The Lexal Affair Read online

  “I would've said the same thing,” Nyk replied. “Once I had the opportunity to know Andra, I realized she's quite a sweet girl.”

  “I've never even been close to an ax'amfin. Are they really as beautiful as they say?”

  “I think in Andra's case, her genetically-engineered good looks worked to her detriment.”

  “That's a comfort to those of us without genetically-engineered good looks.”

  “Don't underrate yourself, Grynnya -- you're quite an attractive woman.”

  She smiled. “Thanks. You should've seen me when I was your age -- I was a knockout.”

  Nyk took another bite of lasagna. “Grynnya, I know you're from the Quinn line. I'm a Kyhana -- in name, at least. That's two old-line names who've ended up as Earthbound Agents.”

  “Do you know Dalrina Davis?” Grynnya asked.

  “No -- I don't recognize that name.”

  “She's Agent-in chief for European Operations.”

  “Wow -- three descendants of the original Floran crew who're career Agents. I wonder if it's coincidence, or if something about Earth draws us here. Yours is a fairly common name. Have you run into any Earth Quinns?”

  “All the time,” replied Grynnya. “I always wonder if I'm speaking to an ancestor. How about you? Kyhana isn't nearly as common a name.”

  Nyk looked at her sheepishly. “I'm living with one Sukiko Kyhana.”

  “Oh, really... Well, Agency attitudes about such must be softening.”

  “There are some ... special circumstances surrounding Suki.”

  “Indeed. I believe some ... special circumstances ... must surround all Kyhanas.” She sipped her wine. “I'm sorry -- it's just Agency rules against mingling with the native population have always been a sore point with me. This can be a lonely assignment, especially for us Earthbound Agents. After all, we're trained professionals and we can be trusted to form relationships that won't put our mission into jeopardy.”

  “As your colleague, I agree with you. As your superior, I'm afraid I must adhere to policy.”

  Grynnya blushed. “Forgive me -- for a moment, I forgot I now report to you.”

  “It's quite all right. You may always speak freely with me.”

  She drained her glass. “I take it, then, your adherence to policy extends so far as it doesn't inconvenience your own situation.” She smiled and batted her turquoise eyes. “You did say I could speak freely.”

  “I did and touché. As a matter of fact, Seymor and I are hoping my relationship with Sukiko can form a model for relaxing the very rules under which you chafe so.”

  “If that's the case, then more power to you!”

  “Grynnya, I think I might want to try some of that wine after all.”

  She poured a glass for him. Nyk scooped some more lasagna. He felt Grynnya's toe brush against his ankle.

  “You know,” she said, “since we lost the darkness we'll have some time to kill and there's not much to do on this station. Maybe we should take the opportunity to get to know each other better.”

  Nyk looked at her for a long moment. “I think in light of our professional relationship, I'd prefer to feel more comfortable in that role before taking it to another level. Believe me, it's not that I don't find you -- or your offer -- quite attractive.”

  “I see... Well, it certainly doesn't take one long to develop Earth attitudes on the relationship between a subordinate and her superior. I imagine you're also being sensitive to your Earth woman's sensibilities. She probably doesn't appreciate the Floran approach to such.” She poured herself some more wine. “I'm terribly sorry -- I seem to be having difficulty keeping my foot out of my mouth.”

  Nyk sipped his wine. Grynnya kept her gaze on her dinner. “Don't you feel more at home on Earth than on the homeworld?” Nyk asked. “I know I do.”

  She looked up. “Of course I do. I feel especially at home in Kansas City. The people there are direct and hard-working.”

  * * *

  Grynnya piloted her shuttlecar toward a ranch house. “I live far enough in the country to use my own backyard as a landing pad,” she said. The car touched down and she drove it to the overhead door of the attached garage. She reached under her seat and produced a palm-sized device and pressed a button. The overhead door opened and she eased the shuttle inside, next to a 1982 Plymouth station wagon.

  Nyk helped her conceal the shuttle under a canvas cover and followed her into the house. “It's one AM,” she said. “I don't know about you, but my body clock is totally confused.”

