Alien Tango

leathernecks because I was that afraid of being killed by those people once they discovered I was Jewish. I truly can’t imagine your family could be worse than them.”
    “Well, true. I don’t think anyone in my family’s going to try to kill you.”
    “See? So it’ll be fine.”
    “God, I love your optimism.”
    “How are you doing, talentwise?” This was my veiled way of determining if I needed to have the adrenaline harpoon ready or not.
    Martini sighed. “Not all that great, but I think I’ll be fine.”
    “I’d hoped all this activity wouldn’t have drained you.” Worry crashed over me, as it always did when he was heading toward an empathic crash.
    “It’s not that, baby.” Martini hugged me tighter. “Honestly, dealing with my parents, my mother particularly, is harder than any work we ever do.”
    “Well, parents can be like that.”
    “Yours aren’t.”
    “Mine have accepted what I do and who I’m with.” I studiously contemplated the image of flowers. Sometimes that worked to keep things from Martini. Flowers didn’t suggest I should be considering options, after all.
    “Mine merely love to show me how much they can’t stand me.” Martini sounded despondent. I hoped it wasn’t that he’d gotten anything from me.
    “I’m sure that’s not true, Jeff. If they didn’t love you, why would they care who you married?”
    “To ensure I’m miserable?”
    I tried another avenue. “What about your mother being jealous of Terry? Jealousy’s not because of hatred, it’s usually because of love. Or something.”
    “I point out that we’re having meat loaf whenever we arrive. I think my mother just hates to lose, and if I was happier with Aunt Terry, then she’s lost.”
    “Maybe. But if she’s still jealous that you were with Terry, and that Terry was able to take care of you while she wasn’t, then maybe it’s not losing but loss, you know?”
    “Maybe. But nothing she’s ever done would give me that impression. Or Christopher.” He heaved a sigh. “I hate going home. I’d rather have blown up in that plane than visit my parents’ house.”
    “How are you going to handle being there?” If this was what he was like across the country from his mother, I didn’t think I had enough adrenaline for this upcoming visit. The entire Science Center might not have enough adrenaline.
    “I have very . . . strong . . . blocks up when I’m home. Aunt Terry taught me how to do it. It’ll be okay, baby. I hope.”
    Kevin came over before the conversation spiraled even more downward, and we pulled apart. “Okay, we have enough components. For certain they could have fashioned a small but effective bomb from what they had, especially since they had two of the flight attendants in on it.”
    “What was their plan—the stewardesses would pick up the components from each conspirator as they went through getting trash, and then one of them would put it together in the galley while the other kept watch?”
    Kevin gave me a long look. “Yeah, that was exactly their plan. Does Angela drill you on this stuff or something?”
    “I just think like psychos, I guess.” What a great skill. No wonder Martini’s mother wasn’t thrilled.
    “Why were they willing to die?” Martini asked.
    “Taft seems to have them convinced that they’re immune to dying.” Kevin shook his head. “They were all positive the bomb wouldn’t have killed any of them.”
    “Just them or everyone?”
    Kevin shrugged. “Don’t know.”
    “Let’s go talk to the weasel.”
    We went to where Shannon was being held. I got up close. “What do you want?” he asked, as he eyed Martini nervously. There were still red fingerprint marks on his throat.
    “I want to know why you were willing to die for this cause.” He shook his head, so I grabbed his chin and forced him to look at me. “I’ll let him take out all his frustrations on you,” I jerked my head toward Martini. “And, believe me, he has a lot of them right now.”
    Shannon looked frightened but still resistant. “What’s in it for me?”
    “Not dying,” Martini snarled.
    “We don’t need you, Shannon. We have the head of your chapter. She has the real info. The best you’re going to get is a reduced sentence if you help us. If you don’t . . . well, I know what someone your size, who also happens to lack teeth, has to look forward to in prison.”
    Shannon gulped. “Okay. It’ll help me stay out of jail?” I nodded. After all, it