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Who could that be? Iella’s eyes narrowed. “Give me a name.”

“Can’t. This office isn’t secure enough.” Halla pointed toward the office window and the drapes drawn over it. “Someone you knew well, once upon a time.”

Iella frowned. Drapes? Curtains? Her jaw dropped open. Kirtan Loor? “It can’t be.”

“It is. Code name is Behemoth.”

“Right.” He’s the biggest Intelligence agent we’ve brought in so far. “What’s the drill?”

Halla yawned. “Sorry. Nawara just gave his little media conference so Behemoth knows the deal is set. Nawara will be coming here and will be waiting until Behemoth can get him a message about pickup. I’ve arranged for you to get an armored airspeeder. You’ll take Behemoth to a safe house, Nawara Ven will depose him, then you’ll pack him up and bring him here in time for court. We want him in and out fast—we’re counting on secrecy because he should have enough information about Imperial ops that almost anyone could want him dead.”

Iella nodded. “You’re not afraid I’ll kill him?”

“Not before he clears Celchu of Horn’s murder, no, I’m not. Cracken will want him after that, but my only concern is his impact on this trial.” Halla shrugged, then blew a lock of black hair from in front of her face. “I’ve already told you he cut an immunity deal, so the only justice that will be done in this case is getting Celchu off. You know how these deals work.”

“Yeah, they stink worse than Hutt-sweat, but you give something to get something.” Iella sighed. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring him in safely.”

“Never was worried about it.”

Iella pointed to the hololink on the office’s other desk. “I need to speak with Diric.”

Halla frowned. “Not a good idea.”

“If I don’t, he’ll wait up. He always has, but he’s really not that strong anymore.”

“No details, right?”

“Right.”

“Go ahead.” Halla stood and smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt. “I’m going down the hall to brew up something hot, dark, and stimulating. Can I bring you some?”

“Please.” Iella sat down at the desk and entered her home link number. She smiled reflexively when Diric answered. “It’s me.”

“So it is, and with a smile.” Diric stifled a yawn with his hand. “Forgive me. How are you? Is there anything you need? I can run it over.”

“No, no, I’m fine, really.” She forced her smile to broaden. “I just called to let you know I’m not going to be coming back home this morning.”

“Anything wrong?” Irritation washed over Diric’s face. “No, can’t be if you’re smiling. Something good, then?”

“Work, work I can’t tell you about. You’ll find it fascinating when I can.”

“I can’t wait. Sounds as if you have a big day ahead of you.” He glanced off to the side for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll get some fruit and put it together with your lunch so you can snack on it if there is a break. Will that work?”

“That’ll be perfect, darling.” Iella touched the hololink’s screen and caressed her husband’s face. “It really is going to be a big day tomorrow. You’ll see why I can’t say anything.”

“I understand. Thank you for letting me know you’re safe. I can try to get back to sleep now.”

“Please do, Diric. Get all the sleep you can—enough for both of us.”

“I’ll do my best.” He smiled at her. “Be careful. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Iella hit a button and broke the connection. She sat back and sighed deeply. It’s very strange to find myself having to safeguard a hated enemy so he can exonerate a man in the murder of a good friend. I’m not sure Corran would appreciate the irony of the situation, but I do know he wouldn’t want an innocent man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. I think that’s as close to peace of mind as I’m going to get out of this. I just hope it’s enough when all is said and done.

35

Never, in all the time he had secretly worked for Ysanne Isard, had he gotten a message that revealed her to being close to panic. The messages she had sent concerning the remnants of Rogue Squadron and the need for their elimination had been more controlled