CHAPTER 25The chief pointed Mara toward the back of the building when they exited his office, but she stopped and said, “Mr. Ping and my cousin Sam are waiting out front. I would like them to come along, if that’s okay. Ping might have some insight that would be helpful.”
“Mr. Ping, the man who runs the manor? He will have insight into this swarm that’s running around?” the chief asked.
“Ping is not a butler, Chief Simmons. He’s a well-educated, astute observer of Reality, and I’m sure we will find his observations helpful. It’s important that he go with us,” she said.
The chief shrugged and said, “Fine, if you think it’s so important. We don’t have time to argue, but that means we must take two steam-peds. I’ll drive one, and you can take the other. Just stay close by. I know you inven
