Read Charles Ingrid - marked man 02 The Last Recall for Free Online Page B

or perhaps we're adapting against it."
    "That would be good news," Irlene said. She passed down the squat clay bowl of barbecue sauce. Its mustard and honey aroma along with other flavorings in the tomato blend perfumed the air. "Only one, Lady? Really?"
    "Yes. We have hopes the plague is done this cycle."
    "Can I make an announcement to that effect?"
    Lady Nolan smiled brilliantly. "Ah," she said to Irlene. "Politics raises its ugly head."
    The governor had the grace to blush. Lady added, "It would be premature. Perhaps when the candidates are promoted, we can make a statement."
    Art cut his brisket slices neatly. He speared a chunk and looked up at Thomas. "If the plague appears to be leaving us, perhaps now is a good time to schedule a salvage run to the Vaults. Surely the explosion couldn't have destroyed everything."
    Though the other diners had been engaged in lively conversations of their own, this drew their notice. Thomas felt the pressure of their attention. This is what they had come to, so hungry for any crumb left behind no matter how corrupt. And yet, he'd known that some day he'd be asked to go back to the College Vaults. He had unfinished business there. But not yet. He wasn't ready yet. He and Lady had nearly died there, not once, but twice.
    "No," he said. "Not everything, but I think the timing for such an expedition should be considered. Those foothills can be treacherous in rainy season. Maybe next spring, after elections."
    Art's face never changed as he swallowed the whole chunk of meat on his fork. Then he speared a second bite and that one he chewed. "But you agree an expedition is called for?"
    "Yes."
    A victory was a victory, no matter how small. Bartholomew relaxed. He never saw the next blow coming.
    "I understand the nester I executed today came from your corner of the counties. How did the water situation get out of hand in the first place?''
    "What do you mean?"
    Thomas shrugged. He took a slice of freshly cooled bread and used it to butter his corn with. "I mean that nesters don't readily foul water. It sounds to me as though you have a range war threatening to blossom under your nose."
    Bartholomew's position concerning nesters and water was well known. He'd threatened many times to cut them off despite the policy of the Seven Counties. "If they needed water," he bit off, "they'd scarcely be poisoning it."
    The cattleman from Santa Barbara let out a laugh that was too loud. "Thomas, you've got a mind like a coyote, but the councilman has you there. If you've been hinting he's been too busy politicking to help run his county, you've got him. But damnitall, man, as you said yourself—even a nester knows better than to poison water. He deserved what he got."
    "Oh, there's no doubt of that," Thomas said deliberately. "I Read the truth in him."
    There was a sudden pallor to Art's warted expression. He sat back in his chair, sucking his teeth for bits of meat. He met Thomas' expression silently. Blade merely smiled and began to eat his corn. There was nothing like the implication of a Protector's powers to strike fear in an ordinary man.
    Lady and Irlene took up the gap in conversation, comparing a new herbal compress for headaches. Comfrey was said to work wonders. Thomas ate in relative silence, his thoughts on Two-handed Delgado who was ramrod-ding Boyd's herd for him, and Boyd, and Art Bartholomew. No nester would readily poison the only water that was available to him. Unless it was already bad.
    Your eyes, your truth.
    "You haven't been listening to me," Lady said, placing her hand gently over his.
    Thomas looked up suddenly. "No," he said. "I haven't." "I asked if you were headed back to Char—to the school after you finish the circuit.''
    "They've requested my help in promoting the candidates, so I guess I'll have to."
    Governor Irlene smiled. "No rest for the wicked, eh, Thomas?"
    "It appears not." He stood. "I've been on the road since before dawn and I think, ladies and gentlemen, I