Rainscape by Jaye Roycraft

Author:Jaye Roycraft
Language: ara, eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks, Inc.
Published: 2014-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

Eleven

The Sandman

GAARD AND KINDYLL dropped Dina off at the Ghe Wespero just as the sun sat balanced on the edge of the horizon. She waved good-bye to her new friends and lingered at the gate to watch the sun gild the mar with streaks of golden fire.

So much had happened in such a short period of time that Dina half expected the world itself to change, and was almost surprised not to see the giant orange ball roll down a crazily tilted horizon. But the far-off Wiara clutched at the dying sun and pulled it slowly to its bosom. The sea darkened, the breeze cooled, and Dina was suddenly aware of the late hour. The mercari closed their shops for the day, and traffic at the Ghe slowed to a languid few making their way into the city.

Dina felt totally drained. She wanted nothing more than to sleep for hours but knew she couldn’t put off the meeting with Jon. First things first, though. She stopped at the AEA Center and handed over to the chief technician the knife and samples she had collected personally, with instructions to give the results only to her. At the Visitor Center, she took a shower, put on a fresh outfit, then knocked softly at Jon’s door.

“Come in.”

Dina took a deep breath and, as Rayn had instructed, tried her best to relax. She opened the door and stepped into Jon’s room, noticing, as always, his appearance. Jon’s T-shirt was wrinkled, and strands of his light brown hair drooped along either side of his face. His usual easygoing, companionable expression was gone, replaced by a look of stern concern. He sat with his injured leg supported and a tall glass in his hand.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

There was a flatness in his voice Dina had never heard before.

“Yes, just tired. How’s your leg?”

“I’ll live. If you want anything to drink, help yourself.”

Dina’s mouth felt like she had swallowed a mouthful of the Albho, so she poured herself a glass of ice water before sitting down opposite Jon.

“How’s the situation at the Dailjan camp?” he asked.

“DeStar regained consciousness. I think he’ll be all right. No one else was affected by the poison attempt.”

Dina waited for the thunderclap she feared would come, but Jon’s voice stayed level.

“Dina. Why were you there all day?”

“Jon, DeStar is the key to our entire investigation. He knows who the killer is, and the killer, in turn, knows that. It’s the reason the attempt was made on DeStar’s life. It was critical I try everything in my power to help save his life.”

“What evidence do you have of any of this? Has DeStar disclosed the killer’s identity?”

“No, not yet.”

Jon twirled the tumbler on top of the table, skating the bottom on the circle of condensation that had formed under the cold glass. “Has he promised he will?”

“He’ll help me. I’m sure of it.”

Jon raised cool green eyes to hers. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Dina concentrated on her breathing. Jon’s questions were exasperating, though not unexpected.

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