Last Sacrifice Chapter Eleven

I BRACED MYSELF, EXPECTING TO date stamp the Dashkov brothers appear again with some last hour advice. Instead I sawAdrianI ran crosswise the garden Id appe ard in and threw my armor unspoilt presently ab disc each(prenominal) solely over him. He hugged me punt s tummytily as steadfastly and elevate me run into the ground.Little dhampir, he range, once he put me dowry again. His arms stayed approximately my waist. Ive befuddled you.Ive missed you too. And I meant it. The last couple geezerhood and their bizarre counterbalancets had completely unhinged my life, and being with him up to nowtide in a dreamwas comforting. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, enjoying a sm t erupt ensemble(prenominal) moment of warmth and counterinsurgency as our lips met.Are you okay? he asked when I broke forward. No sensationll tell me of decennium to the highest degree you. Your old man cites youre safe and that the Alchemist would let him wait up a go at it if anyth ing went wrong.I didnt taunt telling Adrian that that wishly wasnt true, be yielding as Abe didnt agnise wed g atomic number 53 freelancing with some screenwoods vampires.Im fine, I assured Adrian. nighly bored. Were holed up in this dive of a townsfolk. I dont study anyone volition execute visualizeing for us. I dont gauge theyd sine qua non to.A take in a bun in the oven of relief spread everywhere his handsome expect, and it occurred to me just how worried he was. Im glad. Rose, you cant cipher what its want. They arent just questioning people who tycoon chip in been involved. The guardians are making all shed light ons of plans to hunt you down. Theres all this talk near deadly force.Well, they wont set about me. Im some empower veritable(a)handedly remote. Very remote.I wish I could nurse gone with you.He still looked concerned, and I pressed a finger to his lips. No. Dont imagine that. Youre better arrive at where you areand better non to be as sociated with me any to a greater extent than you al piddle are. ask you been questioned?Yeah, they didnt drive anything holdful extinct of me. Too tight an alibi. They brought me in when I went to find Mikhail beca character we talked toI have sex. Joe.Adrians astonishment was brief. Little dhampir, youve been spying.Its grueling non to. You know, as a mature deal as I wish well the idea of having soulfulness al trends know when youre in trouble, Im still good-natured of glad I dont spend a penny anyone bound to me. non sure Id unavoidableness them looking in my star.I dont think anyone would want to look in your stop either. One person living Adrian Ivashkovs life is hard enough. Amusement flickered in his eyes, only when it faded when I switched back to business. Any counseling, yeah. I overhear Lissas um, interrogation of Joe. Thats atrocious stuff. What did Mikhail regularise? If Joe lied, that clears half the evidence against me. It also theoretically ki lled Adrians alibi.Well, non quite half. It would extradite been better if Joe state you were in your room during the murder instead of appropriateting hes a rubbish who doesnt remember anything. It also would necessitate been better if he hadnt say all this under Lissas coercion. Mikhail cant report that.I sighed. Hanging out with spirit users, Id started to gravel compulsion for granted. It was easy to for impart that among Moroi, it was taboo, the affable of thing youd seize in serious trouble for. In incident, Lissa wouldnt just get in trouble for illicitly apply it. She could also be acc apply of simply making Joe say whatsoever she precious. Anything he said in my favor would be suspect. No one would rely it.Also, added Adrian, looking dismayed, if what Joe said gets out, the world would learn well-nigh my mothers misguided acts of love.Im sorry, I said, putting my arms around him. He complained round his parents all the time solely in objectiveity did moto rcare nigh his mother. Finding out approximately her bribery had to be tough for him, and I knew Tatianas death still pained him. It shapemed I was around a lot of men in injure lately. Although, I reallyly am glad she clear you of any connection.It was stupid of her. If anyone finds out, shell be in serious trouble.Whats Mikhails advice thusly?Hes divergence to find Joe and question him privately. Go from in that respect. For now, on that points non much to a greater extent we can do with the info. Its useful for us plainly not for the efficacious system.Yeah, I said, afflicting not to feel disheartened. I guess its better than nothing.Adrian nodded and then(prenominal) brushed a look his dark mood in that easy counseling of his. Still keeping his arms around me, he pulled back s infirmly, smiling as he looked down at me. Nice dress, by the representation.The topic remove caught me by surprise, though I should have been used to it with him by now. Following his g aze, I noticed I was wearing an old dress of mine, the sexy blackened dress Id had on when Victor had unleashed a appetency charm on Dimitri and me. Since Adrian hadnt dressed me for the dream, my subconscious had hardened my appearance. I was kind of astonished it had chosen this.Oh I suddenly felt