Hector jerked as though someone had stuck him with a pin. “He … he’s back?”
“Now don’t get rattled,” Leoh said as calmly as he could. “No one’s going to come in here with pistols blazing to assassinate me.”
“Maybe … but, well, I mean … there’s a chance that Odal—or somebody—will try something.”
“Nonsense,” Leoh grumbled,
Hector didn’t reply. He seemed to be lost in an inner debate; his face was flashing through a series of expressions; worried, puzzled, determined.
“What’s the matter?” Leoh asked.
“Huh? Oh, nothing … just thinking.”
“This news about Odal has upset you more than I thought it would.”
“No, no … I’m not upset… just, uh, thinking.” Hector shook his head, as if trying to clear his mind. Leoh thought he could hear the gurgling of water.
“It’s my duty,” Hector said, “to, uh, protect you. So I’ll have to stay, well, very close to you at all times. I think I should move into your apartment and stay with you wherever you go.”
Now Leoh found himself upset more than he thought he would be. But he knew that if he didn’t let the Watchman stay close to him openly. Hector would try to do it secretly, which would merely be more agonizing for both of them.
“All right, my boy, if you insist; although I think you’re being overly dramatic about this.”
Hector said, “No, I’ve got to be there when Odal shows up…. And anyway, I think the Terran ambassador was getting a little tired of having me around the embassy. He, uh, he seemed to be avoiding me as much as he could.”
Leoh barely suppressed a smile. “Very well. Get your things together and you can move in with me today.”