One Day in a Small-Town Desert, chapter 19, page 1

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Chapter 19: Back in the Light



Emperor Bhanar of the House of Narakamíníkı broke into a grin when the faintly-smiling Lawwoman Nulıpésha entered the interrogation room.

“I thought I never again see you,” he blurted, then winced. Don’t be a Névazhíno-brain.

Nulıpésha smiled fully at his gaffe, but it was a kind, beautiful smile.

Changing the subject as quickly as possible, he asked, “Why are you here and not hunting Zhíno?”

Nulıpésha scowled--in a cute way--and replied, “They still think of me as a little girl, despite my training. I wish I could be out there, bringing that Zhéporé-spawn to justice--pardon my language.”

“That’s all right.” Bhanar had never heard anyone apologize for saying “Zhéporé-spawn” before. He had to remember to curb his tongue.

Abruptly, the policewoman announced, “You’re being released. You’re free to go.”

The invisible weight on Bhanar’s spirit suddenly released. He sprang to his feet, almost knocking over the chair.

“Is this true?” His face stretched into a wild grin.

The cute woman nodded.

The detective had believed him. Bhanar hadn’t thought it possible, especially without the lie-detector test. But his honesty and conviction had shone through the incredibility of his story. Thank you, Zhíanoso!

From a loudspeaker in the ceiling, a man’s voice said, “Detective Marıdaré, please report to the visitors’ entrance.”

Nulıpésha furrowed her brow slightly in response to the announcement. Bhanar didn’t give it much thought.

The policewoman turned and opened the door back towards the cells. She glanced over he shoulder with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Don’t worry. It’s the shortest way back to the room we stored your wallet and keys.”

They proceeded down the cold, hard hallway to another door. Bhanar didn’t allow himself to look at his cell. That was in the past. He had to look to the future--his future as an emperor. An emperor with no political power. Somehow, he’d have to remedy that.

Maybe he could hold a press conference or something.

If he were an emperor with power, he could force the local police to let Nulıpésha assist in the search for Zhíno. But surely he could do almost as good now, just as a free person. He could track down the Zhéporé-spawn police murderer himself, and give Nulıpésha the credit.

“Do you want your truck brought here or to the auto repair shop?”

Bhanar blinked at the question, a complete non-sequitur from his line of thought.

“I want to go to my truck and see it myself, now in daytime.” Perhaps the damage wasn’t as bad as he thought.

“All right,” the cute policewoman replied without hesitation. “I can drive you there.”

Bhanar smiled, even though she was facing away. Her dazzling figure amazed her; her willingness to help him--her desire to remain close for as long as possible--excited him. She was a marvelous woman.

She deserved better than this town was treating her.

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