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The word rocked her. She knew no matter how her trial played out, no one would ever call her that again. “It’s low, calling me that.”
“I’m appealing to your sense of duty, or at least I’m trying to.” The oracle’s gaze passed to Connell. “It usually works on him.”
“No, it doesn’t,” the purplecoat replied.
“Yes, it does.”
“Don’t bait me, woman. It’s a long ride back, and there are only so many radio stations that don’t annoy you.”
“Fine,” Lila said. “I’ll give you today. I can’t promise any more than that. Send me a list of everyone who has had access to your compound for the last ten years. I’ll see what I can find in the data.”
“Ten years?”
“I cast a wide net. And when I say I want everyone on the list, I mean everyone. Even you should be on the list. Even newborns.”
“You’re nothing if not thorough.”
“How long will it take for you to get such a list together?”
“I’ll have it ready within the hour,” Connell vowed. “The militia keeps a guest log and residency list on file. We just have to concatenate the data.” From his pocket, he pulled out his palm, a flexible piece of plastic and metal the size of his fist. He tapped and swiped upon the device with practiced ease.
“I know the charges against you are baseless,” the oracle said. “Whatever you did, you had reasons. Good reasons. You should come clean with them tomorrow.”
“That’s not possible.”
The oracle raised a brow. “You’re protecting your father, aren’t you? He’s not much of one if he lets you take the blame.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It never is.” The oracle slipped behind the wheel and started the engine. She left the door ajar, and a series of high-pitched dings cut through the air.
Connell shoved his palm into his pocket and got in on the passenger side. The car rocked under his weight as he settled.
“Get in. You can stay at my compound. My people will drive you to Bullstow tomorrow morning if you still want to go.”
Lila shook her head. “It wouldn’t look good for you to hide me before the trial. Bullstow would get nervous.”
“I don’t really care what makes Bullstow nervous.”
“You should. If nothing else, they’ll start watching you and your people more carefully.”
“She’s got a point,” Connell said, fastening his seatbelt. The strap barely fit over his wide chest.
The oracle tapped on the steering wheel. “Fine. Stay with Dixon. You’ve worked with him before. Work with him one last time.”
Lila frowned. Where would they work?
The shop?
“Don’t make a face. It’s only for a night.” The oracle slammed her car door shut, and the high-pitched ding finally cut out. She then backed the electric car from its spot, turned in the driveway, and headed down the jagged, rocky lane to the main road.
Dixon pulled his notepad from his pocket. Get your things, he wrote. I’ll order lunch on the drive back into town.
Her stomach growled at the mention of food.
Begrudgingly, she entered the cabin, her eyes lighting over the mess inside: empty cabinets cocked, kitchen drawers opened, clothes dangling from her wardrobe. The only spotless part of the cottage was the sink and counters. She’d put away every dish, clean and useless.
Her stomach growled again as she folded her clothes and tossed them into a canvas bag, a bag she had to turn inside out again, stuffing the lining back into the pockets.
