The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One V. Timlin (mobi reader .txt) 📖

Anouk’s shoulders slumped. “I hate it when you’re right.”

“These situations seldomly have fun choices,” Nat said warmly. “Besides, arresting Stalo will help free Rose and her daughters.”

“You sound awfully sure that will happen.”

“But of course. After all, we are two professional bounty hunters.”

Anouk snorted. “You might be, but I’m not.” She turned to look out of the carriage window into the darkening evening. “We better not fail then. Or else we will have more innocent blood on our hands.”

Chapter 21

The smell of burning wood greeted Anouk before she saw the familiar red-green caravan, and the elderly couple, sitting around their campfire. A soft crunching from outside the sphere of the glow meant the mare was grazing close. Her heart ached. The sight was peaceful and idyllic; a stark contrast to what the day had been so far and what the night would likely bring. She wished—instead of trying to infiltrate Madam Valeria’s brothel and capture Stalo and his henchmen—they could spend a nice evening around the fire, talking. But alas, that was not going to happen. Nat, of course, would let her stay, if she wanted. But as scared as she was, she would stay by his side and endure the vicissitudes of what was to come. This was the night that could resolve the problem that had ruined her life for the past week. And a few days later, depending how fast the Anglean justice system worked, she could return to London.

She glanced at Nat. Tonight could also resolve Nat’s twenty-year nightmare. Maybe she should invite him to stay in London for a few days to unwind and take his mind off bounty hunting. A mischievous thought crept into her mind. She grinned. And let him taste for a change what it is like to be an alien in a very different world. Her world.

“What’s so funny?” Nat asked.

“Nothing.”

Nat squinted his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but Anouk waved to Vari and Fitzwil and called, “Hello!”

The couple turned to look at them. “Ah, hello,” Vari answered and lifted a cup in her hand. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

They joined Vari and Fitzwil by the fire. She accepted the filled cup from Vari and took a careful sip—the coffee was as good as ever. Still, something was missing. Something stronger than caffeine to keep her wits together for what was coming. Whisky, yes, that was what she needed right now.

“Was it a productive day?” Vari asked.

“It certainly was.” Nat blew into his cup. “We found out where Stalo is.”

“You did?” Vari’s white eyebrows flew up. “Where is he?”

“He’s hiding in Madam Valeria’s brothel with his men.”

“Why is Madam Valeria protecting him?” Fitzwil asked.

“He’s worked out a deal with her. She protects him and he kidnaps women from Anouk’s world.”

“And she whores them out,” Anouk spat, making no effort to hide her anger.

Nat nodded. “She gets a shiny new attraction, he gets a base of operations.”

“But he hasn’t been able to deliver any,” Anouk said. “The Gadget he stole got broken.”

Relief washed over their pale leathery faces. “That’s comforting news,” Vari said. “What happened?”

Nat relayed their meeting with Lila. Anouk took mouthfuls of her coffee, watching shadows dancing on their faces. The creases deepened on their foreheads when Nat told them about Stalo’s ulterior motives. Normally, she would have enjoyed the story time around the fire, but now was the time for an accurate account of what had happened. One thing bothered her, though. Nat didn’t mention the name of the murdered prostitute. She was just Madam Valeria’s girl, Lila’s friend, and the latest of Stalo’s faceless victims. Anouk knew Nat didn’t mean it that way, but Shannah deserved to be named, for her to get justice.

“Her name is Shannah,” she said, irritated when he had finished.

“My apologies. Yes, Shannah was her name.” Nat’s expression was a solemn one. He took a gulp from his cup before continuing, “Lila said two little girls were brought into the brothel late this afternoon. We think they’re Rose’s daughters.”

“Ah, the warning she sent,” Vari said. “She must have got caught and they’re punishing her. Or she has refused to do something else, and they took her daughters to make her more compliant.”

“Aye.” Nat nodded.

Vari and Fitzwil appeared to be quite tuned in with how the criminal mind worked. They had chased lowlifes for the bounty for decades. Being good at it and not getting killed required a skill set that had to include the ability to read between lines. That’s what one would call professional competence. But just as important as understanding how the criminal mind worked, was the ability to keep from descending to their level. It took a strong moral fortitude to swim in the muck and not get swallowed. To have done it for as long as they had and still be good people, well, that was impressive.

Nat had the same trade. Having to deal with the dark side of their society was what bounty hunters had to do, and she was glad she was heading home as soon as this was over.

Vari gave a noisy sigh, bringing Anouk back to the present. “What’s your plan? Madam Valeria’s is a busy place.”

Chills ran down Anouk’s spine once more, knowing that she and Nat had agreed to move against Stalo; that was the only logical thing to do after all. After arresting him, they could yet still free Rose, a sting of guilt cut through her gut. They were letting Rose down. Being a bounty hunter’s wife, she would understand the choice and might even urge them to do so, but Rose was a friend, and they were putting her last. What else could they do? As soon as Stalo learned Rose had been freed, he would take his revenge on Valintina and Danja. No, Rose would agree, removing Stalo from the stage first was the only, and right, thing to do.

Nat glanced at Anouk. “We somehow have to sneak in unnoticed, but that’ll be tricky since I’m not welcome anymore.”

“Aye.