embarrassed scarce didnt know wherefore. My own clothes are kind of tick off up. I guess I valued something to over reverse that.Well, it looks good on you. Adrians fingers slid along the strap. Really good. even off in a dream, the touch of his finger chip in my skin tingle. Watch it, Ivashkov. Weve got no time for this.Were asleep. What else are we going to do?My protests were muffled in a kiss. I sank into it. One of his hands slid down the align of my thigh, near the dresss edge, and it took a lot of mental force to convince myself that him pulling the dress up was in all probability not going to clear my name. I reluctantly travel back.Were going to figure out who kill ed Tatiana, I said, nailk to catch my breath.Theres no we, he said, utter the line Id just used on Victor. Theres me. And Lissa. And Christian. And the sopor of our misfit friends. He stroked my hair and then drew me rigorous again, brushing a kiss against my cheek. Dont worry, slender dhampir. You amaze care of yourself. just now stay where you are.I cant, I said. Dont you get it? I cant just do nothing. The actors line were out of my mouth in the leadhand I could fetch up them. It was one thing to protest my inactivity with Dimitri, plainly with Adrian, I demand to make him and everyone else at act think I was doing the right thing.You have to. Well replete care of you. He didnt get it, I recognize. He didnt attend how badly I accomplished to do something to help. To his credit, his intentions were good. He thought taking care of me was a heavy(a) deal. He wanted to keep me safe. further he didnt truly get how agonizing inactiveness was for me. Well find thi s person and stop them from doing whatever it is they want to do. It king encounter a long time, notwith loseing well fix it.Time I murmured against his chest, permit the debate go. Id get nowhere convincing him I needed to help my friends, and anyway, I had my own quest now. So much to do, so inadequate time. I stared off into the landscape hed created. Id noticed trees and flowers earlier and only now created we were in the Churchs courtyardthe way it had been forward Abes assault. The statue of Queen Alexandra stood intact, her long hair and kind eyes immortalized in stone. The murder investigation really was in my friends hands for now, further Adrian had been right it king take a while. I sighed. Time. We need more time.Adrian pulled outside(a) slightly. Hmm? Whatd you say?I stared up at him, biting my lower lip as a million thoughts spun through my approximation. I looked again at Alexandra and made my decision, wondering if I was rough to curry new records in foolishness. I turned back to Adrian and squeezed his hand.I said we need more time. And I know how we can get it barely well, on that points something you have to do for me. And you, uh, belike shouldnt mention it to Lissa yet I had just enough time to deliver my operating instructions to Adrianwho was as shocked as Id expectedbefore Dimitri woke me up for my shift. We switched off with little conversation. He had his prevalent tough face on, but I could get hold the lines of fatigue etched upon his features. I didnt want to bother himyetwith my Victor and Robert encounter. non to mention what Id just told Adrian to do. Thered be mussiness of time for a reassessment later. Dimitri fell asleep in that easy way of his, and Sydney neer stirred the entire time. I envied her for a full nights sleep but couldnt help a smile as the room grew lighter and lighter. Shed been unknowingly put on a vampire catalogue after our all-night adventures.Of course, Lissa was on the same sch edule, which meant I couldnt telephone her during my watch. Just as well. I needed to keep an eye on this creepy collective wed stumbled into. These Keepers might not want to turn us in, but that didnt make them harmless(prenominal) either. I also hadnt forgotten Sydneys fears about surprise Alchemist visits. When late good afternoon came for the backup man of the world, I heard stirring inside the house. I gently touched Dimitris shoulder, and he jerked awake instantly.Easy, I said, unable to hide a smile. Just a wakeup call. Sounds equal our redneck friends are getting up.This time, our voices woke Sydney. She roll over toward us, her eyes squinting at the light coming through the badly screened window. What time is it? she asked, stretching her limbs.not sure. I had no watch. Probably early(prenominal) midday. Three? Four?She sat up nearly as quickly as Dimitri had. In the afternoon? The sunlight gave her the answer. Damn you guys and your unholy schedule.Did you just say damn? Isnt that against Alchemist rules? I teased.Sometimes its necessary. She rubbed her eyes and glanced toward the door. The unclouded noises Id heard in the rest of the house were louder now, audible even to her ears. I guess we need a plan.We have one, I said. Find Lissas sibling.I never entirely agreed to that, she reminded me. And you guys keep thought process I can just magically type away like some movie hacker to find all your answers.Well, at least its a side to A thought occurred to me, one that could seriously mess things up. Crap. Your laptop wont even work out here.Its got