“I’d like that.”
Jessa leaned in closer. “Just stick to the story you told to everyone, including with your sister. I don’t know about Radison, but crew on fleet ships are horrible gossips. They’ll pretend to be your friend to gather information, only to stab you in the back.”
The news disappointed her. “Really?”
“Too true. It’s why I don’t have any friends. I’ve been stabbed way too many times.” Jessa smiled then. “But you and I already have secrets. I’ve got your back. You can trust me.”
Darla really hoped so.
Jessa nodded. “Let’s get your cabin assignment and ask about your sister. Then I’m ordering you to eat and rest. Three days isn’t much time before you start your first shift.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” That was a lie, but she needed to work. It would keep her and Becky safe.
* * * * *
Woods kept glaring at Gnaw. It wasn’t his fault that the human male had fallen out of his chair and proceeded to lose control of his bladder when he’d shifted. A security guard had brought a spare set of pants for the male to change into. It had halted their interview for nearly ten minutes.
Brown, the light-haired investigator, had seemed to take control after that. “Tell us once again about the sexual encounters between you and the civilian garden worker.”
“Her name is Darla,” Gnaw growled, getting tired of the questions. “I would never harm or force a female. I’ve already told you, she asked me to comply with the Elth, and we made the motions of copulation.”
“Even a toddler would understand what he’s said repeatedly by now,” Clark muttered. “Should I ask for the three of you to take a course in the birds and bees? Didn’t your parents cover that, or maybe a health class while you were in school?”
Palmer had been quiet until then. “You have to admit, you’re an intimidating male that most human women would fear.” He glanced over at Woods, his lips twitching. “And some of our men. Tell me something that might convince us Darla Mitt didn’t touch you because she was afraid not to.”
Clark began to curse.
Palmer motioned to him. “Please, Gnaw. Give me one example of how you knew she wasn’t afraid of you.”
“She grew verbally aggressive by giving me orders. Darla knew I wouldn’t hurt her. She trusted me. I am able to smell fear.” He glanced at Woods, before holding Palmer’s gaze again. “The only time she scented of it was when the Elth were near.”
“How was she verbally aggressive? Give me an example of the orders she gave you, please.”
Gnaw tried to remember his patience. “The Elth demanded we breed. I refused. They wanted me to copulate with the female, create a cub they could torment and enslave, but I would rather die. Darla ordered me to ‘get my ass’ closer to her, because I wouldn’t go near her at first. Then she demanded that I strip off the ill-fitting pants after she bared her body. Her plan was to stall for time, which meant making the Elth believe we were complying.”
“She stripped first?”
He growled. “Yes. I do not feel comfortable telling you any of this. Do humans not have privacy laws about interactions with females? Veslors do. It’s disrespectful.”
He nodded. “We’re done here. Thank you for giving your statements, Gnaw. I’m certain you’d like nothing better than to catch up on sleep and spend a few days with your grouping to recuperate.”
“Palmer,” Woods spat. “We’re not done.”
Palmer turned. “We are. I fact checked everything he said while you were busy changing. The Elth are hated by every allied alien that has had contact with them. There are also statements from some of those races, from when the Veslors were investigated before the initial trade agreements were signed. Did you even bother to read them? I did. Veslors were hailed as saviors and heroes for defending some of their planets against the Elth.
“The trade board concluded that Veslors have a history of coming to the defense of any race under attack by deadly aliens with hostile intentions. Just like they did with the Gorison Traveler, when human asses were in jeopardy from the Ke’ters. Your suspicions that Gnaw helped the Elth attack and swipe that shuttle are unfounded. The Elth found an opportunity and took it. He wasn’t working with them or for them. They wanted to use him in an experiment. I’m satisfied with that. What about you, Brown?”
“I concur.” Brown avoided looking at Woods. “I’ve been keeping tabs as the reports from other interviews have come in. Everything supports what he’s told us.”
“We were asked to investigate what happened between him and Darla Mitt. I just got the findings from the investigators who spoke to her.” Palmer withdrew a data pad, flashing the screen. “Darla Mitt claims he did nothing wrong, and in fact, is the reason she’s alive. She admitted to being the one who came up with the plan to fake sex. Again, everything supports what Gnaw has told us.”
“Doctor Jenson―”
“Has an ax to grind with fleet after his last assignment,” Palmer said, cutting off Woods. “Did you read his file? He had a posh position and managed to piss off everyone working under him until they all wanted him transferred away. There was a whole investigation. He sexually harassed two nurses and a doctor, damn near killed a patient by trying to operate under the influence of alcohol, and then threatened to fire the entire operating team after they realized he wasn’t fit and relieved him of duty.
“The only reason he wasn’t fired outright is because he owes six years to the fleet, and they paid for his ass to go to medical school. He’s basically a nurse now, not allowed to operate or see patients without supervision. And you’d know that if
