The crime scene was scrubbed clean from what Shilo could pick up. Beyond the pool of blood there were light scratch marks at the shuttle door along with a blood trail. The victim had tried at leaving before succumbing to their wounds. Someone had taped a sheet of plastic over the shuttle door’s window blocking this compartment from the other. Nothing like the desire to make a profit over preserving a crime scene.

  Shilo walked past the officers and joined JoLane.

  “Well?” She looked back at the cluster of police. I can’t believe they let you walk into the crime scene.

  “I flashed my badge but mostly you can get around most places if you act like you belong and that you’re expected to be there.”

  “Did you learn anything? You look upset.”

  “I am. One of the crew members of the Elysian’s Breath has been killed. It screams an inside job that went sideways. And my spaceship along with the four others has been stolen.”

  “They stole your ship?”

  “Yes. And there better not be any blood on the dash.”

  “What do we do now?”

  Shilo scratched his chin. “We go fishing.”

  “You have a plan to catch the crooks.”

  “I do but we need bait. To the docks.”

  JoLane looked up towards the Elysian’s Breath and then back at the docks. “Wait, you’re serious about fishing, fishing. Why are heading to the docks.”

  “To find that snooping sowbu.”

  “You think he had something to do with it. He seemed very interested in your ship.”

  “Actually, I think he’s the only one beyond us that I know didn’t have a hand in this. Don’t trust the staff or any passengers until this is solved. Someone tampered with the security cameras, and someone killed a security guard. I suspect someone will be able to track down the person who meddled with the camera.”

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  JoLane followed him to the fishing dock were they walking along the dock passing various boats. Each boat had a crew trying to wave them down. “Why do you think they will find the culprit responsible for the tampering?”

  “Because I told an officer how to do it. He’ll be thrilled to present the idea as his own. We need to hurry with our fishing before the mole on the ship is caught. If they warning anyone, we may lose our chance.” Shilo stopped on the large boat getting ready to move out. He waived at the sowbu on the deck who was tying off lines for four poles at once. “Halpo. My friend. I hope you haven’t paid the man in full just yet. Let me pay for the excursion if you’ll be so kind as let me join you.”

  Halpo said, “You’re trying to sweet the pot. Have you decided to sell me your ship? You’re looking to bargain, aren’t you?”

  JoLane whispered, “What are you doing you don’t have that kind of cash.”

  “I’m banking in my credits with the Elysian.” Shilo smiled and waved back at the sowbu. “Guilty. My girlfriend is worried you’ll fleece me. I’m worried that I’ll lose my chance. We’re coming aboard.” Shilo boarded the ship and displayed his ships pass to one of the crew members.

  Shilo said to the crew member. “I caught wind that a cruiser like mine might be in the system and going for a bargain.” Shilo frowned. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m worried that Halpo will learn that, and he won’t make the deal with me. Take four hundred credits as a tip so you don’t mention that to him will ya.”

  JoLane whispered, “You just told that guy not to mention the cruiser.”

  “I know. Four hundred credits to keep silent is overpaying him. He’ll spill the beans faster than I could when Halpo offers him eight hundred to talk. Hearing that a bargain deal on a ship that he wants to collect on will have Halpo sending his associates down any possible rabbit hole.”

  “Halpo’s going to do the fishing for us.”

  “Exactly, it looks like he’s suited for the task. There goes our crew member, chatting up Halpo.” Shilo waved at the sowbu and crew member and picked out a fishing pole. “Now we just have to find out what he catches.” Shilo groaned and held his belly.

  “You’re not motion sick, are you? You look pale detective.”

  “I’m worried about my ship. I keep seeing flashes of it in the chopping block. I hope Halpo is quick or my ship’s going to be spare parts on the black market.”

  Halpo excused himself and delayed the launch of the fishing excursion. Shilo picked up his pole and cast it into the water off the dock. “Here’s hoping we get a bite soon.”

  Halpo’s delay turned into a longer excursion. Shilo brought in his small catch. “Well, I got a bite, but I don’t think it will do for even a snack.” He tossed the fish back in and looked at his wrist where a small display showed a light blinking. “Halpo’s on the move. He could be going to meet with someone about my ship.”

  They excused themselves from the boat leaving the confused crew fussing if they should wait or look for a new group of tourists. The chaos was further escalated when he Hosaness that Halpo had been dining with came up top. Had he possibly been napping below? Shilo and JoLane left the confused Hosaness to sort things out with the fishing trip as they headed towards a collection of flying bikes. “Do you know how to fly this?”

  “I sure do.” JoLane hopped onto hers and revved the engine. “I just need to know where we are going.”

  Shilo pointed out towards the ocean. “I think south. If I remember correctly, this is a cluster of islands. A small group of islands is south of here. If someone is flying in with a ship that could make a good meetup location. He’s moving fast.”

  JoLane moved her flying bike closer to his and yelled over the rising wind. “How did you mark him?”

  “I misted the fishing crew with a nano mist. He picked up a good transfer of the bots when they discussed my concern over Halpo getting cold feet buying my cruiser. I’m just glad the sowbu is such a fanatic collector.” Shilo turned his bike towards the cluster of islands that was becoming visible. “Are you packing?”

  JoLane tapped her ankle. “Stun only.”

  Shilo nodded. “Looks like we picked up company.” He pointed out the larger flying craft circling towards them. They broke off from the direct line and took a more meandering route where occasionally they’d spin donuts casually drifting closer. The monitoring craft kept its distances until it they crossed some line where it became apparent that they could only be heading for the ship yard warehouse. They’d stumbled onto what first glance looked like a floating junk yard. Old boats along with a few rusted space ships and other junk was stacked in piles.

  “Looks like we found our chop shop.”

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  Leo’s prospects darken when he’s sent on a peacekeeping mission to the mysterious desert lands of Ro-Tawgh—a perceived punishment for his dangerous, unstable powers. He joined the king’s services hoping to make a difference only to be cast away.

  But when an ancient and deadly magic stirs and old enemies resurface, Leo and the crew of the Arcturus find themselves in the heart of a storm.

  Amidst the hazards of the desert, while they battle strange creatures, they will find an unexpected ally where they least expect one.

  In a world of fragile peace, shadowy secrets, and unpredictable powers, can Leo master his magic before it destroys everything he loves?