Just that the execution doesn’t take place, and governors should use discretion in determining what happens with the prisoner.”
“All the better,” said Susan Eideler, a Planetoid One Supervisor, and someone Alex knew as the ultimate conservative on a Planetoid of conservative thinkers. “That means we can do exactly as we please.”
Richard turned to her. “But what do we please?” he asked.
“That’s easy,” Susan said. “Send Dr. Addams to Planetoid One and let her figure it out.”
“Interesting,” Richard mused.
“Not a bad start,” Talek agreed.
Murmurs of approval went around the table and Alex suddenly understood why they didn’t want Jaguar here.
“Wait a minute,” he said. “This is about Francis, not Dr. Addams.”
All eyes turned to him, then back to Susan.
“He’s got a point,” Talek said.
“Yes,” Richard agreed. “We can’t let this look like it’s about her.”
“It won’t,” Susan said. “As the dissenting vote, she’ll assist in follow up investigation, conduct interviews, review evidence and so on. If she spends some time with Durero she’ll see what a killer he really is.”
Alex turned a shocked face to Regina, who shook her head lightly. This, too, shall pass, her expression said. All well and good, he thought, but he wouldn’t let Jaguar pass with it. He turned away from her and toward Paul Dinardo, who looked as shocked as he did.
“She’s under no obligation to resolve this,” Alex said. “She volunteered for the committee and rendered her considered opinion. If you want an investigation, hire an investigator.”
“I see your point, Alex,” Regina said softly, “but we really don’t want outside involvement in a matter that’s strictly internal.”
“Absolutely not,” Susan agreed. “You know how that goes. They’re way too ready to think we’re the mutoids and freaks.”
“And empaths,” Governor Karis from Planetoid Two added, looking at Alex.
“Well, I said freaks, didn’t I?” Susan said, and small laughter rolled around the table.
Alex sent a glare to Paul, who grimaced. Then he turned to the others. “Let the investigation come from Planetoid Two,” he said, looking at Karis. “You’re a neutral party.”
“It’s not our problem,” Karis said. “We spoke for execution.”
“Then this isn’t a meeting about procedure,” Alex said. “It’s an opportunity to pressure a dissenting voice into recanting. Is that it?” He surveyed the faces around him. “Is it?”
All eyes avoided his.
“Christ,” he muttered, “Almighty.”
“I would hope not,” Regina said firmly. “It would be an egregious error to do so.”
“I agree,” Paul chimed in. “Absolutely eg—what Regina says. And Alex is right. It’s nothing to do with her. Besides, you don’t really want her running around loose on One, do you?”
There was some uncomfortable shifting. Paul hit the nail on the head with that, Alex thought. But to his surprise, Regina intervened, and not in a good way.
“Alex, it does makes sense to have the dissenting voice investigate,” she said. “Dr. Addams saw something we missed. Perhaps she could clarify the situation.”
Everyone except Paul brightened at her words. Alex felt a sinking in his stomach.
“Not in these conditions,” he countered. “She’d be off her turf, working with people who are upset at her decision and her attitude about policy on your Planetoid.”
Everyone here knew about Jaguar’s disapproval of the work programs. More than once, with her usual preference for honesty over tact, she’d called them sanctified slave labor.
“Her attitude isn’t the problem,” Susan said. “It’s her mouth. She keeps talking when she doesn’t know anything. Maybe if she goes back she’ll learn better.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Alex said crisply. “She doesn’t need to be educated.”
“Dr. Addams isn’t someone to be blinded by personal prejudices,” Regina concurred. “But we all have our feelings in these matters, and hers run high. Alex, do you think that’s an impediment to her investigation?” She turned toward him, held his gaze.
He was in a bind. If he said yes, that would reflect badly on her. And while Jaguar didn’t give a rat’s ass if the gathered governors of all three Planetoids sneered at her, he didn’t want to give them any new excuses to do so.
“I think there’s better solutions,” he said. “For instance, you could have Durero transferred temporarily to Planetoid Three, let her work with him here.”
Take that, he thought. Now you’re in a bind. Unfortunately, one of them found a quick and dirty way out.
“That won’t work,” Richard said, “She can’t investigate without viewing the crime scene.”
“Then I’ll bring her to One, and we’ll take Durero back to Three,” Alex offered.
“You sound like you’re afraid to let her out of your sight,” Susan purred. “Is that a professional concern, or a personal one?”
He brought his gaze to hers and held it. Okay, he thought. Here it is.
People had gossiped about the two of them being lovers for as long as she’d been on Planetoid Three. In the past they’d both simply ignored it, but the gossip had recently become true, and there were rules against such interactions between Teachers and Supervisors. If anyone made a fuss they were up the creek. In the absence of paddles, he’d have to use his hands.
“Both,” he said. “Personally, I’m concerned at the tone I’m hearing about someone whose well-being I value. Professionally, I have prisoner programs to run, and she’s the best Teacher I’ve got, in case you’ve forgotten her success rate.”
“Nobody,” Susan said, “could ever forget what she’s done.” She counted on her fingers. “Blown up a shuttle, destroyed a VR site, helped a prisoner escape. That’s just her public record. Should I name the rumors, too?”
Soft laughter moved around the table. “You left out a few things,” Alex said. “Stopped an Apocalypse on the home planet, kept the Planetoid from being turned into a wasteland, uncovered an illegal moon-mining operation, and—let’s see, saved my life more than once, if that matters.”
The laughter quieted.
“Nobody’s questioning her talent,” Regina said. “We’re just trying to decide what to do with this case.”
Murmurs of assent followed. Alex sat back and drummed his fingers on the table, waiting for what came next.
“I think she should go to One and investigate,” Talek said, “since she’s so talented.”
Governor Karis spoke. “For the record, Talek, you’re suggesting that Dr. Addams engage in follow-up investigation on Planetoid One in the matter of Francis Durero and the murder of Diane Lasher. Is the rest of the group in favor of this?”
All hands raised in the affirmative except for his and Paul Dinardo’s. The others ignored Alex and turned to Paul. He cleared his throat and spoke. “I’m against it,” he said. Alex cast him a glance equally composed of gratitude and surprise.
“Why?” Susan asked, just as surprised.
“Let’s be honest,” he said. “We all know how she is. She’ll be pissed as hell if you send her,