind ’ s eye entirely unwelcome images of wanton death and destruction done to pin blame on her. The why still eluded her, unwilling to believe that someone could be fame hungry enough to injure and kill others just to advance their own career in entertainment. Or does she maybe think I really am part of a new sleeper cell, and she ’ s talked herself into justifying all of this as a case of the ends justifying the means? That she ’ s stopping me from masterminding an even greater evil?