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It was grandiose, an obnoxious kind of new South Everything was shiny, or new and dulled down to look old I was used to Liah, but dusty and full of books and his personal collection of hourglasses Liam’s office looked like he worked in it Paul Girard’s library looked like he posed in it

"Come in" Girard stood He was your basic slick-haired, shifty-eyed, ster, with excellent taste in suits

After introductions, Girard asked about our flight and general well-being, but the chitchat didn’t last long Liae of a uy who’s supposed to help hter?" Girard sounded doubtful

"Yes, sir" I nodded

He looked me over, summed me up "Try to relax"

I slid back on the seat It was the best I could e

Girard continued the stare-down "Try to relax more"

I put one arm on the back of the couch and so home really, really, desperately

Liam took pity on lass for several years I’ve told you about his work history, so you know he’s reliable He also happens to have lass than anyone, even e Great" Girard tilted his head to the side, regarding me "Does he talk?"

"He … yes" I’d never seen Liae of the couch "Talk, I un holster under his jacket Everyone in this house was arlass What do you know?"

This was est finds in the field, at least the ones who cop to its being real"

"I’hter is real"

I h "Well, horologists believe it’s an object, not a huy is Liaists do all your thinking for you? What makes you believe it’s a human?"

I looked at Liam, and he handed over the briefcase I’d felt too self-conscious to carry I flipped the latches and pushed it toward Girard "That’s my personal external drive It holds every shred of evidence ever collected on the Infinityglass, a couple of hundred years’ worth, and includes new information that was recently discovered on a Skroll"

"A scroll?"

"Not the old-school kind A digital storage device, kind of like a tablet on steroids, with hologralass, and had changed hands too lass stole the Skroll froet it open I did"

It had taken me teeks to crack it

"Do you still have it?" Girard asked