From what he saw, Sifa quickly concluded that someone was chasing the big boy. And there were quite a few of them.
He immediately pointed toward another alley across the street and whistled.
The big boy with bright red eyes looked over. He saw Sifa, followed the direction of his finger, nodded, and dashed into the alley across the street.
Sifa twirled his cane and headed toward the alley the boy had just come from. He was pleased with Detective Zarel's efficiency, and he had taken a liking to the quick-witted boy. He didn't mind giving him a hand.
As he approached the alley entrance, a figure rushed out. Sifa stepped straight into his path, cried out, and fell to the ground.
He now saw that the man who had knocked him over was lean and tough, with dark skin and sunken eyes.
A Highlander?
The Zimang Party?
After Lynn's kidnapping, Sifa had learned enough about people with those features to make a quick judgment.
The man who had knocked him down glanced at Sifa and started to leave, but Sifa hooked his ankle with the cane.
Like a true gentleman, Sifa said indignantly, "Stop! You knocked me over, and you think you can leave without even apologizing?"
A fierce glint flashed through the man's eyes. He seemed ready to turn violent, but the boy was still on his mind. He pulled his foot free and started to leave.
But the boy was nowhere to be seen on Rose Street.
He whipped his head back toward Sifa and hauled him up by his clothes. "Did you see a boy in his teens wearing an old coat? Right, his eyes are red. He's easy to recognize."
Sifa gave him a mocking smile. "Do you think I'd tell you? A man who