The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone Read Free Book Online Page B

Captain Butchart was the same Guardian her mentor had spoken of. Perhaps Badger’s worst fears were founded. Perhaps Admiral Garland did have a Guardian in his back pocket. Butchart glared at Sidney.
    “Miss Peters,” he said, using the fictitious name on her application form. He spoke slowly as if he knew the name was false. “Normally I’d obtain a statement from you.” He rose from his chair. “However, I refuse to waste my time on a liar.” Butchart walked around the table and stood in front of Sidney. He towered over her. “Your employment application form is full of lies.”
    Sidney smiled nervously. “I can explain, sir. This was all just, you know, a dare.” It was truthful enough.
    “And what was entailed in this dare?”
    “Nothing much. Get on the base and stay overnight without getting caught, then get off the base before ten.”
    Butchart grinned and stepped closer. “It’s past ten now. What was your prize supposed to be, Miss Peters?”
    He was so close she could feel his breath on her face. “No prize, Captain. It was just an initiation exercise. You know, to prove I’d fit in with the gang.”
    Butchart sighed. His time was being wasted on this prankster. “Explain how you bypassed the gate security check on Tuesday evening and remained unseen until Wednesday morning.”
    Sidney felt the captain invade her ethereal body, searching for a disturbance in her energy’s web, for traces of lies. At that point, it was clear to her that he was indeed the same fallen Guardian, one who’d been trusted by her people.
    She had to be careful. If she used her Guardian powers, he’d recognize that she wasn’t an ordinary prisoner. Her chances for survival would be gone. He’d not allow another Guardian to survive, nor anyone else who had the power to stop him.
    She made no attempt to put up barriers to his probing. She had to avoid lies. More lies would only raise more suspicion. More suspicion would create more questions. Every second that went by was another second for someone to discover the sabotaged missiles.
    She told Butchart the truth. That she’d never left the base Tuesday afternoon, that another woman had been disguised to make it look like she’d left the base after the interview with Admiral Garland’s staff. She admitted to finding the storage room and hiding out there. She told them she’d planned to talk to the security officer, Lieutenant Weir, in hopes he’d help her get past the security gate.
    Butchart leaned forward. “And why would Lieutenant Weir help you get off the base?”
    Sidney shrugged. “Well, guess ’cause he seems really nice and ’cause no harm was done, and well, probably he likes to have a good time.”
    She felt her face warm when she realized the implication. Her innocence may have saved her — Butchart snickered. Returning to his chair, he took a deep breath and released it slowly. Sidney sensed he was attempting to establish a telepathic link. Soon, he became frustrated and returned to the manuscript in front of him.
    “Miss Peters, my decision will be based solely on evidence. My staff is combing this base. If there’s any evidence indicating an invasion of secured areas, I intend to charge you with spying. Is that clear?”
    Sidney nodded. Butchart activated his comlink, requesting one of his men to report to the interrogation room. Within seconds, the man entered the room and stood at attention before the captain.
    “Your report is ready?” he asked.
    “Yes, sir.”
    Butchart ordered the security guards to take Sidney back to the hallway. Standing outside the room, she heard portions of what they said. Butchart became increasingly infuriated. She heard him shout, “Are you absolutely certain?”
    Every cell in her body convulsed. It was difficult to breathe. This was it; they’d discovered the defused missiles. She’d never be released. The interrogation room door opened, and the guards were instructed to bring Sidney back into the room. They