Page 8 of Zirkov

He’s suspicious. Change the topic.

“I thought you’d ask me about the Franklin case.”

His brow furrowed. “Why would I ask you about Betsy Franklin? Ireported her death. There’s nothing you could add.”

Maggie curled and uncurled the file in her hands. She hadn’t intended to mention his dead witness, but it was that or discuss the og’dal murder, and she wanted to steer clear of that.

“I’m asking because she was murdered before you could take her to Dal to testify.”

“A bus hit her when she ran into the street,” Zirkov corrected.

“Very few people just run into the street. If someone chased her into the path of that bus, then it’s murder.” Maggie kept her voice steady. Zirkov would think her as incompetent as ever if he realized she hadn’t read the report.

“No facts support that theory.” Silver eyes moved down her torso, sending a thrill through her. She needed to ignore his glances like she ignored the way he looked down on her.

Those thick biceps of his flexed gracefully as he clasped his hands behind him in a resting stance. “You appear distracted, Marshal. Are you ill?”

“What? You never had an off day, Z?”

“I don’t like being called Z.”

“Funny, ‘cause I don’t like when you call me Magdalena. Who’s gonna give first, Z? It won’t be me.”

An eyebrow raised. Good. Confusing him seemed to be her only defense against the guy.

Maggie slammed her datapad against his chest.

“What is this?” He skimmed the file she’d opened on her datapad. A DAA field manual that detailed how to clean and maintain government-issued weapons,

“The MPACC manual. I have to complete the review.” She yanked the datapad out of his hands before he read the file and realized she was lying to him. Again.

“MPACC?”

“Marshal Protocols Annual Compliance Check. I’ll shadow you through your duties over the next few weeks to ensure you’re following the protocols established by Earth Intelligence.”

“I’ve never heard of this.”

“It’s new. And I’m the poor sod ordered to conduct the compliance check.”

“You humans have too many meaningless protocols and reports. I’m trying to solve two murders.”

“Three.”

That dark brow lifted again.

“The morgue has two og’dals stabbed to death, and a third killed by a blaster.”

“Ah. Yes, I must notify them about that last one. The og’dal attacked Stenikov and a new witness, Sorcha Collins, as they debarkedKuvak’s Quest. Stenikov shot the male to protect her. A justified kill.”

“I hope he’s taking her to Ireland, not Dal.”

Zirkov leaned forward. “She’s leaving for Dal soon. When she returns after testifying, she’ll be taken to her home.”

“She should go home first. You can’t deny her that right.”

“We cannot keep Dal’s council waiting.”

“Yes, you can.”

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