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Onca said. “I’m plenty smart. Got good grades in science and math and all that crap.”
    “That isn’t what I meant.” Roncas gave Onca an indulgent smile and patted his hand, then leaned toward Kim and added in a confidential manner, “He’s somewhat lacking in common sense.”
    Onca opened his mouth, presumably to protest, but Roncas wasn’t finished.
    “And he’s not what you’d call tactful.”
    “What is this?” Onca demanded. “Pick on the boss day?”
    Roncas tossed a lock of her silvery hair over her shoulder. “You aren’t my boss anymore. I can be truthful.”
    “Maybe so, but you don’t have to be nasty about it.”
    Roncas arched a brow at him. “I am never nasty.”
    “You two have been working together too long,” Kim observed. “I think you both need a vacation.”
    “Yeah, well, that’s your fault, sweetheart,” Onca snapped. “I’d be starting my vacation right now if I hadn’t had to rescue your skinny little butt from that Herpatronian.”
    Roncas shook her head sadly. “See what I mean? No tact whatsoever.”
    “But it’s true!”
    Kim certainly couldn’t argue that point. “I’ll just be going…” Sidling past the table, she headed for the front door.
    “Oh, no you won’t!” Onca jumped up from his chair. “If you leave now, I’ll never find you again.”
    “I believe that’s the general idea.” Roncas got to her feet. “Come, child, I’ll take you to my house.”
    “Lock the door, Captain!” Onca rounded on Kim with desperation in his eyes. “If you disappear, Jack will kill me.”
    “Oh, she will not,” Roncas said. “You don’t have to keep Kim here against her will to protect yourself from Jack.”
    “Against her will? Mother of the gods! I rescued her, brought her home, gave her food, clothing, and a fuckin’ shower , and now you’re telling me I’m keeping her here against her will?”
    “He’s got a bit of a temper, too,” Roncas said with a sniff.
    When Kim and Jatki had made their plans to discover the fate of their missing friends, Jatki had insisted that Kim not give her the signal unless she was absolutely certain the coast was clear. She was sure now.
    “Calm down, Onca. I won’t leave—yet. But I need to let Jatki know I’m okay.”
    Onca landed in his chair with a thud. “Do whatever you want. God forbid I should be accused of holding you prisoner.” He ran a hand through his hair, grumbling. “Last time I try to be a fuckin’ hero.”
    Kim hesitated, biting her lip. “Jatki is probably hungry too.”
    “Sure. Bring her on in,” Onca said with a sweeping gesture. “Feed her anything she wants. Clean out the stasis unit and rob me blind. I don’t give a shit.” Pushing his chair away from the table, he stood up and stalked off. “I’m going to bed. If you want anything, ask Captain. You obviously don’t need me .”
    Kim watched the door slide shut behind him, feeling more bewildered than she had ever been in her life.
    “Trust him now?” the Zuteran said with a smug smile.
    “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
    Roncas shrugged. “Thought it might help you trust him a little better.” She cocked her head to one side, seeming more birdlike than ever. “Did it work?”
    “Yes,” Kim replied. “I believe it did.”
    Roncas nodded toward the door. “Go get your friend. I’ll stick around for a while in case you and the boss need a referee.”
    “Thanks.”
    The main door slid open as Kim approached. Apparently Onca’s last directive carried more weight than his order to lock her in.
    Stepping out onto the porch, she gave the all-clear signal to Jatki.
    And waited.
    She gave the signal again.
    And waited some more.
    A few minutes later, Roncas came up behind her. “Where is she?”
    “No clue,” Kim replied. “I just hope she didn’t do something stupid.”
    Roncas laid a hand on her shoulder. “Onca told me what you were trying to do when he found you. Sounds to me like you’ve already done