Page 6 of His Human Believer

“And their ages?”

“Four through fourteen.

“Are any of them related?”

“Two are related and living in the same household, the rest are not.”

I should let this go. I am on vacation. I have a suitcase upstairs that isn’t even fully unpacked and a goddaughter who wants me in a costume in ten days.

“As Hannibal said, several families have contacted the authorities. The Touchstone family requested a formal evaluation,” Vidar goes on. “Sir Bane Ashmoor recommended me to the peacekeepers.”

“And what do you make of this so far?”

“A stray predator, most likely. Wandered out of its range during rainy season, when there were fewer beings outdoors. The dry season has begun and activity returns to the community. The animal moves on. I am here to find and document. The sightings are nocturnal,” he adds. “My instrumentation runs overnight and requires checking at intervals. This domicile backs directly onto the wall, and the lower quarters have a separate entrance. I can come and go at odd hours without waking the household. I will not disturb your vacation with my studies.”

I should let it go, but I keep asking questions as if I were back on a case with the IBB. “What, specifically, do the children describe?”

“A figure, not an animal. Standing. Taller than a Hyrrokin male. Long claws. Golden eye-shine. One of them called it the friend at the gate,” he says. “They are consistent on one point in particular. They do not believe it wishes them harm. They say it watches.”

“Why would the eye-shine be golden?”

Nobody says anything for a second.

Vidar looks at his folio. “Eye-shine varies by species.”

“That's not what I asked.”

“They are almost certainly combining genuine wildlife encounters with stories their grandmothers have told them in the dark.”

“I agree,” Hannibal says. “And Vidar is here to put this thing to rest, prior to Halloween and before this gets any further and causes anyone to do something irrational which can cause harm.”

And there it is.

“Six children,” I mutter. “Independently said the same words.”

“Children are highly suggestible, Ms. Reyes.”

“Children are terrible liars. That’s a different thing. I used to work for the Intergalactic Business Bureau, but now I work on an audiocast of cold cases for financial fraud. Every episode I’ve ever made starts with somebody credentialed explaining why the witness was mistaken. That’s the whole show, Dr. Coalstone. Which makes me think that the witnesses in this instance, even though they are children, might be given a little more credibility.”

“Then you and I will disagree productively.”

I purse my lips.

“Are you going out to the wall tonight?” Dagr questions, while sitting on the floor, his back against the couch, tablet in his lap. He hasn’t looked up once and he’s clearly heard every word.

“I am,” Vidar answers.

“Is Aunt Margaret going with you to help with your investigation?”

Vidar looks at him with an expression of such genuine, uncomprehending confusion that I almost laugh.

“Why would she do that?”

He isn’t being unkind. I can tell. He’s stating a fact about the allocation of responsibility, the way you’d note who’s carrying which bag. It does not occur to him, not even a little, that it could land any other way.

Hannibal makes a noise into his drink.

Avery briefly closes her eyes.