“How you going to talk Bullock into it?” Elmo asked. “It’s dumb, Croaker. He’s not going to go haring off after some minor suspect.” “Yes, he will. You remember, when we came here, he had to translate? How do you figure he learned the lan-guage of the Jewel Cities? I asked him. He spent three years there looking for a guy who wasn’t any more important than Asa.”
Goblin said, “This mess gets crazier every day. We got so many cons and lies going I can’t keep track of them anymore. I don’t think we better do anything except cover our asses till the Captain gets here.”
I often had a feeling we were making things worse. But I could see no exit, other than to keep coping and hoping.
“Best way out,” Elmo observed laconically, “would be to kill everybody who knows anything, then all of us fall on our swords.”
“Sounds a little extreme,” Goblin opined. “But if you want to go first, I’m right behind you.”
“I’ve got to report in to Whisper,” I said. “Anybody got any brilliant ideas what I should tell her?”
Nobody did. I went, dreading the encounter. I was sure guilt smouldered in my eyes whenever I faced her. I resented Elmo because he did not have to endure her daily fits of ire.
Bullock was almost too easy. He was packing almost before I finished handing him my line of bull. He wanted that Asa bad.
I wondered if he knew something we did not. Or if he’d just worked up an obsession with the mystery of the invaded Catacombs.
Whisper was more of a problem.
She told me: “I want you to send somebody with him.” I had had to tell her something, so had told her most of the truth. I figured the chances of anybody tracking Asa and Raven were nil. But... She seemed a little too interested,too. Perhaps she knew more than she pretended. She was, after all, one of the Taken.
Elmo picked three men, put Kingpin in charge, and told him to stick a knife in Bullock if he looked like needing it.
The Captain and Company were, I was told, in the Wolander Mountains a hundred miles from Juniper. They faced a slow passage through tough passes, but I began to anticipate their arrival. Once the Old Man showed, the weight would be off Elmo and me. “Hurry,” I muttered, and returned to tangling our skein of deceits.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Juniper
Lovers
Matron Shed fell in love. In love in the worst possible way-with a woman far younger, who had tastes far beyond his means. He charged into the affair with all the reserve of a bull in rut, disdaining consequences, squandering his cash reserve as though it came from a bottomless box. His boxes dried up. Two weeks after he met Sue, he made a loan with Gilbert, the moneylender. Another loan followed that, then another. Within a month he had gone into debt farther than he had been during the winter.
And he did not care. The woman made him happy, and that was that. Compounding his negative attributes was a tendency toward willful stupidity and an unconscious confidence that money could be no problem ever again.
Wally’s wife Sal visited the Lily one morning, grim and slightly ashamed. “Marron,” she said, “can we talk?” “What’s the matter?”
“You were going to help with rent and stuff.” “Sure. So what’s the problem?” “Well, I don’t want to sound ungrateful or like I have any right to expect you to support us, but our landlord is threatening to throw us out on account of the rent hasn’t been paid for two weeks. We can’t get work on account of nobody is putting out any sewing right now.”
“The rent isn’t paid? But I saw him just the other day...” It hadn’t been just the other day. He had forgotten. His mother, too. Her servants’ salaries would be due in a few days. Not to mention Lisa’s. “Oh my,” he said. “I’m sorry. I forgot. I’ll take care of it.”
“Shed, you’ve been good to us. You didn’t have to be. I don’t like seeing you get into this kind of mess.”
“What kind of mess?”
“With that woman. She’s trying to destroy you.”
He was too puzzled to become angry. “Sue? Why? How?”
“Give her up. It’ll hurt less if you break it off. Everybody knows what she’s doing.”
“What’s she doing?” Shed’s voice was plaintive.
“Never mind. I said more than I should already. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, let us know.”
“I will. I will,” he promised. He went upstairs, to his hidden cash box, and found it barren.
There was not a gersh in the place, upstairs or down. What was going on? “Lisa. Where’s all the money?”
“I hid it.”
