That is, if she stayed put.

"What the h.e.l.l is going on with you?"

The note of concern in Sean's voice made Taber turn and look at his friend. Sean's blue eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was clenched. He had to suddenly fight the urge to relax his body and lean against the wall.

"I'm not sure."

"Did you have s.e.x with her?"

The flare of anger was back. Not as strong as it had been when someone had questioned him about Calantha-there wasn't the bond in play. But he didn't want Sean to know about that part of his life. Didn't want anyone to know. But he also knew he had to say something if he wanted any hope of Sean leaving him alone. Taber lowered his chin and dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Yes."

52.

Sean opened his mouth to say something, tried twice to find the right words. "Is she your mate? Is this another Kamran and Haylie situation?"

At the mention of his friend, Taber couldn't help but feel guilty at the fact he hadn't thought about them since arriving on the ship. The guilt and jealousy had faded in the past day and a half, only to be replaced with his obsessive thoughts of Fallon.

"No, it isn't like that."

"Then why the h.e.l.l are you sleeping with her? You're not supposed to react to a woman unless she's your mate."

"My mate is dead."

The words spoken out loud to Sean somehow made the situation seem more real.

Looking over at his friend, he could see his disbelief and confusion.

"It was before I came to Eurus."

"I had no...why the h.e.l.l didn't you tell us? Does Kamran know?"

Taber's hands were on Sean's biceps before the other man could blink. Panic slammed into him hard. "He does not, nor will you tell him. Do I make myself clear?"

"Why not?"

"For my people the death of a mate is a traumatic experience. The surviving mate is an object of pity, an anomaly that no one knows what to do with. While I have the utmost respect for my oldest friend, and I would give my life without thinking to save his, I do not, under any circ.u.mstances, want his pity."

Sean's gaze was locked on his, so Taber could see the shock and understanding. Of all the people who could have discovered his secret, Sean was the one person who understood the desire to keep a person's pain private.

"Gentlemen," Doc called out to them. "I believe we are finished here."

Releasing Sean, Taber turned and made his way over to them. "Thank you."

"I will give you any additional findings, but blunt force trauma is the cause of death. Scans show his skull was crushed in a three-inch, semi-circular indentation.

Scans for drugs or foreign substances have come up negative. TOD is approximately three hours ago."

"Thank you, doctor."

"I guess you should let security know to release Commander Bruce." Doc smiled as he handed Taber a holo cube that contained a re-creation of the body.

"Why is that?"

"Well, he certainly didn't commit this murder. He's been locked up in the brig since yesterday."

Handing the cube to Sean, Taber nodded once before looking back up at the doctor.

"What makes you think they are related?"

53.

"Instinct. I've been on the crew of the Damara for twenty years. We've never had a single murder that wasn't explained by a bar fight or the result of a crime of pa.s.sion. To have two murders in such a short span of time isn't normal."

"I'll keep that in mind. I will question Commander Bruce now."

Doc straightened and looked from Taber to Sean. "You mean you haven't?"

"We've been a little busy since our arrival," Sean said and put the holo cube in place and triggered the image. "I can handle things here if you want to talk to Bruce now."

He was slipping. A year ago, he would have been down interrogating Bruce within a half-hour of his arrival on ship. It would have made sense to do right after viewing the crime scene and interviewing the bar patrons. But he hadn't. He'd been so drawn in by Fallon, he hadn't been able to see anything else.

By the G.o.ddess, this was his fault. Had he been focused he could have prevented this murder.

Moving past the security agents at the door and through the small crowd that had gathered to see what was going on, Taber turned to march down the hall toward where he'd been told the brig was. What he wasn't expecting was to see Fallon standing there, leaning against the wall.

"About time. I thought you were going to be in there forever."

She'd tied her hair back and was wearing a less revealing top, but the sight of her still managed to suck all the air out of his lungs. Slowing his pace, he stopped in front of her and clasped his hands behind his back.

"What are you doing here?"

The smile on her face, faltered for a second before bouncing back. "I'm just another curious onlooker. What happened in there?"

"I can't discuss it."

"Oh come on, Taber." She lowered her voice and leaned in. "I was probably with you when it happened so it's not like I'm going to be a suspect. Who was it? A guest?"

Lukas had been protective of Fallon and while Taber didn't think they'd had a prior relationship, he knew they were friends. Reaching out, he gently caressed her shoulder, stopping to give her arm a squeeze.

"Fallon, it was Lukas Ross."

