“She'll see you there.”

Lori nodded to Gia.  They were standing at the edge of a public park.  A woman with long brown hair was seated on a bench.

It was spring where Lori was on Lextis.  Golden beams reached out from the bright orb in the sky, caressing the ground with a gentle touch.  Puffy clouds floated gently through the azure expanse, casting small shadows as they passed across the sun.  Sweet aromas of blossoming trees wafted on a gentle breeze.  Children were playing.  Joggers ran on paved paths.  People rolled by on old-style bicycles.  On a nearby bench, a young couple were kissing and holding hands.  Happy songs of birds in an orchestra of nature completed the beauty of the day.

It would have been a time to enjoy the peace and serenity except for the reason Lori was there.

“She doesn't like to be kept waiting,” said Gia.

Lori smirked and began walking, moving with a visage of confidence she only half felt.

“Have a seat.”

Lori studied Nessa Trennel.  Her full brown hair fell loosely on her shoulders.  Pink lips and a nose with a long bridge were part of a face of stunning beauty.  Dark brows curved over the typical black eyes of a Betazoid, eyes that radiated an aura of intimidation and empowerment like heat from a fire.  Surprised at how young she was, Lori knew this was a woman one didn't cross.

Taking a last look around, knowing anyone there could be working for Trennel, or even someone from Intelligence guarding her, she sat on the bench.

“So, Kavi Rozen, who are you and why are you here?”

Trennel's voice was strong, confident, and sure.  It was lyrical, like music drawing a person into wanting to do what she said.  Her charisma exploded from every part of her.

Lori had to think about the question.  It was obvious why she was there; playing the role of a criminal, but there was something deeper Nessa wanted to discover.

“I'm here so my employer and I can make some money.”  Lori knew she had to play hardball.  She read Nessa's psych profile, but that didn't come close to the measure of who this woman was in person.

“How much money would that be?” said Nessa.

Lori started reaching for her pocket when Nessa flinched.

“I'm just getting a PADD,” said Lori.

Nessa waved off a large man that seemed to coalesce from the crowd enjoying the park.

Lori tapped the data device and handed it to Nessa.  While reading it, Nessa's face turned to a dark frown, her body language clearly unhappy.  She glared at Lori, black eyes seeming to bore through her.

After a few seconds, there was another frown, though deeper and angry.

“You can't show me the respect of answering my question?”

Lori realized Nessa had spoken telepathically.

“I didn't mean to insult you,” said Lori.  “I was born with a very rare genetic condition.  My paracortex never developed properly, so it doesn't produce psilosynine.  I don't have telepathic or empathic abilities.  It also made me a psy null; I can't be read.”

There was a barely perceptible twitch in Nessa's left eye as she seemed to mull over this new information.  “A psy null?  How convenient.”

“That's why I'm so valuable to my employer and why he chose me for this.”

“And you also brought an unreadable Ferengi.”

Desiring to keep Nessa on her heels, Lori pressed her advantage.  “You were about to accept my employer's terms.”

Nessa harrumphed, tossing the PADD into Lori's lap.  “This is outrageous.  It's double what we've been paying.”

“Maybe, but the people in your pocket now are small fish.  With my employer, you have a high government official, someone in the prosecutor's office, and more police than you could dream of finding on your own.  With this, you get to keep your business and stay out of prison.  I suggest you take it and be thankful.”

Lori was beginning to enjoy herself.  It was obvious Nessa wasn't accustomed to being on the short end of anything.  She picked up the PADD and offered it back.

Scowling, Nessa took it.  “I'll need to talk to my partner.  I'll send Gia with our answer.”

“I look forward to it.”  Lori stood up.  “We're going to earn a lot of profit together.”  Tucking her hands into her pockets, she walked away.  Passing Gia, she chuckled at yet another sour glare.