Page 98 of Amber Gambler

“How did you not get a history degree with recall like that?”

You couldn’t throw a rock downtown without hitting an amateur historian in a city this rich in history.

“Easy.” I walked back to her. “I was poor, didn’t finish high school, and I couldn’t feed my family a piece of paper.”

“That would do it.”

“Are you a history buff?”

“Nah.” She waved off the idea. “I lived through enough of it I can fake being studious.”

“How much history are we talking?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Well, yes, thatiswhy I asked.”

“Smartass.” She snorted. “Age is more depressing than impressive for fae.”

We gave Harrow another thirty minutes to arrive while I played tour guide to amuse Carter.

As full dark fell, and spirits roused from their beds, I spotted a familiar face and waved to her.

“Give me a second,” I murmured to Carter. “I have an idea.”

Farah Kent zipped over cradling a small bluish-grayish dog with springy curls in her arms.

“You’re up bright and early.” I zeroed in on the dog to bring its features into focus. “Who’s your friend?”

“Perceval.” She cuddled him against her cheek. “Johnny brought him to me.”

“He did, did he?” I had to hand it to him. He was smooth. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Can I bring Percy with me?” Her arms tightened around the dog. “He’s a good boy, I promise.”

“I was supposed to meet someone. Harrow. You remember him?”

“The cop.” She canted her head. “Do you want me to look for him?”

“I would appreciate it.” I scratched Percy under his chin. “Bonaventure is a big place.”

“He might have gotten turned around,” she agreed, setting down the dog. “We’ll be right back.”

The girl and the dog blurred into a blue-limned smudge that made me smile.

Carter stared off in the direction they had gone, based on my angle. “Well?”

“If Harrow is here, Farah will locate him for us.”

“If he’s not?”

“Then we’ve got problems.” I palmed my phone. “I’m going to check in with Matty.”

>How’s Josie doing?

>>I hear her crying through the door.

>>How’s your covert ops-ing?

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