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with the Royal Guard,” Raxstad reassured Bevau. “No one comes in or leaves without our men’s knowledge.” Breft added, “Security footage shows the empress has not left, whether under her own power or not. She’s stil somewhere in the facility.” Bevau growled a curse. “If only the recorders were set up in the area where she disappeared!”
    Lidon answered, “Energy wasted on what might have been is better used on correcting what is.” Bevau’s glare did nothing to wilt the man. Instead he added, “I believe we should have al the facility’s departments report in. Anything out of the ordinary, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may yield clues as to the empress’ whereabouts.” Raxstad crooked a brief smile. “I agree. As my Matara likes to say, ‘the devil is in the details’.”
    Lidon nodded. “I like that quote. I’l get to work on the matter right away.”
    As he limped away, Breft turned to Raxstad. “Bring in al off-duty officers. Contact divisions within a day’s travel and tel them to send everyone they can spare. I want this hospital searched room by room. Scan every space a woman the empress’ size could fit in. I don’t care how inconceivable it is that she might be in there.” His look was dark. “Someone risked a lot to take her. We must operate as if this is a professional job done by someone with the means and knowledge to carry it off.”
    “Yes sir.” Raxstad left at a run.
    “I’d like you to set up a command center where al communications and intel can be relayed,” Breft told Bevau. “If you wil take charge of it, that wil free me to lead the search.” Bevau clenched his fists and forced himself to relax. “I was hoping to join in the hunt myself.”
    “I know, my emperor.” Breft’s voice was soft with understanding. “But the empress is already in danger, and I can’t alow anyone else from the Imperial Clan to be in harm’s way. Your presence wil only divide my men’s attentions between finding her and protecting you.”
    “I don’t need protection. I can fight my own battles.”
    Breft crooked a grin at him. “I am wel aware of that. Remember, I have seen you in action. But protecting the Imperial Clan is always at the forefront of Global Security’s mandate. You wil be a distraction.” After a moment’s thought he added, “From the command center you’l be the first to know of any new developments.” Bevau’s teeth clenched and a growl slipped from his throat. He needed to find Jessica. He needed to tear out the throats of her attackers. Breft didn’t react; he simply watched and waited.
    After a moment, Bevau reluctantly nodded his acquiescence, especialy when he realized he was delaying Breft from searching. No one could track like that man. And as much as he hated to admit it, Bevau would be a detriment to the search. “Go ahead and find her, Breft. I’l set up the command center.”
    “Thank you, my emperor.” With a bow, Breft was gone.
    “What about me?” Clajak had been pacing back and forth, his turmoil plain to see. As clan leader and the Dramok Emperor, he was used to being in control of everything. Bevau knew Clajak wanted to search for their missing Matara as much as he, and he was impressed that his clanmate had managed to rein in his quick temper for so long. Clajak realized finding Jessica was best led by those with policing expertise and had stepped aside to let those professionals do their jobs. Despite that, it was plain to Bevau that Clajak wouldn’t remain accepting of the helpless position he found himself in if he wasn’t given a meaningful task soon.
    Even Egilka’s normaly placid demeanor was gone. The lean Imdiko’s hands were clenched in fists, his body thrumming with tension as he stood in the middle of the room. The whole clan was poised to explode.
    As the highest leader of Kalquor’s military, Bevau fel into his accustomed role of commander-in-chief with ease. “Clajak, you wil help me set up the