“What?”
“I hid it. The way you’re carrying on, you’re going to lose this place. You have a legitimate expense, tell me. I’ll cover it.”
Shed goggled. He sputtered. “Who the hell do you think you are, girl?”
“The girl who’s going to keep you in business in spite of yourself. The girl who’s going to stop you from being a complete fool with Gilbert’s woman.”
“Gilbert’s?”
“Yes. What did you think was going on?”
“Get out,” Shed snapped. “You don’t work here anymore.”
Lisa shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”
“Where’s the money?”
“Sorry. Come see me when you get your common sense back.”
Shed raged around the common room. His customers clapped, egging him on. He threatened. He cajoled. Nothing worked. Lisa remained adamant. “It’s my family!” he protested.
“You go prove that woman isn’t Gilbert’s whore. Then I’ll give you the money and walk.”
“I’ll do that.”
“What if I’m right?”
“You’re not. I know her.”
“You don’t know shit. You’re infatuated. What if I’m right?”
He was incapable of entertaining the possibility. “I don’t care.”
“All right. If I’m right, I want to run things here. You let me get us out of debt,”
Shed bobbed his head once and stormed out. He was not risking anything. She was wrong.
What was her game? She was acting like a partner or something. Like his mother had, after his father died and before she lost her sight. Treating him like he did not have twice her experience of business and the world.
He wandered for half an hour. When he came up from his melancholy, he saw he was near Sailmakers’ Hall. Hell. He was there; he’d just go see Gilbert. Make a loan so he could see Sue that night. Little bitch Lisa could hide his money, maybe, but she couldn’t keep him away from Gilbert.
Half a block later he began to suffer conscience pangs. Too many people depended upon him. He shouldn’t make his financial situation worse.
“Damned woman,” he muttered. “Shouldn’t talk to me that way. Now she’s got me doubting everybody.” He leaned against a wall and fought his conscience. Sometimes lust pulled ahead, sometimes the urge toward responsibility. He ached for Sue... He should not need money if she really loved him...
“What?” he said aloud. He looked again. His eyes had not deceived him. That was Sue stepping into Gilbert’s place.
His stomach sank like a falling rock. “No. She couldn’t... There must be an explanation.”
But his traitor mind started cataloguing little oddities about their relationship, particularly mauling her penchant for spending. A low-grade anger simmered over the fire of his hurt. He slipped across the street, hurried into the alley leading behind Gilbert’s place. Gilbert’s office was in the back. It had an alley window. Shed did not expect that to be open. He did hope to sneak a peek.
The window was not open, but he could hear. And the sounds of lovemaking in no way approximated what he wanted to hear.
He considered killing himself on the spot. Considered killing himself on Sue’s doorstep. Considered a dozen other dramatic protests. And knew none would move either of these villains.
They began talking. Their chatter soon killed Shed’s hold-out doubts. Th
e name Marron Shed came up.
“He’s ready,” the woman said. “I’ve taken him as far as I can. Maybe one more loan before he starts remembering his family.”
“Do it, then. I want him wrapped up. Make the hill steep, then grease it. He got away from Krage.”
Shed shook with anger.
“How far down do you have him?”
“Eighteen leva, and nearly another ten in interest.”
“I can work him for another five.”
“Do it. I have a buyer hot to go.”
Shed left. He wandered the Buskin for hours. He looked so grim people crossed the street. There is no vengeance as terrible as the vengeance a coward plots in the dark of his heart.
Late that afternoon Shed strolled into Gilbert’s office, all emotion locked back in the shadows he had discovered the night he had run with Krage’s hunters. “I need fifteen leva, Gilbert. In a hurry.”
Gilbert was startled. His one eye opened wide. “Fifteen? What the hell for?”
“I’ve set up a sweet deal, but I have to close it tonight. I’ll go a couple extra points if you want.”
“Shed, you’re into me big now. I’m worried about you covering that.”
“This deal goes off and I can clear it all.”
Gilbert stared. “What’s up, Shed?”
