Ford watched as the adults exchanged looks of surprise.
"Never thought I'd hear that name again," Trace shook his head. "He did say he was going to get a job in a mine, didn't he?"
"I believe so," Trace's wife looked at him with mild concern.
"You… knew him?" Ford asked, looking around the table. Other than Mia, who looked like she was trying very hard to remember something, the rest of the adults seemed suddenly less inclined to share freely.
"If it's the same man we're thinking of, we've met," Anaisa finally answered. "How much do you know about your foreman Martin?"
Ford looked at the redheaded woman. Her blue stare was even and probing. As if she could look into him and discover everything he knew. Were all nobles like that? He considered what he could safely say. He imagined he wouldn't get away with lying, since they apparently knew the man.
