“On what grounds?” Carl demanded.
Alec’s expression was cold as he said, “Our surveillance cameras observed you in a restricted area.”
Carl remained silent while electronic holding bracelets were attached to each of them. Director Borshin motioned for the security guards to escort the men from the room.
Cruncher stepped close to Rina and whispered, “Don’t worry about Carl. He’ll be out of there before you know it.”
She nodded, but from the expression on her face, it was clear she didn’t believe it.
Carl drummed his fingers impatiently on the table in the interrogation room while he waited. It was nearly an hour before Director Borshin and Alec entered. Director Borshin sat down at the table across from Carl while Alec casually leaned against the wall and observed.
Director Borshin cleared his throat and said formally, “You’re being charged with accessing a Priority One restricted area. As you know, conviction of this crime will automatically bring your trader status into question and a review will determine your continued eligibility.”
Carl was quiet for a moment and then asked, “What area am I being accused of accessing?”
Director Borshin glanced down at his tablet before answering. “You were recorded accessing the Inner Sanctum earlier today without authorization. More charges may be pending upon further review.”
Carl looked at Alec and observed, “You must be desperate to find her if you’re going to these extremes.”
Alec didn’t reply and Director Borshin continued, “We’re prepared to dismiss all charges related to this crime for information on the whereabouts of Mistress Kayla Rath’Varein.”
“I’m sure you are. But I can’t help you.”
The alarm on the door beeped and it slid open. Seara stepped into the room and glanced at Carl before turning to Alec.
“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. I received the notification of their arrest and I’m here to dispute the charges. They were in the Inner Sanctum at my request. I heard Veridian had returned to the towers and wanted to speak with him.”
Alec studied the woman for a long moment. “Are you prepared to make that an official statement, Seara?”
She inclined her head. “Yes, I am.”
“Very well,” Alec replied. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” He gave Seara a long look and then turned to Director Borshin. “Release them and take her statement.”
She gave him a curt nod and he walked out of the room. Seara turned to Director Borshin. “Director Borshin, I’d like a minute alone with Trader Carl.”
Director Borshin acquiesced, leaving them alone in the room. Seara held up her hand before he could speak. “I apologize for any confusion. I must have forgotten to submit the notification of your visit.”
Realizing they were still being monitored, Carl forced a smile and stood. “No problem. It happens to all of us.”
Seara led him out of the interrogation room. “Director Borshin, I’m ready to give my statement. I trust you’ve released Trader Carl’s crew members?”
Director Borshin looked up. “Yes, Mistress Rath’Varein. They’re in the hallway waiting. If you’d care to have a seat, I can take your statement.”
Seara sat down in the chair and darted a quick look at Carl, nodding toward the door. The meaning in her eyes was clear. She wanted him out of there. He had no idea what this was going to cost her, but she appeared to have control of the situation for the moment. Heeding her unspoken request, he headed outside to where Xantham and Veridian were waiting for him.
“Damn, Boss. That was a little too close.”
“Let’s go,” Carl replied, not comfortable with the listening ears around them. “I don’t want to talk here.”
* * * *
Rina gasped at the sight of them and hugged Carl tightly. “I was so worried. You need to tell me what’s going on right now. Don't you dare even think about giving me any of that nonsense about trying to protect me. OmniLab Security just arrested my son and searched my home.”
He hadn't wanted to get her involved, but it was a little late for that. “You’re right. I owe you an explanation.”
She was quiet as he told her the entire story. When he finished, he said, “I’m sorry I brought you into this, Mom. But I’m trying to protect someone I care about.”
Rina sat down in shock. “This is unbelievable.”
Carl crouched down beside her. “I need to go check on Kayla and find out if she’s learned anything about removing the bracelets. We’re running out of time. They seem bound and determined to find her.”
Cruncher paced the room. “I’m sure they’ve got surveillance all over the place, Boss. They’re going to be waiting for you to make a move.”
“Can you guys see if there’s a way to access the security surveillance system? I want to find out if there’s any way I can get out of here without them detecting me.”