“Up?”
“You’re awful sure of yourself.”
Shed told the lie that hurt most. “I’m going to get married, Gilbert. Going to ask the lady tonight. I want to close this deal so I can make the Lily over into a decent place for her.”
“Well,” Gilbert breathed. “Well, well, well. Matron Shed getting married. Interesting. All right, Shed. It’s not good business, but I’ll take a chance. Fifteen, you said?”
“Thank you, Mr. Gilbert. I’m really grateful...”
“You sure you can meet the payments?”
“I’ll have you ten leva before the end of the week. Guaranteed. And with Sue helping out at the Lily, I’ll have no problem clearing enough to cover the rest.”
Gilbert controlled a thin smile. “Then you won’t mind putting up collateral more valuable than your word?”
“Sir?”
“I want a lien on the Iron Lily.”
Shed pretended to think hard. Finally: “All right. She’s worth the risk.”
Gilbert smiled the smile of a hungry stoat, but managed to look worried at the same time. “Wait here. I’ll have a note drawn up and get the money.”
Shed smiled nastily as Gilbert departed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Juniper
Lovers’ parting
Shed pulled his rig into the alleyway behind Sue’s place, raced around front, pounded on the door. It was a class place for the Buskin. A man guarded the entrance from within. Eight women lived there, each in her own apartment. Each in the same business as Sue. Each commanding a substantial premium for her time.
“Hello, Mr. Shed,” the door guard said. “Go on up. She’s expecting you.”
Shed tipped him, something he hadn’t done before. The man became obsequious. Shed ignored him, mounted the stair.
Now came the difficult part. Playing cow-eyed lover when he was no longer blind. But he would fool her, just as she had fooled him.
She answered the door, radiantly beautiful. Shed’s heart climbed into his throat. He shoved something into her hand. “This is for you.”
“Oh, Marron, you shouldn’t have.” But, if he hadn’t, he would not have gotten past her door. “What a strange necklace. Are these serpents?”
“Real silver,” he said. “And rubies. It caught my fancy. Ugly, but the craftsmanship is superb.”
“I think it’s gorgeous, Marron. How much did it cost?”
“Too much,” Shed replied, smiling sardonically. “I couldn’t tell you. More than I should have paid for anything.”
Sue did not press. “Come here, Marron.” She must have had orders to play him carefully. Usually she gave him a hard time before surrendering. She began disrobing. Shed went. He took her rough, something he had not done before. Then he took her again. When it was over, she asked, “What’s gotten into you?”
“I have a big surprise for you. A big surprise. I know you’ll love it. Can you sneak out without anyone knowing?” “Of course. But why?”
“That’s the surprise. Will you do it? You won’t be disappointed, I promise.” “I don’t understand.”
“Just do it. Slip out a few minutes after I leave. Meet me in the alley. I want to take you somewhere and show you something. Be sure to wear the necklace.”
“What are you up to?” She seemed amused, not suspicious.
Good, Shed thought. He finished dressing. “No answers now, darling. This will be the biggest surprise of your life. I don’t want to spoil it.” He headed for the door. “Five minutes?” she called. “Don’t make me wait. I’m a bear when I have to wait. And don’t forget the necklace.” “I won’t, dear.”
Shed waited nearly fifteen minutes. He grew impatient, but was certain greed would bring Sue out. The hook was set. She was playing with him.
“Marron?” Her voice was soft and musical. His heart twisted. How could he do this?
“Here, love.” She came to him. He enfolded her in his arms.
“Now, now. Enough of that. I want my surprise. I can hardly wait.”
Shed took a deep breath. Do it! he yelled inside. “I’ll help you up.” She turned. Now! But his hands were made of lead.
“Come on, Marron.”
He swung. Sue slammed into the wagon, a mewl the only sound she made. He hit her again as she bounced back. She sagged. He took a gag from the wagon, forced it into her mouth before she could scream, then tied her hands quickly. She began kicking when he went for her ankles. He kicked her back, nearly let anger carry him away.
