Part 6 (2/2)

She snapped,”I don't care! What-”

He sat up.”Quiet!”

She froze. The fox cub was on its feet, ears p.r.i.c.ked. A whisper of draft gusted under the door.

Instantly they both moved. Claudia was at the window in seconds, darkening the gla.s.s; turning, she saw Jared's fingers on the control panel for the sensors and alarms he had fitted on the stairs. Small red lights danced.

”What?” she whispered.”What was it?”

For a moment he didn't answer. Then his voice was low.”Something was there. Tiny. Perhaps an eavesdropping device.”

Her heart thudded.”My father?”

”Who knows? Maybe Lord Evian. Maybe Medlicote.”

They stood a long time in the dimness, listening. The night was still. Somewhere a distant dog barked. They could hear the faint baas of the sheep in the meadow beyond the moat, and an owl, hunting.

After a while a rustle in the room told them the cub had curled back up to sleep. The candle guttered and went out.

In the silence she said,”I'm going into the study tomorrow. If I can't find out about Giles, at least I can learn something about Incarceron.”

”With him in the house ...”

”It's my last chance.”

Jared ran long fingers through his untidy hair.”Claudia, you must go. We'll talk about this tomorrow.”

Then all at once his face was white, his hands flat on the table. He leaned over and breathed hard.

She came around the telescope quietly.”Master?”

”My medication. Please.”

She grabbed the candle, shook it back into light and cursed the Era for the hundredth time.

”Where ... I can't find it...”

<script>