This isn’t Halls of Law business, though. I won’t get demoted if I don’t have a partner on-site.

The Arkon is likely to make the investigation Halls of Law business—but that’s not why I’m here. You feel it, too. Things are too chaotic; it’s like something is about to give. He wore his chain, but had not yet unwound it.

Teela glanced at him and nodded; in that brief glimpse of her face Kaylin could see the color of her eyes. Disgust was generally Barrani blue; it implied distaste without any element of fear. This color implied either implacable rage—highly unlikely—or a worry that had blossomed, exposing the heart of fear.

Kaylin headed toward Mrs. Erickson, who seemed stricken at the sight of her bully of a neighbor weeping. The older woman knew better than to attempt to offer comfort, but not by much; she was caught between retreat and approach, as if she knew she should be doing something—anything—but couldn’t figure out what.

Fair enough. Kaylin had the same response to open weeping. “Mrs. Erickson,” she said, loudly but in a more Hawk-like fashion.

Mrs. Erickson immediately turned toward the sound of Kaylin’s voice. “The corporal didn’t do anything to him,” she said, the words tumbling out as if they were necessary to protect Teela from a charge of misconduct.

Kaylin nodded. “I’m not worried about the corporal; she can take care of herself. And anyone else in the immediate vicinity. I’m worried about Jamal.”

“He broke another window,” she said.

“Yes—but I’m pretty sure it’s not just the window that’s broken. He didn’t even notice Mandoran—who was closest to the door. I think he might be trying to hit the corporal.”

Mrs. Erickson’s brows rose. “She’s wearing her tabard.”

“Technically she’s off duty—she probably wore it because she intended to escort you home if you were unwilling to stay with Helen. In most cases it keeps people like your neighbor at a safe distance.”

“It doesn’t seem to be working very well, does it?”

“You can say that again. But we need to go in and talk with the kids. I think...they’re more worried than jealous.”

Mrs. Erickson nodded and headed toward her front door, Kaylin by her side, Severn pulling up the rear.

Jamal was in the front hall. Kaylin could see him without Hope’s wing. Hope had been so silent throughout dinner and the race to Mrs. Erickson’s house, Kaylin almost forgot he was on her shoulder.

“Jamal—stop. You’ve broken a window, and Mrs. Erickson isn’t so wealthy she can afford to have windows constantly replaced.”

He looked straight through Kaylin, as if she were the invisible one. He had eyes—through the open doorway—for only one person: Teela.

“Jamal. Jamal. Listen to me.” Kaylin kept her voice soft.