  “It feels like one AM to me.”

  The phone rang. Grynnya picked it up. “Hello ... Leo ... No, Leo, I didn't promise you anything ... Have you been calling? I just got in ... My flight was late, okay?” She listened for a while.

  “No, Leo ... I'll be spending tomorrow sleeping off jet lag. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but I don't know how you got the idea we had a ... Leo, I've been away for two weeks. Another night or two shouldn't make that much difference ... I'll make it up to you, I promise. How about Thursday at eight? The black one? Fine. Now, run along and take a cold shower like a good boy. See you Thursday.”

  She hung up the phone and batted her eyes. “You could send me up for overhearing that conversation.”

  “I won't. I believe an Agent's personal life is their own business -- provided they don't put our mission at risk.”

  “You're a good man, Nykkyo. Better than the first son-of-a-bitch I worked for.”

  “Tell me about Leo.”

  “He's a lab technician at the hospital -- divorced with the nicest, most polite thirteen- year-old son he sees on weekends.”

  “How long have you been seeing him?”

  “About a year. Leo's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he's sweet and a damned good lay.” She looked at him. “Tell me, Nykkyo -- your Earth woman... Does she know?”

  He nodded. “She's been on the homeworld, and I'm teaching her our language. Now, you could have me sent up for hearing that.”

  “Then, fair's fair. Those must be the special circumstances you referred to.”

  “I'm living with her and her parents.”

  “Do they know?”

  “No.”

  “And, do you think you two can keep it secret?”

  “If Seymor can keep our mission from the Earth people working in his office, I think Suki and I can keep it from her parents. As far as they know, I'm nothing more alien than a young man who cares for their daughter.”

  “You're very lucky -- I envy you. I can never get too close to anyone. It's been the story of my career -- as soon as they start to get curious, I must cut them loose.” She smiled at Nyk. “It's okay -- it comes with the territory.”

  “It'll be harder with Suki's child. I must not permit my temporal interference to infect him. It must stop with Suki. He can never know my true nature. How I wish...” He brushed away a tear. “It can never be -- this is what comes with my territory -- my punishment for my temporal misconduct.” He pressed his hand to his eyes. “Now I'm maudlin ... it must be the late hour.”

  She put her arm around his shoulders. “I can see you're going to be a different kind of boss. I think I'm going to like you.”

  “Grynnya, if you'll direct me to your guest room, I'll turn in. I have a nine AM flight to New York tomorrow.”

  “Over there.” She pointed to a door. “The bed's not very comfy. The one in the master bedroom is much nicer.”

  “I'll use the guest room.”

  “Suit yourself. Can't blame a gal for trying. Bon'noka, Nykkyo.”

  * * *

  Nyk paid the cabby, trudged up the steps to the front door and unlocked it. He walked in, treading softly. The place was dark. He had reached the stairs to the apartment when a light flashed on. “Oh, it's you,” George said. “Yasuko said she heard a noise. You must've caught the red-eye.”

  “The flight was delayed,” Nyk whispered. “First the weather, then mechanical problems. Sorry to distu
rb you.”

  George nodded and headed back into his bedroom. Nyk mounted the stairs and unlocked the apartment door. The bedroom door was closed. He opened it and peered in. In the dim light he perceived Suki. Alongside her was another woman with dark blond hair.

  Nyk closed the bedroom door, stretched out on the sofa in the living room and pulled a crocheted afghan over him. He closed his eyes.

  His light sleep was disturbed by the sound of the alarm clock in the bedroom. He heard voices. The door opened and the blond woman emerged, wearing Nyk's robe. His eyes met hers and she stopped short.

  “Good morning,” he said. “I'm Nick Kane. You must be Alice. I'm pleased to meet you.”

  Alice backed from him and dodged into the bedroom. Suki rushed out. “Oh, my God! Oh, Nyk... Nick! It's not what it looks like!”

  “It's all right. I'd like to meet your friend.”

  Alice stepped from the bedroom, dressed and adjusting her hair. “I'd better be leaving.”

