The Dark Remains - Mark Anthony [86]
Grace pressed a hand to her forehead. “Of course—I was an idiot to go. I checked on Beltan myself yesterday morning, and then that night he’s abducted. I didn’t think anyone recognized me, but someone must have seen me enter his room.”
“Duratek does have a way of making people recall things,” Farr said, his expression grim.
Grace reached a hand toward Travis, then started to pull it away. “I’m so sorry, Travis. I …”
He caught her hand before she could withdraw it. “It’s not your fault, Grace. None of this is your fault. Besides, it could have been me that someone at the hospital recognized.”
“No, I don’t think so.” It was Deirdre who spoke, her voice low and thoughtful. “You’re different, Travis. I don’t think anyone would recognize you if they didn’t know you well. It’s almost like you’re …”
“Like I’m a whole new person.” But he had no more words beyond that.
Finally Grace drew in a breath. “I still don’t understand how Duratek could use a spider to murder Dr. Chandra. It seems awfully risky. After all, you can’t tell the thing whom to bite. Have they used spiders before?”
Farr leaned back. “To our knowledge they have not.”
Travis felt gentle pressure as the shadowy world slowed outside the windows. He peered through the smoky glass. They were just two blocks from the Blue Sky Motel, where he and Grace had been staying.
“Now what?” he said.
Farr sat up straight. “Now you and Grace must remain hidden while Deirdre and I work to discover where Duratek has taken your friend.”
Travis opened his mouth to protest, but Deirdre spoke first.
“It’s better this way, Travis. It’s too dangerous for you and Grace to be moving about the city right now. It’s quite possible that Duratek is using Beltan as a lure to get you and Grace.”
Grace looked at him. “She’s right, Travis.”
Farr rolled down the window a few inches and gazed at the litter-strewn street. “Do you know if anyone has followed you to your motel?”
Travis shrugged. “I doubt we’d be sitting here with you now if someone had.”
“Good point,” Farr conceded, as the window whirred shut. “Then I suppose this is as good a place as any for you to remain. We’ll be posting a pair of operatives to keep watch. We’ll call you with descriptions so you won’t be alarmed when you see them. Also, we’ll arrange for your meals to be brought to you, so you don’t need to leave your room.”
“This is starting to sound suspiciously like prison.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Wilder,” Farr said in his smooth, accentless voice, “you can leave any time you wish. Just remember what is waiting for you if you do.”
Travis clenched his hands. What use was freedom with choices like that?
“It’s best if you walk back to your room from here,” Deirdre said. “I have a feeling most patrons of the Blue Sky don’t get dropped off by limousines. We’ll watch to make sure you get there.”
“Thank you,” Grace said. “Both of you.”
Her eyes glowed green-gold as she regarded the Seekers. It almost seemed she was enjoying herself. But even on Eldh, Grace had always been better at spying and secret plots. All Travis wanted to do was find Beltan and get back to Eldh. He opened the limousine door.
Deirdre touched his arm. “May the wind guide you, Travis.”
He nodded, then stepped out of the vehicle. Grace followed him, and the door shut. The limousine rolled away, as long and sleek as a serpent, then disappeared around a corner.
“They’ll find him,” Grace said, her voice resonating with belief.
Travis said nothing so she wouldn’t hear the doubt in his own. They turned to walk back to the motel.
Motion caught the corner of Travis’s eye. A fragment of shadow seemed to detach itself from the space between two buildings and glide toward them. He almost thought he saw two glints of gold. Then the air rippled, and the shadow was gone.
Grace touched his shoulder. “What is it, Travis?”
He gazed a moment longer into empty air, then turned away. “It’s nothing,” he said.
28.
Three days later, Deirdre looked up from the glowing screen of a sleek, silver