Excerpt:

“I apologize for disturbing you outside our normal communication channels,” Kama said, acknowledging their unsecured line. “I wanted to let you know that I’d arrived safely. I would have contacted you sooner, but the station experienced communication issues.”

One almond-shaped eye twitched. “Issues?”

“Yes, but it didn’t prevent me from sending your… birthday present. It’s on a cargo drone headed for Earth orbit. It
left here shortly after I arrived. I wasn’t able to check your present’s condition.” She held her breath.

Samir went very still. She expected frost to form on the view screen so cold was the displeasure in his gaze. He
hated complications, and she’d barely started listing them.

“Inconvenient. I’ll see the package is retrieved.” He smoothed the front of his immaculate gray suit with long, thin fingers.

She plunged on. “Unfortunately, your present isn’t complete. Pieces are missing, and other collectors have taken an interest.”

His hand stopped in mid-stroke. “Other collectors?”

Kama swallowed. Sweat moistened her palms where they rested on the console. He really wouldn’t like the next news.
“There’s also a problem with the grant work I’m to do here for Independent Mining. Seems EcoMech claims to have bought the place, and Leon Goldman came in person to take possession. He has Rafael McTavish
in tow.”

The intensity of Samir’s stare rocked her back from the console.

“Is Mr. McTavish aware of your presence?” he asked in a deadly calm voice.

“We’ve been introduced.”

“It’s a large station. Enjoy those parts where Mr. McTavish is not found,” he ordered, his brows pulling down.

“Well, that’s the thing,”
she said, her voice rising in pitch. “There’s a bit of a shooting war going on here, and he’s been taken prisoner by the miners.”

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