  “Don't go on my account,” Nyk replied. “I'd enjoy the opportunity to get to know one of Suki's friends.”

  Alice eyed him. “Right... Suki, I'll call.”

  She headed for the door and Suki followed her down the stairs. He heard the front door. Suki returned and dropped to her knees, sobbing. “Honestly, Nykkyo -- it's not what it looks like.”

  “I see you took my advice to speak with Alice.”

  “Yes, I had her come over for dinner. We talked -- it got late and she didn't feel comfortable going home after midnight, so I suggested she sleep over. I wasn't expecting you...” She brushed tears from her face. “We didn't do anything, Nykkyo. Please believe me.”

  “I believe you. It wouldn't bother me if you did. I'm a Floran, remember?”

  “All we did was share the bed. That sofa is so uncomfortable...”

  “Yes, I agree with you on that account.”

  “Oh, God, Nykkyo... I'm so sorry.”

  “It's okay -- really.”

  “You're sure you're not angry?”

  “Not in the least. Come downstairs with me and I'll make some coffee.”

  “I have to take a shower. I'll be down in a bit. You're sure you're not angry? Positive?”

  He smiled. “Not angry. I'm happy to be home, happy to be with you, and happy to see you patching things up with your friend.”

  Nyk headed down the stairs to the main kitchen and began brewing coffee. He made some toast and found some strawberry jam. Yasuko stepped in and stared at him. He procured another cup and saucer and poured coffee for Suki's mother.

  Yasuko shook her head. “Was that woman here?” Nyk nodded. “I thought so. I don't think George knows, and I'd hope to keep it that way.” She rolled her eyes. “I feel sorry for you, Nick. I didn't care for it when Sukiko brought her home for dinner last night.”

  “It's all right, Yasuko. Alice is an old friend who helped Suki through some tough times.”

  She shook her head. “No, Nick. That woman is trouble. She did far more harm than good.”

  Nyk sat and took a bite from his toast. He could hear the sound of the shower in the apartment.

  “I don't know what is wrong with that girl,” Yasuko continued. “You'd think she'd have some sense of what she's got.”

  “She said they didn't do anything except share the bed.”

  “Do you believe it?”

  “I don't care one way or another. What two consenting adults do while they're alone together is no one else's business. Yasuko, if Suki wants to spend time with her friends, who am I to stand in her way?” He sipped his coffee.

  “This I cannot comprehend, Nick. How can you take it so lightly? How would you have felt if you had come home and found another man in your bed?”

  He swallowed his mouthful. “I think it would depend on who it was. Right now, I have no difficulty with Alice.” Yasuko rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  Suki stepped into the kitchen in her short robe, her hair wet. Yasuko glowered at her. “No lectures, Mom. My stomach hurts and I'm not in the mood.” She sat beside Nyk and took his hand. “I thought about it in the shower -- I'm going to tell Alice I can't see her any more.”

  “You don't have to do that on my account.”

  “I'm doing it for me.”

  “You still must have feelings for her.”

  “That's exactly the problem. Alice is from my dark times. I want to move on.”

  “But, she's still a friend.”

  “I've made up my mind.” She kissed his cheek and glanced at her mother, standing by the kitchen sink with her back turned. Suki stuck out her tongue. “I'm going upstairs to get dressed.”

  Yasuko watched her daughter leave the kitchen. “Well -- maybe there's hope, after all.”

  * * *

  Seymor poked his head into Nyk's office. “How'd it go?”

  “I thought a packet was coming for Dyppa. Internal affairs sent a deep-space shuttle, instead. They led her away like some criminal. They will try to help her, won't they?”

  Seymor shook his head. “I don't like it when I see my Agents become emotionally involved.”

  “I feel sorry for her. It wasn't her fault.”

  “I have filed a report with Internal Affairs -- and, I've spoken with Dyppa's caseworker. They're more interested in her from a clinical viewpoint.”

  “Clinical?”

