The Kinsmen Universe (Kinsmen #1-3) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,34

Claire remembered. She lived across from her mother's apartment.

Tonya saw her and halted, awkward. The look of worry in the woman's eyes stabbed at Claire. She'd seen this reaction before: she was a psycher, an officer, and a killer and Tonya was afraid.

"Are you here for the fruit?" Claire asked, forcing a smile.

"Yes. No. I was just looking."

Claire took the satchel from the vendor's hand and pulled out a pear. "Would you like to try one?"

Tonya looked at the pear.

"I got carried away and bought a whole bag," Claire said.

"She did," the vendor confirmed.

Tonya swallowed.

"I can't possibly eat it all by myself. It would be a waste."

She'd said the magic word. Tonya reached out for the pear and took it. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Tonya hesitated.

Claire waited, the smile in place.

"When did you arrive?" Tonya said finally.

"Yesterday. You?"

"A week ago." The woman blinked. "I found a job. I work for a chemical laboratory. That's what I did on Uley, so it worked out."

"That's great," Claire told her. "I found a job, too, as an admin."

"That's nice." Tonya smiled.

What was her husband's name... "How's Mark?"

"Mark died," Tonya said. "Killed on the front line two years ago."

"I'm so sorry."

"That's alright. It was nice to see you."

"Nice to see you as well. I live in that building over there." Claire nodded at the apartment. "Fourth floor. If you need anything..."

"I'm down the street. I better go. Thank you for talking to me."

"Thank you."

Tonya turned, took a few hurried steps, turned and came closer. She licked her lips, unsure, leaned closer and said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your hair is too bright."

She ducked her head and hurried on, the pear in her hand.

"What was that all about?" the vendor asked.

"It's a kindness," Claire said. "She was trying to save me from embarrassment, because my hair draws attention."

"Don't listen to her. I like your hair," the vendor said. "It's sunny."

"I like my hair too. Thank you for the fruit." She took the satchel and went to her apartment.

Claire washed the fruit, arranged it on a plastic cutting board she'd found in the kitchen and took it and a knife to the coffee table. She cut the fruit into slices, put it into a bowl and took it to the couch. She linked her tablet to the larger digital screen on the wall and pulled up the work manuals. The Guardian procedure differed slightly from Uley's military protocols but the basic methods were the same. She'd finished with them and looked at the screen.

She still had a lot of fruit and nothing to do.

"Net search: Venturo Escana."

"Venturo Escana," the AI announced in a pleasant male voice. "Son of Haldor Madsen and Malvina Escana. Founder and joint owner of Guardian, Inc. Personal net worth estimated at seven million credits -"

"No audio," she said. "I want to read it."

The digital screen flashed, opening various news articles. She scooted deeper into the couch and reached for a piece of some green fruit shaped like an ancient hour-glass.

She sifted through press releases, financial statements, and tabloid gossip. There wasn't much. Guardian, Inc., seemed to have a stellar reputation. In the eight years of its existence, the firm had grown from a small start-up to the third largest provider of bionet security in the southern hemisphere. Its chief competitors, Apex and DSS, both had decades of experience and a lot of family capital backing them up.

The entire Escana family preferred to fly under the radar. All she found were random images of Venturo in a formal setting in the company of New Delphi's elite, usually escorting a beautiful woman. She tried to narrow down his type. He seemed to show no preference. The only common ground between his dates consisted of expensive tastes, beauty, and superior grooming.

Studying New Delphi's movers and shakers proved highly educational. There was no color too bright or inappropriate for clothes or hair. She ended up laughing at the ridiculous dresses and insane shoes. It was the best time she'd had in the last decade.

A small link popped up on the screen in the corner. She followed it to an eighteen-year-old news item. "Rumors of Engagement between de Solis and Escana."

Hmm. Now that was interesting, since that de Solis owned DDS.

"The persistent rumors of a union between de Solis and Escana kinsmen families can be put to rest. When asked for comment, Castilla de Solis debunked all speculation of the proposed engagement between herself and Venturo Escana. It seems the de Solis heiress holds the rising star