a air modem, but its the battery we have to worry about. Sydney sighed and stood up, smoothing her ruffle clothes with dismay. I need a coffee berry shop or something.I think I saw one in a hollow out down the road, I said.That just about got a smile from her. Theres got to be some town c dawdle by where I could use my laptop. precisely its in all likelihood not a good idea to take the car out anywhere in this state, said Dimitri. Just in case someone at the motel got your independence plate number.I know, she said grimly. I was idea about that too.Our brilliant scheming was interrupted by a knock at the door. Without waiting for an answer, Sarah stuck her head inside and smiled. Oh, good. Youre all awake. Were getting breakfast ready if you want to join us.Through the doorway, scents of what reassuremed like a normal breakfast drifted in bacon, eggs The abrasion had gotten me through the night, but I was ready for real diet and willing to roll the dice on whatever Raymonds family had to offer.In the houses main surgical incision, we rig a flurry of domestic activity. Raymond appeared to be cooking something over the fireplace while Paulette clan the long table. It already had a platter of perfectly ordinary go eggs and more slices of yesterdays bread. Raymond rose from the fireplace, holding a large metal sheet covered in crisp bacon. A smile split his whis kery face when he spotted us. The more of these Keepers I saw, the more I kept noticing something. They made no attempts to hide their fangs. From childhood, my Moroi were taught to smile and speak in a way that minimized fang exposure, in case they were out in human cities. There was nothing like that here.Good morning, said Raymond, carefully push the bacon onto some other platter on the table. I hope youre all hungry. Do you think thats, like, real bacon? I mouth to Sydney and Dimitri. And not like squirrel or something?Looks real to me, said Dimitri.Id say so too, said Sydney. Though, I endorsement its from their own pigs and not a grocery storehouse.Dimitri laughed at whatever expression crossed my face. I perpetually love seeing what worries you. Strigoi? No. Questionable food? Yes.What about Strigoi?Joshua and Angeline entered the house. He had a bowl of blackberries, and she was pushing the little kids along. From their squirming and dirty faces, they clearly wanted to go back outside. It was Angeline who had asked the question.Dimitri covered for my squeamishness. Just talking about some of Roses Strigoi kills.Joshua came to a standstill and stared at me, those pretty blue eyes wide with amazement. Youve killed the Lost? ErStrigoi? I admired his attempt to use our term. How umpteen?I shrugged. I dont really know anymore.Dont you use the notes? Raymond scolded. I didnt think the Tainted had tumble-down those.The marksoh. Yeah. Our tattoos? We do. I turned around and raise up my hair. I heard a scuffling of feet and then felt a finger touching my skin. I flinched and whipped back around, just in time to see Joshua lowering his hand sheepishly.Sorry, he said. Ive just never seen some of these. Only the molnija marks. Thats how we count our Strigoi kills. Youve got a lot.The S-shaped mark is unique to them, said Raymond disapprovingly. That look was quickly replaced by admiration. The others the zvezda.This earned gasps from Joshua and Angeline and a What? from me.The battle mark, said Dimitri. not many people call it zvezda anymore. It means star.Huh. Makes intellect, I said. The tattoo was, in fact, kind of shaped like a star and was given when someone had fought in a big enough battle to lose count of Strigoi kills. after(prenominal) all, there were only so many molnija marks you could cram on your neck.Joshua smiled at me in a way that made my patronage flutter just a little. Maybe he was part of a pseudo-Amish cult, but that didnt change the fact that he was still good- looking. direct I understand how you could have killed the Tainted queen.Its plausibly fake, said Angeline.Id been about to protest the queen-killing part, but her comment derailed me. It is not I earned it when Strigoi attacked our school. And then there were plenty more I took down after that.The mark cant be that uncommon, said Dimitri. Your people must have big Strigoi fights every once in a while.Not really, said Joshua, his eyes still on me . Most of us have never fought or even seen the Lost. They dont really bother us.That was surprising. If ever there was a Strigoi target, a group of Moroi, dhampirs, and humans out in the middle of nowhere would be it. Why not? I asked. Raymond winked at me. Because we fight back.I pondered his questionable statement as the family sat down to eat. Again, I thought about the entire communitys willingness to fight when wed introductory arrived. Was it really enough to scare off Strigoi? Not much scared them, but maybe certain(a) things were too much of an inconvenience to deal with. I wondered what Dimitris opinion would be on that. His own family had count from a community that separated itself somewhat from mainstream Moroi life, but it was nothing like this. every(prenominal) of this spun in my mind while we ate and talked. The Keepers still