Chapter 008: Points Of View

"Well, do you ever get the feeling

That the story's too damn real

And in the present tense?

Or that everybody's on the stage

And it seems like you're the only person

Sitting in the audience?"

     The next morning I went to see Lilly Wyman, hoping to learn something about Suzanne's fate from her. Since the night before I had been trying to suppress the nagging feeling that I would find no trace of Suze on Earth anymore. I told myself that I needed to be sure that she wasn't here before going off in Shadow again. Perhaps there still was some family connection that I knew nothing about which had caused her disappearance. Perhaps those traces of power in her bedroom were just coincidence.

     I smiled ruefully. Yep, sure, coincidence! It was as much a coincidence as our meeting with Sand had been. No, those traces were just begging for some investigating on my part, but it would have to wait till I was certain that Suze was not on Earth anymore.

     The address I had found in Suze's directory led me to a big villa in one of the wealthier neighbourhoods on the outskirts of London. A tall fence discouraged trespassers from entering the rather extensive grounds that lay around the building. As I rang the bell at the front gate I wondered what kind of a welcome I would receive, considering Suzanne's rather poor relations with her family. After a minute or two the gate swung open. Well, it seemed that I at least would get a welcome...

     I followed the driveway to the front door where a very official looking man in black livery was waiting for me. He had "butler" written all over him, and he regarded me with a rather disdainful look. I must admit that I looked a bit out of place here; I had dressed in casual clothes (jeans, shirt, sneakers and of course my long black coat) and unfortunately I had experienced some rain en route, so I gave a quite good impression of someone who had gone swimming with all his clothes on. I didn't let that stop me however; I simply had to talk to this Lilly about Suze's disappearance. Besides, there's more important things in life than looking at your best.

     "A good morning to you, sir," I said, using all of my available charm on the butler, who probably was considering whether or not he should call the police. He didn't reply, but gave me an enquiring look.

     "I'm looking for Mrs. Wyman. Could you please tell me whether she's at home?"

     "And who can I say is calling?" the butler asked haughtilly.

     "Please tell her it's Mr Grey."

     He went inside for a few minutes and when he returned he told me Mrs. Wyman was in and that she had agreed to see me. He even offered to take my coat, an offer which I gladly accepted, eager to take the rather heavy piece of wet cloth off my back. I checked my appearance in the customary hallway mirror, straightened my hair a bit, and then let the butler lead me to Mrs. Wyman.

     She was waiting for me in the sitting-room. Lilly Wyman showed some resemblance to Suzanne, but she was older and she seemed to have none of the joie-de-vivre that I liked about Suze. In fact, she regarded me with a cold, calculating stare, which didn't help making me feel at ease. She wore an expensive suit, probably tailor-made, but no jewelry or other frills. I found it difficult to guess at her age; it was clear that she was older than Suze, but for all I knew she might be an older sister, an aunt, or even Suze's mother. After the butler had left I remained silent, waiting for her to begin the conversation.

     "Well, Mr Grey," she said after a minute or two, "unless I'm mistaken you've just stepped out of a novel."

     I smiled. Aunt Flora had once made me a present of Oscar Wylde's book and when I had gone to Shadow Earth I had taken the surname Grey, just for a lark. Lilly Wyman didn't smile, however, clearly not appreciating the little joke. However, the fact that she had made the connection told me that she knew who I was, and I said so.

     "Yes, I know who you are, or at least, I know who you say you are. You see, Mr Grey, I'm a woman of some considerable influence, and when you and Suzanne both disappeared so suddenly, I took the liberty of having someone look into your past."

     Uh oh. Her expression told me that she hadn't been too pleased with the things that they had dug up about me, and I guess I knew why. When I had settled on Shadow Earth for some time, I had never taken the time to set up a really extensive and believable identity. Of course I had a passport and other official papers, but a determined investigator would easily see through all of that and discover that Mr Dorian Grey didn't officially exist. 

     I knew that it was my own fault, but when I came here I hadn't planned on staying very long. Then I had met Suzanne, however, and the stay had slowly grown longer and longer, without me taking some time to do something about my background. It had just slipped my mind and I also hadn't reckoned that I would ever get into any real trouble. Now my mistake was coming back to haunt me.

     "Look, Mrs. Wyman, I could try to explain all of this, but it would take a lot of time and frankly I don't think you would believe me, so I just won't bother. It probably wouldn't help if I said that I have Suzanne's best interests at heart, would it?"

