“The dead crew were taking drugs, and I suspect they either took too many or they bought tainted ones, which caused their deaths. I would bet on the latter, since there are no survivors other than yourself. It would be stupid if they just overdosed one after another. The first death would have given them a clue to the strength of the drugs.”
“I was kidnapped.” She didn’t lower her weapon. “Off Prospect colony. Those men planned to do terrible things to me. I made it in here and sealed the doors. You don’t look or sound like the ones who’ve been threatening me…but that doesn’t mean you aren’t with them.”
“Why would you believe I was one of them?”
“I saw four of them when I was carried onto this ship. They were locking down a bunch of crates. Are you a fifth? Someone who was already on the ship? I’ll shoot you if you come any closer.”
He ran his gaze up and down her body. “No. I’m not with those men. What’s wrong with your hand?”
She clutched it closer to her chest, cradling it carefully. “I had to break my thumb to get out of the handcuffs they used to restrain me. I was able to eventually pick the lock to get it off my other wrist.”
“I have medical training. May I look at it?”
“No! Stay back. Did you hear me? For all I know, you’re with them and plan to drag me out of here to hurt me. I have no plans to be raped repeatedly and then tossed out an airlock. I didn’t survive this long, only to die now.” She glanced at the marked wall, then back at him.
He turned his head, following her gaze. His frown deepened before he looked back at her. “What is that?”
“I heard them talking when I was brought onboard. They have to be on Jebler in twenty-one days. I’ve made it fourteen so far. I’m going to survive until the authorities find me.”
“I’m with the authorities. You’re safe now. Those men can’t hurt you. What’s your name?”
“You would know that if you were with law enforcement. My parents would have reported me missing.”
“I haven’t seen any alerts from Prospect colony, but I could check. I’m going to slowly reach behind my back and withdraw my data bank, okay?”
She nodded. “Real slow.”
He bent his arm and slid it behind him to what she assumed was a pocket. He pulled out a small handheld device and showed it to her. “See? Data bank. Let me check.” He touched it, tapping the pad.
A tense minute ticked into two. His eyebrows rose at one point, his lips parted, then he closed his mouth before he looked up. “Your name is Hailey Togis. You’re twenty-six years old and a teacher.”
She nodded. “That’s me.”
He replaced the data pad. “The men who took you are dead, Hailey. Please allow me to see your hand.” He waited.
He seemed sincere, and those men who’d taken her hadn’t asked her name. She was certain they hadn’t cared who she was, or made any effort to find out. She’d been a convenient stranger. This guy also had a data bank that gave him information about her. Only security officers and authorities had access to those. It stood to reason he was probably who he claimed to be. She slowly lowered the weapon.
He approached her with small steps and slow movements. “Sealing yourself inside the main cabin of a Varlius model shuttle was very intelligent.”
“My father talks about ships often. He mentioned the Morgan had captain’s quarters that could detach from the rest of the ship. I just didn’t have the code the computer required to do that. It did seal the doors, though.”
“You initiated the first step to deployment of this section, but these models are also designed to protect the owners in case of a mutiny. The crew clearly tried to smash through the first set of doors. It’s why I had to bypass the system to get in. I suspected someone had locked themselves inside after sabotaging the drugs the crew were taking.”
She gasped, horrified that he’d accuse her of such a thing. “I didn’t kill them.”
He just studied her.
“Really. I didn’t do anything but run in here to protect myself. No way would I dare unseal those doors to try to attack them. I was too scared. Please tell me that you believe me. I didn’t kill anyone.”
He nodded, still a few feet away. “I believe you. Have a seat