AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jade glanced up and spotted the small woman with the big glasses, bundled in an enormous parka. She was standing ahead of them in the area that was shaded by the floating island, marking something in the air above her bracelet.
“Miss Zyy,” Jade called to her, jogging up.
The woman’s eyes, already magnified by her glasses, became even larger.
“I don’t take bribes, and I don’t carry cash,” Risa Zyy called out in a crisp, high-pitched voice.
“Oh, gracious,” Jade said, feeling terrible. “I’m sorry we startled you. We don’t want to rob you or bribe you. We just had a few questions we hoped you might be able to help with.”
Risa frowned and glanced at the four of them, assessing.
“Okay,” she said. “Keep in mind that I’m a disinterested third party. Nothing I do is up for debate or interpretation. I measure and I report. That’s all.”
“So, you’re out here surveying as part of the land expansion applications?” Jade asked. “Mr. Pricketts let us know he was applying to expand his land. It’s wonderful that he has a spring. What a boon.”
“That spring isn’t his,” Risa said.
“Really?” Jade asked.
But Risa had buttoned her lips and was frowning like she had said something she shouldn’t have.
“I need to get back to work,” Risa said. “And I’m technically not supposed to discuss anything. So, I’m not confirming or denying that he’s applying for an expansion.”
“Of course not,” Jade told her quickly. “We were drawing our own conclusions, based on what he already told us. We did have one other question for you, and it’s not related to the survey.”
Risa eyed her suspiciously.
“You were on the train with us,” Jade said.
“That’s not a question,” she responded flatly.
“Where were you when the lights went out?” Jade asked.
“I went into the kitchen car,” Risa said. “It wasn’t on purpose. I heard Tag discussing the land expansion issue, and it wasn’t proper for me to be present when I’m supposed to be impartial. I just headed into the next car without even knowing what it was.”
“And you stayed in there?” Rafe asked.
“The chef gave me a tour,” Risa said, looking disgruntled about it. “He assumed it was what I wanted when I came in. I couldn’t get in a word edgewise to tell him I wasn’t interested. I was in there forever.”
“The chef can confirm that?” Tally asked.
“Of course,” Risa said. “He could confirm that he gave me a tour, and that I was there when the power went out, sure.”
“Did you see anything else suspicious?” Jade asked.
“On the record?” Risa asked. “I wouldn’t be able to admit it except under oath even if I had, given that the judge was mixed up in the land expansion issue, and it may have been relevant to his death. Not to mention—”
“—You’re supposed to remain impartial,” Tally said. “We know.”
Risa frowned at him and shut her mouth.
“What about off the record?” Jade asked softly, trying to bring the woman’s focus back to herself. “I’m adopting this sweet boy, but I won’t be able to do that if I end up in jail. It would mean the world if we could unravel what really happened, and you’re one of the few people who might be able to help.”
The surveyor’s eyes dropped to the sleepy little bundle in the sling on Jade’s chest.
“I didn’t see anything,” she sighed at last. “I know that doesn’t help you much, but at least you know there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary going on in the kitchen.”
“Thank you,” Jade told her sincerely. “I am very grateful.”
