Victimso.1am;2:TeSilverRigadteCoolEarrig-1

    ***

    Bathepresent

    "Reya,you''''''''reoutinthewindagaindressedlikethat.Ifyoucatchacold,Idon''''''''thavetimetotakeyoutothehospital."

    Adeep,metallicvoice,roughenedbyyearsbutsoftehaffe,driftedupfromthecourtyardbelow.

    Reyaleanedoverthewrought-ironbalyrailingandpeereddown.

    TherestoodLu,hiswhiteathletiktopgingtohissweat-slickedskin,thefabricsheerwhereitg,outliningthehardridgesofhischestandshoulders.

    Evenatforty,themanwasstilcatch,thoughnooneseemediedincatghim.

    Reya''''''''slipscurvedintoadimpledsmileasshewaved."Go,Dad."

    Lu''''''''sthinlipsquirkedupwardashetookinthesightofher—longhairtossinglikeseaweedinthewind,makingherlooklikeasirenpoisedonhercliff,luringsailorstotheirdoom.Hecouldalmostheartheuhlysong.

    "Gobasideadressed.We''''''''rehavingbreakfasttogethertoday."

    "Okay,Dad!"Shebouncedawayfromthebalyrail,vanishingintotheroomwithlight,eagersteps.

    Lately,Luhadbeenedbyanothermajorcase,leavingnotimefordaysoff.Mostms,Reyafriedherowneggs,thoughtheyurquiteright—neverasgoldenandcrispattheedgesasLu''''''''s,htheyolkperfectlyroundlikeafullmoon.Heneverhadtimetoteachher,andshenevermaomastertheheat.

    Evenmonstersaren''''''''tbornknowihing.

    Likehumans,theyneededuidethem.

    Before,Re