Free Casino Infernale by Simon R. Green

things to underage children. I got the kids out, before I killed everyone else. Do it again, in a moment.”
    “I have always been so proud of you, Molly,” said Coll.
    She didn’t look at him. She didn’t look at me, either. Which was probably just as well, because I was thinking of a whole bunch of other things she’d done that I knew for a fact were a hell of a lot more extreme than anything the next generation had mentioned. Usually with good reason, but probably not one the avowedly non-violent next generation could accept. They were looking steadily at Molly in a way that suggested they were still sitting in judgement of her, and hadn’t made up their minds yet.
    “The word is, that you’ve calmed down a lot since you hooked up with your Drood,” said Troy. “Now you’ve got in bed with the enemy.”
    Everyone winced at that, just a bit. Trust a woman to fight dirty.
    “I got involved with one particular Drood,” Molly said calmly. “My Eddie. I have never been a part of his family. I didn’t bring Eddie here with me because I knew you wouldn’t approve of him. That’s why I shelled out good money to hire Shaman Bond, to watch my back.”
    “Now you finally know the truth,” I said carefully, “about what really happened to your parents. . . . What do you want to do next, Molly? Do you want to kill the Regent?”
    “Yes,” said Molly. “But, I have to think about it.”
    She didn’t say,
Because he’s your grandfather. So it’s complicated.
She didn’t say any of that out loud, but I could see it in her eyes.
    Phil Adams rose to his feet. “I’m really not comfortable with the atmosphere in this room. I’m going to get another bottle of wine. I hope to experience a more positive atmosphere, when I return.”
    He left quickly. Obviously thinking he was making a point of principle. And not just running away from questions he couldn’t cope with. Troy and Morrison looked at each other knowingly.
    “He’s never been comfortable with clashing emotions,” said Troy. “Always wants everyone to be nice, just because they’re on the same side.”
    “Don’t give me those negative vibes, Moriarty!” said Morrison.
    We all managed some kind of smile, at that. Troy and Morrison talked with Coll some more, ignoring Molly and me. Coll was full of apologies and justifications for his past, and how much he wanted to make up for his sins, by helping them build a new White Horse Faction. Troy wanted to believe him. I wasn’t so sure about Morrison. Molly and I sat side by side, and didn’t even look at each other. We both had a lot to think about. It took all of us a while to realise that Phil Adams hadn’t returned.
    “Oh, bloody hell,” said Morrison. “He’s not sulking again, is he?”
    “He’s probably hovering outside in the corridor,” said Troy. “Refusing to come back in until we’re all being happy bunnies together.”
    “Get your arse in here, Phil!” Morrison said loudly. “This is as positive as it’s going to get!”
    There was no response. Morrison got up and went to look out the door. Adams wasn’t there. Troy went to join Morrison, and they both called Adams several more times. There was no reply. Coll got to his feet.
    “I think we should go look for him. This isn’t a good place to be on your own.”
    “Why?” said Troy. “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t you know about this house?” I said. “Didn’t you research the awful history of Monkton Manse before you came here?”
    “No,” said Morrison. “We chose it because it was the last meeting place of the original White Horse Faction. And because the Island’s in a null.”
    “You should have checked,” said Coll.
    I rose to my feet, and Molly immediately rose to her feet to stand beside me. “Trust me,” I said. “This is a bad place. Really bad things happened here . . . long before the Faction massacre. I think we need to find Adams quickly, before someone or something else