     "No, it wouldn't. I had already warned Suzanne about you several times before her disappearance, but she just wouldn't listen. Sometimes she can be really stubborn, even when she's clearly wrong, as in this case. I tried to tell her that you were no good, that you were probably involved with some kind of criminal organisation, and now I think she has payed the price for her ignorance. If you really prove to be responsible for my niece's death, you can be certain that you will soon join her. A good day!"

     With that she dismissed me and I saw no reason to stay. There wasn't much I could tell her besides the truth, and she would never believe that. The butler showed me out and I took a bus back to my apartment.

     I was in quite a mess, I'd say, with my girlfriend missing and her rich aunt thinking that I was responsible and threatening to have me killed if I were. I figured I could go after Suzanne myself, but I guess I needed some help with the angry aunt. Perhaps one of my own aunts would be willing to help me. I thought that I knew just the person to ask.

     Back home I took my Trumps and fanned them out. How easy it would have been if I had had one of Suzanne. Perhaps I could ask Algo to draw one when I had found her. If I did find her...

     I sighed and picked out the Trump I needed, pocketing the rest. I studied the picture. If beauty had a name, I guess it would be Flora. Given the time she spent here on Earth I thought she was the one most likely to be of help to me. That is, if she had the time and the inclination.

     I concentrated and the picture slowly gained in clarity as the contact was established. She was in a corridor in castle Amber, looking at me with a bit hurried expression.

     "Yes, who is it?"

     "Hello, Aunt Flora. It's me."

     Her face lit up with a beautiful smile.

     "Dorian. How are you, dear?"

     "Well in some regards, poor in others. I'm on Shadow Earth at the moment and I seem to have run into some problems. I was hoping that maybe you could help me clear at least one of them."

     "What kind of problems are you talking about?" she asked, looking very serious.

     "It's quite a story. Perhaps it's best if you come to me, so we can discuss it in some peace and quiet. You can always return to Amber by Trump, can't you?"

     "I'm afraid it's a bit of an inconvenience for me to leave at this moment, dear, since I have some things that need to be taken care of and they simply cannot wait. Would you mind very much if I looked after them first? I promise I will call you back as soon as I'm finished."

     "No, that's quite alright, Aunt Flora, by all means. Till later, then?"

     "Oui. Au revoir, mon cheri."

     I smiled as we broke contact. I was certain that Aunt Flora would find a way to get me out of this mess with Suze's aunt. I guess that I could have discussed my problems without her coming through to my apartment, but I still felt a bit leery about Trump contacts and I had decided to avoid them if possible, and if not to keep them as short as was possible. I really had no wish to see that Black Cloud again!

     I made myself some lunch and after that spent some time cleaning up my apartment, while waiting for Flora to call back. I put Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" in the cd-player and soon I was singing along; another thing that I had missed while being away. The title track made me feel a little sad again, though. Wish you were here, indeed!

     Luckily I didn't have to wait long for Flora's call and soon we were discussing my problems while sipping some tea. I told Flora of my discovery of Suzanne's disappearance and of the strange traces of power in her apartment, but I said that I would look into all of that myself. I then described to her my meeting with Aunt Lilly and told her about the threats she had uttered against me.

     "I know that it's my own fault, really," I said, "but I just never came round to setting all that bureaucratic stuff straight. Actually, I hadn't figured that I would be staying all that long, but then I met Suze and well, one thing led to another."

     Flora smiled. "Yes, that's the way such things happen. Still, you should always be prepared."

     "I know, I know. Can you help me out with this, though? I can't spare the time to take care of this thing with Aunt Lilly; I've got to go after Suzanne! But I'd still like to be able to return here without having to worry about assassins stalking me. And perhaps you know a good attorney who might be willing to fill the holes in my background, so this thing won't happen again."

     "Hmm, well, I think I can free some time to look into this," she said after some consideration. "That attorney is no problem, I guess. Yes, don't you worry about it. And I'll personally make sure that you won't hear anything from that woman anymore. I'll teach her not to mess with an Amberite."

     The way that she said this made me feel a little uneasy. All the stories I had heard in my youth about the ruthlessnes of the Royal Family suddenly came back to me.

     "Err, Aunt Flora," I said, carefully looking for some tactful way to put this to her, "I think it would be a good idea if Mrs. Wyman were to remain in the land of the living. You see, I might have some problems explaining her demise to Suzanne, when I find her. If I find her, that is..."