“Yeah, I think we can figure something out.”
While Cruncher, Xantham, and Veridian began working on the problem, Rina pulled on Carl's arm to get his attention.
“I don’t think you should go, Carl. Let me go check on her. They won’t be expecting me.”
Carl looked at his mother in surprise. Although he was touched by the courageousness of her offer, he wouldn't risk it. He already had to deal with one woman he cared about who was intent on putting herself in danger. He wasn't sure his heart could handle another. “Absolutely not. I’m not going to drag you into this any more than I already have.”
She frowned. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”
Carl offered her a reassuring smile before joining the rest of his men to try to access the security system.
* * * *
Several hours later, Cruncher's voice exclaimed, “Boss, I think I’ve got it.”
Carl’s head jerked up. “What? How?”
“I’m not sure, but I used one of the tricks Kayla showed me with the security layers. There were some holes and I managed to slip inside.”
Carl moved over to look at Cruncher's screen. “You sure about this?”
“I can’t say for sure,” Cruncher admitted. “Kayla told me the security systems were similar in design.”
Xantham leaned over to view the screen. He ran his fingers over the tablet and entered some commands. He shook his head and clucked his tongue. “I’m not sure, Boss. It looks like he’s in clean, but I don’t have a good feeling about it. It’s a risk.”
Carl swore. “The longer we wait, the riskier this becomes. I have to be out of the towers in a few days. There’s no doubt they’re going to enforce that order.”
Veridian suggested, “Why not use me as a decoy?”
“What do you mean?”
“If it’s a setup, I can be the one who will go and lead them around for awhile. If there’s a way you can sneak out, you can go check on Kayla.”
It had a high potential for failure, but it was their best option. Veridian's ties to Kayla were well known. “Let’s do it,” Carl agreed. “How long do you need until you can deactivate the cameras in this area?”
“Five minutes,” Cruncher replied.
“Okay,” Carl said. “Veridian will head out one minute before you deactivate them. I need about thirty seconds to make it to a service elevator.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
When Cruncher gave the signal, Veridian headed outside. Carl waited until Xantham gave him the next signal before slipping out of the room and heading in the opposite direction. The hallway was empty at this time of night and he moved quickly around the corner toward a service elevator.
He punched in a code and the elevator shot downward toward a busy shopping and entertainment level. He moved through the crowds and slipped down a hallway toward another service elevator. Carl took this elevator to another level and continued to work his way through the towers.
When he was confident he wasn’t being followed, he took another service elevator to Rand’s floor. He walked quickly to Rand’s door and pressed the button. The door slid open and Rand waved him inside.
“Sorry it took so long,” Carl greeted his friend. “I got tied up.”
“I heard. Kayla said you’d been arrested.”
He shouldn't have been surprised she knew about the arrest. Leaving her alone with access to a computer in Rand's suite probably meant she had her fingers in all sorts of OmniLab pies.
Rand chuckled. “You didn’t tell me she was a first class tech. She’s the one who sent the notification to her mother telling her you’d been arrested.”
“Where is she?”
Rand pointed to his office. “She fell asleep a couple of hours ago. Poor thing was exhausted. I don’t think she slept all night. But even so, she made me promise to tell you to wake her when you got here.”
Carl walked into the darkened office where Kayla was curled up on a couch with a blanket thrown over her. He sat down on the edge of the couch next to her and smiled as he studied her sleeping form. It was a mystery how such a troublesome creature could appear so innocent. He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her temple.
“Kayla?”
She opened her eyes and smiled as she recognized him. “Hey.” She yawned sleepily and wrapped her arms around him. “You made it.”
He kissed her lightly and pulled her into his lap where she cuddled up against him. “I heard I have you to thank for that.”
“Mmmm,” she murmured, nuzzling his chest. “You wouldn’t have even been there if it weren’t for me. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Rand says you’ve been asleep for a couple of hours. I would have let you sleep longer, but I’m not sure how long I can stay.”
“Crap, I didn’t mean to sleep so long.” She sighed and pushed the blanket aside.
