He caught sight of Obi-Wan. “Will you excuse me?”
Sauro suddenly headed for the exit, slithering through the crowd with the expertise of one used to escaping dull gatherings. Obi-Wan started after him, but suddenly Berm Tarturi’s voice boomed out. Sauro stopped abruptly but did not turn.
“How kind of you to say that,” Berm said to the group of Senators surrounding him. “No, I’m trying to keep it very quiet. It is a private matter. Yet others seek to exploit my sorrow. Oh, it’s not that I expect special treatment, but those who would take advantage of a father’s despair…” Tyro raised his eyebrows at Obi-Wan. Obviously, Tarturi abandoned discretion when he could gain sympathy.
Obi-Wan saw Sauro’s sneer. He was contemptuous of Tarturi’s tactics.
Sauro turned. His voice, hard as ice, cut through Berm’s blustering like a laser. “Yes, anyone who exploits private pain is despicable.” He gave Tarturi a withering look. “No matter who does it.”
The Senators looked back and forth between the two enemies, some with apprehension, others avidly looking forward to a war of words. Tyro’s eyes gleamed, no doubt hoping Sauro would let something slip in anger. But Sauro simply turned his back on Tarturi and slipped off through the crowd, a slim figure in black.
A group of Senators suddenly converged on Berm Tarturi while others faded back, and it took Obi-Wan several precious seconds to extricate himself from the crowd. When he pushed his way out the door, Sauro had already disappeared. Obi-Wan headed toward Sauro’s suite of offices.
As soon as he entered, Sauro’s personal assistant stood up. “He isn’t here.”
“Did he tell you to say that?” Obi-Wan brushed past him, heading for the door.
“I am calling security.”
“Your choice.” Obi-Wan had no more patience for protocol. He waved a hand and used the Force to slide open the door to Sauro’s inner office.
Sauro turned, startled, as Obi-Wan strode in. “This is outrageous!” he sputtered, losing his usual cool.
“You are meeting with Rana Halion secretly,” Obi-Wan said.
“You don’t have any evidence of that,” Sauro said, regaining his composure.
“I have evidence that you put Tyro Caladian under surveillance,” Obi-Wan continued.
Sauro stood behind his long desk. He was not a tall man, but the desk was low to the ground in order to give that impression. The tall red thorns of the claing bush rose from the corners, stabbing the air. His thin lips twisted as he leaned forward, resting on his knuckles. “And why shouldn’t I? I don’t take kindly to being investigated by young upstart attorneys. I have a legitimate concern as to who exactly this Caladian is and what he wants. The risk of assassination and sabotage are part of this job, and I must take any steps I can to protect myself. If you wish to take it up with the Senate security committee, do so.”
“You rely on those committees,” Obi-Wan said. “No doubt because you have bribed your way onto most of them.”
“What is this personal vendetta you have against me, Kenobi?” Sauro’s voice purred now. “I must confess, I don’t understand it. I’ve done nothing to antagonize you. Perhaps I should bring you up on charges.”
“What charges?”
“Breaking and entering, for one,” Sauro said, his gaunt face expressionless. “The Force is a weapon like any other.”
“The Force is not a weapon,” Obi-Wan snapped. “Let me warn you, Sauro. I am investigating Gillam Tarturi’s kidnapping. If I find you had anything to do with it - “
Sauro laughed. “A child’s kidnapping! Hardly something I would dabble in. You are grasping at straws, Kenobi. And once again you are wasting my time.” He picked up his comlink and stabbed at a button with his index finger. “I think I will report you for harassment. Perhaps a few hours of being detained by Senate security will help you calm down.”
“Your threats reveal your fear,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ll be back.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Marit’s friends sat together on the athletic field outside. They seemed to be expecting Anakin. He noted one friend looking him over carefully, from the top of his head to his boots. The student, a Bothan, stood as soon as they came up.
“So this is the one,” he said. He was short, shorter than Marit, and the curling hair down to his shoulders gave him a soft look that was undercut by his shrewd gaze. This was clearly not someone to underestimate.
“This is Anakin,” Marit said. “Anakin, meet Rolai Frac. And this is Tulah, and Hurana, and Ze.”
“Have you ever ridden a swoop?” Ze asked. He was a humanoid, short and plump, with close-set green eyes and two pigtails that hung down his back. He seemed eager for action.