     "You want that woman alive?" Aunt Flora asked with only a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Well, that makes the matter a little bit more complicated. Still, I think I will be able to manage."

     I thanked her, though with some mixed feelings. On the one hand I felt relieved that she hadn't take offense at me inferring that she had meant to do Suze's aunt in, on the other hand I had kind of hoped that she would take offense, thus staying true to her image of the sweet, helpful aunt I had come to know. I guess there was more truth in those stories of my youth than I had thought, and somehow that saddened me.

     "What are you going to do about your girlfriend?" Flora asked, breaking my train of thought.

     "Well, I don't know precisely. I'll just go searching for clues, I guess."

     "You know, you could try taking on a couple of private investigators to look into her sudden disappearance, and have them check out all the things she had been doing in the few months before she had disappeared, while they're at it. After all, they're professionals and they'll know where to look for clues in this place."

     She smiled as she said those last words, but I didn't feel too offended. I was too happy that she had agreed to help me, and besides, there was some truth in her remark. Even I had to admit that much.

     I thanked her once again for her help and advice as she left, saying that I would be glad to help her in return if the need should arise and her expression told me that she hadn't expected anything less. For only a second I had some misgivings about Aunt Flora, but I pushed them away. I really needed some help and I just hoped hers wouldn't have a price-tag that was beyond my abilities or my willingness to pay.

     After Flora had left I first spent some time shifting around to gather some money. I had decided to follow her suggestion of using some private investigators, and I assumed that they didn't come cheap. Still, it probably would be the best way to find out whether there was any trace of Suzanne left on this world. As I had already said, I didn't think there would be, but it was better to be sure before setting off into Shadow again.

     I leaved through the directory until I had found the address of a well-known detective agency. Going straight to their offices, I was made welcome by one of their managers, whom I told everything about Suzanne's disappearance, only leaving out such things as Amber and the strange traces of power. Those things were a bit out of these people's league, I felt. 

     I also refrained from mentioning Lilly Wyman and her threats and suspicions. After all, I was at least certain that I had nothing to do with Suze's disappearance and I didn't want the agency checking out my background as well!

     To explain why Suze's disappearance hadn't been reported earlier I told them more or less the same thing that I had told Mike, combined with his story: that I had been out of the country for a couple of months because of some urgent family business and that our friends had assumed that we had run off together. Now that I was back however, I was really worried and I urged them to make some haste with the investigation. The manager assured me that he would put several detectives on the case and that they would have a preliminary report ready within three days from now. I payed them the fee for those three days in advance as an extra impulse for them to work fast.

     That evening I went to the band's rehearsal space, hoping they would be  there. After my encounters with Aunt Lilly and Aunt Flora I felt a need for some normal companionship. Fortunately they were in, busy rehearsing some new material. Mike had already told them that I was back in town and that I didn't know where Suze was either. They were all quite worried, on the one hand about Suze, on the other about the band's uncertain future without its lead singer. Their first album was doing alright, but they really needed a second and a new tour if they were to continue this on a professional basis. Now they probably would have to audition for a new singer and, once they had found one, get him or her aquainted with the group's material. This would take a lot of time and they weren't sure that they could manage a comeback after such a period.

     I still had some money left from paying the detective agency, and I split it between them, saying that the family business abroad had been an inheritance and that I had become quite rich. I didn't want them to break up the band; they were good and they were my friends. I also felt that I owed them, for if I hadn't left, then perhaps Suzanne wouldn't have vanished. Fortunately none of them had any qualms about accepting my money. Somehow they regarded the group and everyone who had anything to do with it as family, and of course it was perfectly normal for family to help each other out in times of need. that is, it was perfectly normal in their families...

     I told them of how I had hired some detectives to look for Suzanne, saying that I didn't have much faith in the police. I also told them I had gone to see Suze's Aunt Lilly, but I refrained from mentioning the contents of our discussion. I just said that I hadn't learned anything from her and that she had been extremely cold and hostile towards me (which was more or less the truth). Mike concurred with me there; he had also met Lilly Wyman once and on that occasion she had made it quite clear that she didn't approve of her niece's friends. According to Mike the rest of Suze's family were at least as bad. No wonder she had run away from them.

     I spent the rest of the evening and most of the following days with the group, waiting for the agency's report. Finally on the third day they phoned, inviting me back to their offices to discuss their findings.

