Star Wars_ Coruscant Nights II Streets of Shadows - Michael Reaves [65]
“And food,” Laranth added.
“Minimal appearances must be maintained,” put in Rhinann.
“All right, all right!” Jax took a deep breath and checked his chrono. “When she gets here I’ll … talk to her.” He let his gaze rove around the room. “If this only involved me, I’d continue to say no. But we’re all in this together, so in this one instance I’ll allow myself to be outvoted.”
“Never underestimate the humanoid affinity for rationalization,” I-Five said.
The reporter turned to the others. “We should each find something else to do when Dejah arrives.” He spoke to all of them, but he was looking at Laranth.
The Twi’lek hesitated, glanced at her unfinished work on the bench, then at Jax. The Jedi was puzzled by that look, which seemed compounded of equal parts amusement and annoyance. She said nothing, however; she merely gathered up the disassembled pieces of her blaster.
The main domicile entryway chose that moment to announce the arrival of a visitor. Its integrated evaluator declared the caller to be unaccompanied, unarmed, and, insofar as could be determined from outward appearances, not a representative of the police or any other branch of unwelcome officialdom.
“We’ll let ourselves out through the secondary exit,” Den informed Jax as he headed for the far side of the communal room. Rhinann followed close behind, together with I-Five. Laranth was the last to leave. She lingered a moment.
“Secure an agreement and fix a suitable retainer,” she told Jax. “Take your time. But not too much time.”
He frowned uncertainly. “I don’t follow your meaning.”
Laranth gave him another bland look, which still seemed somehow annoyed. “What I mean is, we don’t have time to waste.”
“We have plenty of time. The Whiplash hasn’t even scheduled Dejah’s departure yet. They still have to secure passage and—”
“My mistake.” She turned, fast enough to send her lekku whirling, and strode out, head high.
What in the worlds has gotten into her? the Jedi wondered. He had little time to ponder it, however, because a twitch of the Force’s strands reminded him that Dejah was at the door.
When he let her in, she didn’t look around; by now she was familiar with the surroundings. “I’m sorry to ask you to meet us here, but it’s my experience that dwelling in borderline squalor is good for security. I’d rather be safe than comfortable.”
She waved off his apology. “Where’s everyone else? Even your impertinent droid is gone, and he’s usually no more than a meter from your side.”
“Would you rather wait for them to return?”
“No, that’s not necessary.” She smiled, which made him feel slightly uncomfortable. “I’m sure you can fill me in on whatever I need to know.”
Jax felt momentarily at a loss, then drew himself up. This was ridiculous. Master Piell would have considered being alone with a Zeltron of the opposite gender nothing more than a test. After all, he had the Force to counteract her pheromones.
It didn’t seem to be helping all that much, however.
“I need to go over some predeparture details with you,” he explained. “Things you need to do before you wrap up your final affairs, ways to go about them so as not to arouse suspicion, how to terminate any close relationships—that sort of thing.”
“Travel information. Good.”
He hesitated again. “Uh, you might want to take notes.”
“Not necessary. I have a good memory.” She sat, hugging her knees to her chest and giving him her undivided attention.
As he began to recite some of the procedures that would be necessary for her to ensure a safe and anonymous departure from Coruscant, he couldn’t help but be aware of the bodystocking that covered her like a second, lucent skin. He used the Force to deflect the pheromones he could feel pulsing from her, but the visual alone was enough to keep him stumbling over his tongue like an anxious Padawan. Dejah pretended to notice nothing unusual in his behavior,