“You setting up an ambush for me?” Elena said.
“No,” Daeholf said, looking genuinely hurt.
Elena studied him carefully. “Why did you get rid of the other two?”
“Because I’m hoping that we can talk. Just us. Like we’ve done before.”
“You’re going to try to take advantage of the trust I put in you before?”
“No. No taking advantage. I’m going to tell you everything.”
“Everything?”
“Everything. And I’m hoping afterwards that you might start to understand us a little better and maybe trust us a bit again.”
“We’ll see.”
“I’m going to start from the beginning of this story. There’s a lot that comes before but we don’t really have time for that at the moment.”
“Talk.”
“You heard the rumours about the rebellion to the southeast?”
“Of course. Who hasn’t?”
“They’re not rumours. We were there.”
“You’re rebels? That’s why you’re running? You’re planning to start a rebellion here with the money?” Elena said, backing off.
“Whoa there,” Daeholf said quickly. “No, we’re not rebels. In the end we actually helped put the rebellion down.”
Elena looked at him confused. “What?”
“It was started by a madman who was trying to bite a piece of the empire off for himself. All he was going to do though was get a lot of people killed.”
“So you stepped in? Why? Were you in the army?”
“No, we were all already out of it by then. We were after the madman personally though. He was dangerous and had killed my cousin.”
“Your cousin? And you weren’t in the army? I’m getting lost here.”
“I was visiting home after leaving the army. My cousin had gone missing so I went looking for him. It turned out he’d been killed so we hunted the man responsible.”
“Okay, that makes sense. Why were you out of the army?”
“I’ve promised to tell you that story and I will. We don’t have time now though, and it doesn’t affect the rest of the story really.”
“Okay,” Elena said doubtfully.
“So we hunted the man halfway across the empire until we tracked him down in the eastern provinces. It turned out he was a lot more dangerous than we expected though and he already had plans in place to start a rebellion.”
“I see.”
“It’s possible that events in our chasing him triggered his plans early.”
“Possible?”
“Likely.”
“Oh.”
“So it all kicked off and went bad very quickly. There were riots and before we knew where we were, an imperial legion had moved in to quell the trouble.”
“And you felt responsible?”
“In part, yes. It would have happened anyway I’m sure, but we were there in the build-up. The whole region was going to shit so we felt that we had to do something to try and help.”
“I can see that. But where does the money come in?”
“I’m getting to that. There was a short but nasty battle. We managed to get to the murderer and kill him, though a good friend of ours died in the process.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. If, of course, any of this is true.”
“Killing the head of the rebellion took the steam out of it and things quietened down quickly.”
“So surely you were heroes then? Why did you have to run?”
“We’re not exactly popular figures with the Imperial hierarchy. If they knew we were there we’d have been taken prisoner. At best.”
“What had you done?”
“Between us we upset a lot of people in the past, including the Emperor. I’ll fill you in on how and why later.”
“Assuming I’m willing to let that go, that meant you had to go on the run. So you came here?”
“Essentially, yes. A friend of our deceased comrade helped us get away in return for the extortionist favour you already know about.”
“And the money?”
“It seems she has a problem with Bastion’s underworld. Something is badly off here and she’s taking steps.”
“Steps?”
“Bribing criminals out from under ‘Hood’ as I think he’s called.”
“So what’s her plan? She going to replace him?”
“I have no idea. I hope not, and as Zedek said, if we’d known we’d have been involved in this sort of mess, we’d not have come here.”
“So to get back at her, you’re using some of her money to track down the man that hurt you?”
“In short, yes.”
“Why should I believe any of this?”
“You were in the watch a long time, weren’t you?”
“Yes. Why? And thank you for reminding me I’m not anymore.”
“My apologies. But in your time you must have had a lot of people try to lie to you.”
“Yes…”
“And we’ve seen you’re good at your job. You must have developed the ability to have an idea when someone is being dishonest.”
“Perhaps,” Elena said, frowning.
“And am I giving you that sense now?”
Elena studied him hard. “No,” she admitted eventually. “I can’t say the same for your companions.”
“Which is why they’re not here.”
“Because you’re better at convincing me?”
“No, because you know me better and would have a better idea if I’m telling you the truth.”
“You’re not telling me everything, are you?”
“Absolutely not, no.”
“Brave of you to admit that.”
“Honest of me.”
“We’ll see.”
“Have I lied to you before?”
“Not that I can prove…”
“And yet I told you about one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. And you felt comfortable telling me about your past.”
“I did. I’m not sure I do now.”
“Where do we go from here?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you still want to catch the Nightwalker?”
“Yes. Do you?”
“As much as I want anything in this world, yes.” And not even for revenge, Daeholf realised, but to help.
“That’s a start then.”
“Then let me try something else to convince you.” Daeholf had decided there was another secret to tell.
