THE COUNTESS WAS STANDING ON her balcony, waiting for him. Makeup smeared her face, and a wine stain marred the front of her gown.

She opened with, “You look terrible.”

He declined to note that the observation was mutual. “It’s been a long night,” he said. “You see, my patron for this assignation did not provide me with an egress, and I had to improvise.”

“How did you get away?”

She seemed disappointed. Maybe she had counted on him being caught. “I convinced a droid to sound a fire alarm, then followed several of the baron’s guests to an emergency life craft. Once we reached the mainland, I dashed away before I could be recognized. So I’m somewhat in disarray. By the way, Jerdon Bly is dead.”

“Yes, I heard.” She leaned out over the railing. A glass was in her hand again. Full, again. “The news broke right away. The baron will stop at nothing to find the person who was uncouth enough to commit murder on his yacht. He has the Canto Bight police speeding everywhere, looking for a Dor Namethian in black robes.”

“It’s a good thing these are bright blue.”

She smiled slightly. “Indeed. You should be careful, though. There are only a few Dor Namethians in Canto Bight at any given time. You’re sure to be questioned.”

“You wouldn’t allow that. And I can’t imagine that this tiny incident will hold their attention long.”

“It’s true. Sooger, you did me a great favor tonight. I’ll do what I can to protect you.”

“Thank you. About our bargain…”

Fireworks flooded the sky again. The main fathier races were officially over for the night, though some gamblers would linger for the after-hours races. Lexo thought of Joris, who was probably on her way to the track now to bet on the red-eye runs.

“I did as you suggested,” the countess said. “I broke from my usual tradition and bet on a long shot. A creature named Shifting Sands. He placed second.”

Was that good or bad? Lexo knew little about racing. “I’m…glad for you?”

“I won enough money that I no longer need to sell my share of the spa.”

“That’s wonderful news. How did Hard Luck do?”

“He placed sixth in his race.”

“Impressive.”

“It is?”

Lexo smiled. Lula would be so glad to hear her favorite fathier was all right. “He had some extra obstacles to overcome tonight. In any case, our bargain—”

“I’ve told you how Big Sturg Ganna is a great friend and close ally, yes?”

“Yes, Countess,” he said, warily.

“Well, as a gesture of friendship between us, and to show what a good sport I am about selling my share of Zord’s Spa to him—”

“I thought you had decided not to s—”

She raised a hand to silence him. “Ganna has been struggling with the climate lately. As a gesture of friendship, I’ve arranged for you to attend Ganna tonight in his own suite at my expense. I’ve promised him the very best massage, using a technique reserved only for the most elite guests. For royalty, like me.”

“I won’t kill him for you,” Lexo said. “I can’t. His is one of the few species I have no effect on.” The truth was he didn’t know if he had the strength. Not without food, rest, a splint for his injured finger, and another series of injections.

“Has this city made you so obtuse? So cynical? I’m not asking you to kill him, Sooger. I’m fulfilling my end of the bargain.”

He stared at her. The Onyx Bands glittered at her chest, reminding him how far above him she was in station. “Apologies, Countess,” he managed. “Please go on.”

“He doesn’t know it’s you. He thinks I’m sending one of the other masseurs. I was concerned that if he knew you were coming, he’d remove your daughter to another location. So the moment you’re inside, I’ve arranged for the hotel to cut all utilities to Ganna’s suite—even his emergency generators will go down. Routine maintenance, of course.”

“Of course.”

“A fan will come on, pushing hot dry air into the suite. Ganna will be forced to shelter in his regen aquarium for safety until the issue is resolved. You will have a very short period of time to find your daughter and escape.”

Lexo breathed relief, his shoulders swelling with hope. “A short period of time is all I need.”

“I’ve arranged a speeder to transport you there.”

“Thank you, Countess.” He turned to go.

“One last thing.”

Lexo stopped. “Yes, Countess?”

“You did me a favor with that racing tip, so I have a tip for you, too. When you are at Ganna’s, if you have a spare moment, even the sliver of an opportunity, it would be worth the risk to investigate his personal library.”

“Oh? What will I find there?”

“Nothing, of course. If you do not find it, I certainly did not know about it. And if you are caught, you won’t be able to say what you’re looking for.”

Lexo’s eyes narrowed. “But it’s something you can’t retrieve yourself.”

“Ganna is my great friend and closest ally, after all. Now go. I don’t want to see you in my office ever again.”