     They had put a lot of work in it, but all their effort couldn't conceal that they had found no trace whatsoever of Suzanne Wyman after her disappearance. She had last been seen on the day after my sudden departure, with no sign of her since then. She had been reported missing a few days ago (I already knew that), and they had checked with all possible authorities (police, hospitals, even customs), but none of them had anything on record about Suze.

     In the last months before her disappearance Suzanne had been quite busy with preparing for the upcoming recording sessions. From all the information they had gathered the detectives concluded that Suze hadn't had any plans whatsoever for leaving. She hadn't been seen in any other company than me or one or more members of the band.

     Their final conclusion was that Suze had probably fallen victim to some unknown criminal party. The agency saw no other course of action but wait for some new evidence to turn up, though I gathered from the manager's expression that he expected Suze's body to be the first thing to surface. He said that he could keep one or more men on the case, but that they couldn't do much more than the police was already doing. I thanked them for their services and left, feeling certain now that Suzanne had indeed left this Shadow. The question was: where had they taken her? And who were they?

     It had started raining again and I cursed the bloody English weather as I hurried through the streets towards the underground station. Suddenly I felt a familiar inquiring touch of someone seeking Trump contact. I stood still in the middle of the pouring rain and held the contact off while considering what I should do.

     Oh, how I would like to know a way to learn the identity of the caller before accepting the call! Once contact is established it isn't an easy matter to break it again without the other party's consent. I had been very lucky to break off contact immediately when that Black Cloud had Trumped me. Maybe it was trying again now, hoping to catch me unaware this time.

     Then again it also might be some friendly Family member with some important information. I felt I just couldn't let myself become too paranoid of Trump calls. So, hoping for the best I opened my mind and found myself face to face with Uncle Julian.

     "Ah, Dorian, I'm glad I caught you," he said, the ghost of a smile playing around his lips.

     "Uncle Julian, how are you? I'm sorry if I'm rude, but this is a bit of an awkward time for me to get better aquainted."

     "Oh, but this is no courtesy call. Although I think you should come over to Arden when you've got some time to spare. Maybe we could go out riding together one time."

     "Yes, I'd like that too."

     "Alright, that's settled then. I'm calling on official business, though. Something has happened to Murlas and Random thought it best that everyone knew about it, so I'm doing a round of Family Trump calls."

     He told me that Murlas had had an encounter in Shadow with a man called Azrain, whose description matched the sinister blond haired fellow on one of the Trumps Sand had shown us. As they met, Azrain had immediately launched a mental assault and apparently he had been a lot stronger, for Murlas had been quite helpless. Azrain then proceeded to take over his body, leaving Murlas blond haired and blue eyed. After he had recovered, Murlas had somehow made it back to Amber and had warned Random, who had decided to send out this general warning.

     Random's orders were that Murlas' body was to be captured and sent back to Amber. However, he warned everyone not to try tackling Azrain on their own, since Murlas had assured him that his mental power was very formidable indeed. Meanwhile Murlas was being held in quarantine in Amber, "for his own safety". I felt some pity for him. As if he hadn't had enough bad luck lately...

     After thanking Julian for the warning, I quickly broke contact to find me some shelter. Too late. Once again I was totally soaked. Must be some kind of a curse...

          Before leaving Earth I went to see the band again, for this time I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. They weren't happy to see me go and the results of the investigation didn't help to raise their spirits. Now they felt they'd really would need to start looking for a new singer. I had gathered some more money for them which would help them through this rough period. As I left I said to Mike that I still had some hope that Suzanne was alive and well and that I would go look for her. We embraced and he told me to be careful.

     With everything taken care of and all essentials with me I returned to Suzanne's apartment. It took a lot of concentration, but I still could make out those traces of power in her bedroom, although they had grown even a little fainter. I studied them as well as was possible and then set off into Shadow, concentrating both on those traces and on Suzanne. I figured a combination of those two might eventually lead me to the real Suze without the risk of constantly running into one of her Shadows.

     I started shifting very gradually, not wanting to miss anything by hurrying along. I walked for quite some time, while the city slowly gave way to a typical English countryside. Of course I was no longer in England by that time, but it certainly looked a lot like it. Then, as I shifted into another Shadow, I suddenly felt something sliding in place. It didn't feel as if I had already reached my destination (I had not thought that I would reach it so soon anyway), but it certainly felt like there was something more in this Shadow, something worth checking out. 

