Unconsciously,Gusquickenedhersteps as Natalie’s came into view.For once, she made no effort to conceal her passage, striding boldly and confidently down the concourse in full view of anyone watching.
As she neared, the full extent of what had happened came into focus.
From the state of things, Gus guessed that those inside the restaurant had attempted to lock it down just before the attack started.They’d managed to lower the security gate and batten the doors from their side.
Not that it had done much good.
From the way the metal had been bent inward, Gus could tell someone had used breach charges to punch through the restaurant’s defenses.
Across the hallway were quarter sized dents from a projectile weapon.
Gus would be interested to know how Natalie’s owner had managed to smuggle one of those past security.They were considered contraband for a reason.Not least of which was the danger they presented to the wider population should unauthorized use cause a hull breach in the station.
Bracing, Gus stepped past the torn metal of the gate and into the restaurant.There, she found spent shell casings from sparklies and overturned tables.
No blood though.No Anandra either.
Sensing someone behind her, Gus lifted her head.“Your son betrayed me.”
No one else had known where Anandra was.
Just Kyle.
And his mom.
“Yes.”
Gus looked over her shoulder at the woman standing behind her.“He betrayed you too.”
She doubted he meant for it to go down that way.He probably thought they’d show up and he’d hand the boy over with minimal fuss.But that was the thing when you dealt with criminals, things never went the way you expected them to.
“Yes.”Kyle’s mom’s agreement was a low, weary exhale.
She was dressed differently than during their last encounter.No longer pretending to be the mild mannered restaurant owner.She was dressed like a killer.All in black and wearing a material a lot more expensive.
The look in her eyes was different too.
Harder.
Crueler.
Not the sort of person you’d expect to offer food to a hungry child.
Gus glanced at her from the corner of her eye.“I take it you’re not just a restaurant owner.”
Kyle’s mom gave Gus a close-mouthed smile.“No.”
Of course not.
The other woman tilted her head slightly.“Were you really expecting me to be?”
“Not really,” Gus said, fully facing her at last.
She considered what she knew about Kyle’s history and the rumors about his family, adding it to the information she’d collected regarding Titan’s power brokers and those of the surrounding areas.
“Cronus, I presume.”
Gus imagined Kyle’s mom chose the name because of their location.In Greek myth, Cronus was said to have been the youngest Titan and also their leader.He overthrew his father only to be overthrown by his own son in the end.
