He pressed his forehead against her bare forearm, right over the tattoo, and stayed there trembling. Iris closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her cheek and dripped onto his fur.”Hey, old boy,” she whispered.”I’m here.””I’m so sorry it took me this long.”
Dvaris was crying openly now. The resident stood frozen. Albright’s hand had slowly dropped to his side.
Even the guards looked at the floor. Alcott knelt beside her on the wet tile. His eyes were wet and his voice was barely a whisper.”Doc,” he said.”Your Doc,” the corman from Harrow.
Iris opened her eyes. Her face was pale.”Where is Dany, Commander? Tell me he made it.”
Alcott’s jaw tightened.”Dany is gone. You know that.””I know,” she said.”I know exactly where I left him.””No, ma’am.” Alcott shook his head.
That is not what the senior chief has been trying to tell you. He has spent 8 years looking for you, and you still don’t know why. Atlas pushed his nose against her wrist, then turned his head and pointed his snout at the senior chief’s left side.
