Page 59 of Zalis
“I like the fit, but you don’t look comfortable.”
He plucked at the cowl and smoothed the fabric draped over his shoulder. “My mother gave this to me and asked that I wear it the next time I was on Sangrin.”
“I don’t know your mother, but she probably meant that you should wear it the next time you visit her.”
His eyes widened, as if that had never occurred to him. “Yes, that was likely her intention. Does your ankle pain you?”
“Nice misdirection. It’s fine.” A visit to the doctor that morning replaced the boot with a slim-fitting sleeve that kept her ankle rigid but was thin enough to wear slip-on shoes. Hardly fashionable but better than a clunky boot. She was alsopromoted from crutches to a cane, which she could use for long distances rather than the chair. As helpful as the chair had been, it was awkward to maneuver in the cabin. And it was worse in a crowd. At best, she was ignored. Being ignored was fine. It was the people talking to her like a child that made her want to scream.
The cane was a definite upgrade. No more bumping into doorframes and furniture, and if someone started talking to her like she was an idiot, she’d whack them with the cane.
Oops. So clumsy. Sorry.
Her head, though, that was a different matter. She kept massaging behind her ear, hoping to ease some of the tightness there. The blinding headaches had stopped at least.
The constable finally arrived, looking more worn and haggard than Gemma remembered. She did not question Zalis’ presence, just tipped her chin up in his direction and led Gemma into a gallery. There was a barrier separating her from the lineup.
“They cannot see you,” Pama said. “Take your time and carefully look at the suspects. If it will help you with the identification, they can recite a brief sentence. If you recognize anyone, say their number.”
Gemma barely listened. She recognized two of the goons right away. “Number four and seven.”
“Take your time. Look again. Be certain.”
“One hundred percent certain,” Gemma said. “They were the ones who brought us food and water. The one with the funky eye liked to spill water everywhere and laugh. The other one was okay. He mostly ignored us. But you didn’t get the boss.”
“The boss?” Constable Pama rapped on the screen.
“Yeah, the one with the weasel face. He was in charge,” Gemma said, watching the gallery empty of suspects.
Pama furrowed her brows and looked to Zalis, as if he could offer illumination. She said, “An Earth animal descriptor is unhelpful.”
Gemma did her best to describe the pinched face and the smug look of someone who avoided consequences.
To her credit, the constable wrote down the description. “We have enough evidence to convict these two on smuggling. We do not need a third.”
“But it’s an organization. Taking out the lowest members doesn’t change much,” Gemma protested.
The constable gave her a tired look. “Sentient being trafficking will require a trial and you would have to testify. These two will likely be offered five years in prison if they plea to smuggling.”
“Five years? That’s nothing. I want a trial. I’ll testify,” Gemma said, glancing at Zalis as if he could help.
“I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of Sangrin law,” he said, which was no help.
Gemma tightened her grip on the cane, tempted to start whacking it around. “I came all this way just for you to tell me never mind. You couldn’t have mentioned all of this when you called me. You didn’t need me at all.”
“I needed you to know the traffickers have been apprehended.” Pama shared a look with Zalis, whatever that was about. She continued, sounding sympathetic, “It is frustrating. With youridentification, there is enough evidence to convict but the court system is slow and overburdened. I wanted you to be aware of all possible outcomes.”
“Oh, it is beyond frustrating.” A trial if the prosecutor or attorney general or whatever they had here wasn’t too busy. A plea deal if they were.
“It is justice,” the constable said. Then added, “A form of justice.”
Gemma tapped her cane against the floor. This whole situation was unsatisfying, but it was better than nothing. Her last encounter with Constable Pama definitely left her with woefully low expectations. She said, “Since that’s the best I’m going to get, I’ll have to live with it.”
ZALIS
“I could carry you,” Zalis offered. He kept his pace slow, matching Gemma’s.
“No thank you,” she replied.
