Chapter Fifteen

The door to the penthouse where Hope Bennett lived slid open. An early model android stood there.

"I'm here to see Prudence McKenna," Larth said.

"Who are you?" the android asked.

"My name is Larth."

The android stared at him, the light atop its head whirling a little faster.

What is it waiting for? With a snort of self-annoyance, he realized he hadn't given the robot any instructions. "Can you tell her I'm here to speak to her?"

"No."

He blinked. "What do you mean no?"

"No is a function word used to express a negative."

The little baking snafu notwithstanding, Donna would have been more responsive than this bot, which was obviously several iterations behind her in development. He tried to peer around it to catch a glimpse of Prudence, but the android shifted, blocking the view.

" Why can't you tell Prudence I'm here to see her?"

"She is not here to tell."

Larth's shoulders slumped with disappointment, but at least he'd gotten a straight answer. Maybe. "She's not here right now—or she's not living here?" Pru had said she was going to Hope's but, given this bot's obstreperousness, getting clarification seemed to be required.

"She is not here right now."

"Where is she?"

"I do not know."

"When will she be back?"

"I do not know."

"Is Hope Bennett in the apartment at the present time?"

"No."

"Did they leave together?" he guessed.

"Yes." The light spun faster.

"Is Krogan in the apartment at the present time?" He'd met the man once when Hope had brought him by the cozi. It was presumptuous to seek an audience with the governor-general, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He had to see Prudence as soon as possible so he could fix things.

"No. "

"When Prudence returns, will you give—"

"You are the Larth who fractured Prudence McKenna's heart." The spinning light turned red, and the android stepped toward him in a manner that almost seemed menacing.

Warily, he inched back. "I came to fix her heart!" He hoped he could. What if she wouldn't forgive him? He'd been so blind.

"Only chocolate can fix a fractured heart." The android backed into the penthouse and shut the door in his face.

* * * *

Prudence and Hope returned to the penthouse just before dinner. Her friend had taken her around the city to show her the local attractions.

"Thank you so much for dragging me out of the apartment." Pru grinned. "I didn't want to go, but it got my mind off Larth, and I enjoyed seeing more of the planet. I've been so busy I haven't been able to break away and see anything. The historical monuments were impressive."

"I figured you might enjoy it," Hope said.

Don Juan entered the living room. "Would you care for a beverage? "

"Yes, please. We're parched." Hope sank onto the sofa and looked at Pru. "What would you like? Tea? Juice? Don Juan can fix you a drink. He's gotten to be quite the bartender. He shakes up a mean Cosmic Mate."

She plopped onto the couch next to her friend. "There's really a drink called that?"

"There is now." She grinned. "Before I got pregnant, I experimented with Caradonian liquors and juices to come up with a cocktail I liked. I named it Cosmic Mate. You care to try one?" Hope's face lit up, and Pru could tell she really wanted her to taste the concoction she'd created.

"Sure. I'll give it a try."

"Don Juan, bring me an iced tea and bring Prudence a Cosmic Mate."

She couldn't have the Cosmic Mate she'd really yearned for. Without the distractions of the bustling city, her mood sank. "I wish I hadn't forgotten my tech-tab. Maybe Larth would have tried to contact me," she said glumly.

Hope's brow drew together in sympathy. "I'm so sorry for what happened."

Don Juan returned with the drink and a tray of brownies. Pru took a hesitant sip. The fruity, sweet cocktail went down smooth before delivering a spicy kick. That's how I feel. Like I've been kicked. "Very good." She nodded at Hope and the android. Appropriate.

His light brightened.

"Did Krogan send a hologram saying when he'd be home for dinner?" Hope asked.

"Yes. He said he will be home on time."

Hope glanced at her and then at the android. "Were there any other holograms? A message from Larth for Prudence?"

Don Juan's headlight flashed. "No." He pivoted and left the room.