What Judgments Come

“So, what? Are you hoping to write some award-wi

Pe

“Well, then,” Reyes said, accepting a new glass of some unidentified green liquor, “it was nice seeing you, Tim. Take care of yourself.” He turned as though readying to cut a swath through the crowd milling near the bar, until Pe

“What’s your bloody hurry, mate? I just got here. After all we’ve been through together, this is how you’re going to treat an old friend?” His comments, delivered in what he hoped were an accusatory fashion, were enough to catch the bartender’s attention, and Pe

Real smooth, wanker. Still, now that he had confirmed he was under surveillance, Pe

When Reyes turned back to face Pe

Pe

“I’d watch your words here if I were you, Mister Pe

His eyes narrowing, Pe

Pausing as though to consider his answer, Reyes frowned. “Let’s get something straight: the Klingons were pla

“But what about the security concerns?” Pe

“It still wouldn’t have been worth anyone getting hurt,” Reyes said, biting every word. He reached for his glass and gulped down a substantial portion of its contents, after which he all but slammed his glass down onto the bar. When he spoke again, there was no mistaking the new edge in his voice. “Now, are we done here, Mister Pe

Holding up his hand in a gesture, Pe

Damn, this is harder than I thought. It took physical effort for Pe

Pe

“Those records are supposed to be sealed,” Reyes countered, lowering his voice so that Pe

The journalist nodded. “And they are, but you still have friends, Diego, whether you want to believe that or not. No matter what you might’ve told those blokes at your trial, you’re still you, and the Diego Reyes I know would never betray his oath, no matter how pissed off he might get at the idiots in charge. Doing what’s right is part of your DNA. That’s why you did what you did and said what you said, and why you allowed me to write what I wrote.” He paused, noting that the bartender seemed once again to be hovering too close. Directing his attention to the Orion, he said, “If you’re going to keep standing there, at least bring me a decent shot of whiskey. In a clean glass, if it’s not too much trouble, mate.” The bartender responded with a menacing glower before turning to reach for a rectangular blue glass bottle on one of the shelves behind the bar.

With the Orion now otherwise engaged, at least for a moment, Pe

His gaze fixed on his own glass, Reyes nodded. “I know what I look like.”

“So,” Pe