  “They want to know how Zander turned a psychological addiction into a physical one. Young Dyppa is a cause celebre. She'll get good treatment.”

  “I'm relieved.” Nyk locked his fingers behind his head and leaned back. “I wish you had warned me about Grynnya.”

  “I thought I had.”

  “She came on to me, Seymor.”

  Seymor chuckled. “It's a sort of rite of passage. I think Grynnya's bedded every Floran to come through here.”

  “Well, she didn't with me.”

  “Not yet, lad. Not yet.”

  “And, she's not going to...”

  * * *

  Nyk walked ten blocks to the Canal Street subway station. He rode a number three train to Time Square, where he transferred to one on the outbound number seven. He got off at Grand Central, proceeded to his waiting-spot and watched the trains for Suki. He didn't see her.

  He waited 'til 5:30, then rode alone to Queens.

  He walked into the house. “It's Nick, Yasuko,” he called to the rear of the house.

  Suki's mother emerged from the kitchen. “Where's Sukiko?”

  “I don't know. She didn't show up at our meeting-place.”

  “Someone from NYU called this afternoon, looking for her. I'm worried, Nick.”

  The door opened and Suki walked in. Nyk held her, pressed his lips to the top of her head and inhaled.

  “Come, dinner's ready,” Yasuko said.

  Nyk knelt beside Suki at the dining table. “Where were you this afternoon?” he asked. “I left voicemail for you.”

  “I was at the museum,” she replied. “I hadn't realized it was so late and I wasn't near a phone.”

  “You should have a cell phone,” Yasuko suggested. “Then, you could've called Nick and he wouldn't have had to waste his time waiting for you.”

  “I don't think I waited more than fifteen minutes,” Nyk replied.

  “George, why don't you and Sukiko look at cell phones this weekend?”

  George looked up and squinted. “I'm already paying for two cell phones.”

  “One of those you use in your work.”

  “I still have to pay for it. If she wants a cell phone, she can buy one herself. She has an income.”

  “It's not worth it for the amount of use I'd give it,” Suki said. “I'm saving my money for doctor's bills and for the baby.”

  “I think it's a matter of safety,” Yasuko continued. “I know I'd feel better if she had a cell phone in her bag. That way, if she got into trouble...”

  “Mom -- I've gone twenty-seven years without a cell phone and survived.”

  “In th
is day and age...”

  “For chrisake,” George interrupted, “cut her loose, will you? She's not a teenager any more. She can make up her own damned mind about what to have or not have in her bag.”

  Yasuko looked down at her bowl.

  “What were you doing at the museum?” Nyk asked.

  “I had a meeting with Vlad.”

  “Oh, in regards to your Turkey trip.”

  “What Turkey trip?” her mother asked.

  Suki rolled her eyes. “This summer -- I've been asked to help with a mini-dig in Turkey.”

  “You can't be serious about going -- not in your condition.”

  “Mom, pregnancy isn't a disease. My doctor gave me the okay.”

  George glanced toward Nyk. You're permitting this?”

  “I'm in no position to forbid it. I hold no authority over her.”

  “Which is it, Daddy? Am I an adult who can make up my own mind or not?”

  “What sort of dig is this?” George asked.

  “They're building a hotel, and there's evidence of an old village on the site. We only have three weeks to get in there and see what we can find. Since it's not that important, archeologically, Vlad has arranged to bring some students from NYU and Pace. I'll mostly be supervising them.”

  “What about your position at NYU?”

  “I've agreed to write a paper, so I'll still be on the NYU payroll. And, the museum will pay my travel costs.”

  “I'll never understand why you prefer that sort of work to a nice safe and sane office job.”

  “When do you leave?” her mother asked.

  “The first of June.”

  “That's only a few weeks away!”

  “I'll be fine,” Suki protested. “I'll be with Vlad. He speaks the language. I spent six months with him in Syria. I'm sure I'll survive Turkey.”

  * * *

  Nyk sat at the kitchen table. Suki stood beside her mother at the sink drying the dishes handed her. “I don't understand why your father would object to getting a cell phone for you,” she said.