Despite himself, Gryss asked, ‘Why did you kill Garren and Katrin?’
Nilsson’s eyes narrowed nervously, but there was no outburst from Rannick. Instead his face became thoughtful.
‘Garren was insolent,’ he said, quite casually, after a moment. He jerked his head towards Nilsson. ‘And it was my able new ally who killed Katrin.’ He held out an acknowledging hand to Nilsson. ‘Or, rather, she killed herself as I remember.’ He gave Gryss a look of injured explanation. ‘But she was trying to kill me, so he could do no other. Had he not done so then I would have had to when I had finished with Garren.’
Gryss shot an anxious glance at Farnor as Rannick gave this brief and callous account, but the young man, leaning on Harlen, seemed to be barely conscious.
Then Gryss felt Rannick’s hand close a