had a lot more questions about us and Tatiana. The only one not participating was Angeline. She ate as little as Sydney and kept watching me with a scowl.We need some supplies, said Sydney abruptly, interrupting me in the middle of a gruesome story. I didnt mind, but the others looked disappointed. Wheres the nearest town that would have a coffee shop or any restaurant? Well, said Paulette. Rubysville is a little over an hour north. barely we have plenty of food here for you.Its not about food, I said quickly. Yours has been great. I glanced at Sydney. An hours not so bad, right?She nodded and then glanced hesitantly at Raymond. Is there any way is there any way we could borrow a car? Ill The side by side(p) words clearly caused her pain. Ill leave the keys to mine until we get back.He arched an eyebrow. Youve got a nice car.Sydney shrugged. The less we drive it around here, the better.He told us we could take his truck and that he probably wouldnt even need to use the CR-V. Sydney gave him a tight smile of thanks, but I knew images of vampires joyriding in her car were dancing through her head.We set out soon aft er that, wanting to be back before the sun went down. People were out and about in the commune, doing chores or whatever else it was they did with their lives. A group of children sat around a dhampir indication a book to them, making me wonder what sort of education process they had here.All of the Keepers stopped whatever they were doing as we passed, giving us either peculiar(a) looks or outright smiles. I smiled back at times but mostly kept my eyes ahead. Joshua was escorting us back to the parking lot and managed to walk beside me when we reached the narrow path.I hope you wont be gone long, he said. Id wanted us to talk more.Sure, I said. Thatd be fun.He brightened and chivalrously pushed aside a low-hanging branch. Maybe I can give tongue to you my cave.Yourwait. What? Dont you live with your dad?For now. But Im getting my own place. There was pride in his voice. Its not as big as his, of course, but its a good start. Its almost cleaned out.Thats really, um, great. Defin itely show me when were back. The words came easily to my lips, but my mind was think the fact that Raymonds house was apparently big.Joshua parted ways from us when we reached Raymonds truck, a big red cartridge with a seat that could just barely hold the three of us. Considering the Keepers didnt leave the woods much, the truck seemed like it had seen a lot of miles. Or maybe just a lot of long time of disuse.You shouldnt lead him on like that, Dimitri said, when wed been on the road for about ten minutes. Surprisingly, Sydney had let him drive. I guessed she figured a manfully truck deserved a manly driver.Now that we were moving, my mind had focused back on the depute at hand decision the other Dragomir. Huh?Joshua. You were philander with him.I was not We were just talking.Arent you with Adrian?Yes I exclaimed, glary at Dimitri. His eyes were fixed on the road. And thats why I wasnt flirting. How can you read so much into that? Joshua doesnt even like me that way.Actuall y, said Sydney, sitting in the midst of us, he does.I turned my incredulity on her. How do you know? Did he pass you a note in class or something?She roll her eyes. No. But you and Dimitri are like gods back at camp.Were outsiders, I reminded her. Tainted.No. Youre renegade Strigoi and queen-killers. It might have all been southern charm and hospitality back there, but those people can be savage. They put a big premium on being able to beat people up. And, considering how sleazy most of them are, you guys are well lets just say you two are the hottest things to walk through there in a while.Youre not hot? I asked.Its irrelevant, she said, flustered by the comment. Alchemists arent even on their radar. We dont fight. They think were weak.I thought back to the enraptured faces and had to admit that a lot of the people there did have a weathered, worn-out look. Almost. Raymonds family was pretty good- looking, I pointed out. I heard a grunt from Dimitri who no suspect read this as evidence of me flirting with Joshua.Yeah, she said. Because theyre probably the most important family in town. They eat better, probably dont have to work in the sun as much. That kind of stuff makes a difference.There was no more talk of flirting as we go along the drive. We made good time to Rubysville, which looked eerily uniform to the first town wed stayed in. When we stopped at what appeared to be the Rubysvilles only gas station, Sydney ran inside to ask a few questions. She came back, reporting that there was indeed a cafe of sorts where she could plug in her laptop and try to look up what we needed.She ordered coffee, and we sat there with her, too full from breakfast to order anything substantial. After a couple dirty looks from a work who seemed to regard us as loiterers, Dimitri and I firm to take a walk around town. Sydney looked almost as pleased as the waitress about this. I dont think she liked having us loiter around.Id given Sydney a hard time about tungst en Virginia, but I had to admit the scene was beautiful. Soaring trees, full of summer leaves, surrounded the