While Viv puzzled over that, Laney wafted the steam from the roll to her nose. “I don’t mind tellin’ you, this beats the smell of horse apples, any day of the week.” Her eyes disappeared in the dried-fruit crinkle of her grin.
“I’d always hoped we’d clear the high bar set by horseshit.”
Laney burst into cackling laughter, and Viv returned to the shop, shaking her head.
Taivus was waiting beside the door, gray as morning smoke and just as quiet. He wordlessly handed her a folded scrap of parchment.
Viv thanked him, and he nodded, then ghosted down the street.
She unfolded and read it.
Freyday, at Dusk
Corner of Branch & Settle
Come Alone
Unarmed
Her meeting with the Madrigal was set.
* * *
“I don’t likethat you’re going alone,” said Tandri.
“It’s not really up for negotiation.” Viv set the crossbar across the big doors and moved to douse the wall lanterns.
“I could watch from a distance.”
“Even if they didn’t notice you—which they would—it wouldn’t do any good. The Madrigal isn’t at this address. Likely they’ll cover my eyes, and we’ll walk far from there. If you followed, they’ddefinitelynotice.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
Viv shrugged. “Not much point.”
“That’s exasperating.”
“I learned to stay loose and level a long time ago. Things always turn out better that way, usually for everybody.”
The shop was fully shut, and they stood outside as Viv locked the door. The sun was coming down slow, but sure, and the light burned red.
“Go home,” said Viv gently. “I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”
“If you’re not here in the morning, then what should I do?” asked Tandri grimly.
“I’ll be here. But if I’m wrong….” Viv handed her the spare key to the front door, and after a second’s thought, she unstrung the one around her neck. “And this one’s for the strongbox.”
Tandri turned them over in her hands. “This isn’t exactly reassuring.”
Viv grasped her shoulder and could feel the tension there. “It’ll be fine. I’ve been in worse scrapes, and have the scars to prove it. And I don’t expect to have any new ones tomorrow.”
“Promise me that?”
“Can’t promise, but if I’m wrong, I guess you can clear out the cashbox.”
Tandri gave her a thin smile. “I expect the door to be unlocked tomorrow when I get here.”
* * *
