Immutable by Cidney Swanson

Author:Cidney Swanson [Swanson, Cidney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Williams Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

24

STAY WITH ME

Sint Maarten, the Caribbean

Much later, as the approaching dawn was extinguishing the stars, turning the sky grey in the east, they were awakened by a sound coming from outside. A car door, slamming.

Matteo jumped up. “If it’s Monsieur Thibaut, you have to let me do all the talking. Do you understand? I’m dead serious.”

Martina half nodded. She tugged at her tank, which had pulled up, exposing her belly.

“Wait here,” said Matteo.

And then the ability to think rationally returned to Martina and she leapt forward, grabbing Matteo and taking them both to insubstantiality and safety.

Oh. Or that. Matteo’s voice was clear in Martina’s head. That’s a good plan.

There was a soft rap at the frame of the front door, still open from when Martina had entered under cover of dark night.

“Hello?” The greeting-as-question was whispered.

Take us to the other room so I can see who it is, said Matteo.

Martina glided forward, hugging the wall of the next room out of habit—never give away your presence.

It was a man. Alone. He was standing in front of the kerosene lamp, hands on his hips, head cocked to one side as if intending to interrogate the lamp.

“Who left you burning?” muttered the stranger. He turned and called out another soft, “Hello?”

The lamp was directly behind him now, and its light flared around him in an odd full-body halo. He cast the rest of the room in thick darkness. Martina wondered if this was Monsieur Thibaut. Or one of his henchmen? Thibaut seemed to know everything about Matteo.

Why wasn’t Matteo saying anything?

She decided to slip them both through the walls of the house to get outside where they could confer, solidly, for a few moments.

She glided along the wall.

No—stop! His thoughts were loud.

Martina twisted left: her own NO.

Wait! It’s not Thibaut.

Martina paused.

It’s Monsieur Jaquette.

The lawyer.

I need to speak to him. Please.

Martina moved swiftly through the outer wall, bringing them both solid beside the hammock.

“Stay out here,” whispered Matteo. “I’m not sure how safe Jaquette is.”

Martina nodded.

“He’s got connections to … to my boss,” Matteo added. “Please, don’t let him see you.”

She nodded again. “I’ll ripple.” Seeing Matteo’s frown, she clarified. “It means turn invisible. I’ll be at your side, just in case you need to disappear.”

This time, Matteo gave a quick nod. Then he strode to the front of the house, Martina following invisibly, one icy hand on his shoulder so he knew she was there.

Matteo and Jaquette exchanged soft greetings, Jaquette offering his regrets, and then, a handful of papers.

“These are for you,” said Jaquette.

Matteo took the papers, flipping through the top ones.

The kerosene lamp was flickering again and Matteo walked over to jiggle something until the light was steady and bright once more.

“No electricity?” asked Jaquette, glancing around the room.

“We did fine without it,” said Matteo. Martina heard the defensive edge in his voice.

“Listen,” said Jaquette, “I’ve been called to handle some of Monsieur’s affairs … elsewhere. But I wanted to give you a head start. These things, they can take time.

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