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“An Inquisitor. An Inquisitor just went inside. He was watching the street. Watching the entrance to the Mews.”

I-Five put Den firmly on his feet. “Do tell.”

“Don’t be so frippin’ sanguine about it, Five! Why are they here?”

“I could wager a guess.”

Den’s heart threatened to shift into reverse. “The kid? You think they’re after the kid, or—”

“I think,” said I-Five, turning him about and pushing him back the way they’d come, “that we need to find an alternative means of getting into Poloda Place.”

The alternative means turned out to be a disguise; not for Den but for I-Five. Back down in Ploughtekal at a shop claiming the finest fabrics in the Zi-Kree Sector, the droid purchased a skinsuit that turned him into a perfectly credible Koorivar, right up to the multihued spiraling horn that sat atop his head. It was a large horn, bespeaking great social stature, and the robes that he purchased to go with it expanded on the impression that this was an affluent personage of much wealth and prestige.

Half an hour after their initial foray into the Mews, Den and I-Five made their way back again, the Sullustan pretending to be a property agent showing this fine citizen available habitations in the area.

They approached the entrance to Snowblind Mews, Den feeling as if eyes were lasering into his back. He saw no Inquisitors this time as they made their way into the alley’s mouth, but they kept up their charade anyway. So, despite the fact that he was sweating like a stuck ronto, Den managed to keep his voice energetic and plucky as he loudly described the features of the properties he was proud to represent.

“These conapts are roomy, comfortable, and quite chic when it comes to accoutrements. High ceilings, duracrete floors molded to look like cobbles in the food preparation area—reduces slippage, you know—and sonic or steam showers. Buyer’s choice.”

“What about natural light?” growled I-Five in a perfect Koorivar accent. “I must have natural light.”

“Then you’ve come to the right agent,” Den enthused as they started up the dark winding way to Poloda Place. “I can get you a unit with natural light brought down all the way from the highest levels of the city.”

“How is this possible?”

“Oh, the old architects knew what they were doing. The light is channeled by a series of movable mirrors.” As Den babbled, having no idea if there was any truth at all in what he was claiming, he peered behind them. No one followed.

“Ah yes, of course. How many rooms?”

“As many as you need. You have a wife? Children?”

At I-Five’s nod, Den said, “Well, let me just show you what’s up ahead here—a marvelous place for the kiddies to play.”

They picked up their pace, Den casting furtive glances over his shoulder. Still no followers.

They emerged into the plaza, and Den trotted to the center to turn in place, arms wide. “You see? Just as I said, room for your children to play—though I wouldn’t recommend they be left unmonitored. A number of the units look out on the plaza, of course, and—”

He cut off as his eyes caught on a reflected image in one of the tall, narrow windows. There was an Inquisitor standing in the shadow of an overhanging eave in the building facing their own. He was looking right at them.

Den’s stomach abruptly felt like someone had just flicked the ON/OFF switch for Coruscant’s gravity.

“Yes, yes, but have you anything on the third level? Something with a window that looks out on this court?”

Den spun to look at the droid, wondering if those omniscient photoreceptors had finally missed something. But then, his hands steepled before him, I-Five made a minute gesture.

“It’s your lucky day, friend,” said Den. “I have an empty unit on the third floor of this building that just came open. The previous lessees were an odd bunch—secretive, peculiar. One might almost be tempted to suspect criminal behavior.” He bustled toward their building as he spoke.

Inside the building it was all Den could do not to race to the lift and throw himself in. Once out of the lift on the third floor, he continued to