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EMILIO SQUEEZED NEL’S hand, but did not speak as she let him out in front of his restaurant. Lin was silent until they stood under the luke-warm water of the shower.
“He said we weren’t ready. He said tonight was a night for peace and alliances and awakening, and we only had bloodshed.” Her breath hitched and she looked down. “I tried everything I could and failed.”
Nel peered up into Lin's dark eyes. “I don't know what to say. I barely understand what just happened. But I don't think you failed. We failed. Humans failed. We’re nothing if not stupid and stubborn and violent. Together we can be beautiful, but we can be terrible too.”
“We had 14,000 years to be ready, what can I possibly do in twenty?”
“He’s coming back?”
“Yes.”
Nel wrapped her arms around Lin, careful of their collection of new bruises. “Then we’ll get ready. Think of all that has changed in the last ten years. We’re almost there, I promise.” Lin rested her forehead on Nel’s. They were too exhausted to weep, but Nel could feel her shaking.
“What if humans knew something was coming?”
“What do you mean?”
Lin pulled away. Her eyes held the clarity and honesty that only exhaustion brings. “I want you to publish your report.”
•
DAWN CAME WITHOUT MERCY. All Nel had wanted to do was sleep, but it eluded her. She stared at the curve of Lin’s back, watching the slow rise of her ribs as she breathed. The night before clattered into place in her mind. Her chest tightened with each event. They hadn’t cleaned the site before leaving, and Nel had only the barest idea what was left. Fuck, I think there are bodies.
“What’s wrong?”
Nel glanced over. Lin’s back still faced her. “What?”
“You've been fidgeting for the last few minutes.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I thought you were. Think I could sleep after last night?”
Nel laughed softly. “Neither could I.” She reached up and tangled her hand in Lin’s hair. “I’m worried about what condition the site is in.”
“Archaeologically, or otherwise?”
“We left beacons there. And bodies. And fuck knows what else.”
“First thing tomorrow, we’ll go clean up.”
Nel laughed softly and tucked her head against the nape of Lin’s neck.
“What?”
“It already is tomorrow.”
•
NEL LEANED BACK IN the precinct chair. It seemed like years since she had last sat there, listening to the police refuse to pursue the truth. Now the anger and frustration faded into something else. It’s easy to think in black and white. Los Pobladores aren’t all evil, and we aren’t all good. Just like Lin said, each of us is the good-guy in our own story. Munoz stepped in with a nod at her. “Thank you for your prompt arrival. We've reviewed the autopsy of your colleague Dr. Servais.”
“Were you able to get any DNA off his wounds? His fingernails maybe.”
“Despite what television tells us, it's rare we get so lucky, Dr. Bently. Our coroner reviewed the circumstances and compared it to his wounds. It seems we were wrong in our initial assessment. Dr. Servias was not murdered. He was struck by a vehicle on his way back from the site. We examined his car. The battery was dead. He must have left his lights running and needed a lift back to the Vecuna y Las Rosas. These back roads are dark at night and people often drive far too fast.”
Nel's thoughts screamed through her head. You're fucking kidding me. “Where's your bulldog, Reyes? There's no way this was an accident. You wouldn't have assumed homicide without a good reason.”
“Reyes has been called back to the city. I'm sorry that our actions upset you, Dr. Bently. We have Dr. Servais's personal effects, and are ready to release both them and the body to you. Have you made arrangements?”
“Yeah, I filed the paperwork and everything. I should be gone by next week. I'll call the funeral home now.” She rose and fumbled her phone from her pocket as she headed toward the door.
“We'll be ready when they arrive.” He paused at the door to their offices. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
•
NEL TOOK THE STAIRS two at a time. She was panting as she shoved open her door. “Lin?” The silence was emptier than usual. She scanned the room, noting the lack of computer and clothing that had littered the floor that morning. “Fuck.”
Nel wasn’t big on goodbyes, but leaving without warning was just as shitty. She started to search for a clue, any sign that the woman would be back. Eventually her search ended in her tidying the room. Cleaning yielded a few pieces of paperwork and a shirt she had forgotten she brought. Her eyes narrowed on the box tucked under her pillow. That wasn’t there before. She flipped it open. Inside nestled a bolo tie. The dark leather coiled beneath a metal object. Nel lifted it out carefully, angling it toward the light from her window. The metal was polished to a high sheen, the surface mottled with darker color and etched with a design she recognized. It was the same one her fingers traced down Lin’s body.
A folded paper sat under the coiled leather. She sank onto her bed and unfolded the paper.
Nel
Sorry I left so quickly. Can’t have a gunfight without involving the police, I suppose. I’m staying low for a while. Traveling, spreading the word. I was serious — I want you to publish your preliminary findings. There’s so much more we want to share with the earthbound humankind and I know your study will help.
-L
P.S. This is a piece of space-rock, from your rocking space almost-girlfriend. I’ll see you again.
Nel tucked the letter away. Everything was so surreal. Two weeks ago, she was leading a dig in the boonies of Chile with her best friend. Now, she had no friend, no site, and no almost-girlfriend. She wasn’t ready to go home. Chile was like a vacation, even if she was working. Home meant returning to reality, one that should have Mikey in it. Who knows if I’ll ever be able to come back to this site again after what happened. Regardless of what actually happened, she would be surprised if the feds didn’t blame her for the mess. She draped the bolo over her neck and leaned back against the chimney. She cracked open her beer. “You were right Mikey. She’s tall and fucking badass.” She raised the bottle before splashing some onto the ground below. “I’ll miss you, man.”
Her gaze fell to the empty spot beside her. Mikey sat there. Lin sat there. Her throat was suddenly tight. She wasn’t ready to be alone.