She gave her head a shake, her eyes were wide. "What? No, I just saw him. He was fine."

"When did you see him last?"

"Right before we...right before I saw you."

Di machachta. "That fits the time of death. You were most likely the last one to see him alive."

54.

Fallon brought her hand to her mouth and sagged hard against the wall. Tears flooded her eyes and began to stream down her face. He shouldn't touch her, shouldn't offer comfort, but he couldn't help it. Taber dragged her into his arms, letting her bury her face in his chest. Her small body shook from the gasps and her sobs, her hands wrapped around his tunic, driving her body tight against him. He didn't move, giving her all the time she needed.

By the G.o.ddess, seeing her like this made his heart ache. Dropping his head to the top of her head, he brushed his lips over her hair. She sniffed and wiped her eyes after a few minutes until finally she calmed enough to look up at him.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was ragged as she spoke.

"There's no reason to apologize. Can I escort you to your quarters?"

Fallon shook her head. "I don't want to be alone right now, if that's okay. I think I'll just head to the entertainment section. Be around people."

The idea of her wandering around the station without an escort wasn't appealing. If the two deaths were related, she was just as much a target as everyone else.

"I was about to head down to the brig to speak with Commander Bruce. I would be pleased if you'd accompany me."

He wasn't sure she'd say yes, but after a few seconds and toying with the end of her ponytail, she nodded. "Thanks, I'd like that."

They walked silently down the corridor to the transportation tube, joining the small group of other travelers. Memories of what they'd done together the last time they'd been here flashed through his mind before he mentally swatted them away, cursing himself for his insensitivity.

She'd just been told of the death of her friend, the second in two days. The last thing she needed was a l.u.s.t-crazed alien making advances toward her in a transportation tube. Still, Fallon's body swayed into his with the barely perceptible motion, her arm b.u.mping into his. Looking down at her, he saw a tear trickle down her cheek. Without thinking, he reached up and brushed it away. Her startled, wide-eyed gaze brought a small smile to his face. Before either of them had a chance to react further, the doors opened at their level.

He followed Fallon to the brig, catching her hand before they went inside.

"I don't want you going in to see Bruce until I've had a chance to speak with him.

But I don't want you to leave either. Can you do that for me?"

"I'll amuse myself," she said and winked. "I'll chat with Tony."

"Another one of your male friends?"

"Jealous?" she said with little humor.

He raised an eyebrow.

"He's just a friend." Fallon turned and tapped the controls to open the door. "Let's go talk to the commander."

55.

Walking into the security area revealed a small room with half a wall full of computer screens and a doorway that presumably lead to where they kept the prisoners. Not a very big area, but he had to a.s.sume a ship of this nature normally didn't have much in the way of serious crime. A young woman stood up when she saw them approach, her eyes wide and fixed on him.

"Can I help you?"

"Hey, Jenny, this is Taber. He's investigating the...deaths here on the ship," Fallon said in a somewhat steady voice. "Is Tony here?"

The other woman reluctantly shifted her gaze from him to Fallon, where she shook her head. "He went to the latest scene. You must have crossed paths. I a.s.sume you want to talk to Commander Bruce?"

The security officer's gaze flicked back to him, letting it drift down the front of his body. She paused at his groin area for a moment before looking back up into his eyes.

She smiled and tucked a piece of her short black hair behind her ear.

"That would be correct," he kept his voice professional but curt.

"I can a.s.sist you with your questioning. If you'd like."

He saw Fallon stiffen ever so slightly before she locked her hands together in front of her body. It was amusing to know that he wasn't the only one who could get a little jealous.

"That won't be necessary. If you could keep Ms. Reist comfortable until I return.

She is under my protection, and I would appreciate it." He lowered his voice a tiny bit on the last, hopefully giving her the impression that he'd be more grateful than he really would.

If she could keep Fallon occupied with questions of him while he was talking to Bruce, it might actually keep his bartender in one spot. Of course, he'd pay the price for that later. The woman smiled at him and pressed a sensor on the computer pad on her desk.

"We don't have a lot of visitors at the moment. Bruce is the first cell on your left when you go in."

Nodding, he put his hand on Fallon's back to take her aside for a moment. "This may take a little while, but I want you to stay."

"Why, want me to find out if Jenny is interested in a date?"

She kept her eyes averted, as an angry flush colored her face. He shouldn't reach out and touch her, knowing what it would look like to the other woman, but he couldn't stand to have Fallon angry at him. Taking her chin gently with his hand, he tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

"Who's jealous now?" he whispered.