“Gotta t-talk,” he said in slightly more subdued tones. “Important stuff.”
She groaned in frustration, looking from side to side. “Go wait by where we were searching this place out,” she hissed, “and I’ll be there quick. Go!” she said, cutting his response off and slamming her window shut. She went back to wiping any remaining snow off of her, crossing the room to leave. She opened the door to find Rattle and Belamy there, the latter holding a small bound leather book she didn’t recognize.
“Oh!” he said, surprised that the door opened before he could knock. “Good. Shall we begin?”
“Uh, no, actually,” she said, sliding past him toward the stairs, “I kinda feel like going for a walk first.”
“A walk? It’s freezing outside.”
“Yeah, I know, isn’t it great?” Skate said, babbling in the hopes that he’d just take her word for everything. “It’s always refreshing to be out in the cold, knowing you can come back in, you know? So I’m gonna get some fresh air.” She bounced down the steps toward her boots. “After that, we can do the lesson, okay?”
“Yes…” Belamy said, giving a questioning look at Rattle, who lifted two legs out to its sides in a passable facsimile of a shrug. “Why is there snow in your hair?”
“That’s what made me want to go out! I opened my window and flakes were falling and I just couldn’t stand it,” she said as she strained to get the second boot on. “Anyway, it may be a long walk, so I’d just go back to reading, if I were you. Could be out a while, I mean.”
“Okay.…” He and Rattle had made their way downstairs and were watching her as she swept the heavy coat from the rack. “And everything is all right?”
“Great! Bye,” she said as she swung the door shut behind her. She missed another concerned look between Belamy and Rattle and another imitation of a shrug as she began tromping into the cold winter day.
Chapter 13
In which a report is made, a change of plan occurs, and a brawl breaks out.
Twitch was right where she’d told him to be, skulking beneath a bowing awning at a diagonal to Belamy’s home. The familiar shock of wiry hair poked out of familiar shabby wrappings, and the familiar smile spread wide at her approach.
“How you been?” he said, waving her closer. “I haven’t s-seen you in a couple weeks. I was about to get n-nervous.” He was looking her over and picking at her dress with his fingers. “L-looks like I didn’t need to worry. Where’d you get them clothes, then?”
“The old man paid for them to help with a job.”
“Nice. He let you k-keep the clothes?”
“Yeah, sure. What’s he gonna do with ’em?”
“I guess.” He kicked a nearby snow pile. “So, you’re good? No troubles with the old guy?”
“No, he’s all right. Looking for the big score, still, but I’ve bought myself three more weeks to look.”
“Th-three weeks?” He ran a hand over his face. “Skate, I think they’re expecting s-something this week.”
Her mouth fell open—but only briefly. It’s been a week since I’ve talked to them, she reminded herself. It’s no wonder they have expectations for a delivery soon. “Right. I got something to report anyway, so let’s get going.” He didn’t respond beyond looking unsure. “What?” she asked, confused.
“Skate, if you d-don’t have anything to give them, it’s n-not a good idea to go back.”
“I’ll tell you what’s not a good idea, Twitchy,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and frowning, “and that’s staying away from the Boss when I promised money and he ain’t seen me in a week. That is a bad idea.”
He nodded, though not entirely enthusiastically. Brightening slightly, he asked, “Hey, word on the street is someone hit a place by the Baron’s. I know a lotta rich guys live over there, and they got books. Wazzat you?”
“Yeah, but don’t go spreading that around, you hear? The Guard was buzzing all over looking for me, and I’m sure they’d still love to have a talk if they found out who did it. I’ll tell you about it on the way to the hideout.”
Their trek through the city streets was a long one, with huge snowdrifts taking minutes to get over or else around on the way. By the time they reached the cellar door, they were both out of breath and red-faced from the exertion of tromping through powder, though Twitch was laughing at Skate’s retelling of her exploits.
“So w-what is it, anyway?”
“Rattle? I dunno. It’s something the old man ‘made,’ whatever that means. I’m guessing it’s some sort of magic doll or something that he turned into a living thing. Even though it looks like something you’d have nightmares about, it’s actually really nice. Good cook, too.”
“I cannot believe you got this fool to cook meals for you.”
“He doesn’t. Rattle does.”
They said their hellos to Bart and made their way to the rowdy common area. The snow had driven most of the ruffians indoors to wait for a melt, or for the street to be more cleared by the city. A huge barrel had been set against one wall, and a crowd of men and women shuffled around it, waiting for their turn to pour a drink. A game of darts was on, and someone had brought a guitar. It was playing a merry tune as the thieves and ruffians caroused. The Boss’s door was open, and he was sitting behind his desk, laughing and talking to two people seated across from him; it was difficult to tell looking only at their backs, but they didn’t look familiar.
She and Twitch made their way toward the Boss’s room but stopped short of it to snag seats at a crowded table near the door. The other brigands were paying them no heed, being too busy joking and arguing and gambling.
“Do you h-have any good news, then?”
“Yeah, I think so. I may have got the Ink a new customer, but it’ll take some work to get there.”
“What? The g-guy you stole from?”
“Yeah, Gherun’s the name. He thinks the stealing was a message from the Ink to get on board or get out of town. If I keep that up, it’s as good as the real thing, isn’t it?”
“I g-guess so.”
“It’s the same thing,” she insisted, irritated at his reluctance, “and the Boss will be glad for the work done. It’s just as good as bringing money myself, ain’t it? Of course it is,” she said, not waiting for a response. “Of course it is.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice, though it remained audible over the general din of the room and the more immediate noise of their tablemates. “And this was a big one, Twitch. The Big Boss himself was intent on making it happen.”
“How d-do you know that?”
After she explained Gherun’s story, he whistled and shook his head. “This is b-big important stuff, Skate. Big and important. S-stay smart when you’re talking t-to the Boss. If you bring up the B-Big Boss, it’ll get his attention real quick, and p-probably make him nervous.” He nodded at the door as the Boss’s two guests shuffled out.