Page 71 of The Shadows Between Us
He blinks. He tries to start a new sentence but stops himself three times, before, “Anyone I know?”
“He was a nobody. Someone to amuse myself with to pass the time, while I waited for Chrysantha to become engaged.”
A silence spreads between us as we dance around such a dangerous topic.
Finally, he blurts, “A month? Amonthis long for you?”
“Not all of us have as much self-control as you do.”
“I’m not so in control as you might think.” He looks down at the shredded potatoes on the table. Our untouched breakfast.
“Oh? Are you dallying with some lady in secret?” The words comeout friendly and aloof, but for some reason, I start to see red at the corners of my vision.
“That’s not what I meant.” Kallias puts a bite of food into his mouth and chews slowly, as though giving himself an excuse not to say more.
He’s saved by a knock at the door. A maid goes to answer before returning with a letter for me.
“Put it on my desk. I’ll attend to it later,” I tell her.
“No,” Kallias says hurriedly. “Please, don’t let me keep you from your correspondence. It might be important.”
He’s stalling for more time. All right, I’ll indulge him.
I take up the letter and read:
To Lady Alessandra Stathos,
I’m looking into the disappearance of my son Hektor, who has been absent since July 27, three years past. I have learned that you may have had some sort of relationship with my son, and it is my hope that you might have more information concerning his disappearance.
As a favor to me, will you please come to my estate so we can talk? I’d hate to bring this matter into the king’s home.
Sincerely,
Faustus Galanis, Baron of Drivas
I don’t miss the blatant threat.Come to me or else I’ll come to you.
“Something wrong?” Kallias asks.
I look up and gather my thoughts quickly. “It’s an invitation to the Baron of Drivas’s estate.” Not a lie.
“Oh. I know of the baron, but I can’t say I’ve seen him more than a handful of times. But if you wish to go, I would be honored to accompany you.”
My knuckles whiten on the letter. Kallias thinks I’ve been invited toa party or some event. Of course he does, and he’s trying to show that he’s all in now on our ruse.
“Actually, the baron makes me… uncomfortable.”
At that word, I have Kallias’s undivided attention.
“Has he done something untoward?”
“He’s been talking with my father and my sister. Now he’s all but threatened to come to the palace if I don’t come to him. I think he’s up to something.”
I have done my best not ever to lie to Kallias. Lies are far too easy to get caught up in. Far too easy to discover. I let Kallias draw his own conclusions from my words.
“The baron has many sons, does he not?” Kallias asks.
“He does,” I say with resignation.
