Excerpt: The Eighth Running

“Mr. Francesca, I don’t mean to be rude, but I would appreciate if we could get to the heart of this matter. If you’ve seen anything, or come in contact with anything…”
“The things is,” continued Buddy, disregarding what the General said, “the thing is, the only reason this is relevant is that it happened at the same time as Jennica’s…murder.” Buddy, in a single moment, appeared more human than he had in his entire life. He genuinely looked pained at the remembrance of his friend’s life.
“Mr. Francesca.” Martini accented each syllable, staring even more forcefully with his harsh blue eyes. “I need you to tell me what you know in order for me to help you. What did you see?” Buddy cleared his throat, drawing out the drama of the moment, and, as Martini would later remember, spoke even calmly,
“I saw them. I met them. I know them.” Martini whispered, caught up in the story,
“Who?”
“Gallieans.”