Viya's POV
"I'd rather talk here," I said evenly, glancing at my watch. "I have somewhere I need to be soon."
My wariness must have been obvious, because his weathered hand stilled on the cane resting across his lap. He studied me for a moment, then spoke with quiet deliberacy. "I may be able to answer the questions you've been asking yourself."
I hated when people played games like this. Especially strangers like Alpha Shaw, who barely knew me and yet seemed to think they had leverage.
I smiled politely, keeping my tone light. "What questions would those be?"
"Dr. Lockwood," he said, a faint note of exasperation creeping into his voice. "You don't need to be so guarded with me. I was... acquainted with your parents. Both sets, as it happens."
Before I could respond, he
