“I’m not a swindler!” Hackenstay shouted. “Or a...trainee.”
But the last bit was said with a wince, the utterswindler!
“Give her back the two hundred gold, and we’ll judge it as a miscommunication due to yourtraineestatus. The contract is illegal. As a negotiant, MasterTannettshould know there is no other recourse but to return the money. Otherwise, we’ll have to call an inquisitor here.”
Tannett’s expression shifted into calculation. “Two hundred...theWintersfamily. I see. I think not, Master…?”
Noble stared at the man without blinking.
Tannett’s mouth tightened before continuing without a necessary address. “The Third Winters is in dire straits. I doubt the First will want us broadcasting that to the public, now will he? One can only imagine the compounded scandal.”
Ferris would sooner wipe his hands of the money than cause further scandal. I bit my lower lip.
“Do I sense a note of blackmail in your voice, Master Tannett?” Noble asked, as if only half interested in a response.
“You may.” Tannett quirked an eye, as if especially clever.
“I see. I think it only fair to tell you how I feel about blackmailers. I rather hate them, truth to tell.” Noble’s voice turned dark and ominous. Something snapped in the air as hestrode forward—a protection ward?—causing Tannett’s hand to fly to his coat pocket and Hackenstay to yelp. Noble gripped Tannett’s wrist before it slid inside the fold. “If your junior doesn’t stop trying to retrieve the gun from that drawer, I’m liable to accidentally shoot you.”
I blinked to see a five-shot pistol in the hand Noble had pressed against Tannett’s side.
“Hackenstay!” Tannett’s voice was high and tight.
The trainee froze, caught between curling one electrocuted hand into his chest and trying to reach for the drawer again. “The wards have turned against—”
“Stop,” Tannett hissed.
“Marietta, be a dear and remove Master Hackenstay’s assuredly shoddy oneshot from that drawer.” I started to step forward, but stopped when Noble’s even voice continued. “Oh, and Hackenstay, make a move toward her, and I will put Tannett out of his misery and then start working on you. I won’t be quick about it either.”
Hackenstay pressed himself against the wall, as far from the drawer as he could get. I walked around the desk, eyes darting between all of them, and removed the single shot pistol. Unlike Hackenstay, I was able to reach in without harm. What had Noble done, andhow?
A quick head jerk took me back to my corner.
Noble twisted Tannett’s hand and wrenched his arm behind him. “I was willing to negotiate, but now that I see how willing you are to take advantage of the vulnerable, to use blackmail… I have to say that my method for dealing with you has changed in scope.”
“Five-shots are illegal for anyone but law enforcement. You will be hunted down!”
“I’m trembling. But telling me I should fear your tattle-telling gives little reason to keep you alive.”
Tannett eeped.
“Shoddy work. You obviously have never gone up against the best. Once a top-notch blackmailer has his way with you, you’ll never fall for second-rate.”
There was an odd pause in the last sentence, but I had little time to process it.
“Who are you?” Tannett asked between his teeth, obviously in pain.
“That isn’t what you should be asking. What should matter is what I can do to you.” He leaned forward and whispered something in Tannett’s ear. The man’s skin turned to chalk. “Think that over. We are going to take the two hundred gold you owe the Winters. Then I’ll be back to check on you, Tannett. Rest assured.”
Tannett gave a swift nod to Hackenstay. “Make out a draft.” When the scrawny man didn’t move, he shouted, “Now!”
Hackenstay grabbed the tin box and removed a paper with trembling hands. He scribbled on it quickly.
“Marietta, if you please.”
I grabbed the draft and shoved it in my purse. It felt very strange to be carrying two hundred gold.
“And with that, gentlemen, we bid you a good afternoon. Perhaps you will find that it is time to start a new business or to read through your law texts again.”
