"I didn't want you to apologize," Marcello answered. "It sounds like Duncan's the worse problem. I just want to understand why. And what's going on."

She hurried, as fast as she could without running, away from the noise of the kitchen. "I don't know why Duncan's the worse problem; you'll have to ask Mnemosyne. She's the one who does all that profiling shit. Or did you mean siccing Davide on him?"

"Mnemosyne?" Marcello asked. "Isn't that the mother of the Muses?" He frowned. "Is that one of you? Indigo?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean why send Davide after him. And...suggest he kidnapped Acorn. It just seems...you don't usually lie about things, so I feel like either you aren't, or something's missing."

"Why don't you ask him?" the woman sniffed. "I'm sure he can tell you all about it."

"Because I want to know what you think, not what he thinks. I don't even know which 'he' you mean in that statement." Marcello rolled his eyes. "Duncan is an ass and Davide is an ass. You're an ass, too, but at least you're a more objective one."

"Because Davide is a hot-headed little twit who beats the shit out of someone first and asks questions after," she said, exasperated. "If I'd sent you, you would have tried to reason with the git."

Marcello nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of that," he replied. "Which is exactly why now everyone is feeling sympathetic toward Duncan, which doesn't sound like it's in our best interest. What's this about Acorn?" he asked. "Did Duncan really have something to do with it?"

"Of course he did," she retorted. "I don't lie. At least I don't lie when I'm trying to start shit. Ask him. Ooh, or better yet, tell Morgana; I want to see her shapeshift and maul him."

"If I ask him, he's just going to say no. We need proof," Marcello replied. "Is there anything we can use as proof?"

She snorted again. "Have you seen what passes for 'proof' around here? They drop a ring into a pot of boiling oil and if you can fish it out without turning your arm into a pot-roast, you're innocent." Then she frowned--an expression almost identical to Niabheara's grave, thoughtful little frown. "The Ganconner might know. I'm not sure. The Ganconner's only trying to find the kid, though. It's a little single-minded. And not the most reliable of witnesses."