The vehicle drove for over an hour before finally coming to a stop and unlocking its doors. Ty stepped out into what appeared to be an underground garage, where a man with impossibly wide shoulders and a face like granite was waiting for him.

Ty did not fail to notice the way the man’s pale grey eyes widened the moment he saw him. Yes, Ty thought, with a growing sense of doom. The man was clearly trying to remember where he had seen him before.

‘Mr . . . Driscoll,’ the Freeholder rumbled. ‘Welcome to Redstone.’

Ty nodded, and fought back the tight knot of panic gathering in his stomach. He started at a sudden noise, then realized it was only the truck reversing back up the ramp that led into an industrial-sized airlock.

‘My name is Rufus Weil,’ the Freeholder continued. ‘You’ll be staying here for a day or two.’ Weil paused, and again those pale grey eyes roved around Ty’s face, as if trying to place him. ‘If there’s anything you need while you’re here, just let me know.’

‘All right,’ said Ty, still watching as the airlock’s inner door closed on the truck. ‘Where exactly am I? And why am I even here? Nobody would tell me anything.’

‘You’re in Unity, the Freehold’s capital. And you’re here because of a matter of security. There are questions over exactly who has jurisdiction over the Mjollnir, and the Senate requests that you stay here until they’re sorted out.’

‘How long is that going to take?’ Ty demanded, feeling scandalized. ‘And what about the . . . remains I recovered?’

‘Those are high-level security questions, Mr Driscoll, and I’m not allowed to discuss them. All I can do is ensure you’re comfortable while you’re here, and apologize for any inconvenience.’ He waved towards a nearby bank of elevators. ‘This way, please.’

Ty stood his ground, unwilling to share the small, confined space inside the elevator with this Freeholder. He did not want to have to stare into those quietly accusing grey eyes any more than he had to. ‘What exactly is this place? Am I a prisoner here?’

‘No, sir, you’re a guest. This is a residency for officials from other settlements when they’re visiting the Senate. You’ll have an entire suite allocated for your personal use.’ Weil once more indicated the waiting elevator. ‘Please, now. You’ll be here no more than a few days.’

Ty considered his options and decided he had none. He swallowed nervously and stepped towards the row of gleaming silver doors.

As the elevator carried the two of them upwards, in silence, Ty could feel beads of sweat forming on his brow. The interior of the elevator was mirrored, so that there was no way he could avoid Weil’s persistent, accusatory gaze. Any doubts Ty had that his paranoia was getting the better of him vanished under that fixed stare.