Alien in the Family

assigned to guard that particular member.”
    I looked at Martini. He still looked upset. But I could tell he was picking up my feelings, because he cocked his head and gave me a questioning look.
    “So, Mister White—who’s here, watching Jeff?”

CHAPTER 11

    “NO IDEA, MISS KATT. I have to say I doubt it’s any of our own people.”
    Made sense but could be wrong. “You’d have told me Beverly was trustworthy, too, though.”
    “Yes, good point. Bottom line is I have no idea.” He coughed. “That’s what Alpha Team is for.”
    “Oh, fine, got the hint. Thanks so much. If someone announces that he or she is the Royal Family Spy or something, you will manage to let me know?”
    “With all haste, yes.”
    “Super. So, any other issues we should know about that I’m sure will make my eyes cross?”
    “Not that I know of, but, again, I’ll contact you if something occurs to me. Besides, if you’re feeling stressed or confused by something I tell you, just pull your top up, and I’m sure we’ll be even.” He did have a sense of humor. He hid it, but it was there.
    “Point taken. Talk to you soon, Mister White.”
    “I’m breathless with anticipation of the next call, Miss Katt.”
    We hung up, and I tossed the phone back to Christopher. “Okay, so there’s someone here who’s spying on Jeff and probably Christopher, too. Possibly all of the Martini family. The Pontifex has no guess as to who, and we have no guess as to how many. Could be Earth A-Cs who are still loyal to the home world, could be that the home world opened the door on their side and sent one or more spies here.”
    “I don’t think it’s anyone who calls Earth home,” Gower said, in his own voice. “Beverly backing Yates, that was understandable. He was our religious leader before he’d been exiled. But we have no loyalties to the Alpha Centaurion throne.”
    “You know, the person I’d like to talk to about this is your mother.”
    Gower looked startled. “Why? She’s an Earth woman.”
    “She warned Michael, so she’s smarter than the rest of your family.” And I had to figure she’d gone through what I was going to, at least in some way. I wanted to talk to her for more than this threat—I wanted to talk to her to find out if she regretted falling in love with an A-C.
    “Call your mother and ask her if she’d prefer to come here or have us to go to her.” Martini’s voice made it clear this was an order.
    “She’ll want to come here.” Gower grinned. “She loves Vegas, too.”
    I knew I’d be able to relate to her. “Great, let’s ensure she gets here safely.”
    “I’ll have my father come with her.”
    “Have them under guard.” I looked to Chuckie and Martini. “Seriously. Human and A-C. I think Chuckie’s right, and we should be considering this as an invasion of some kind. Which means I want to bring Kevin in, full-time, on this.”
    Everyone in the room but Chuckie nodded agreement. We’d all like Kevin around to give Chuckie someone to focus on other than Martini or Christopher.
    Chuckie, however, gave me a slow smile. “Nice try. But no. I have Mister Lewis otherwise occupied.”
    “But he doesn’t report to you.”
    “Oh, actually, he does. Since he’s the assigned P.T.C.U. representative to Centaurion Division, and Centaurion currently reports in to me, so does Mister Lewis.”
    I tried not to grimace. “Okay.”
    Chuckie grinned. “I know you’re all disappointed. However, I’ve stared down your mother, Kitty. Mister Lewis presents no challenges.”
    “Jerk.”
    He laughed. “It’s my job. And I’m good at it.” He looked around. “Okay, any ideas about who delivered the bug? And are there any more in the room?”
    “I have a question first.”
    Chuckie rolled his eyes. “What a shock.”
    “Does the necklace transmit information like the bug did or does?”
    Martini shrugged. “No idea. Didn’t know they were sentient, bugging us, or tracking us until this hour.”
    “Let’s assume it does, in some way. That means whoever’s watching you has been watching for at least six months.”
    “Okay,” Martini said, patience clearly being forced. “I can buy that. So what?”
    “So, why now? I mean, why right now? It’s six weeks before we’re supposed to get married. I can understand that maybe they wanted to come out and give me whatever test it is that I’m undoubtedly going to fail, but why wait until now? Wouldn’t it have made more sense to do it, say,