town like an embrace. Beyond them, mountains loomed, very different from the ones Id bounteous up with near St. Vladimirs. These were rolling and green, covered in more trees. Most of the mountains surrounding St. Vladimirs had been stony and jagged, frequently with snowy peaks. A strange sense of nostalgia came over me, thinking back to Montana. There was a good possibility Id never see it again. If I pass the rest of my life on the run, St. Vladimirs was the last place I could go. If I was caught, well then Id unquestionably never get to see Montana again.Or any place,I murmured, speaking out loud before I could catch myself.Hmm? asked Dimitri.I was just thinking about if the guardians find us. I never realized how much there was I wanted to do and see. Suddenly, thats all at stake, you know? We moved off to the side of the road as an orange bracer came driving by. Children out of school for the summer screeched and laughed in the back of it. Okay, suppose my name isnt cleared and we never find the real murderer. Whats the neighboring-best-case scenario? Me forever and a day running, always hiding. Thatll be my life. For all I know, I will have to go live with the Keepers.I dont think itll come to that, said Dimitri. Abe and Sydney would help you find some place safe.Is there a safe place? For real? Adrian said the guardians are increasing their efforts to find us. Theyve got the Alchemists and probably human authorities looking for us too. No matter where we go, well run the happen of being spotted. thus well have to move on. Itll be like that forever.Youll be alive, he pointed out. Thats what matters. Enjoy what you have, every little incident of wherever you are. Dont focus on where you arent.Yeah, I admitted, trying to follow his advice. The sky seemed a little bluer, the birds a little louder. I suppose I shouldnt bawl over the drea m places I wont get to see. I should be grateful I get to see anything at all. And that Im not living in a cave.He glanced over at me and smiled, something unreadable in his eyes. Where do you want to go?What, right now? I glanced around, sizing up our options. There was a bait and tackle store, a drugstore, and an ice emollient parlor. I had a feeling that last one would be a necessary trip before leaving town.No, in the world.I eyed him warily. Sydneys going to be pissed if we take off for Istanbul or something.This got me full-fledged laughter. Not what I had in mind. numerate on.I followed him toward what looked like the bait and tackle store and then noticed a small make tucked behind it. Naturally, his sharp eyes had seen what I missed probably because Id been fixated on the ice cream. RUBYSVILLE unexclusive LIBRARY.Whoa, hey, I said. One of the few perks of graduating was avoiding places like this.Its probably air conditioned, he pointed out.I looked down at my sweat-soak ed tank top and noticed a faint pink tinge to my skin. With my tanned complexion, I seldom burned, but this was some serious suneven so late in the day. Lead on, I told him.The library was mercifully cool, though even littler than the one at St. Vladimirs. With some uncanny sense (or maybe just a knowledge of the Dewey denary System), Dimitri led us over to the travel sectionwhich consisted of about ten books, three of which were about West Virginia. He frowned.Not quite what I expected. He scanned the shelf twice and then pulled out a large, bright-colored one entitled 100 Best Places to take care in the World.We sat down cross-legged on the floor, and he handed me the book. No way, comrade, I said. I know books are a journey of the imagination, but I dont think Im up for that today.Just take it, he said. Close your eyes, and flip randomly to a page.It seemed silly, considering everything else going on in our life, but his face said he was serious. Indulging him, I closed(a) my eyes and selected a page in the middle. I opened to it.Mitchell, South Dakota? I exclaimed. Remembering I was in a library, I lowered my voice. pop of all the places in the world, that makes the top hundred?He was smiling again, and Id forgotten how much Id missed that. get wind it.Located ninety minutes outside of Sioux Falls, Mitchell is central office to the give Palace. I looked up at him in disbelief. Corn Palace?He scooted over next to me, leaning close to look at the pictures. I figured itd be made of corn husks, he noted. The pictures actually showed what looked like a Middle easternor even Russianstyle building, with turrets and onion domes.Me too. Reluctantly, I added, Id visit it. I bet they have great T-shirts.And, he said, a sly look in his eyes, I bet no guardians would look for us there.I made no attempts to mask my laughter, imagining us living as fugitives in the Corn Palace for the rest of our lives. My amusement brought us a scolding from a librarian, and w e quieted as Dimitri took his turn. Sao Paolo, Brazil. Then my turn Honolulu, Hawaii. Back and forth we passed the book, and before long, we were both assembly on the floor, side by side, sharing heterogeneous reactions as we continued our global tour of the imagination. Our arms and legs just barely touched.If anyone had told me forty-eight hours ago that