Hot Tip

"Levity. Got a sec?"

Mick's expression gave nothing away, but Levity was picking up sure signs of agitation. She crossed to his side, slipped her arm through his, and tried not to be obvious about sniffing.

He patted her hand and said, "Walk with me."

She grew increasingly concerned when he led her into one of their conference rooms. What on earth could have happened that he needed this much privacy? Health issues didn't seem to be at the heart of it. Mick might live alone, but Levity knew he took care of himself.

"Did something happen?" she asked.

"You could say that. Let's call it a tip. Something's going down, and I want you ready."

"All right …?"

Mick sank onto one of the rolling chairs and rubbed at the side of his face. "I don't know how they kept a lid on something this big for so long, but … damn. I found out something that's gonna be bigger than the biggest breaking news in this or any century."

"I'm guessing this isn't about city hall adding a memorial fountain out front."

He waved that off. "This'll be more world-changing than a World War. More life-altering than a pandemic. We're talking mass panic and market crashes and … damn. I'm kind of regretting my buddy slipped me into chambers."

"So it was a court case?"

"Nah. It was at the capitol building. They held a special session. After hours. No press allowed."

That did sound pretty major. Levity nodded and just waited for Mick to get to it.

He shook his head, lowered his voice. "This is going to sound like some kind of crazy fiction, but I saw one for myself. Elf ears. Strange eyes. Somehow part animal, but mannerly as a diplomat."

Levity blinked.

"I'm trying to say we're not alone." Mick gestured with both hands. "There's another species on the planet, and they're looking to be recognized. They want equal rights. And peaceful coexistence. With everyone."

"Ambitious," she managed.

"No doubt. World peace is one hell of a promise, but … that's the part that amazes you?"

"Oh, I'm stunned. How long before they go public?"

"Not long at all. These are final stages. This has been going on for years. They've got infrastructure built, treaties in place or in negotiation. The big reveal is next month. Get this, they chose a date based on phases of the moon."

"If the day is auspicious for their culture, doesn't that imply that they really want this to succeed?"

Mick rapped the table. "That's the stuff, Levity! That's using your head. We need to be ready with the right leads. Plan it out now, so there's no misstep. Do it right so nobody panics. So nobody gets hurt."

"You're right. Tell me what I can do to help."

The man slouched back in his chair and shook his head. "We'll sort it out. Let's start tomorrow. Think on it until then." With a wry smile, he quietly added, "I need the rest of today to finish being amazed."

"You're not afraid?"

Mick hummed, then huffed. "Nope. Worried about the logistics, sure. But their spokesperson was easy to trust. An American, as it happens. Says he's been living as a human, blending in. Go figure, right?"

She forced a laugh. "Go figure. Did he happen to give a name?"

"He did." Mick fished a notebook from his pocket and flipped a few pages. Then had to get his reading glasses out. "Here it is. Linden Woodacre."