TITLE: "SECRETS AND LIES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "EQUILIBRIUM".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Rosenbaum is not happy to discover that Niyan

Shair has escaped his grasp. The Captain begins to improve

but it doesn't help Mistress Barbette's standing with the crew.

Natalie and River have a confession to make about Jordan."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"SECRETS AND LIES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Jacob Rosenbaum was having high tea. The best china, most expensive wine, best cuts of meat and freshest vegetables. Thick rich creamy sauces and people waiting to carry out his every whim. The call from the Administrator of the Prison was not simply unwelcome but distasteful. He wanted to demand not to be disturbed except he had left express instructions to be notified the moment they had any new information about Niyan Shair. This could be the breakthrough he had been waiting for.

"Very well, Dr Millenbro. What do you have for me?"

Even on the cortex screen the man looked nervous and Millenbro was the kind that never flinched even whilst performing the most excruciating levels of torture. "*Shifu*, it's our 'guest'. The guard noticed he had not touched his dinner, in fact that he had not moved in four hours. As per your instructions I entered with the guard to check him."

Rosenbaum was never a patient man. "And?"

"He is dead."

Suddenly the exquisite personal banquet lost its' taste. "*Shenme*? How could this happen?"

The doctor was nervous. "We think it must have been a heart attack, *shifu*.