As catastrophes go, this one is fairly dire.
“Warn the others,” I mutter to Constance.
“Very much.” I offer a sweet smile. “You should have come along.”
“Would you like refreshments?” Keller asks, suddenly obsequious. “It shouldn’t be long now.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t put it together,” she says with a faint half smile.
“What do you mean, I got that from you?”
I actually stagger back a step. “I was . . . conceived in grimspace?”
“I haven’t had it in years, too dear for my blood these days.”
“I’m not going to let you use me,” I bite out. “Those days are done. They have been for a while.”
“It’s better to be an
uncommon
criminal like you?”
“You came from a good family.” I’m struggling to understand. “How did you fall into . . . this?”
“After so many years together, that’s all he was to you? Awkward, expensive, and tiresome?”
“Your father was obsolete,” she says in final tones.
“At least you sorted out what, if not who. You’re a bright girl, Sirantha.”
“How many pieces did he end up in?”
“You’re one scary bitch,” I say, shaking my head. “I had no idea.”
She smiles. “In fact, they might already be dead.”
l refuse to show fear. “You don’t know them as well as
I do.”
Ramona lifts her chin. “Just make it quick.”
“I thought you don’t like leaving anyone alive on your backtrail.”
“She’s my mother,” I point out.