Part 6 (1/2)

”Dex and I got rid of the body,” Mel said. ”No need to worry unless ...

unless you've read my stories. Perhaps _you_ are the criminal. I'll be watching.”

”No proof, of course ... Do _you_ believe I'm the criminal?”

Mel smiled. ”No, but I'll watch anyway.”

”More closely than tonight, I hope,” Hazel said acidly. ”If it hadn't been for her....”

I saw Frank, and was ashamed of my suspicions. She was silent, looking concerned. They all did, and I was warmed. Because, despite discomfort, they worried about me, an alien, a stranger. ”Better leave. Heat's getting you.”

Dex asked, ”When are you going back?”

I shrugged. ”Never. The s.h.i.+p is in the Gulf of California ... Harry did that.”

”What about our company? We can research anti-gravity. You might reach home yet.”

I shook my head. ”Said I was a policeman. I don't know very much--”

”Perfectly normal!” Mel said before Hazel shooshed him.

Dex was insistent: ”Any cop knows at least something about his motorcycle. Was I right about the superconductor?”

”Yes. Now, get out of here, idiots, before there's no one left to form the company!”

Hazel, perspiring freely, red hair s.h.i.+mmering, kissed me. ”We figured you out real, real early. We aren't ever wrong, and I'm glad we stayed with you, Mr. Venus.” She laughed joyously, ”First time I've ever kissed a Venusian!”

Frank, head close to mine, said softly, ”I'm terribly sorry I said those things, but you had to believe I was angry, so I could call the others--”

”And I did everything possible to get you out....”

We were silent; then I said what I'd been fighting not to, for so long.