Jesstin laid the papers back on the bar. “What are they saying that you do agree with?”
“None of it.” Archie straightened in offense. “But it’s my job to keep you informed. That’s what you said when you asked me to come back. ‘Archie, I need eyes and ears where I can’t be.’”
“And?” Jesstin had used Raegnar for his spycraft in the past, but the man had been gone five years, according to his family. He’d earned a head injury in a melee with a rowdy customer and passed in his sleep. Two of Raegnar’s sons minded the security of the Spiral, but the clientele this time around was far less unruly. It was easier to have Archie, well-respected by everyone in Mythgarde, play both conciliator and mole.
“The other women, they’re talking about wanting their own guild, like yours have.”
“Yes. They should, Archie. Their labor sustains the Row.”
“And the guild threatens their bosses.”
Jesstin appreciated the irony of his two eras. He’d always been liked, or at least tolerated, by his workers, but while the past version of himself had been popular with his peers, the new one was an unwelcome disruptor. He believed in everything he was supporting, but it came with the bonus of watching greedy men shit their drawers over the idea of even slightly lighter coffers.
“Their bosses can fuck themselves instead of their workers for once. They lay a hand on one of their women, they threaten them, you send those women to me. We’ll take care of them.”
“We already have more than we need, with how you keep taking them in. Our morning hours would need to be just as busy as the evenings if we’re to have enough work for them.”
“The more we have to offer, the more patrons will come.” Jesstin tapped his temple. “I do understand how math works, Arch.”
Archie had a point though. Jesstin had taken on any woman in need of work, and not just as entertainment. All his barkeeps were women. The cleaners were women. The cooks were women. His accountant was a woman, and though his solicitor was a man, it was the female clerk Jesstin dealt with directly. And yes, he had hired more than a few midnight women who’d shown up after a problem with their employer, but if Archie, or anyone, was looking for him to admit it was a poor business decision, they’d be waiting more years than they had left to them.
Jesstin’s overzealousness wasn’t willful blindness though. He had a plan. He’d put an offer on the tavern across the road as soon as he’d heard the proprietor was retiring. He had eyes on the Ivory Virtue as well, which had been struggling to turn a profit in recent years. A couple others had caught his eye, and he’d put it out there he was interested. He’d buy up the whole fucking Row if circumstances aligned, and he was quite keen to see them align.
“Send word to Garvey. He owes me an update,” Jesstin said.
“Your solicitor?”
“Is there another Garvey?”
“He usually sends Ms. Cole in his stead.”
“And?”
Archie was burning to ask more, but he wouldn’t press. He rarely did. “Right away.”
Jesstin still had two hours or so before the tavern filled. That was all he’d need. But he couldn’t leave the boy alone upstairs either, and Sesto had only just arrived with Daire after an eventful midwinter journey.
“Agatha!” Jesstin called as another of the women walked past. She turned with a pin between her teeth. Both hands clutched the top of her damaged corset for dear life. “What time are you on tonight?”
“I’m off, remember?” She huffed a frustrated grunt. “Come here, would you?”
Jesstin went for the pin, but she nodded at the torn seam. He grabbed both sides, holding it in place while she stitched. “There are easier ways to mend something than while wearing it.”
“That’s what you’re for,” Agatha declared and tapped the tip of his nose. “Now, what is it?”
“Do you have plans tonight?”
She slithered her tongue over her teeth with a suggestive, playful grin. “Didn’t think you partook, boss.”
Jesstin rolled his eyes. “Does that mean you’re free?”
She tilted her head as if to say it depends.
“Keep an eye on the boy for me? Not for long. I’ll be back before the rush.” Expecting a rebuttal, he said, “I’ll pay your rate, Ag.”
She grinned. “As of tonight, it’s gone up.”
Jesstin laughed. “Just send me the tab.”