She quit fighting. He finished binding her, then propped her on the wagon seat. In the darkness they looked like man and wife about some late business.
He did not speak till they were across the Port. “You’re probably wondering what’s going on, darling.”
Sue grunted. She was pale and frightened. He retrieved his amulet. While he was at it, he stripped her of jewelry and valuables.
“Sue, I loved you. I really did. I would have done anything for you. When you kill a love like that, you turn it into a big hatred.” At least twenty leva worth of jewelry, he guessed. How many men had she destroyed? “Working for Gilbert like that. Trying to steal the Lily. Anything else I could have forgiven. Anything.”
He talked all the way up the hill. It distracted her till the black castle loomed so large it could no longer be overlooked. Then her eyes got huge. She began to shake, to stink as she lost all control.
“Yes, darling,” Shed said, voice pleasantly rational, conversational. “Yes. The black castle. You were going to deliver me to the mercy of your friends. You made a bet and lost. Now I deliver you to mine.” He halted, climbed down, went to the gate. It opened immediately.
The tall being met him, wringing spidery hands. “Good,” it said. “Very good. Your partner never brought healthy game.”
Shed’s guts knotted. He wanted to change his mind. He only wanted to hurt and humiliate Sue... But it was too late. He could not turn back. “I’m sorry, Sue. You shouldn’t have done it. You and Gilbert. His turn will come. Marron Shed isn’t what everybody thinks.”
A whining noise came from behind Sue’s gag. Shed turned away. He had to get out. He faced the tall creature.
It began counting coins directly into his hand.
As always, Shed did not barter. In fact, he did not look at the money, just kept stuffing his pockets. His attention was on the darkness behind the creature.
More of its kind were back there, hissing, jostling. Shed recognized the short one he’d dealt with once.
The tall being stopped counting. Absently, Shed put the coins into a pocket, returned to his wagon. The things in shadow swept forward, seized Sue, began ripp
ing her clothing. One yanked the gag out of her mouth. Shed started packing his rig.
“For God’s sake, Marron. Don’t leave me.”
“It’s done, woman. It’s done.” He snapped his traces.
“Back up, mules.”
She started screaming as he turned toward the gate. He did not look. He did not want to know. “Keep moving, mules.”
“Come again soon, Marron Shed,” the tall creature called after him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Juniper
Banished
The summons from Whisper caught me unprepared. It was too early for the daily report. I’d barely finished breakfast. I knew it meant trouble. I was not disappointed.
The Taken prowled like a caged animal, radiating tension and anger. I went inside by the numbers, stood at a perfect attention, giving no excuse for the picking of nits-in case whatever it was was not my fault.
She ignored me for several minutes, working off energy. Then she seated herself, stared at her hands thoughtfully. Her gaze rose. And she was in complete control. She actually smiled. Had she been as beautiful as the Lady, that smile would have melted granite. But she was what she was, a scarred old campaigner, so a smile only ameliorated the grimness of her face.
“How were the men disposed last night?” she asked. Baffled, I responded, “Excuse me? You mean their temper?”
“Where were they stationed?”
“Oh.” That was properly Elmo’s province, but I knew better than to say so. The Taken do not tolerate excuses, sound though they may be. “The three men on the ship south with Bullock, looking for that man Asa.” I worried about her having sent them. When I do not understand the motives of the Taken, I get paranoid. “Five down in the Buskin pretending to be foreign sailors. Three more down there watching people we’ve found especially interesting. I’d have to double-check with Elmo to be positive, but at least four more were in other parts of the city, trying to pick up something of interest. The rest of us were here in the castle, off duty. Wait. One man would have been down in the Duke’s secret police office, and two would have been at the Enclosure, hanging around with the Custodians. I was with the Inquisitors most of the night, picking their brains. We’re scattered pretty thin right now. I’ll be glad when the Captain gets here. We’ve got too much going for the available manpower. The occupation planning is way behind.”
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