Page 293 of Sins of the Heart
the spoon down with exaggerated care. “I’m thinking
Xaphan had a crew in Toronto at the same time that the
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Marin boys were in town. Otherwise, it’s too coincidental that the fire genies showed up at Frank Marin’s motel
in Amarillo, looking for the kid at the same time as
Roxy.”
“Yeah.” Mal was quiet for a few seconds. “You do
realize your Roxy’s in this shit at least hip-deep. Maybe
neck-deep. She was the first one to reach Frank Marin.
The only one we know of to talk to this amazing, disappearing child. All of which points to the likelihood
that Aset’s involved.”
“A supernatural’s involved. Of that I have no doubt.
Whether it’s Aset remains to be proven.” Again, the coil
of suspicion slithered through him. “I’m thinking it
might be closer to home.”
There was a beat of silence as Mal digested that for
a second. “How close?”
“In our fucking front yard.”
Mal gave a low whistle. “You care to elaborate?”
“Just as soon as I have something to elaborate on.”
“Your Roxy, she say anything about Marin?”
“He admitted he was there when the Setnakhts
brought Lokan in.”
Mal’s voice was flat as he said, “The Setnakhts
worship Sutekh. And they’re mortal. How the fuck
could they kill Lokan? And why? I really hate it when
the puzzle pieces don’t fit.”
Dagan dropped his gaze to his hand—the one
Xaphan’s concubine had burned away—and clenched