     Slowing my pace I looked around me. I had never before been in this Shadow. It still looked a lot like rural England; judging from my clothes, I'd say around the turn of the century. I looked just like a Victorian gentleman ready for a walk in the countryside. I had let my clothes shift along to suit the Shadows I was walking, since it was no real bother and I didn't want to look out of place in any of the Shadows that I passed through.

     I suddenly realised that there had been some slight resistance as I had entered the Shadow. It wasn't really a barrier, but I felt that somehow this Shadow would repel everyone who didn't have some specific business here, meaning that people would normally shift around it. This also meant that somehow I did have some specific business here. Maybe there would be some clue here about Suze's whereabouts or those traces of power. I also vaguely wondered why this Shadow was protected in the first place and who had set up this barrier.

     "Look out!"

     I ducked aside, just barely avoiding the milling front-legs of a beautiful black mare, who reared and whinnied loudly. As I carefully aproached her, her rider, a girl with long dark curly hair, had already managed to calm her.

     "You should really watch where you're going," she said. "If I hadn't called out, I would have run you over."

     "I'm very sorry," I said. "My thoughts were just mile away and I didn't see you coming."

     "Well, fortunately there's no harm done," she said with a smile.

     My, she was beautiful! Her hair was so dark, it was almost black and she had sparkling blue eyes. Despite the fact that she was dressed as a lady she managed to look quite casual. In fact, she looked as if she was wearing jeans and a shirt instead of that dress. Somehow I was quite fascinated by her. It was something in her stance and the way that she talked; I just can't describe it.

     She wanted to continue her ride, but it seemed that there had been some harm done after all, for apparently her mare had hurt one of her legs, acquiring a limp in the process. I examined the leg and saw that she hadn't hurt it too badly, but she would need a lot of rest to recuperate. I told the girl that she'd better walk home if she didn't want it to get worse, but as I was feeling somewhat guilty I offered to accompany her, which she gladly accepted. I must admit that my fascination with this girl also played a role in my offer.

     As we walked back to her home I learned that her name was Diana and that she lived at her guardian's estate. Apparently her guardian was quite rich, for Diana told me she had a lot of free time, which she spent with horseriding, sailing and several other sports, most of which you needed some expensive equipment for. I introduced myself, saying that I myself was from a well-to-do family and that I had taken some time off, travelling around and seeing a little bit more of the world.

     I found that I really enjoyed Diana's company, so when her guardian's country-house came within sight I gladly accepted her offer of staying for some tea. She left her horse in the care of some stable boy and led me into the hallway, where a servant came to make us welcome.

     "Oh, Alfred, please tell Uncle Caine that we have a guest."

     She turned to me and smiled. I smiled in return, but at the same time my mind was working overtime. This was too much of a coincidence! Could it be that her Uncle Caine was also my Uncle Caine? If he was, it would explain why this Shadow had been barred. But in that case I wondered whether he would appreciate my presence here. After the things Murlas had mentioned about his father I didn't relish the idea of Caine being angry with me.

     While I worried about these things Diana had led me to a comfortable sitting room, where some servants had brought us some tea. Suddenly she looked at the doorway and smiled.

     "Well, hello there. Back so soon?" I heard an unfamiliar voice say. "And who's this you've invited into our home?"

     "Hello Uncle," Diana replied. "This is Dorian. I met him in Hunter's Lane, where I almost ran him over. Luckily Elsa managed to miss him, but in doing so she hurt her leg. Nothing serious, but I had to walk home. Dorian says Elsa just needs a lot of rest and some good care from the stable boys to get well again."

     As she was speaking, I had turned around to face Diana's guardian. He was the Caine I knew from all the Family portraits. He even wore a suit of green and black, Caine's colours. He was studying me attentively, but he showed no sign of recognising me. I had no way of knowing whether he was the real Caine or not. For all I knew he might just be one of Caine's Shadows. I decided to wait and see. If he was indeed the real Caine I guess I would find out sooner or later.

     "Well, young man," he said, "you say that Elsa isn't too badly hurt. I hope for your sake that you're right. She's one of my finest horses and I'd hate to lose her."

     "I don't think you will have to worry about that, sir," I answered. "She has only a minor sprain, but I just didn't think it wise to burden her any more than was necessary. She's certainly a fine specimen."

     As our discussion on horses continued, I asked Wylde what she thought of this Caine.

     "He doesn't have any hostile intentions towards you," she said, "but I feel that he can be a very dangerous person. Don't antagonise him, Dorian, or you might live to regret it. However, I can't say whether he's the real Caine or not."

