Page 246 of Red Marked

“I fully understand. I do.” He doesn’t sound like he does, but he’ll get there. “I’m not so sure about keeping Pearl…” He shakes his head. “I mean Star…I don’t know about keeping Star on board. She isn’t exactly qualified.”

“She lived in that jungle for five years, handling feral males like a pro. She knows what the four missing males look like. If anything, she’s overqualified.” I check my watch. “She will go back to Mistveil City with the others this afternoon. She’ll return once she’s had some time with her family.”

“Her mother was never sick, was she?”

“No. My apologies for that, Doctor. I needed her in the city. She had to identify the male who did this.”

“And they’re all dead, you say? The ones behind it?”

“More than likely assassinated by the Mainland.”

“Oh my.” His eyes go wide. “It’s a nasty business, Flint. A nasty business indeed.” He claps me on the back. “At least you and I can keep making a difference. We can help fix the mess.”

“Yes, we can.” I look at my watch again. “Don’t you have a conference call with the Council?”

He nods. “I do indeed. I’ll stick to our story.” Another clap on my back. “I’m hearing rumors of an invitation to the castle. King Arctic wants to meet me. Can you believe that?”

“Yes, I can, and that’s great, Alastair.”

He gives me a look. “You should come with me.”

“King Arctic doesn’t want to see me. He wants you. Afterward, you can tell me all about it.”

“I will.” He’s nodding and already walking. “I’ll see you later. The females leave this afternoon?”

“Yes, at three.”

“I’ll be there.”

He goes down the corridor at a fast clip, straightening his tie as he goes.

I take out my phone, and there are four missed calls from Magma and one message.

Call me.

I go to my office and shut the door.

He picks up on the first ring. We get through the hellos.

“Took you long enough.”

“I’ve been busy. We picked up Holt this morning, and I’ve had to do some serious ass-licking with Pryce.”

“Let me guess. He’s eating out of your hand and thanking you for dropping an admin nightmare in his backyard.”

“Of course.”

Magma laughs.

“So the females are safe, and Star’s asshole ex is in the jungle, where he’ll stay?”

“Yep. I hope he lives a long, miserable life out there. The females leave for home this afternoon.”

“That’s great. You did a good thing, Flint. You should be proud.”

It goes quiet for a few seconds.

“And Star? Is she leaving with the others too?” he asks.