“You can try.”
“I’ve told you enough about our pasts to get you imprisoned as a conspirator if you don’t immediately go to the authorities. I trust you, I’m sure you won’t do that. Just as I’m sure that you could be trusted with what else I’m about to tell you.”
“Go on...”
“Under this bed are two crates of weapons. The same two crates you looked at suspiciously the first time you came into this room.”
“What?!”
“We intercepted them from a shipment we’re sure Hood was involved in.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“You’ve been around. You know that illegal weapons trading is going on in the city. And that it has been going on for some time.”
“Yes,” Elena admitted. “So what?”
“Since long before we got here.”
“I can’t argue with that. But what if they belong to your employer?”
“Then why would I tell you about them?”
“Hmm. If you’re lying to me then you’ve just done something very risky. If you’re telling the truth, you’ve done something probably even more risky by talking to me. You already knew I had a strong suspicion about the link between Hood and illegal weapons, didn’t you?”
“I hoped.”
“And it’s very unlikely that if yours was a big operation in this city that you’d all be holed up in a small bedroom over a butcher’s shop, with money and weapons and very little guarding them. I’ve hear
d of hiding in plain sight but this is ridiculous.”
“One bed, two on the floor. In winter. For weeks.”
“Don’t push it. But I can’t believe anyone would be that dedicated to hiding that they’d go that far. Okay. If I believe you about the money and the weapons, then I probably need to believe you about why you’re here. No one given the chance would pretend to have been involved in a failed rebellion. There are much better and easier stories for being on the run than that.”
“I’d rather it wasn’t true myself.”
“I can imagine. Okay. I believe you. Though, once again, I seem to be putting a lot of trust in you.”
“And I’m putting a lot in you by telling you all this. Like I said, this sort of information gets you into a lot of trouble.”
“Yes, and thank you for that,” Elena said, slightly sourly. She paused. “You really trust me that much?” she said quietly.
“Yes,” Daeholf said simply, looking her in the eyes. “My employer won’t be happy with me though if she finds out.”
“Fair enough,” Elena said. “Just promise me not to break my city.”
“We’ll do our best,” Daeholf said. “Are we good?”
“For now,” Elena said. “I need a bit of time to digest all this, and you still owe me the rest of your story.”
“I do.”
“Okay then. Back to work. Try not to spring any more surprises like that on me.”
“Agreed,” Daeholf said.
Elena gave him a faint smile and left.
“You took a hell of a risk there,” Kellan said, climbing in the window. “And I can’t say I’m happy about it.”
“Nice to see you too,” Daeholf said.
“Are you sure we can trust her?”
“Far more than we can trust you.”
“That hurts my feelings. So I don’t need to make her disappear then?”
“You wouldn’t like it if you did.”
“You’re stuck in a bed.”
“It won’t be forever.”
“I see. And it seems you’re also using my money for your own purposes?”
“A little. You want our help, it comes at a price.”
“Don’t I know it,” Kellan said.
*****
“Well at least we’re getting better at detecting them,” Darek said.
“We shouldn’t be having to look for rats and turncoats at all,” Hood said angrily, gesturing. She regained a measure of control a moment later and placed her hands calmly on her desk.
“Indeed. Though sometimes a good challenge is helpful,” Darek said.
“You’re on dangerous ground here,” Hood said quietly.
“I mean in terms of weeding out the weaker elements of the operation. And, of course, learning who we can trust.”
“Perhaps,” Hood said, considering. “It’s a very expensive way of finding these things out however.”
“Yes. And on that note…”
“What is it?”
“Our second largest supplier rejected our offer. And when our main one hears of it, we can probably expect him to do the same.”
“He’s been made a larger offer by the other side?”
“Yes.”
“So you offered more?”
“I doubled it.”
“We’re not making anything at that.”
“I know. He still said no.”
“Did you try three times?”
“No. I thought double made us look desperate enough as it was.”
“You’re right. Who is our challenger selling this stuff to that they’re still making money at that price?”
“Perhaps they’re not.”
“Selling at a loss to force us out.”
“And thinking that we will run out of money before they do.”
“Small chance of that.”
“They’re not showing any signs of slowing down though,” Darek said, frowning.
“Which is why we’re going to do something else.” Hood tilted her head and the lower half of her face was exposed for a moment. Darek could see the smile.
“You’re planning something?” Darek said.
“Have planned something.”
“You didn’t tell me?” Darek said defensively.
“You’re not in charge here,” Hood growled.
“Of course. My apologies. Can I ask what you’re planning to do?”
“We’re going to strike against a large number of the traitors, all in one go. Tonight. When the dust settles, it will be clear who is in charge in this town. It won’t matter how much money is offered then.”
“That’s going to take a lot of men to accomplish.”
