Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [89]
The ball obediently went into the side pocket.
“You’ll get a chance one day,” Chakotay said. “We’re definitely going to be better about staying in touch.”
“Will she still be working with the colonists?”
“Yes, for a time. Since Fortier has decided that they won’t be returning to Loran II, Sekaya will stay with them until they select a new site.”
“Understandable. The Federation will help them find another world. They can make a fresh start.” Janeway called her shot, then sank the ball. “How are you doing, Jarem?”
“Counselor Astall has pronounced me fit for duty, and my thoughts are my own again,” Kaz replied. “Gradak finally seems to be appeased with Moset’s capture and breakdown.”
Janeway shot him a penetrating look. Kaz had acted on his own initiative in transporting down to Loran II and taking Moset prisoner by himself. Moset had displayed no signs of rough treatment, and heaven knew that he’d piled up enough dark deeds to finally collapse under the weight of them, but something about the doctor’s explanation didn’t add up. Still, a mass murderer was in custody, Kaz was himself again, and the colonists were going to be all right. Janeway decided not to probe further.
“I spoke with Deirdre Ellis today,” Chakotay said rather solemnly. Janeway paused to regard him.
“How did that go?”
“As well as could be expected. They divorced several years ago. She said that although she was shocked to learn that Ellis had been impersonated by a Changeling all these years, she wasn’t actually surprised. Said he had returned from a mission drastically changed. Not like himself at all. She told me that she felt he had died a long time ago but it was only now that she could really mourn him.”
“I suppose we should have caught on, all of us, long before,” said Kaz. “That whole cookie-dough bit was just too over the top.”
“Actually,” Chakotay said, smiling again, “the real Ellis did love to eat raw cookie dough. Cake batter, too. Deirdre said Andy was a stickler for the rules—that was what the Changeling latched on to—but he was a loving husband and father and a lot of fun.”
“Andy, huh?” mused Kaz. “I like that nickname a lot better than Priggy. Wish we’d known the real Ellis.”
“We don’t have to have known him to grieve him,” Janeway said quietly. For a moment they were all silent. Janeway moved to the other side of the table, lined up the shot, sank the ball, and heard Tom Paris, new first officer aboard the U.S.S. Voyager, sigh heavily. Smothering a grin and grateful for the change of topic, she asked, “How did B’Elanna take the good news?”
“She was very happy for me. Told me to keep an eye on Vorik for her.” He hesitated. “She seemed a little distracted, though.”
“See what you’ve done, Tom?” Janeway teased. “You’ve set her off on that whole Kuvah’Magh path. There’ll be no stopping her now.”
“It’s going to be great to serve with you again, Tom,” Chakotay said, clapping Tom on the shoulder.
Paris grinned. “Likewise,” he said. “Somebody’s got to keep you guys in line.”
Sandrine stepped up beside Janeway. “Pardon, Madame Admiral,” she said, “but there is a message for you. Would you like to receive it, or shall I say that you are far too busy to be interrupted?”
“Don’t tell me you told Starfleet where you were tonight,” Chakotay chastised.
“Actually, no, I didn’t, and I’m wondering who had the tenacity to track me down. Apparently, Starfleet simply cannot function for an evening without me.” Janeway sighed and handed the cue to Chakotay. “I’d better take it,” she said. “I’ll make it quick. Play nice, gentlemen.”
She stepped into a private room. As the door closed, the sound of singing and laughter from the bar disappeared. Admiral Montgomery’s craggy face appeared on the viewscreen.
“Well, hello, Ken,” Janeway said. “I might have known you’d be the one to hunt me down on my evening off. If you wanted to come play pool with us, all you had to do was ask.”
“I wish it were about pool,