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it was, he was a constant vibrating rumble beside her. She almost felt sorry for Laylan — almost. They were in the same boat, only he had to be in closer contact with Keaton and she didn’t like to think of what that must mean for him.
    Kayla pushed open the door to Keaton’s office, startling the men inside. Keaton’s eyes flashed with anger and something more.
    “Keaton, I thought I was supposed to pick something up at ten? It’s just turning ten now.”
    He glanced at his watch and some of his annoyance faded. “So it is. Just give me a moment while I finish up here.”
    “Sure, sure. Whatever you want.” She backed out of the door, letting it shut lightly behind her so she could hear what was going on within the room.
    “You just do as I said,” Kayla heard muffled on the other side of the door. In a louder voice, he called, “Come in, Kayla. Hidalgo’s just leaving.”
    Kayla pushed open the door and moved into the room.
    The man brushed past her, nodding to Keaton on the way out. She never heard him say a word. He seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place him. Kayla pushed it from her mind as she turned to Keaton.
    “Where’s the package?” She tapped Roo as his rumble increased. She didn’t like the way he was acting. The sooner they got out of there, the better.
    “Just a moment while I find it. Now where’s that bag?” Keaton muttered. Shuffling around his desk, he looked under papers and in several drawers before he found it. He grunted in satisfaction and held out a nondescript pouch.
    She thought she saw a faint green glow surrounding the pouch as she took it, but it disappeared. She put the pouch into her pocket, frowning. It felt like something slimy clung to her hand. She tried to wipe it off on her jeans.
    “Is that all?”
    “No, here’s a map to the apartment.”
    He slid the data chip across the table and she plugged it into her wrist unit, letting it download before she shoved it back.
    “Make sure you get there before midnight.”
    The gleam in his eye bothered her, but there was nothing she could do about it. “Ok, I’m out of here.”
    Halfway out of the club, she remembered something she wanted to ask him. She walked back towards his office, pausing at the door this time, not wanting to get into even more trouble with him. Before knocking, she heard him speak.
    “All’s in place.”
    She backed away from the door. She didn’t want him to catch her there after what she’d heard him say. She had a feeling it meant nothing good.
     
     
    4
     
     “Kayla? How…? Why are you here? I thought you were dead,” Jerry stammered before gripping her in a bone crushing hug.
    “I need the Gate, Jerry,” she said, getting the words out with the last of her breath.
    “What? Oh, ah… I can’t tell you. You can’t go to the Drifts, Kayla. They’ll kill you.” He stiffened and pulled away to search her face. “Do you think you can come in for a minute?”
    She looked at her mentor, at the ground and then back up at him and almost said no, but there was desperation to him that she’d never encountered before. And besides, she thought, she still had plenty of time to make the delivery, and the Drifts couldn’t have changed that much. She shrugged. “Sure, but I can’t stay long.”
    “Good. I’ve got something I’ve been saving for you. Follow me.” He turned on his heel and walked back into the house. He led her up the stairs, past pictures of a smiling family, and into a small room. It looked like it didn’t get much use.
    A dusty treadle sewing machine sat in one corner. She liked the small floral print on the drapes and matching bedspread. Something about the place seemed familiar. He stood in the open doorway, watching her quietly. When she didn’t say anything, he nodded. His face fell.
    “Kayla, if you could step over there by the sewing machine, I need some room to work.”
    She complied, wondering where Roo had wandered off to. She turned and saw him