“We have them.”
“Won’t sending that many people out leave you exposed?”
“It has to be done in one go else they might get wind of it. And I won’t be here long.”
Darek considered this. “Bold plan,” he said, nodding.
“And yet from your tone you disagree?”
“No, not at all. It’ll take some settling down afterwards, but I’m sure it’ll work. It’ll mean I’m going to be very busy though.”
“You’ll manage.”
“I see. It’s going to be a lot of responsibility.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I might need some help. I’d like some help available. The sort of help that will do as I ask…”
Hood studied him carefully before coming to a decision. She walked to the door, opened it and shouted for Hal to be sent up. She resumed her place at the desk. It wasn’t long before Hal arrived. He noticed Darek immediately and frowned.
“You wanted me boss?” Hal said.
“Tonight we’re going to be creating a lot of mess,” Hood said.
“If all goes well,” Hal said.
“Darek here is going to clean it up,” Hood said.
“Who is he?” Hal said.
“My number two,” Hood said. Both men were taken aback by that. Darek recovered quickest. He resisted the temptation to smile and just nodded to Hal. Hal studied him but said nothing.
“He will have a number of requests over the next few days. See that they are followed,” Hood said.
“As you say, chief,” Hal said.
“That will be all,” Hood said.
“Boss,” Hal said with a deep nod to Hood and a slight nod to Darek. He left quietly.
“Number two?” Darek said after he left.
“Don’t let it go to your head. Like you said, you’ve got a lot to do and it will need more resources than you have available to you at present,” Hood said. “Don’t get any ideas,” she added.
“More than my life is worth,” Darek said.
“Remember that,” Hood said.
“Is Hal reliable?”
“He’s proven himself one of the most useful people in the group of late. He’ll do what needs to be done.”
“Isn’t he quite new?”
“No bar to ability.”
“Certainly. We still have one problem though.”
“Yes. Information.”
“We still don’t know where they’re getting theirs from. Are the men clean?”
“They’re loyal. I’m certain none of them are leaking anything. And most of them don’t know enough individually about the operation to do this sort of damage. I’m very careful about that.”
“So who does?”
“You do.” Darek looked momentarily scared. “Don’t panic,” Hood said. “If I suspected you were spilling information to our enemies you’d long since have been tortured and killed.”
“That’s … a relief,” Darek said, swallowing. “So you don’t think anyone from inside the operation is leaking and I’ve not been able to find out who is directing things from the other side. It’s possible, I suppose, that whoever is competing with us is just getting lucky.”
“Possible but unlikely. Whoever it is must have access to some sort of information on the goings on in the c
ity. And we know it’s not the remnants of the last lot.”
“I’ll keep digging. Since it looks like I’m going to have a busy day tomorrow, I’d better start preparing. If you don’t need me for anything else, I’d better be going.”
“You’re dismissed, Darek. But don’t mess this up. I don’t want to have to get angry with you. You’ve seen what happens if I do.”
“You can rely on me,” Darek said. He stood, bowed and left through the second door.
Hood sat back at her desk, thinking. It wouldn’t be long now before her plan would be put into action and her new rival was forced out. It was taking a much more severe move than she’d previously been comfortable with, but what had to be done needed to be done. She couldn’t help but be annoyed that it wasn’t going to be a clean sweep. Though out of business, she still wouldn’t know who her rival was or where they were getting their information from. It was a boon that Darek was so good at his job. Darek… Currently posing as a new aide to the Governor…
Hood had a sudden cold sweat. Realisation dawned. She had a new aide of her own. A Thieftaker aide. How could she have been so stupid. Right under her nose all along. A man who had access to the crime reports. Reports on who a number of the players in town were. She’d been very careful about what information she stored where, nothing could link back to her, but some of the information in the wrong hands would give a rival a real step up in who to talk to.
Damn it.
She’d been slow. There had been a lot of distractions, not the least of which was the headache of the Nightwalker situation. Now she was onto him though. Now she knew who was causing her the trouble.
It would probably be too much to hope for that he’d still be at his residence. But there were few places he could hide. And when she found him...
Hood smiled. “Run, little man, run,” she said grimly.
*****
It turned out that if you spent all your time in bed, reading reports of serial killings, it could really dampen your mood.
It was one thing to lie there frustrated at your wounds, feel the slow knitting together of your body and grow restless, impatient to rise. It was entirely another to picture the city around your repose, picture a pair of killers working their way through it, and feel another kind of helplessness and crushing weight.
People were being killed, and all he could do was read and direct his friends. Even that last bit was frustrating, because while he’d known Trimas and Zedek for almost two years now, he wasn’t entirely convinced their partnership, as close and unusual as it was, wouldn’t have benefitted from him being there helping them.
Knives of Bastion (An Empire Falls Book 2) Page 37
