Eternity Row by S. L. Viehl

front of the web, and took the disc before I could yank my hand back in. “Allow me, Healer.”
    “Hey!” I swiped at him, but he stepped out of reach.
    “I will see that the Captain reviews it as soon as possible.” He turned and left.
    Both guards, much to my disappointment, refused to shoot him in the back.
    Qonja apparently kept his promise and delivered the disc to Xonea, who personally came down to let me out of the brig. My ClanBrother was, understandably, apologetic.
    “I cannot make exceptions for any member of the crew.” As he spoke, his hands moved through a half dozen gestures of regret and sorrow. “Even my own ClanSister.”
    I felt I had to rub it in a little. “The same ClanSister who bailed you out of a detainment cell once, as I recall.”
    “I would have taken your place, if I could have,” he said, sounding wounded.
    “Just do me a favor and remember this the next time I’m accused of murder, okay?” I swept past him and entered the gyrlift.
    My first stop was at my quarters, where I found Alunthri baby-sitting my daughter. Marel had refused to go to school, and now sat in a miserable huddle on the sofa, clutching Jenner in her arms.
    “Hey, is this any way to celebrate my parole?”
    Alunthri grinned. “Cherijo!”
    “Mama!” Marel slid off the cushions.
    “Mrrrow!” Jenner jumped down and sauntered over to sniff at my footgear. About time . Indignant blue eyes glared up at me. She’s had me in that death grip all morning .
    “Miss me?” I bent to scratch Jenner’s ears and catch my daughter as she got to me. “Hi, sweetie.”
    “Mama.” She patted my face and head with her little hands. “CanUncaw Xonea’s nod mad ad you anymore?”
    “No, honey, now he’s mad at himself.” I picked her up and turned to Alunthri. “Reever draft you into doing this?”
    Alunthri’s pointed ears flicked, and it looked a little uneasy. “Duncan signaled me earlier this morning. He mentioned he had to talk to someone.”
    “In Medical?” Alunthri nodded. “Marel.” I put my daughter down and crouched in front of her. “Would you stay here with Alunthri while I go stop Daddy from messing up my work?”
    “You come back, Mama.” It wasn’t a request.
    “I will.”
    I didn’t stop to signal Squilyp, but went straight from my quarters to Medical. Good thing, too. I could sense trouble brewing before I went through the door panel.
    Inside, the Senior Healer was the only thing keeping my husband out of the critical care unit. It may have been because Reever’s fist held him suspended a half foot off the deck. My husband was ignoring the two security guards holding their weapons aimed at his head, and Qonja, who was evidently trying to reason with him.
    Only one person could reason with Reever when he got like this.
    “Cherijo.” Squilyp had never sounded more relieved. “Thank the gods.”
    Reever turned around. “Xonea released you?”
    “I proved my innocence. Put the Omorr down.”
    Slowly, my husband returned my boss to the deck.
    “Thank you.” Sometimes I didn’t know who was worse-Marel or her father. “Squilyp, I’m sorry. Reever, get on an exam table. And you.” I planted a hand on Qonja’s chest and shoved him out of my way. “You’re relieved of duty. Get out.”
    His friendly smile evaporated. “You can’t do that.”
    “Squilyp? Got a problem with this?” My boss shook his head, and I beckoned to security. “Escort this man to his quarters. Or an open airlock. Whatever’s convenient.”
    The guards exchanged a glance, shouldered their weapons, and left, guiding the seething psych resident between them.
    “I don’t require an exam.” Reever was staring at Dhreen through the clear plas wall in the same way he would a small bug he wanted to squash.
    The Senior Healer straightened his tunic and resumed his usual expression of grave dignity. “I’ve been trying to convince him to do exactly that.”
    “You just have to use the right words.” I went