     That didn't help very much. I suppose that Shadows of my Uncle Caine might be as dangerous as the original. He didn't give me any sign of being the real one, so I guessed I just had to ask him. Not with Diana present, though. In the case of this being the real Caine I didn't know whether she was aware of her guardian's identity, and if he was a mere Shadow then my questions would just confuse her and make her suspicious.

     Meanwhile I found that I quite enjoyed this Caine's company. After horses our conversation turned to sailing, which was one of his favourite pastimes (yes, my Uncle Caine had been one of the admirals in Amber's navy and had had a great reputation as a sailor). As I have already mentioned elsewhere I'm very fond of sailing myself, so quite some time passed as we talked on and on. It seemed that Diana and Caine had most of their hobbies in common, and our conversation stirred a desire in her to spend some time on the water once again.

     "Will you stay?" she suddenly asked me. "We could go sailing tomorrow."

     I hesitated. She looked like she really wanted me to, but strictly speaking I couldn't afford to waste any time. Who knows what might be happening to Suzanne at this very moment?

     On the other hand, I just couldn't leave here without being certain of the identity of Diana's guardian.

     "Yes," he said as I glanced in his direction, "that's a good idea. In fact I think I'll accompany you. I've got some spare time anyway, so why not enjoy it?"

     "Alright," I said, "I'll stay."

     "Great!" Diana said with a big smile. "Come, I'll show you the guestroom. Then you'll be able to refresh yourself before dinner."

     Dinner was a quite casual affair: just Caine, Diana and me. Caine made a few inquiring remarks as to my background and my current occupation. I handed him the same line as I had handed Diana, but when I said I was currently just travelling around to broaden my horizons he smiled enigmatically. 

     During the rest of our dinner the conversation didn't touch upon any important matters. Afterwards, as Caine and I sat enjoying a glass of excellent brandy, Diana went out for a moment to check on Elsa. I realised that this was my chance. Casually sipping from my brandy I asked him whether he was who he appeared to be.

     "I am who I am," he said with a shrug and a smile.

     I wasn't in the mood for ambiguities, though.

     "Then you are Caine, Prince of Amber?"

     "I am that one," he said. "You're Deirdre's son, aren't you?"

     I nodded.

     "Well, you're the first one to find me after all this time. So how are things in Amber?"

     I told him what had happened at the Family Banquet and of the recent attack on Arden. He betrayed no particular emotions when he heard this news.

     "I must say, Uncle, that I find the tidings of your demise just mildly exaggerated. I had, however, already heard some rumours of you still being alive from your son Murlas."

     He frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any sons and I know of no one called Murlas."

     For a moment I was dumbfounded. "But I've met him! And I saw him walk the Pattern, so he must be an Amberite."

     "Hm, well, I don't know who this Murlas is, but I'm certain he's no son of mine. Who told you that he was?"

     "Murlas did so himself," I said. I told him about the meeting I had had with Murlas in that strange Shadow with the harpy and that he had told me that Caine had brought him there. I also told him of our meeting with Sand and that she seemingly had also thought that Murlas was Caine's son. At the mention of Sand's name and of the name she had given of the person most likely to be Murlas' mother Caine's eyes narrowed to slits.

     "Did you say Rega of Ysarn? She's dead. I should know, for I killed her. She was a spy for Chaos. It was my duty to kill her, and I always take my duties very seriously."

     "Well, Murlas had told us that his mother was dead, murdered by his father, whoever that might be. But the thing I find strange is that nobody seemed to doubt that he was your son. Even Sand seemed quite certain."

     "You shouldn't trust her. She's bad news and that brother of hers, Delwin, is even worse. Take my advice and stay well away from them, for they'll bring you nothing but trouble."

     Hmm. I'd better not mention the favour I had promised Sand I'd do, or the fact that she had given me her Trump. I didn't understand why Caine disliked her so much, though. She had seemed pretty nice to me.

     "By the way," he asked, "how did you manage to find your way into this Shadow? I thought I had the place properly barred."

     So I told him of my search for Suzanne and how it had led me to his Shadow.

     "It's strange, though," I said. " I don't have the feeling that I'll find Suze here, but there must be something connected with her disappearance in this place, or I wouldn't have come here."

     "I can't help you there. However, since you have found me, I think that I should get involved in the Family business once again. They certainly have made a mess of it while I was away."

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