Id be lying in a library with Dimitri, rendition a travel book, I would have said they were crazy. Almost as crazy was the realization that I was doing something perfectly ordinary and casual with him. Since the moment wed met, our lives had been about secrecy and danger. And really, those were still the dominant themes in our lives. But in those quiet couple of hours, time seemed to stand still. We were at peace. We were friends.Florence, Italy, I read. Pictures of elaborate churches and galleries filled the page. Sydney wants to go there. She wanted to study there, actually. If Abe could have managed that, I think she would h ave served him for life.Shes still pretty obedient, Dimitri remarked. I dont know her well, but Im pretty sure Abes got something on her.He got her out of Russia, back to the U.S.He shook his head. Its got to be more than that. Alchemists are loyal to their order. They dont like us. She hides ittheyre trained tobut every minute with the Keepers is agony. For her to help us and betray her superiors, she owes him for some serious reason. We both paused a moment, wondering what mysterious arrangement my father had with her. Its irrelevant, though. Shes circumstances us, which is what matters and we should probably get back to her. I knew he was right but hated to go. I wanted to stay here, in this illusion of tranquility and safety, letting myself believe I might really make it to the Parthenon or even the Corn Palace someday. I handed the book back to him. One more.He picked his random page and opened the book. His smile fell. backer Petersburg.A weird mix of feelings entangled the mselves in my chest. Nostalgiabecause the city was beautiful. Sorrowbecause my visit had been tainted by the awful task Id gone there to do.Dimitri stared at the page for a long time, wistfulness on his face. It occurred to me then that, despite his earlier pep talk, he had to be experiencing what I did for Montana our old, favorite places were lost to us now.I nudged him gently. Hey, enjoy where youre at, remember? Not where you cant go.He reluctantly shut the book and dragged his eyes away from it. Howd you get so wise? he teased.I had a good teacher. We smiled at each other. Something occurred to me. All this time, Id figured hed helped break me out because of Lissas orders. Maybe there was more to it. Is that why you escaped with me? I asked. To see what parts of the world you could?His surprise was brief. You dont need me to be wise, Rose. Youre doing fine on your own. Yes, that was part of it. Maybe I would have been welcomed back showcaseually, but there was the risk I would nt. After after being Strigoi He stumbled over the words a little. I gained a new appreciation for life. It took a while. Im still not there. Were talking about focusing on the present, not the futurebut its my past that haunts me. Faces. Nightmares. But the farther I get from that world of death, the more I want to embrace life. The smell of these books and the perfume you wear. The way the light bends through that window. Even the smell of breakfast with the Keepers.Youre a poet now.No, just starting to realize the truth. I respect the law and the way our parliamentary law runs, but there was no way I could risk losing life in some booth after only just finding it again. I wanted to run too. Thats why I helped you. That andWhat? I studied him, desperately wishing he wasnt so good at keeping emotions off his face. I knew him well I understood him. But he could still hide things from me.He sat up, not meeting my eyes. It doesnt matter. Lets go back to Sydney and see if she fou nd out anything although, as much as I hate to say it, I think its unlikely.I know. I stood with him, still wondering what else he would have said. She probably gave up and started playacting Minesweeper.We headed back toward the cafe, fillet briefly for ice cream. Eating it while we walked proved quite the challenge. The sun was nearing the horizon, painting everything orange and red, but the heat lingered. Enjoy it, Rose, I told myself. The colors. The taste of chocolate. Of course, Id always loved chocolate. My life didnt need to be on the line for me to enjoy dessert.We reached the cafe and found Sydney band over her laptop, with a barely eaten Danish and what was probably her fourth cup of coffee. We slid into seats beside her.Hows ithey You are playing Minesweeper I tried to peer closer at her screen, but she turned it from me. Youre supposed to be finding a connection to Erics mistress.I already did, she said simply. Dimitri and I exchanged astonished looks.But I dont kn ow how useful itll be.Anythingll be useful, I proclaimed. What did you find?After trying to track down all those border records and proceedingand let me tell you, that is not fun at allI finally found a small piece of info. The bank account we have now is a newer one. It was moved from another bank about five years ago. The old account was still a Jane Doe, but it did have a next-of-kin reference in the event something happened to the account holder.I could hardly breathe. Financial transactions were lost on me, but we were about to get something solid. A real name?Sydney nodded. Sonya Karp.