Carl’s eyes lingered over her figure and he lightly ran his fingers up her bare leg. “I can’t tell you how much I want to take you back to bed.”
She laughed as he tickled her. “And you call me distracting?”
“You’re very distracting. Especially when you’re wearing nothing but a T-shirt.”
She gave him a seductive smile. “I could always take it off.”
Carl raised an eyebrow. She shifted so she was straddling his lap. Carl ran his hands up her thighs until they found their way under her shirt. His hands rested on the gentle curve of her waist and he said, “Yeah, you could do that.”
A loud chime echoed throughout the entire quarters and Kayla looked around in confusion.
“What’s that?”
“Shit,” Carl exclaimed, and moved her back onto the couch. “Kayla, stay here. Whatever you do, don’t come out.”
She frowned as he left the room and closed the office door behind him. Rand met him at the door. “This isn’t good.”
“I’ll take responsibility for this, Rand,” Carl promised.
A moment later, the front door opened. Alec stepped inside along with Director Borshin and half a dozen security officers.
“Master Veritan,” Rand exclaimed. “It’s an honor to see you again.”
Alec looked amused. “Is it?”
Carl held out his hands. “I’m not sure what this is about, Master Veritan. Rand and I go way back. When I heard he was a trader applicant, I stopped by to catch up with him.”
“I see. Then I’m sure you won’t have a problem with us conducting a search of the premises. Director, go ahead. She’s here.”
Director Borshin directed the security officers to begin searching the quarters. Alec turned toward Rand. “I’m surprised you agreed to this. You realize your decision has jeopardized any chance you had of becoming a trader. As for you, Carl, I’ll see your title stripped by morning. I warned you not to play games with me.”
“Alec, stop it,” Kayla’s voice interrupted him.
Carl turned and nearly groaned when she stepped through the doorway. Her hair was slightly disheveled and it was obvious she had just stumbled out of bed. Rand’s shirt has slipped off her shoulder and its length barely fell mid-thigh. Oblivious to the stares, her eyes glittered with angry determination.
“Kayla,” Alec greeted her in a low voice.
She looked around the room at the security officers and then turned to Alec. “I want to speak with you privately. Get them out of here.”
He expected Alec to object, but he simply motioned for the Director and security personnel to wait outside.
* * * *
Kayla waited until they were gone before approaching Alec. She'd spent hours scouring through emails and correspondence, trying to get a better understanding of the political structure in the towers. Although her knowledge was still somewhat rudimentary, she had more than enough experience with the dark side of human nature to give her additional insight.
She also trusted her gut. Even though she still had reservations about Alec, she suspected he was her best chance to redeem herself and fix the situation. The fact that Alec had asked everyone to leave gave her hope that she was right in her estimation of him.
“You know damn well that Carl and Rand haven’t done anything wrong. As an Inner Circle member, I asked them both for help. They honored that request.”
Alec’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Is that so? You’re claiming your title now?”
She knew what he was asking. By acknowledging her title, she was agreeing to be subject to the laws and guidelines of the towers. Her independent nature made her want to kick him in the shins and run for the door, but she couldn't allow Carl or Rand to be punished because of her. Her eyes narrowed and she hissed, “Yes, damn you. Now back off and leave them alone.”
“Of course, Mistress Kayla Rath’Varein,” he replied with a small bow. She grimaced at the title but didn't object.
“If you’re willing to take your place as an Inner Circle member and vouch for them, my business with them is settled. Are you prepared to return with me to the Inner Sanctum now?”
Before she could reply, Carl stepped forward with his fists clenched. The anger roiling off him was nearly tangible. “So you can keep her imprisoned with the rest of the Inner Circle?”
Alec raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. It sounds like someone has been telling you some rather fanciful stories.”
Kayla considered reminding Alec about the cute little holding room, but held her tongue. The tension in the room was nearly overwhelming. Carl had gone into protective mode and seemed to be looking for an excuse to go after Alec. She sighed, dropping her shoulders and looked up at Alec. The time for games was over. What happened in the next few minutes would affect all of them.