Cole recalled the mad glint in Fenris’s eyes when he’d been choking Kurtz. “Does Thusk have ties to Fenris or the Black Boar?”
“None that I know of,” Quimby said.
“Because he has his own alehouse?” Kurtz asked.
“The Ice House,” Dunn said. “Maybe. Thusk is greedy. Why send his lackeys elsewhere when he can take their coin himself?”
“We’ll let you know what we find,” Cole said.
“What’s your plan?” Dunn asked. “Just going to nose around?”
“Cole searches Thusk’s office. I stand guard,” Kurtz said.
“Plus, Mistel got us hired to play there tonight,” Cole added. “So if anyone asks, I’ll say I’m scouting the venue.”
“That place is a dump,” Quimby said.
“A dump below Thusk’s office,” Kurtz added.
“Don’t get caught,” Dunn said. “Thusk’s guards hurt first, ask questions later.”
Cole didn’t like the sound of that but said, “We’ll be careful.”
Chapter 16
Cole
Cole’s boots crunched over the frosty ground as he left Cherix at Fat Vandy’s and made his way down the street. The early morning sky blushed pink and blue. The cold had turned his cheeks numb and his breath to vapor. There wasn’t a soul in sight, and the empty streets only deepened the chill.
The Ice House loomed ahead on the corner, a two-story structure of dark wood, its roof heavy with snow. Icicles hung from the eaves like jagged teeth, gleaming in the morning light. Intricate dagfish carvings framed the door and shutters, proof someone valued both craftsmanship and luxury.
A hollow call rang out—soft and sorrowful—ending in three clear trills.
The whistle was their signal, another part of Cole’s training. He followed the sound to a figure across the street from the Ice House. Kurtz, leaning against a building, arms folded, gaze sharp beneath the brim of his dark cloak. As Cole neared, two more figures stepped from the shadows: Zanna and Mistel.
What were they doing here?
“You’re late,” Kurtz muttered as he pushed off the wall. “And you didn’t tell me you’d invited the women.”
“I didn’t invite them.” Cole eyed Mistel’s rosy cheeks. “Why are you here?”
“Because we’re a team,” Mistel said. “Because I got us hired here for tonight. And because you need me.”
“We don’t?—”
Shut your yap, lad, Kurtz bloodvoiced. If you don’t want the girl to hate you, don’t say things you’ll regret. Then he said aloud, “Thusk went hunting this morning with Joonas Erlichman.”
“Erlichman is a local businessman,” Zanna said. “Sells boar for the rich to hunt. He’s also the head of the ruling council.”
Kurtz didn’t bother softening his tone. “I know who he is.”
“If you’re going to stay here, I’ll post myself around back,” Zanna said.
“I didn’t ask for your help,” Kurtz said.
“And I didn’t ask for permission.” Zanna took off across the street. Mistel followed her.
Cole smirked at Kurtz. “Don’t say mean things, huh?”
