Max dropped me at home, winging off on his own to consult with his people. I let him go, though it would have been nice to have him with me when I confronted Trill. Not that I expected to find her right away. But he'd come running when I tracked her down and I knew where to start looking, at least.

Loud music shook the windows of the boy's kitchen, hitting me with the deep percussion of heavy bass as I stepped through the Zornov's door ...