Then she averted my glance and leaned forward. Seduction had always been second nature to her, but she was always tactful. “Would it be dreadfully f...orward of me to propose that we continue this discussion upstairs?” My spine tingled and the blood rushed to my loins. “Lead the way,” I heard myself reply. She deposited her key on the desk and I leaned back against the wall, observing her as he removed her coat. Without a word she turned and let her eyes linger on mine. I could have sworn I saw a. The cashier was trying to give Michael his change and his receipt but he was still looking at 'his' Indian lady who, with yet another smile, indicated to him with a nod of her head that his till transaction was complete.Michael moved away but hung around as the woman got her items rung through the till and paid for them.Michael Brogan was a man in his mid-fifties and although technically married he and his wife had separated some fifteen months previously. He lived alone and had no steady. I hoped that it would make her feel better." Make her feel better than what?" asked Vashti. "Has she been unhappy recently?" Perhaps," said Beatrice guardedly. "The attack on the Intrepid by the Holy Coalition was quite a shock you must admit. Captain Kerensky isn't a military officer like you. She's not accustomed to being captain of a space ship that's been breached by thousands of religious fanatics." As far as I recall," said Vashti, "the captain had very little to do with regards to. ”“Well, what would they say about this?” Phyllis was holding up an empty bottle of vodka. “This was full last week, Fara. You know I don’t mind you having a drink. You’re eighteen, after all. But a whole bottle? In a week?”“But I didn’t, mom. I wouldn’t take it without asking. I don’t even like it that much. I can’t ... oh!”“What is it?”“I’ve just thought. Last night, I thought Jim and some of his friends had been drinking. I wondered where they’d got it from. He must have taken it when he was.