Chapter 13
Obi-Wan, Amara, and Jessamyn were taken to the Healer's wing in the Jedi Temple for treatment. Thankfully, they'd been far enough away from the explosion so that they weren't seriously hurt. Obi-Wan had only sustained a mild concussion and some bruises on his back when he'd shielded Jessamyn and Amara from flying debris. Jessamyn had only sustained some cuts and bruises as well and Amara hadn't even been injured. After having her examined, the Jedi council decided to detain her for questioning.
"Those were some pretty powerful smoke bombs you had," Obi-Wan said sternly, staring down the woman. She glared back at him.
"Think what you want, pal," she snapped. "Mine only made smoke; they didn't cause that huge explosion back there. I planted them and left, and it wasn't until I was already out of the building that Mimi commed me and told me Kent had been in my stash."
"My wife could've been killed," Obi-Wan said in a soft, deadly voice. "I've not the patience for your excuses." He turned to Mace. "We may have to send someone to find this Mimi Calrissian, see what she has to say about all this."
"I'll contact Jaden Solo and see if he can get in contact with Miss Calrissian and convince her to come here for questioning," the Korum Master told him. "I'll also send Rina here to talk some sense into her cousin. In the meantime, you should probably retire, Obi-Wan. You've been injured, and you should also check on your wife. This excitement probably can't be good for the baby."
"Yes Master," he replied. "I'll stay with her until Rina arrives." Once Mace was gone, he turned back to Amara. "So, how much did this Kent promise you to assassinate Senator Naberrie?"
"Just my freedom from his attentions," she said bitterly. "He's the worst kind of lecher. Of course, the assassination was only half of the job."
Obi-Wan was practically smirking. He already knew about the other half of the job. "Yes, he wanted Beru for his sick intentions. I already know who you're referring to, Kent Lars, estranged brother-in-law to Shmi Skywalker-Lars. I can assure you he will not get to her, not again.
"Did he mention who he's working for?" he asked, changing tack.
"Not to me," came the soft reply. At that moment, Rina came in.
"Master Kenobi, I was told my cousin had something to do with what happened at the Senate building today," she said.
"Yes, Knight Solo. See if you can talk some sense into her," Obi-Wan said and stood up. "I need to check on my wife." He walked out of the interrogation room, leaving the two women alone.
He went back to the apartment where Padme was pacing back and forth. She stopped once she saw him walking through the door and threw herself into his arms. He held her tight.
"It's all right, love," he whispered, holding her close. "We've got Amara for questioning. That's why I didn't come back after being released from the Healers' wing. I wanted in on the interrogation."
Padme nodded. "What did she have to say?"
"She just confirmed what we already knew, that she was hired by Kent Lars to assassinate Lara, and that he wanted her to also kidnap Beru from the Jedi temple for his own sick desires." He paused. "I'm hoping Rina can talk some sense into her so she'll help us defeat him and learn who he's working for, if it's a Sith lord or not."
"It has to be, but we don't know who." Padme walked to the window, gazing out in thought. "Maybe we could dangle a large carrot in front of Amara to ensure her cooperation, like sanctuary from the Jedi to keep her safe from Kent. Once he figures out that she purposely failed in her attempt to kill Lara, her life won't be worth much."
"About that, why did she try to do it now?" Obi-Wan mused in confusion. "It's common knowledge around senatorial circles that Lara and Anakin are on a working honeymoon to Naboo and they won't be returning as soon as they thought due to Queen Jamilla's terminal state."
"I think I can guess. Lara's handmaiden and decoy, Laila, is here on Coruscant and she's been acting as a security agent around Lara's office while she's off on her honeymoon," Padme told him. "Perhaps Amara saw her leaving and mistook her for Lara."
"Possibly. We should send Anakin and Lara a transmission to inform him of what happened, although I'm sure he's probably sensed it through the Force by now." He went to his R4 unit. "Arfour, scramble code 6 to Naboo, Theed Palace." Code 6 was Anakin's transmission code, and he knew it would be answered at the palace. He just hoped his friend would remain calm and not give in to anger. Taking a deep breath, he settled back to wait for the connection to be made.
"Master Skywalker?" Eirtae, one of Sabe's newly appointed handmaidens said softly. "There's a message for you coming into the conference room."
"Is it empty?" he asked.
"Yes, Master Jedi."
"Find my wife and bring her to the conference room," he said firmly. "It's probably a message from her cousin and she should be present."
"At once," Eirtae bowed to him and after leaving him in the conference room, she went to find Lara. The latter joined Anakin in the conference room a few minutes later and they listened to the transmission from Obi-Wan and Padme.
"Lara, your handmaiden was a Force-send if there ever was one," Obi-Wan was saying. "She drew out the assassin who was after you."
"Who was it?" Anakin asked.
"Amara Solo, cousin to Jaden and Rina Solo. Rina's in the interrogation center with her now, trying to talk some sense into her. I'm going to talk with Master Yoda and Master Windu about offering her sanctuary in exchange for her cooperation."
"Who hired her?" Lara queried.
"Kent Lars, estranged uncle to Jessamyn and Owen and estranged brother to Cliegg," came the cryptic reply. "And the assassination attempt was only half of her job."
"You can't be serious!" Anakin practically shouted as the pieces fell into place. "He wanted this woman to kidnap Beru from the temple?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, trying to calm his friend down. "He won't get to Beru, not after this. Hopefully, Amara will be willing to cooperate with us."
"What should we do?" Lara asked softly, taking Anakin's hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"For right now, it would be best if you both stay where you are." Obi-Wan sighed. "Granted, I'd be lying if I said you're not missed, but we can't take any chances right now. Lara, I'm sure there's plenty for you to do with the transition of Sabe taking over the rule of Naboo until the next elections. And we can send transmissions to each other during the Loyalist committee meetings."
"Understood, Obi-Wan," Anakin said with a nod. "But I also sense you have some other news for us."
Obi-Wan was now grinning from ear to ear, and Padme decided to take over. "Yeah, we just found out that I'm pregnant."
Lara grinned. "A baby? You and Obi-Wan are going to have a baby? That's wonderful! I hope this situation ends soon so I can be there when your time comes, Padme." She snuggled closer to her husband as he quipped, "She's got a point, guys. We're going to need some practice for when the Force decides we'll have some little Skywalkers running around to play with the little Kenobi to be."
The blue images of Obi-Wan and Padme were laughing at Anakin's last remark. "I'm sure as soon as Kent Lars is neutralized, you both can come home," Padme assured them. "We'll be in touch." A moment later, the blue images of their friends were gone and all was quiet.
"Wow," Lara breathed. "A baby! I can't believe it."
Anakin smirked. "I can. With all the fun they've been having over the past almost two years, I'm not too surprised."
She giggled. "You are still incorrigible, Anakin Skywalker!" She slapped his arm playfully and let him pull her into his arms. Just before their lips met, she murmured, "And I wouldn't have it any other way."