It seemed that Cotovatre realised that, too. From what Hallie knew, the pair had only met once, but it seemed that had been enough time for Cotovatre to get a good sense of Wilona. The reverse did not seem to be true.
“The contract will hold,” Cotovatre said. “Hallie, will you send me a copy of the document the Magravine has given you?”
“As soon as I can,” Hallie promised.
“Very well. You will continue to go about your business as normal. Magravine, my lawyers will contact your lawyers and we will settle this matter once and for all.” The hint of steel in Cotovatre’s voice let Hallie’s stomach settle still further.
“There’s no need for lawyers,” Wilona said, the first hint of unease showing in her face.
“You are trying to break our bargain. There is every need for lawyers. Is your primary representative still Morgana Talbot?” Cotovatre asked.
“Not on this matter,” Wilona said, a hint of colour shading her face. Hallie’s interest sharpened. Morgana was the best lawyer in the vine. If she hadn’t drafted the document still lying on the dining table, it meant that Wilona hadn’t trusted Morgana, or had wanted to go behind her cousin’s back. Which suggested Wilona believed she wasn’t on as firm footing as she’d tried to make out. A sliver of relief tried to work its way through Hallie, countered by a sharp stab of worry. Wilona was not normally so devious. “You can’t interfere with vine business, no matter how powerful you are,” Wilona added.
“I’m not trying to,” Cotovatre replied without hesitation. “Hallie Talbot is no longer the business of the Talbot family vine.”
“She’s not your business, either,” Wilona snapped. Hallie’s brows rose. Her mother didn’t normally resort to petty digs like that. But then, she’d come into this house and intimidated Rosalia and then expected to roll over all of Hallie’s objections, summoning Hallie back to the family vine like a meek little girl.
“We can argue about that another time,” Cotovatre said in a pleasant tone. “For now, I was in a meeting that I need to get back to, and I think we’ve done as much as we can just now. Please return to your own business and await for contact from my lawyers.”
With that, the lady hung up.
Wilona reached forward to try and grab the phone out of Hallie’s hand again. Hallie pulled her hand away and tucked the phone back in her pocket.
“I’d like you to leave now,” Hallie said as calmly as she could. She took a step towards the table and picked the document upbefore Wilona could try to take it back. “The lady’s lawyers will be in touch, as she said.”
“This is not the end of the matter,” Wilona said. She glared at Hallie with something approaching hate mixed in with the anger. “Don’t get any ideas that your fancy new friends are going to save you. You’re a low city brat and always will be.”
With that, Wilona turned on her heel and stalked across the room, making a sound of frustration as she wrestled with the heavy and stiff main lock. When she eventually got the door open, she didn’t look back or bother trying to close the door as she left the building and stalked out into the night.
Hallie stood for a moment, the document her mother had left for her in one hand, watching the door sway in the breeze. She pressed her free hand to her stomach. She’d never seen hate on her mother’s face before. Irritation, anger, and disappointment were all familiar expressions from her childhood and early adult years. But hate was something new. It hurt. A lot more than she would have expected.
With a sigh, she crossed the floor and shut the door, setting the deadbolts.
When she turned back to the room she saw Rosalia in the open door of her bedroom. Her roommate was dressed in flannel pyjamas, feet encased in fluffy slippers, her hair dry, but her expression was concerned as she stared at Hallie.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to listen, but I was worried about you,” Rosalia said. “Can she really call you back to the vine?”
“I don’t think so,” Hallie said, but her stomach still wasn’t fully settled. “But if anyone can stop her, it’s Cotovatre.” Then her stomach growled. Apparently even dealing with her mother couldn’t quell her appetite. “I just realised I didn’t get any lunch. Is there any food?” she asked, sounding plaintive.
Rosalia’s concern faded into a grin. “Yes. You start the fire and I’ll get us some food while you dry off.”
Chapter two
Aquieteveningwithherroommate, and Rosalia’s amazing cooking, had done wonders for settling Hallie’s mood after her mother’s unexpected visit. She’d sent Cotovatre photographs of the document Wilona had left, along with photographs of the severance document for good measure. The original of the severance document was safely tucked away in a bank, along with the other documents she didn’t want to lose, like the title for the house and her original ID certificate from the city.
Cotovatre had sent a message back almost at once:All received, thank you. It’s in hand with the lawyers. We will prevail. Try not to worry, and keep living your life. Blessings.
It made Hallie’s eyes sting that her many-times great grandmother could convey more genuine warmth and affection in characters on a phone screen than Wilona Talbot had ever done in person through Hallie’s entire life. And Hallie knew that Cotovatre’s advice was sound. Even so, it didn’t feel comfortableto be leaving her future in the hands of Cotovatre and Wilona. Or, more accurately for now perhaps, in the hands of Cotovatre and Wilona’s lawyers. She’d only recently got her freedom from the vine. It was still strange to think she was no longer in Wilona’s control. She didn’t want to go back. Not ever. And while she had faith that Cotovatre - and her lawyers - would get Wilona - and her lawyers - to acknowledge that Hallie was no longer part of the Talbot family or the Talbot vine, she thought it might take a while.
Until then, she would try to take Cotovatre’s advice and live her life. Which meant accepting a call from her employer and aunt, Gin Talbot, the next morning with a job for her. There was a law enforcement bounty out for a wanted man in low city.
Looking forward to getting caught up in the familiar routine of work, it was almost a disappointment when Hallie found her skip in the second place she looked - the abandoned car garage his family had once operated. Even if he didn’t surrender quietly and she had some difficulty getting him into custody and then into the nearest police station, it was barely noon when she dropped the paperwork off at her aunt’s office.
With nothing more to do for now, Hallie was heading out into the gloomy winter day again when her phone rang. Her brows lifted as she recognised the caller. Peredur Roth, the director of the Conclave Investigators, and Girard’s boss.
“This is Hallie,” she said, skirting around a puddle as she walked in the direction of home. Her aunt might not have more work for her, but she was sure she could find something to do around the house.
“Miss Talbot, good afternoon to you. This is Peredur Roth. I wonder if I might have some of your time, whenever you are next free?”
