Deadly Games by Lindsay Buroker Page B

foliage.
Mischievous branches tugged at her hat and rained leaves onto her
shoulders. She dusted them off. As much as she liked the idea of
nature, it was difficult to maintain a tidy appearance when
surrounded by it.
    “I’m just bad at admitting out loud that I’m
wrong about something,” Amaranthe added.
    “A character flaw you should correct.”
    “Likely so.” She lifted her notepad,
intending to ask his opinions about the names, but he surprised her
by continuing.
    “It would bother me if you died while I was
attending to biological needs.”
    Amaranthe’s grin returned at the admission.
“It would bother me if I died then, too. Or any time.” She handed
him the notepad. “These are the people missing thus far. One
disappeared three nights ago, two the night before last—that was
when Fasha’s sister went—and one last night. I’m trying to figure
out what the common link is. After talking with Fasha, I figured it
might be another ploy against foreigners, but we now have more
Turgonians missing than outsiders. The wrestler, Deercrest, has won
often, so I could see him being targeted as someone to get rid of.
Though it’s not honorable to make opponents disappear, it’s
certainly not without precedent in the history of the Imperial
Games. But the other four are young no-names. One isn’t even old
enough to compete in the regular events; he was entered into the
junior Clank Race.”
    “Perhaps they are promising contenders for
this year’s competitions,” Sicarius said.
    “How would a kidnapper know? The qualifiers
don’t start until tomorrow. Sure, some people post their practice
times, but most don’t, and the best athletes often only compete
hard enough to make the cut in the early rounds.” Amaranthe leaned
against a tree. “Besides, who would want to get rid of multiple
good athletes? I could see rigging your own event, or your child’s
event, but why wrestling, running, and the Clank Race?”
    As was often the case, Sicarius did not
answer, but she knew he was listening.
    “Could it be a gambling scheme?” she mused.
“People bet on the events, and some people bet a lot . Is
someone trying to set things up so they can guess the winners?”
    “With athletes disappearing days prior to the
race, the odds will be adjusted accordingly.”
    “True, it’d make more sense to kidnap someone
the night before, or minutes before the event if you wanted to
upset the odds-makers.” Amaranthe took the notepad back and tapped
it. “Still, it might be worth talking to some of the
bookmakers.”
    Male voices sounded on the path in front of
the bench. She parted the branches as a trio of muscular young men
walked past. They did not wear athletes’ togs, but instead the
sleeveless overalls of miners. That was odd. Most local companies
only gave workers the final two days of the Imperial Games off
because they were considered a holiday in the capital. Even if one
man had finagled a day off somehow, it seemed unlikely a group
could have managed the same. Mining outfits were particularly
stingy with leave, as Amaranthe well knew. She had seen little of
her father when she was growing up. Yet here these men were,
wandering about, a day before the qualifying events were to start
and a week before the holiday finals.
    “ They are not bookmakers,” Sicarius
said.
    The branches rustled as Amaranthe released
them. “No, I know. I was just thinking...” She paused as the
possible connotations of his comment slid over her. Was he
displeased to have caught her ogling handsome young men? No hint of
consternation marked his face; maybe she had imagined his words had
underlying meaning. Besides, he knew she would happily ogle him if
he gave her more opportunities. “I’m going to follow those men. I
have a hunch.”
    His eyes narrowed slightly, but all he said
was, “There are numerous enforcers about.”
    “I know. I’ll stay out of trouble.”
    “Doubtful.”
    “Just don’t wander off for too long at