Riders of B E R K

Part 32: A social appointment with guns

"You are saying the security team harbours the traitor?"

"That's exactly what I am saying," I said levelly. "Ozzie was investigating them-and suddenly Ozzie ends up dead. He wasn't looking into anything else. And he had been to see Heather but she had no visitors-not even her guards-between the visit and Ozzie's death. Only security would know he was investigating them. Only they would have the motive to kill."

Hiccup was looking sick and I felt bad but Stoick was eyeing me very carefully. "Have you any proof?"

"Circumstantial against the department but none specific-until Hiccup completes his investigations, sir," I admitted.

"I see you've decided to acknowledge my rank again," he said pointedly. I nodded curtly.

"Sir," I said coolly. Stoick met my gaze and sighed, inspecting his son carefully.

"I know you don't approve of my actions, lieutenant," he said, emphasising my junior rank. I said nothing. "However, the situation cannot continue. BERK is open and we need to plug the gaps before anyone else is killed. There have been attempts on your life, my life, my son's and Ozzie's. This was the only way."

"You should have told Hiccup," I insisted through gritted teeth. He shrugged.

"I understand," he said quietly. "Son?"

"You're alive. Got it," Hiccup said tonelessly. "I've got work to do." Stoick paused.

"If you need a break, I will deadlock the room-your cards only. Not even I could get in here until you return," he offered. I nodded and he withdrew, leaving Hiccup glaring at the screens, his body rigid. Cautiously, I walked round to him and gently wrapped my arms around his shoulders, resting my chin on his shoulder and staring at the screen in front of him. I felt the tension begin to ease and he tenderly rested his head against mine.

"You've got to talk to him some time," I reminded him. He closed his eyes and leaned into me. I could feel him trembling.

"Maybe in a year or so," he sighed. "Astrid...I-I just can't forgive him so easily. That...was the cruellest thing he's done to me." I snuggled harder against him and he raised his bandaged hand to caress mine. "I gotta keep going-I've nearly got the parameters in. Then I just run the search: the programme will cross reference for me once I've finished." I stole a kiss on his cheek then let him go.

"You finish up-I'll go get some coffees," I sighed and grabbed the tray, tidied up the empty cups and headed out, carefully closing the door behind me. It wasn't a long walk back to the Mess but, for the first time, I felt nervous. I knew now that I could trust no one but those I had agreed with Hiccup. And that list was very, very short: us two, his father, Gothi and Gobber. I wanted to trust Cami as well...but beyond that, I didn't know anyone well enough and my trusting gland was firmly switched off until we had the answers. I glimpsed two of the security team and I tried not to stiffen: that was the worst. In all my various lives, I had to trust security, trust to their oaths of loyalty and their protection of my person from danger. To know that they were the problem was the most unsettling of all.

A horrible thought struck me. What if it was Fishlegs? The husky, blond MP and Rider had seemed genuinely nice, a quiet and slightly nerdy guy so unlike the rest of the pathological extroverts in the team. I glanced up as I stowed the tray in the Mess and saw Dogsbreath grabbing a bag of potato chips and a can of cola and I nodded to him. He blanked me and I rolled my eyes. Hiccup had been right about that as well: being his buddy didn't do much for my social life with the other Riders. I shivered and approached the machine, frowning and calling up a large white Americano to go.

"He'll fuck it up," Dogsbreath Donald told me, standing behind me. "He always does. He tried it on with Heather, once-and then let her down. Dagur was furious at him for that-called him out for it and kicked the crap out of him in front of the other Riders. We all saw-and Heather was so humiliated. It was a blessing when Eret asked her out-he's a decent guy. You seem...okay, actually so I would hate you to be hurt by him." I frowned and swapped the cups, calling up a skinny latte for myself. I stabbed the button.