Homecoming - Christie Golden [83]
She had reread Covington’s report on Montgomery, going over it with the figurative fine-toothed comb, and found in it more than enough circumstantial evidence to damn Montgomery to a lifetime in prison for treason. But the odd thing was, when she tried to cross-reference the information using other documentation, almost everything fell apart. A few hours ago, she’d summoned all her computer training and successfully accessed the less-secure levels of Montgomery’s own office. Nothing there helped her case against him, either.
Even worse, the deeper she dug, the more she found discrepancies. Covington’s report had Montgomery in one place, supposedly meeting with his Orion Syndicate contact, when Libby knew for a fact that he’d been elsewhere. Still other things were supposed intra-office memos that Libby found no record of in Montgomery’s own computer systems. What was going on?
[247] She leaned back and rubbed her gritty, red eyes. Maybe she should take a break, have a good, long sleep and a solid meal. She knew from experience that sometimes working too hard made one careless, likely to overlook something that was right under one’s nose. But time was passing too quickly. Montgomery was now in charge of several projects, all so conveniently interlinked, and if he were allowed to get away with it—
Her console chimed softly. Someone was trying to reach her. Covington again, no doubt. Maybe she had more information.
Wearily Libby touched the controls, and her eyes widened to see the face of Harry Kim.
“Harry!” she cried. She almost said, They let you go! But just in time said instead, “Where have you been?”
He smiled, looking as tired as she knew she must appear to him. “I’m not permitted to say, but I’m back now. I’m sorry I stood you up. If I’d been able to contact you, I would have.”
“I know, honey,” she said. “Whatever it is, I’m sure you had a good reason.”
He looked solemn. “Did you hear about Li?”
She bit her lip. She wasn’t given to hysterics, but she’d had so little sleep recently and the thought of poor Li—“Yes, I did. It’s horrible.”
They fell silent. Then Harry blurted, “I want to see you.”
Libby had a brief, violent war with herself. There was so much more to read, so many pieces of a puzzle [248] to put together. And yet, she was so tired that she knew she wasn’t thinking clearly. “I’ll be right there,” she said softly.
“Any news?” Irene Hansen’s face, normally so bright and cheerful, looked aged and gray. Janeway felt for her.
“I’m sorry. They’re not going to release her or Icheb any time soon, but they’re being well treated.” It was a partial truth. Seven and Icheb’s unique part-Borg nature required unique treatment, which they weren’t receiving. Thank God Dr. Kaz was a sympathetic man.
“Will they let me see her yet?”
Janeway shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Ms. Hansen. How are you holding up?”
Irene sighed deeply. “Well enough, I suppose. The house is so empty without her, Admiral.”
“Please, call me Kathryn.”
“Then I’m Irene, dear”
“Irene,” said Janeway, “I’m going to send Lieutenant Commander Tuvok to your house. We’re going to transport you somewhere a little less well known.”
“No,” said Irene, her firmness surprising Janeway. “This is my home. I’m not moving. Seven needs a safe place to come home to.”
Janeway chose her words carefully. She was, of course, forbidden to reveal what she knew of the encroaching Borg virus. But if things continued as they had, soon the world would know. And if the public knew, then prison would be the safest place on Earth for Seven and Icheb.
“I have some information that leads me to believe [249] you might be safer elsewhere for a little while,” Janeway said at last. “I ask you to trust me on this.”
Irene Hansen lifted her head and narrowed her eyes in an expression so familiar that Janeway almost laughed. How often had she seen Seven do exactly this?
“I appreciate your concern, Kathryn. But I’m fine where I am.”
Janeway inclined her head, acknowledging defeat. “If you feel threatened