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move without detection among dangerous, unbalanced people, able to gain their trust until the time came
to betray them, to render them harmless. Did that make sense? Was it enough to tie him to an old man
from Africa and all that had transpired?
Merry saw the uncertainty and confusion in his face. She swallowed and forced a smile.
You have a lovely little place here. During the riot you as much as asked me out.
So much for subtlety, he thought.
I'm guessing you're not married, she asked him.
No, I'm not married.
Ever been?
Twice. He could see that surprised her. What do you think about that?
I don't think anything about it. Neither of them worked out, huh?
They both tried. First Susan and then Jessica. Susan lasted two years, Jessica two and a half. No kids.
I wasn't ever home long enough to make kids a viable proposition. That was part of the problem, maybe
the largest part. Pretty tough to make a life with somebody when they're always getting phone calls in the
middle of the night telling them they have to go away for months on end. When they call home but can't
tell you where they are or what they're doing or when they might be able to come home. A lot of couples
have trouble making dinner conversation. I hardly ever made dinner. The corners of his mouth turned up
slightly. Susan always thought I had a mistress.
Did you?
No. Wish I had. It might have made things better. Jessica never thought that. She tried real hard, Jessy
did. I loved that woman, you know? We might even have been able to work it out. Trouble was she was
too much like me.
How do you mean?
One day I came home and she was gone. I guess she felt it was her turn to take off for a while. Only
she never came back.
I'm sorry, Merry said quietly.
So am I. What about you? Surely someone as pretty as you has been married at least once?
Simple flattery's the best kind. No, but I'm, she almost said engaged, decided she wasn't in the mood
to lie, going with a special guy. Four years now.
Four years? What the hell's wrong with him?
Nothing's wrong with him, she said sharply. It's just it's just not the right time yet, that's all.
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Four years? Oak repeated, muting his astonishment a little. What's he want? To make sure you don't
have some gross orthodontic disease or something?
When two people are thinking of a commitment for life they have to be sure of themselves. Oh shit,
she thought. Hey, I didn't mean...
Skip it.
What I'm trying to say is that sometimes intentions don't always match up with results. We'll get married
one of these days, when we both agree the time's right. I'm sure.
You're sure?
Sure I'm sure. I have to be sure. Something small broke inside her and the Other Words came
tumbling out, the words she often thought but never said aloud. You know what I'd like to be, besides
sure? I'd like to be engaged. She held out her right hand. One crummy little cheapo ring, that's what I'd
like.
Olkeloki interrupted her before she could really get started.
This house is safe. I think we can spend the night here, but tomorrow we must go.
Oak pushed himself up from the old chair. You're asking me to accept a fundamental change in my
world view. That's a lot to ask.
Surely after what you have seen and experienced today you believe?
I can't say what I believe. I'm not sure what I believe right now. I have pretty much accepted one thing,
though. You're in some kind of trouble.
If that is all you can believe for now, that will be enough. I am in trouble, yes. You are in trouble, Merry
Sharrow is in trouble, the whole world is in trouble.
I don't know about the whole world and I'm not sure about Ms. Sharrow and myself, he said
impatiently. But I can see that you need help. He didn't add that he still wasn't sure what kind of help
the old man needed. I don't like the way old folks get pushed around these days. Was always taught to
respect my elders and all that stuff. Always took it seriously. So if you're in some kind of trouble and
you're convinced I can help, well... He extended a hand.
Olkeloki's handshake was surprisingly strong. Thank you, Joshua Oak. It may be that with your
assistance we can do this thing. And with Merry Sharrow's aid as well.
Oak glanced back at her. You're not coming!
Spare me the false gallantry. What did you think I was going to do? Go back to Seattle? Besides,
what's it matter to you? Remember, we just met this morning.
Teasing me, Oak thought. Somehow this old dude's talked us both into accompanying him to Africa and
she's sitting there on my couch teasing me. Damn but she's pretty when she smiles like that. No, not
pretty. Beautiful. Damn.
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She must come with us, Olkeloki declared. The triangle must be complete.
Why me? If half of what you're carrying around in that leather sack is real you could hire yourself a
dozen well-armed mercenaries to follow you anywhere. I could give you phone numbers to call.
Numbers are not important. The corners of the triangle must be filled by those who have been marked.
Myself, Merry Sharrow, you.
Bull. I haven't been marked.
Olkeloki ignored the disclaimer. You were made known to me.
Oak sighed resignedly. I already said I'd try to help you. Where are we headed?
Kenya. We cannot fly through Dar es Salaam, which would be quicker. There were shetani watching
the airport when I left. They can take the form of only certain kinds of people, but they mimic policemen
very well. I am sure they saw me leave. They will be waiting for me to return. We would never get out of
the city alive.
So we will fool them. We will go to Maasailand from Kenya, from the north. Once we have mixed with
the northern peoples we will not be as conspicuous.
Easy for you to say. Don't you think Merry and I will stand out a little?
I do not. Oh, you mean because of your skin? The shetani are color-blind. They peer much deeper into
a person to identify him. If they are given the chance to see inside any of us they will see the danger to
themselves and take steps to eliminate it. But I believe we can avoid them once we are on the ground. I
fear the Chuni shetani while we are in flight.
Do not despair. All is not against us. The shetani fight among themselves as much as they do with
human beings. Also, they are not well organized, which is why they have never been more than a
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