Reunion - Michael Jan Friedman [67]
For a second or two they just stared at each other. Then Ben Zoma cracked a smile. “Fancy meeting you here, Commander.”
The first officer refrained from smiling back. “Mind if I ask what you’re doing, sir?”
The older man stood, winced, and massaged the back of his neck. “Damn,” he said. “There’s that tightness again. The old body’s not what it used to be-though I’ll deny it if you tell anyone I said that.”
“You haven’t answered my question,” Riker reminded him. “True,” Ben Zoma said. “That was rude of me. On the other hand, I think you know why I’m here. I imagine it’s the same reason you’re here— to go over the scene of the crime. To see if there might not be something the others overlooked.”
Riker nodded. “How long have you been here?” he asked. “Just a few minutes.” “And?”
Ben Zoma shook his head. “No brilliant insights-unfortunately.” He gazed past Riker. “The killer carne from that direction-more than likely was already wait-+ for Cad and the others when they came groping for the lift in the dark.” His nostrils flared. “I wish he were here now. And I wish I had a phaser too.”
Riker regarded him. “Not exactly the kind of talk Starfleet encourages in its captains.”
“No,” agreed Ben Zoma, “it’s not.” He turned back to the first officer. “But then, there’s no one around to hear it but the two of us.” He cocked his head. “And if it were Dr. Crusher who’d gotten hurt, or Counselor Troi, wouldn’t you feel the same way?” Riker hesitated.
” “Come now-be honest.”
The first officer decided to be as honest as the dark man had been. “Maybe. But wanting and doing are two different things.” “No argument there,” Ben Zoma told him. “Many’s the time ‘I wanted to take someone’s head off and didn’t.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Riker remarked.
Well,” said the Lexington’s captain, “I should
going. Cadwallader could probably use some company. Though I’m sure Dr. Crusher will be as suspicious of my intentions as you are-still. his
The younger man shrugged. “The fact that the captain chose to trust you is a mark in your favor. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not the killer.”
“Absolutely right,” Ben Zoma said, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Now I know why Picard described you the way he did.” While Riker tried to decipher that last remark, the captain’s friend walked past him into the empty turbolift. Just before the doors closed, he heard Ben Zoma utter a single word: “Sickbay.” Once inside the lift, Ben Zoma shook his head appreciatively. Some officer, that Riker. Jean-Luc’s instincts had been right five years earlier, when he’d offered the man the first officer’s position on the Enterprise.
He still recalled vividly their conversation on Starbase 52, where the Lexington had put in for repairs. Ben Zoma had been pleasantly surprised to find his former captain there, awaiting transportation to his new assignment, and Picard had insisted on standing him to a few drinks.
“I tell you, Gilaad, I never thought I would find an exec like you again. But I think lightning has managed to strike twice. was “Who is he?”
“His name is Riker. Will Riker. He’s with DeSoto on the Hood.” “Yes. I think I’ve heard of him. His father’s a civilian strategist, isn’t he? Specializing in the frontier regions?” “That’s correct. He’s one of the top men in his field.
And for my money, his son is even better. was Picard leaned forward. “You know DeSoto-he never says a good word about anyone unless he absolutely has to. And he sings young Riker’s praises like a nightingale. Of course, DeSoto is not happy about the man leaving-he hates like hell to lose such a fine first officer. But he says Riker has earned the right to choose his own destiny. was “Very impressive, Jean-Luc. was Ben Zoma shook his head. “A Galaxy-class vessel and a first-rate exec. What lucky star were you