Recompense

TWENTY-FOUR

I wake at four o'clock the next morning. I don't feel well-rested, but I want to run. My body has been lying in a bed for two weeks, and I want to put it to use, even if I can only manage a mile or two. I ease Hoke away from me and slip off the sofa, tucking the blanket around him securely. I'll be back before he and Opal rise.

I yank on yesterday's uniform and pad down the hallway, wondering if I'll find Ethan waiting for me at the outer door. He isn't there. I hang around a few minutes, but he never shows. Probably too tired. Or he's been so busy that he's fallen out of the habit. Reluctantly, I start out alone. I like running with Ethan. And I would have preferred our next meeting to occur privately, not in Willoughby's office.

The eastern sky gives no hint of approaching dawn this time of year, so I must rely solely on the glow from my holoband. I follow our five-mile loop and feel surprisingly good. I can tell I haven't been active, but I am able to cover the miles at a modest clip. A few days of healthy food and a normal routine should restore me to full strength.

I'm heading back to my apartment for a shower when I spot Major Norvis backing out of the lab and pulling the door closed after him. His body language immediately arouses my suspicions. I pause in the hallway and wait for him to turn around. He startles when he sees me, and then stiffens, confirming my hunch. "What are you doing here this time of the morning, Miss Holloway?"

He's never liked me since I skipped his lectures and made him look like a fool. But one thing I really appreciate about not being Military is that rank doesn't affect me at all. He has no authority to command me, and I refuse to be cowed. "I believe the question is, what are you doing here, major? You don't work in the science department."

"You don't have authority to question me."

"And you don't have authority to enter the lab without permission."

His neck turns red as a turkey's wattle. "I don't need to explain my actions to you."

I shrug and continue down the hall like it's no big deal. He's right. He doesn't answer to me. But he does answer to Willoughby.

I shower and have fetched fruit, bagels, eggs, and juice from the mess hall by the time Opal wakes up. We have to rouse Hoke, who's still only half awake as we eat our predawn meal.

"I don't want to go home yet," he protests when I help him pack his bag.

"I'm sorry, buddy, but those are the rules. Mr. Willoughby only let you come because I was so sick."

"Can't you tell them you still don't feel good?"

I laugh and rumple his head of spikey hair. "I promise I'll come home again as soon as I can, okay?"

"Okay," he says, though his expression is anything but agreeable.

When they board the aeropod, I come along to the landing pad to see them off and wave until they disappear over the ridge. Then I make my way to Willoughby's office, feeling, as always, that I have just let go of something precious.

Caedmon and I arrive at the same time. I smile, but her face remains sober as she pushes open the door. "Willoughby, someone's been in the lab. When I locked up last night, I left half a can of soda on the counter. This morning it's empty. I wouldn't have noticed, except the edge of the counter was sticky. Whoever knocked it over didn't cover their tracks very well."

I glance at Ethan, already seated on the sofa. He gives me a nod, same as always.

"It was Major Norvis," I say. "I saw him sneaking out the door this morning when I got back from my run."

"You're certain?" Willoughby asks.

"Yeah. I spoke to him."

Willoughby sighs. "I was afraid it might come to this. He's been in my office twice asking questions about this case."