Night Study

“Handy.”

“Opal’s father made them for me. They’re getting popular with people who want extra privacy.”

I eased the curtain aside carefully, just in case the movement drew attention. Late-morning sunlight warmed the cobblestones below. The street appeared to be empty. Half a block south, there was an entrance to an alley. Perhaps the cat hid inside the alley’s shadows.

“He’s good,” Fisk said, standing behind me. “Look at the second-floor windows on the third building to the left across the street.”

I followed his directions. Sure enough, a figure in dark clothes stood behind the panes of glass.

“Is that your Mosquito?”

“I can’t see his face.” I considered. Even if he wasn’t the assassin, the man still worked for the Cartel and could provide information about Leif’s location. “We need to set a trap.”

We returned to the living area and I explained my plan to lure the cat from his lair.

“Too dangerous,” Ari said. “There’s only three of us.”

“I can provide as many people as you need. No charge,” Fisk offered.

“We can’t put a bunch of kids in danger,” Janco said.

Fisk huffed in annoyance, but before he could educate Janco about the skills of his people, I said, “That would be wonderful.” I calculated how many helpers I’d need. “Six should be plenty. How soon can they be in position?”

“Give me an hour. In the meantime, make yourselves at home.” Fisk left.

* * *

“I still don’t like it,” Ari said as he swung up into Whiskey’s saddle.

Janco mounted The Madam. “This is going to be fun.”

“You said that about the Bejin ambush, and look how that turned out.” Ari gathered the reins.

“There’s just no way to stifle a sneeze once it reaches a critical level. Besides, no one was hurt.”

“No one was arrested, either.”

Janco waved a hand. “Details, details.”

I helped Hilly into Kiki’s saddle. She wore my cloak with the hood pulled down low over her forehead. “Listen to Ari and ignore Janco.”

“Hey.”

She smiled. “Will do.”

The three of them left the stable, heading toward the Magician’s Keep. I remained in a dark shadow with a view of the street. Would the cat follow them? It depended on his powers of observation.

“He didn’t take the bait,” Fisk said, standing next to me.

“Give it a few more minutes. He might have slipped out the back entrance.”

We waited. After five minutes, there was still no movement and no signal from Tweet that he’d left the building. It seemed the cat realized Hilly hid under my cloak, even though we were of a similar size and build.

“Time for Plan B,” I said. “Shall we?”

Fisk grinned. “We shall.”

We peeked from the stable, glancing left and right as if searching for witnesses. Then we strode into the street, going in the opposite direction as Ari, Janco and Hilly. I wore a Helper’s Guild uniform and had arranged my hair into a bun similar to Hilly’s. We followed a predetermined route that appeared to be random, as if we were checking for a tail, but it allowed Fisk’s helpers to relay information to us. The guild members knew every shortcut and alley in the Citadel and could reach certain intersections faster than us.

“Ah,” Fisk said, catching sight of one of his helpers. “Smart kitty is following us.”

“How soon will everyone be in position?”

“Let’s take the scenic route and give them time to prepare.”

As we continued walking through the streets, Fisk played tour guide, filling me in on the various buildings and businesses. “A few businessmen have copied me and converted the abandoned factories into living spaces. It has improved the living conditions in the Citadel’s two resident quarters, and having four families live in one house is a thing of the past.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“It is, but there’s still criminals and those who prey on the weak. If I can only expel them, then everyone can live in peace.”

“It’s a lovely goal, Fisk, but I’ve learned there will always be criminals. You can arrest them and prevent certain crimes, but they’ll never be completely gone. They’re even in Ixia, despite the Commander’s soldiers patrolling the streets and watching the citizens. It’s human nature.”

“I guess you’re right, but I’m still going to try.”

I touched his arm. “Just please don’t get yourself killed.”

He placed his hand over mine and squeezed. “That’s not in the plan.”

“So that means you’ll ask for help when things get too hot?”

His shoulders stiffened with a familiar stubbornness, and he dropped his hand. “Well...”

“Fisk, it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. We’re friends, and that is what friends do. Help each other.”

“But then I should pay you like you pay me.”

I shook my head. “Not how it works.”

“Why not?”

“You need the money to run your business and give your helpers food, clothing and shelter, which is very important. Me, Ari, Janco, Valek and Leif don’t need the money. We are paid and have all the necessities in life.”

“I still feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”