Leia watched as the guards led her brother out of his cell. Leia couldn't stop the tears no matter how hard she tried. Wedge put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her. Leia latched on to him with all her strength. It was as if Wedge's arms were the lifeline keeping her connected to reality.

"It will be okay, Leia," Wedge said as her rubbed her back to reassure her. "Luke's gotten himself out of more jams than anyone I know."

"I know, Wedge, I know. It's just that, nothing like this has ever happened to him before. Having to cope with imprisonment and the death of his wife all at once… I'm worried that the strain will be too much for him."

Wedge looked at Leia with eyes full of friendship. "If there's anything I or any of my men can do for Luke, just let me know."

"Actually there is one thing. Luke has asked to have the man that defended Tycho when he was framed for murdering Corran, as his attorney."

"Nawara Ven?

"Yes. Will he do it?"

"Gee, Leia, I don't know. After he left the Rouges, Narawa went back to Ryloth. He stopped practicing law and became some kind of local politician. Last I heard he was lobbying to increase interstellar trade between Ryloth and Corellia.

"Wedge, Han and I will be leaving tomorrow for Ryloth. I would like it very much if you could come with us."

"Sure Leia, no problem. Will this be an official trip?"

"No, I'll make it a personal outing so we'll take the Falcon instead of the Rebel Dream."

"Okay, give me a few hours to clear my schedule. I'll meet you at your apartment."

"I'll see you in two hours."

***********************************************************************

Coruscant Police Force Interrogation Room

Luke Skywalker sat with his hands folded on his lap. His face was a mask of serenity, but inside, his heart was filled with pain. The guards had not transferred the ysalamiri along with him. This might be his only chance to reach Mara, if she was still out there.

Luke closed his eyes, and reached out into the cosmos. *Mara… Mara, can you here me? Love you, baby* There was no answer, but Luke just couldn't believe that his Mara was dead. No, it can't be true. Mara is the bravest, strongest person I know. She wouldn't have give up without a fight. I know it.

Luke sensed the detective coming. He quickly withdrew his Force sense inside of himself and sat up straight. Just as he was adjusting his collar, the door swung open. Two armed guards and the feral looking Detective Rishant enter his cell. Luke hadn't noticed it before, but she was a very striking woman. She was tall, probably about two meters. Her black-violet hair contrasted sharply with her pale creamy skin. As wonderful as her features were, however, all Luke could look at were her eyes, narrowed and full of hate, looking straight at him.

"So, Master Skywalker, you see yourself to be above the laws of this planet and the New Republic. Does your status as a war hero give you leave to do as you wish, regardless of the consequences?" Detective Rishant walked over and sat in a chair directly in front of Luke. "I have but one question for you. Why did you have your wife killed?"

"You obviously don't know me very well Detective," said Luke, his voice as cold and as hard as ice. "If you did you would know that I could never kill Mara. I love her more than life itself."

"Ah, but I have evidence to the contrary, Master Skywalker." The detective reached inside one of the pockets of her jacket and pulled out several data cards and a reader. She slipped one of the cards into the machine. "This document says that 10,000 New Republic Credits were transferred from your bank account to one belonging to the assassin Tezz Smythe, through a series of transactions." She picked up another card. "This is a medical document we obtained through a search warrant. It shows that Mrs. Skywalker was barren and unable to have children. Not terribly damning in itself, but it provides motive when combined with this."

"What is that," Luke asked pointing at the third disk.

"A journal entry. Yours to be exact. In it you talk about how you can't wait to have children to carry on your name and teach the Jedi ways."

No, thought Luke, This can't be happening.

"And finally," said the detective, " the best part." She held up the last disk. "This is an old Imperial duty roster. It shows that, while acting as the Emperor's Hand, Mrs. Skywalker was in charge of the troops that killed your aunt and uncle on Tatooine. According to this disk, you were sent this information seven months ago. Don't the Falleen have a saying. 'Vengeance is like a fine wine. It must be aged until perfect.'"

Luke looked at the detective and did the only thing that he could do. He bowed his head and started to sob…..

TBC