Eva blinked. “That makes a lot of sense,” she said evenly. “Do you mean to take over the mansion? It’s quite stunning inside.”
“Perhaps I will. Seems a shame to let it go to ruin outside the wall.” Aaron knew well enough what it looked like, but Secretary didn’t need to know that.
Secretary hesitated. “I’ll stop the workers right away.”
“Have them take down whatever they’ve put up so far.”
“Right.” She turned to go.
“Wait. Tell me—who of the former governors was most loyal to Justine?”
Eva thought for a moment. “Strang, of course.”
Aaron nodded. “That’s my thought too. Please invite him for dinner.”
“Tonight?”
“Tomorrow. Also, who from our Restorers might be interested in a government job? Bethesda or Liam, perhaps?”
“You sent them to the Ancients Sector, sir.”
Aaron tapped his lips. “Ah, yes. So I did. I’ve forgotten why.”
Eva Fathom remained quiet as he pondered. She was not about to remind him. “I could see if they’re still alive,” she said, “though it’s been quite a while, so it’s doubtful.”
“Yes, do that. If they’re still biding their time, order the sector overseer to hand them over to you.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Of course I am.”
The maid came in with a tray of breakfast for Aaron, set it on his desk, and left. Eva waited at the door to see if there was anything else.
Aaron picked up a spoon and stirred something mushy in a bowl. He tasted it and made a face. “Also, Gondoleery Rattrapp.”
Eva narrowed her eyes. “What about her?”
“Invite her to dinner as well.”
Eva pursed her lips but said nothing. She’d told Aaron that Gondoleery was up to something strange. But she couldn’t force the high priest to make wise choices. “Very well,” she said. “Anyone else?” She refrained from suggesting every ridiculous thought that came to her head now that Gondoleery had been brought into the picture. Claire Morning, perhaps? How about Alex Stowe?
“No, that’ll do for now. If you do find Bethesda or Liam alive, invite them as well.”
“For dinner tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“With Governor Strang and Gondoleery.” Eva couldn’t imagine a more dreadful grouping of guests.
Aaron was beginning to look annoyed. “Yes.” He shoved a spoonful of gruel into his mouth. “And get some decent food from the Favored Farm, since our kitchen staff doesn’t seem to understand what good food tastes like. This is disgusting.”
» » « «
Eva Fathom began with the easiest task—lugging armloads of fruits and vegetables from the Favored Farm to the Quillitary vehicle, and then stopping for chickens as well. It wasn’t her job to get the food, but she didn’t trust the kitchen staff to know ripe from rotten, so it was easier to do it herself.
Next her driver took her to former governor Strang’s house. He still lived in the governor housing, but he hadn’t been seen much since Aaron had taken over. No one knew, or seemed to care, what he was doing after he got fired. Eva walked up to the front door and knocked.
No one answered, so she knocked again. This time she heard a noise inside, and soon the door opened a crack. “Who is it?” came Strang’s familiar voice. It sounded duller than usual, if that were possible.
“It’s Eva Fathom. Secretary, that is.” Eva tried to peek through the crack in the door without appearing to be nosy.
“What do you want?”
“The High Priest Aaron Stowe would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow evening.”
The door opened farther and Strang stuck his head out. Eva Fathom tried hard not to stare, for the young man’s appearance was quite different from before. His hair was long and unkempt, his face unshaven. His eyes were bloodshot, and he had gained quite a large girth since Eva had seen him last.
“What for?” Strang asked.
“I’m not exactly sure,” Eva said. “Something about a job in the government. He knows you were loyal to Justine, and he’d like to talk with you.”
Former Governor Strang narrowed his eyes. “What time?”
“Eight o’clock.”
Strang hesitated. “Fine.” He nodded once and shut the door in Eva’s face.
Eva smiled condescendingly at the door and went back to the vehicle. “To the Ancients Sector, please,” she told the driver.
At the Ancients Sector, Eva hesitated before she went inside. She had been very close to being sent here by Justine, and Eva didn’t look at this place with any amount of warmth, that was for sure. No one did.
She waited at the small rundown gray table for someone to notice her.
A worker looked up. “Time’s up, eh? Who sent you?”
“No, no,” Secretary said. “I’m not checking in or out just yet. I’m on an errand for the high priest.”
“Sure,” the woman said.
“No, truly I am. I’m to inquire after two individuals. Bethesda Dia Gloria and Liam Healy. Are they still housed here, or are they . . . not?”
The woman stood. “Bethesda’s gone and buried. Liam’s heading to the sleep chamber today.” She looked out the window. “He’s standing there now, waiting to go in.”