"He was seen," she began, then stopped with a gasp.
The lights had gone out.
It was as unexpected as a shot in the back. One moment the garden was glowing in light, the next the hot black night swooped down on the revelers, pressing against their eyes like dark wool. The fans about the walls slowed audibly and stopped. It grew hotter, closer.
Jaro Moynahan slipped sideways from the table. He felt something brush his sleeve. Somewhere a girl giggled.
"What's coming off here?" growled a petulant male voice. Other voices took up the plaint.
Across the table from Jaro there was the feel of movement; he could sense it. An exclamation was suddenly choked off as if a hand had been clamped over the girl's mouth.
"Red!" said Jaro in a low voice.
There was no answer.
"Red!" he repeated, louder.
Unexpectedly, the deep, ringing voice of Mercury Sam boomed out from the stage.