I frowned and accepted it. “Why just the edge?”

“Because that’s all there was. It must have gotten stuck on the back of the cabinet and ripped when the drawer was pulled open. I couldn’t find the folder on the floor, so it was obviously taken.”

“Huh.” I turned the scrap around. A name had been written along the edge, though it was incomplete. “Elivista? Does that ring any bells?”

“It’s a traditional first name used by multiple Ljósálfar highborn families, but more than that, no.”

“Do you know if either of the two Ljósálfar families who lost loved ones in that last Annwfyn attack has a member who runs by that name?”

“No, but I can ask.” He paused, concentrating on the traffic as a car up ahead did an illegal turn, causing havoc for those immediately behind him. Or her, as the case might be. “If there is, then it’s more than possible she’s our equivalent of Jalvi.”

“It would certainly explain why someone was hired to steal her file and erase any other evidence, possibly including Aram.”

He nodded. “I’ll talk to my father tomorrow. He’ll know.”

“While you’re chatting, ask him how many highborns deal with Aram.”

“If Aram is a mid-class spellcaster, he’s more likely to have dealings with the healer class than us.” He glanced at me. “How hard will it be to track down the pixie who did this? Will the dust you collected help?”

“Yes, and if you want to detour to George Street before we get to Lugh’s, I can drop the sample off at Nati’s. She lives near the bus terminal there.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until we’re both patched and dry?”

I wrinkled my nose. “It can take a few days to pin down and track back the specific dust details, so it really would be best if the search is started ASAP.”

“Before anything else gets blown up, you mean.”

“Well, yes.” Especially given someone had already tried to firebomb the tavern. I didn’t want a pixie adding any more damage.

Mathi swung onto Liverpool Road and then said, “I don’t recall a Nati ever being mentioned during our relationship.”

A smile tugged at my lips. “Is your memory going, old man? Because we went to dinner with her and her boyfriend on several occasions. I believe you commented that sex would be an interesting challenge given the height difference between the two.”

“Anyone would think I was sex-orientated.”

“Wonder where they’d get that impression?”

My voice was dry, and he laughed. “Is she a cute, well-developed woman just under three foot tall, with green hair and eyes and a six-foot partner who’s bald?”

“That’s them.”

He glanced at me, blue eyes glimmering with amusement. “You have to admit, it was an interesting dynamic. They still together?”

“I haven’t seen her for a couple of years, but last I heard they were.”

He grunted and returned his attention to the road. Peak hour was always hell in Deva, and by the time we reached George Street, there was absolutely no parking near Nati’s. Mathi scooted into Oulton Place and stopped just long enough for me to clamber out.