I snapped out of my worried daze. “Want some tea?”
“Do you have any of that blend we had last time?”
I searched my memory. “Was it from the blue tin?”
“Yep.”
“Then yes.”
“Good.”
“I want some of that tea you served at your townhouse.” I still had dreams about that blend. Dirty dreams of licking it off of Justin, but dreams nonetheless.
“Brenson would rather lose his tongue than tell me where he got something.”
I deflated. It had been really good tea. “He’s such an ass.”
“He is.” Oss nodded.
I checked the time. “It’s a bit early for you, isn’t it?”
“That means you owe me breakfast.”
“You’ve grown spoiled in that fancy townhouse of yours. Tea and toast are the pinnacle of my culinary skills.”
“Thank you for offering. I’ll take some.” Oss grinned like an idiot.
“You’ll have to settle for tea. I’m out of bread.”
I had just set the water boiling when the front door swung open. Thorne entered first, heading directly to Oss’s side as if they were magnets unable to remain apart. Justin closed the door, then crossed the room to wrap his arm around my waist and kiss my cheek. I might have cooed a little inside.
“Did you find anything?” Oss asked.
“No. None of them had any idea what we were talking about, or at least they pretended not to. I tried to talk to the owner, but they said we would need an appointment since he is so very busy.” Thorne scoffed.
“Vahagn might be,” Oss countered. “I was just telling Marbrey the rumors about him having businesses in other towns.
“He’s a slippery sort,” Thorne interjected. “He’s never been arrested for anything, but I’ve heard he does a lot of under the table deals. Nothing proven of course.”
“Nothing?” Justin asked.
“No, which is why he’s allowed to travel on the dirigibles and transfer goods. He knows too many commerce officials, and I’ve heard he has guards on the payroll. Most of them are careful not to say much around me because you’re my brother, but not everyone is so careful.”
“Do you think he could be responsible for the missing mechanical woman?” I was trying to put together the random pieces of this puzzle, but nothing fit. I needed more information.
Thorne squeezed Oss before turning to face us. “We still don’t know if she’s missing or just ran away. We can’t assume treachery if there is a chance she voluntarily went into hiding.”
“We need to talk to Affie,” Oss said. “He can put the word out we’re looking for her and we mean her no harm. I’d say we should offer a reward, but we don’t want her hunted.”
“Can you find him?” I asked.
Someone knocked on my door. The four of us exchanged uneasy glances. It was too early for social calls despite Thorne and Oss’s appearance.
Upon answering the door, I wasn’t the least surprised to find Affie on the other side. “We were just talking about you.”
Affie tilted his head in an unnatural birdlike manner, sending chills down my spine. I liked Affie, I really did, but sometimes, he freaked me out a little.
“I know,” he said in his whispery voice. The slash line across Affie’s throat was hidden with a tattered scarf held together by a few strands of thread and optimism.
