“Tell him what I saw. About Nelson.”
“You are safer if you do not get involved.” He has said this numerous time over the past few days. The only thing we’ve argued about in fact.
“They need to know there’s an accomplice,” I say, not giving up.
Kobrik takes a deep breath then unmutes. “The grud has an accomplice, Major.”
“Unless you give me evidence, I’m closing this case.”
“I saw a male in costume speaking with the grud.”
“That was Halloween. Everyone was wearing costumes. That’s why the grud blended in so well.”
“Kobrik has a witness, Major,” I chime in loud and clear.
“Who’s that?” Collins asks.
“The witness,” Kobrik reluctantly admits. He stretches out his arm, keeping me from being seen. Then he proceeds to relay my encounter with Nelson and the grud, noting every detail precisely as I told him.
“I’ll add this to the report. Send me the woman’s contact information, Warrior.”
“No,” Kobrik answers firmly. “She’ll remain safe if her identity remains secret.”
“Very well. But I don’t think this affects your status here.”
“Understood, Major.”
“You interviewed her without me?” a new voice chimes in.
“You weren’t here, Doctor,” Major Collins says.
“I need to know what she knows.”
The comm goes dead.
“Who was that?” I ask. “He sounded familiar.”
“Dr. Parsons. A consultant who adds no value but is always offering advice.”
“We have a lot of those in our government. Before and after the occupation. You surprise me, Kobrik.”
“In what way?”
“You were risking losing the accomplice just to shield me.”
His hand sift through my hair. “You are my priority.”
“All because I’m supposedly this heartmate of yours?”
“Not supposedly. Youaremy sholani. The female to whom I bonded long before we met. The female I plan to spend my entire life adoring, if you’ll let me.”
Oh, I want that, but the more I think about leaving Earth, the greater my fear becomes.
Kobrik’s hand reaches for me, and I lurch as I flash back to Josh’s party. A shiver wracks my body.
“Kenzie?”
It takes me a moment to speak while I make sense of what just happened. “When you reached for me, I suddenly remembered Nelson reaching out to me with those six hairy spider arms.”
