18
He did not look very happy. It was something of a shock. She was used to seeing him happy. Happy-go-lucky, at ease, grinning and laughing, ready to tease her with smile and laugh and eyes. Those eyes, she reflected. Those goddamned gorgeous, penetrating, seductive eyes. With an effort of will, she forced herself to meet them.
Shaking himself free of the two peaceforcers who had escorted him into her office, Case spared them a single lingering murderous glance before shifting his attention to the quiet, poised redheaded woman seated behind the desk. On previous occasions he had always tried to read her mind. He did not know how fortunate he was that he could not.
“I don’t know what’s going on, Lauren, but it isn’t funny.”
Her reply was one of studied calm. “You’re right, Seth. It isn’t funny.” Looking past him, she dismissed the peaceforcers. They retired to the outer office, leaving her alone with the bioprospector.
As soon as the doorway sealed behind them, he turned back to her. His face was by turns flustered and furious. “Something’s up, beautiful. Want to let me in on what it is?”
“Right away, Seth. And from here on in it might be best if you address me as Administrator.” Her insides were churning again, but her voice was steady as strilk.
He drew back from her, straightening stiffly. “Oh. So it’s like that, is it?”
She nodded slowly, painfully. “Yes, Seth. It’s like that. I won’t waste your valuable time.” She continued to study his face, his eyes. “I know that you’re the one responsible for sabotaging the instrumentation of the two missing skimmers: the one piloted by the bioprospector Shadrach Hasselemoga, also known as Hasa, and the rescue craft that was sent to find him.”