Chapter 51

“And why did you attack us? What did you want with Alonzo?”

The man smiled humorlessly. “You reallydon’t know?”

“Know what?” Garner half snarled. But at the same time, he was aware that perhaps he wasn’t being quite honest. He didknow something—and, what was worse, when he thought about his own denial, he decided there was deception in it, which might be perceived by this oddly capable man. And it suddenly struck him that perhaps this man might have the same gift as Garner or Alonzo had. And, thinking this, he realized that he didn’t really have a clear idea of either, or the difference between them.

All of this made Garner curious andcautious. And when the man’s smile broadened, he felt certain that he had been caught out in his deception.

He looked at the man, wary but interested, at last asking more or less the same question.

“But, what do you people want with—him?” he said in a more subdued voice.

“You really don’t know what he is?”