34 Showdown
Roman Antonius turns to Pari and studies her face, scrutinizing her unyielding dark eyes and analyzing the resolute lines of her mouth. He turns back toward his window and cups his jaw in the palm of his hand.
"Answer me, Roman," Pari demands.
He calmly reaches for his pocket-sized notebook and slides out the pen tucked inside its spiral metal binding.
"Juniper Capelli hired you?" Roman writes.
"No, Roman. She's dead."
"Where?" His hand trembles and he circles the word repeatedly after penning it.
"I surmise we are about to find her at the portal of Grapevine Canyon," Pari answers. "Where you entombed her."
The train, nearing the end of its line at the mountain pass, is braking toward a stop. Roman springs out of his seat and hurtles up the aisle. Pari follows him
