“Exact same time?”
“Yes, Lord. I was looking at them when they sat.”
He nodded. “Anything else you saw that might be a help, Lady?”
“No, Lord, I don't think so.” I didn't want to tell him that I'd felt faint right then. The strawberries, the buzzing, the roar and the sparkle—for some reason I kept those to myself.
“Well, Lady Allison, sorry you were inconvenienced.”
“Not your fault, Lord Nate. Thanks, by the way, for releasing Ling to me. That was helpful.”
“I still wish people were more careful with those wills, Lady—long arm from the recycling vats or not.”
“Not easy to defy the dying wish of Sarlio Hatomo, General Secretary of the United Planets.” As translator for the General Secretary, Ling had been set free at his master's death.
“I suppose not.” Howland shook his head. “You'
