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Bodyguard of Lies is a serialized science-fiction novel updating once a week on Tuesdays. If you missed last week’s episode, Damaged Mercs, it can be found here. You can catch up on the entire serial on this page with a description of the story and links to all published episodes.

Bodyguard of Lies
Episode 39
Data Recovery

Jimmy stood over Trace’s shoulder in the med bay, staring at the vid. “Are you sure you tried the right algorithm?”

“You think you got the tech to hack it, Jimmy boy?” Trace snapped. “If so, just go right ahead and jump on in here.”

Leo cleared his throat. “I guess I don’t have to ask how it’s going.”

“There’s nothing.” Trace turned a sorrowful face to Mick. “I’m sorry. I know you went through a lot to get this data, but there’s just nothing here we can use. Maybe if we had the original and a full team of comp jocks, maybe we could get something.”

Mick didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he looked at the nearest bed. “How’s Ken doing?”

“Same as the last time you asked,” Jimmy said. “No one’s changed, nothing’s changed. We still got our asses handed to us, and we shouldn’t have.”

Leo looked around the bay. “I’m going to dissolve the contract. We have some other drug lines; we’ll take a hit, but we’ll survive.”

“Before you do that,” Sabra said, “Can I have a friend of mine take a look at the data? She’s pretty good with the comp stuff, and she’s at a bit of loose ends right now.”

“No way! She’ll just plant something to take the blame off herself. You can’t give it to her,” Owen said.

Mick still didn’t defend her. To her surprise, Leo did. “I’m the one who hired her. Not based on anyone’s recommendation. No one could have put her in here as a plant. I’m trusting her with my life and my company. If you have a problem with that, you can terminate your contract.” He looked around the room. “That goes for all of you. I’ll still give you the full med benefits, the refits and rebuilds and whatever else you need, but if you have doubts, this is the time to get out.”

No one said anything. So much for getting it right with Mick. She was just a notch in his belt, then.

“They’ll talk more freely if I’m not here,” Sabra said. “I’ll wait for you in the lounge.”

Leo stopped her before she reached the door. “Wait. Trace, the data chit please.”

Trace popped it out of the machine, picked up a second that stood next to it, and reached toward Leo. The chits fell off her extended fingertips and tumbled to the floor. Leo bent to get them at the same time that Trace jumped forward. The merc landed on the chits with a crunch.

She stepped back. “Oh, crap.”

“So much for that data,” Owen said. “Now she’ll need something else to prove how helpful she can be.”

Mick’s fingers curled at the tips. So Owen’s gibes were getting to him. That was something, anyway.

Sabra said, “No, it’s okay.” She walked back into the room and knelt next to Leo. “She’s really good. She can still get something from it, I’m sure.”

Leo said, “You’ll have to introduce me to your friend; I could use someone with those talents.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Sabra swept the pieces into her palm. Mick twitched the corner of his mouth as she walked past him and out of the room. Not a whole-hearted smile, but an acknowledgment.

When Leo came out to the lounge, only Mick was with him. Leo shook his head. “I can’t believe some people. They’re in there spinning conspiracy theories about how you managed to get yourself to my attention.”

“Are they staying or leaving?” Sabra asked.

She wanted Trace to leave. It had nothing to do with loyalty to Leo and everything to do with jealousy, she knew. And Jimmy had threatened her more than once. She’d thought she and Owen saw eye-to-eye, though.

“Trace is staying,” Mick said, as if he’d read her thoughts. He didn’t quite meet Sabra’s eye. “Owen’s out, though. Jimmy’s going to stay, but only because he can’t convince his brother to leave. Tom’s going to be hospitalized for months, and Jimmy won’t split from Bret.”

“So where does that leave you right now?” she asked Leo. “Do you have enough mercs if Balark mounts another attack? Or if somebody else decides to make a raid?”

“I don’t know.” He rubbed his chin. “I’ll head up to my office, look over some numbers, something. You can use my vid to contact your friend.” He looked at Mick. “If you don’t mind, I’d feel better if you came with us when Sabra escorts me home. I’d be safer, and I don’t think she should be left alone. She’s going to be a target.”

Mick nodded. “My pleasure.”

The undercurrent in his voice sent a tingle up Sabra’s spine. Maybe whatever seemed off between them was her imagination. There was a lot to be said for not being left alone, and she and Mick could sort things out. They’d already gotten past the big obstacles, after all.

Still, Sabra shook her head. “Why should I be a target?”

“Because if they hit you, I’m more vulnerable,” Leo said. “And the Balark mercs didn’t seem too happy at your insistence that what’s-his-name — Gareth — not be hurt.”

“You think they’ll combine business with pleasure.” She thought for a moment. It seemed feasible. “All right.”

The vid chimed, and Leo answered it.

“I’m Detective Johansen, with the city police. I need to come by and ask you some questions.”

~~

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Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

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