“We’ve . . . I’ve been ordered to stay here and not leave until I get word.” Trayla lifted her shoulders. “We do actually still need outfits, so why not?”
“How did they know to wait for us outside the restaurant?” Fee asked. “Have they been following us, and if they have, how did they know where we were?”
“You’re saying if they knew all that, they may know this place is on our list, too?” Trayla shook her head. “Only Grogan and Crin knew we were coming here, other than me.”
“And Grogan isn’t answering his comms.” Fee held out her hand, palm upward.
“No.” Trayla shook her head. “He may be bad-tempered, but he’s not a traitor.”
“I’m not saying he is. I’m saying they might have grabbed him and got his comms unit, found out that way.”
“They who? And why?” Trayla moved to the window that looked out onto the street, leaning close against the wall so she wasn’t silhouetted.
“I agree that it isn’t safe for you in there,” Eazi said. “The building has two exits, other than the front entrance. There’s a room to the right as you come in which leads to a back alley, and there’s a long passage behind the front counter that links with a business next door, as they share facilities, and there’s an alleyway exit there, as well.”
“Trayla.” Fiona pointed to the front counter. “Let’s go.”
As Trayla began to move toward her, the window she’d been looking out of exploded.
Fiona leaped toward Trayla, putting her arms around her as the bracelet flared.
Tiny pieces of glass flew outward, and Fee grabbed Trayla’s arm and hauled her toward the back passageway.
The corridor had been turned into a place to store stock, so they passed rows of beautiful dresses and jackets, before they came out into a basic, utilitarian shared space.
“Eazi says that leads to the back alley.” Fiona ran toward the door, and pushed it open, stepping out first just in case there was someone waiting to shoot them back there.
The alley was dark and seemed to be empty.
“The runner’s not that far from here,” Trayla said. “That seems like the best option.”
Fiona nodded, following her as she ducked between two buildings behind the one they’d been in, bringing them onto a parallel street.
“If they knew where we’d be, do they know about the rental house by the river?” Fee asked Eazi.
“I don’t know. Don’t go back there,” Eazi said. “I’ve booked a hotel for you as suggested last night, so head there, check in. I noticed you were having difficulty with clothing so I made youand Trayla something based on the outfits you liked the most today. You’ve got six hours until the dinner, which means I can get it down from Larga Ways to you in good time.”
“You think we should go tonight?” Fiona wanted to go. She wanted to confront Baruke as things got crazier and crazier, but she didn’t want to put others in danger while she did it.
“I don’t know. I feel like it’s a risk, either way.” Eazi always sounded more robotic when he was stressed.
“Same. It could blow up in our faces, or really get to the bottom of things, but not going feels like hiding and I don’t want to do that.” Fiona came to a stop as Trayla climbed the stairs to the runner and brought it back down to street level.
She hopped in. “We’re going to the Star of Distani, not back to the rental,” she said.
“Fancy.” Trayla turned into the traffic. “If it’s not safe for us at the rental, it’s not safe for Natta.”
“Agreed. Eazi’s already told Battle Center we suspect it’s compromised, so Natta will be moved.” Fee looked behind them, searching for anything out of place. “Can you get hold of Lieutenant Crin?”
Trayla thunked her head on the back of the head rest. “I haven’t even tried.”
“I’ll do it.” Fee didn’t have time for formalities or whatever dressing down Trayla thought she’d get. She asked Eazi, and he put her through straight away.
“Crin.” The lieutenant sounded angry.
“Lieutenant, it’s Fiona Russell. We’re just checking in with you. We were attacked again while we were taking cover from the first attack. We’re worried that if they knew our whereabouts, you might be in danger in the house.”
Crin was silent for a beat. “Thank you for letting me know. I came to the same conclusion and am taking Natta to the Grihan military facility here in Distani. Are the two of you all right?”
