At least the Secret Keeper had that warning when an unfamiliar man barged into his office. His faithful assistant was right behind him, holding a fistful of the stranger’s jacket as the man dragged him into the room.
Chester shouted that the man could not come inside the Secret Keeper’s office.
“Too late. I’m already in here,” the man said. “Let go of me or I’llmakeyou let go and, trust me, you won’t like it.”
The Secret Keeper was on his feet, rounding the side of his desk, ready to pummel the man for not only intruding on his busy day, but also threatening Chester.
“Chester, release him,” the Secret Keeper said.
“I’m sorry, sir, he surprised me.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Chester released the man’s jacket from his ferocious grasp, though his expression remained rigidly angry. “Shall I call for security and have him removed?”
“That won’t be necessary.” The Secret Keeper kept his voice calm. “I’m certain he’ll leave in a couple of minutes once he tells me whatever it is he came to say.”
The stranger nodded, tilted his head to one side as if to stretch out his neck as he straightened his jacket lapels. The place where Chester had held him remained crumpled.
The Secret Keeper silently signaled his assistant to have security come into his office in five minutes if the man was still there. Chester nodded and exited the room, closing the door solidly behind him.
“Who are you?” the Secret Keeper asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
The man looked surprised, as though he believed he should be recognized wherever he went. “I’m Dirk Zandis.”
“Fine. Mr. Zandis, speak your piece quickly. Don’t waste my time. You won’t like it if you do,” the Secret Keeper said. He knew who Dirk Zandis was. He was the prospective groom named in Madelaine’s envelope. The Secret Keeper couldn’t imagine why he was here. Surveillance had not flagged hisentrance into town, likely because of his affiliation with the Paladin Cabal.
“I need to know why the Paladin Courier hasn’t contacted me.”
“Why do you need to know anything about the Paladin Courier?” The Secret Keeper shot back, unsure of why this man was inserting himself into a journey that clearly was not in the cards for him. “Maybe you shouldn’t worry your pretty little head about it.”
That earned him a smirky, superior gaze from the intruder.
The more troubling question was, how did Dirk know the Paladin Courier was already on her journey? Had he set up a tripwire in Alienn to be informed?
The Secret Keeper had more knowledge than most of the participants in this important journey the Paladin Courier had undertaken. He shouldn’t be surprised that others might have made themselves privy to additional information.
Still, he was surprised that Dirk had been given any extra knowledge.
The Secret Keeper certainly hadn’t disclosed anything. He’d ensured Chester was extra vigilant about not telling anyone about Madelaine and Jack’s trip to Suspicion.
Dirk huffed, clearly affronted by the question. “I need to know because I was supposed to be contacted in Alienn. I was supposed to be her husband. I was supposed to accompany her on her important mission. She has to be married. I know she does.”
“Does she? Are you certain?” the Secret Keeper asked, pretending to be surprised and curious about Madelaine’s wedding needs.
Not to be put off, the man insisted, “Yes. She does. And it’s supposed to be me. I’ve been waiting.”
The Secret Keeper mentally took a deep breath, ready to obscure this man’s path as best he could. “For the record, I was not privy to any part of the Paladin Courier’s journey or procedures, except to give over a package once she identified herself. How do you know any part of her clandestine mission? By my recollection and understanding, you shouldn’t.”
Dirk frowned. “I am a trusted entity in this matter. I was forewarned about the initial procedure. I know the trigger foretold long before you or I were born has taken place. The Dravo star has gone supernova. The heat from the blast is already headed to Tryxas. I know the process must have started. Tell me why I wasn’t contacted.”
The Secret Keeper decided to throw him off. It wouldn’t keep him away forever, but it might buy Madelaine and Jack some needed time.
“I do not know why you weren’t contacted,Dirk. How could I? I’m merely a pawn in the process. I have done my duty and given over the package, as I was instructed. That is where my participation ends. I cannot help you.”
Dirk took a step closer, his expression contorted. “You lie. I know you know more than you’re saying. Tell me what you know!”
The Secret Keeper considered Dirk’s accusations and realized there must be a subtext going on during Madelaine’s mission. It was possible someone in the Paladin Cabal had ratted him out as a knowledgeable figure who knew more than he let on. The Secret Keeper considered a different option and did his best to keep a civil tone while he thought on his feet.
