Page 13 of Capture of Capricorn

“This isn’t where you usually stay?” He glanced around.

“Nope. When I’m a good girl,” said sarcastically, “I get a real bed, television and food I recognize. I should probably add I’ve spent more time in this cell than the other room. Apparently, I have a bad attitude.” She rolled her eyes, and he laughed.

“Your frankness is refreshing. I hate people who pretend and bullshit.”

Speaking of being forthright… “I’m curious. If Crius knows you’re here to take him down, then why the hell would he keep you?”

“As opposed to killing me? Because I’m special,” said with a wink.

“Did your mommy tell you that?”

He snorted. “Not exactly. Let’s just leave it at I’m not like other men.”

“Said every megalomaniac before going on a manifesto-inspired murder spree.”

“If it makes you feel better, you’re not on that list.”

She blinked. “Hold on. Are you planning to kill people?”

“Only those that deserve it and get in my way. Please don’t tell me you’re a bleeding heart who thinks everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Fuck no,” she huffed. “I think the laws should punish little shits harder. This catch-and-release stuff they’ve been doing is annoying as hell. Do the crime, do the time.”

He clutched his chest. “A lady after my own heart. Now that you’ve grilled me, your turn. You found the relic at a garage sale.”

“I did. Biggest regret ever. At the time, I thought the sphere might provide me with some good scrap metal for a project.” At his puzzled look, she added, “During the week, I work as a metallurgist, but I also dabble in my spare time as a metalsmith.” Given he still had a constipated expression, she explained. “Metalsmiths basically make art with metal.”

“Ahh. Very cool. So you found the artifact, but I’m struggling to understand how you ended up on Cetus’ radar.”

“Because my dumb ass posted about it online. I couldn’t figure out what the orb was made of, so I asked around on a few forums,” her disgruntled reply. “No one recognized it, but I got a message offering me some dough in exchange, to which I said no. Next thing I know, I’m woken in the middle of a night, drugged, and ended up here.”

“Bummer.”

Understatement. “It blows. Especially since I get the impression Crius ain’t ever intending to let me go.”

“Guaranteed he won’t. He’s not the type to tolerate possible loose lips.”

Her lips turned down. “He’s going to kill me.”

“Don’t be so sure of that. When I blow this joint, I’ll take you with me.”

His claim arched her brow. “And how do you plan to do that? This place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox.”

“Actually, Fort Knox isn’t that secure. The factory where they work on new Apple phone prototypes, though… Now that place knows security.”

Strange guy. Still, it was nice having an ally, and someone to talk to that wasn’t Crius. “Do you know where we are? I’ve seen nothing but concrete walls since I got here.”

“Nevada. Area 51.”

“As in the place where they dissect aliens?” she blurted out.

“The one and only.”

“Should have known the government was behind this. Fucking assholes,” Zora grumbled.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. On paper, it simply appears as if Cetus rented the underground military installation to do their research. No indication the government has a clue what they’re doing.”

“You seem better informed than me. What are they angling to find out? And why is that stupid metal ball so important?”

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