The Rings of Grissom: Tales of a Former Space Janitor by Julia Huni

Author:Julia Huni [Huni, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: IPH Media
Published: 2021-01-30T22:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

“I’m not supposed to leave the house,” I say as Angie jumps up from her chair.

“When has that ever stopped you?”

“How do you know me so well?” I brush little green bits from my clothes and find a lumpy boutonniere still stuck to my leg.

Angie grins. “I think you and I are a lot alike. Plus, Ty loves to talk about you.”

“But if someone is targeting me, going out in public is risky.” I wave the floppy flower around. The blossom snaps off, falling into the empty flower bucket.

Angie takes the sad greenery from my hand. “You’ve got the boys for protection. I’m sure they’re getting tired of hanging out here, too.” She pulls open the door and calls, “Yoo hoo! Lou! Kairon! Where are you?”

How does she know their first names? I follow her out into the courtyard. The heavy scent of flowers fades, replaced by the fruity tang of live plants. I sneeze a couple of times.

“Were you looking for us, Lady?” Ferrigi steps out of the tunnel leading to the front gate.

“Yes.” Angie steps into his path. Ferrigi is huge, and he towers over the old woman. She points at him and cranes her neck to peer into this face. “We need to go to the dress fitting.”

“I wasn’t told Sera Morgan would be leaving the compound.” Ferrigi crosses his arms and stares down at Angie.

“She’s going to the wedding, so, of course she needs her gown fitted.” She shakes her head as if she can’t believe his naivete. “Not leaving the house. Silly man.”

I have a gown for the wedding, and it fits perfectly. Ty must have clued Hy-Mi in because it was there in my trunk, clearly labeled in the Dress-Success app.

Ferrigi nods, indecision plain on his face.

“Check with my grandson if you want,” Angie says. “I’m sure he won’t mind you interrupting his work.”

Ferrigi clears his throat. “That’s not necessary, Lady Angie. Give us a couple of minutes to get our gear together.” He strides away, flicking his comm line. “Andron, we got a job.”

“You are a master spy,” I whisper. “I’ll bet Vanti could learn a few tricks from you.”

Angie smiles. “A hundred and two years in the ‘verse teaches you a few things.”

“A hundred and two?!” I stare at her. I’d figured late eighties.

She laughs and smacks my arm. “No, I’m only ninety-three. Got ya!”

I do some quick math. “But that means you got married to Safwan when you were fifteen.”

“Oh, I was kidding about that. We were only married seventy-three years ago. Two years after Evaline was born.”

“Did he really die in a freak rainstorm?” How does a rainstorm kill someone, anyway?

“Oh, no. He’s alive and well. You’ll meet him at dinner tonight.” She grabs my arms and pushes me toward the stairs. “Go get whatever investigative stuff you need. I’m gonna hit the little girls’ room.”

I stare at her as she totters off across the courtyard. Is she senile? Most age-related mental deterioration can be eliminated through medical treatments, but obviously these people don’t go in for rejuvenation.

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