The Glass Galago Read Online Free PDF Page A

Parrish— “Wait over there until I sort this out.”
    â€œMight I trouble you for my shoes?” Parrish asked.
    â€œGet something warm for him to drink,” Gale added loudly. “Before he freezes.”
    â€œSit,” the Watch officer said, in a voice that might in itself have caused hypothermia. The two of them made their way to the indicated bench.
    â€œYou are appallingly bad with people,” Gale said.
    â€œI know,” Parrish said.
    â€œGood swimmer though.”
    â€œI won the Slosh, at my Graduation.” He beamed. The memory of the dangerous swimming contest must be a good one. Then his face closed. “What happens now?”
    â€œWord’ll get out that the girl and the clerk were in on the scheme, and the Patents debate will ease down to a simmer. With luck, one or the other of them will avoid arrest.”
    â€œWith luck?”
    â€œWhoever roped ‘em into the scheme is probably pretty slick. There’s a chance they’ll come away without facing charges if they keep their mouths shut.”
    â€œYou’re all right with that?”
    â€œIn the first place, it’s out of my hands. In the second it’d be a shame, for their daughter, if they were both convicted of interfering with the Convene. They must have been in terrible financial straits to agree to the scheme.”
    He puzzled this one out, probably weighing pity for the child against the fact that her parents were criminals.
    â€œI don’t know that I approve of you leaping off a moving ship in the dead of night on the off chance you might catch the inscription.”
    â€œThe seas were calm. The prospect of Rasa dying, crack by crack, slowly—”
    â€œWould’ve been terrible,” she agreed. “But how’ll I face Sloot if you drown?”
    â€œYou’ll tell him to find another first mate.” Color blotched his cheeks. “Speaking of replacing me. I’m sure there’s been a suggestion that you…”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI’d consider it a favour … I’d be in your debt, Gale … if you kept me on the Nightjar crew.”
    It cost him. It was a visible effort for him to utter the words.
    Swallowed your pride, boy. Good for you .
    â€œPish, cub,” she said. “I was never going to fire you.”
    â€œKir Gracechild—”
    â€œNella ain’t my employer, officially or otherwise.”
    â€œNo?”
    â€œI’ll explain my complicated government position when we’re out at sea, far from prying ears. And you can tell me all about your big disgrace. Or not, as you choose.”
    He ran a hand through his wet hair, keeping his gaze on the sea and letting out a long, shaky breath. When he spoke, it was with his usual composure: “Thank you.”
    By now the hubbub was clearing. The Watch was taking the clerk into custody: Rasa was bound for medical. Annela glided up.
    â€œYou gave that jackal from the Foghorn a scoop, Parrish.”
    â€œShe’s not so bad,” he said.
    â€œI’m going back to Nightjar , Nella,” Gale said. “Sleep in my own berth. Was there anything beyond this particular muckslide you were hoping to get from me?”
    â€œNot in Fleet. I have dispatches for Erstwhile, and there’s a situation on Drake’s Shoal that I thought you might interest yourself in.”
    â€œAh, Drake’s. Been there yet, Parrish?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œTheir beaches are lined with bizarre trees—a mandrake variant—that live in harmony with burrowing molluscs whose shells conduct electricity. At night, they sizzle. It’s the damnedest thing.”
    â€œDragon mussels,” he said, lighting up. “I’ve seen drawings.”
    â€œâ€˜Course you have. Scare us up a ride out to the Wake. Something comfortable; you’re soaked and I’m tired.”
    With a bow, he vanished to the rear.
    â€œBoy’s a