able to wrangle less risky assignments. Princes and paupers, everyone took his dip in the deadly pond. Old folks were nostalgic for the days when the war kept the streets clear of loud, badly behaved, sometimes dangerous young men.
'Mr. Garrett?'
'I'm sorry. Having an old man's moment. You're used to Old Bones. Can he fix the Bird's brain so he doesn't hear those people?'
'I don't think Bird would want that. He hates the voices. But if they aren't pestering him and he doesn't drink, he can't paint.' Then she asked, 'How long do you think His Honor will sleep?'
'I've never figured the formula out. You'd do better to ask Singe.'
'What should I do since he's not awake?'
'What would you be doing if you weren't hunkered down here?'
'Stuff. I don't know. Dean and Singe both say I shouldn't leave. Those bad people might want to get hold of someone from this house.'
'Dean is a wise man. Why don't you help him? These past few days have been hard for him. And you can help Singe, if she needs it. I'm going to go bug her myself, right now.'
Everyone bailed when I did. Penny stayed with Dean. I saw no enthusiasm in either of them.
Singe was writing something using an Amalgamated steel tip quill. 'The Dead Man's pet girl says she talks to the ghosts that haunt the drunken artist.'
'Take him along next time you dance with the dead men. Turn them around on their mistress.'
'I'll run it past Old Bones when he wakes up. I have some questions for you.'
'Blow your nose first. That sniffling is disgusting.'
I took care of that, and coughed up some stuff besides. 'Did anyone trace the giant bottles and glass vats from that warehouse?'
'Not that I know of. The Director and the Guard aren't keeping me in the loop. I didn't think to ask last time the General was here. Speaking of whom, he's late. No one else tells me anything useful, either. Including your new wrestling partner.'
'You're leaping to conclusions. What did Old Bones get out of those villains that Block loaned us?'
'He didn't say, officially. Unofficially, what I expected. Nothing that we didn't already know. They were day labor.'
'Has anyone found out anything useful?'
'Not yet. You would think the resurrection men, at least, could be found. Are you bored? I'm not here to entertain you. I have work to do.'
'Hokum.' I suspected that she was crabby because her body was disgruntled because she had not mated successfully during her season.
'I had another question. The most important one. But I can't remember what it was. Wait! Here it is. Old Bones had me chase Relway the other day to tell him about men who were watching the house. Did Relway bother to let us know who they were?'
'Not officially.'
'Unofficially?'
'General Block was informed that they belonged to the King's Household Lifeguard. The Palace Guard. He wasn't convinced. He thought they were really private police from the Hill.'
Either possibility was disturbing. I didn't want to attract attention from either direction. 'Not good.'
'But maybe an indication that powerful people take the situation seriously.'
I started to say something.
'If all you can do is chatter, take the woman back upstairs or go frighten Penny. I'm busy.'
'Ah, you're no fun anymore.'
'That's all your fault. Out.'
70
I got the last laugh.
Someone used the knocker as I exited Singe's office. I employed the peephole, saw a fierce green eye glaring back. I opened up.
'Kyra.'
'I brought some people for you to talk to. You could maybe break this one's leg for me while you're at it.' She had a death grip on Kip Prose's left arm. Kip appeared to be shackled to Kevans Algarda with an invisible chain. Kevans looked like she wanted to fight but didn't know who to hit first. Kip had that numb look men get when they have hold of a Tate woman with her mind made up.
'You did indeed. And I'm most pleasantly surprised. How are you, Kip? We don't see much of you at the manufactory anymore. And yourself, Miss?'
I would not mention her mother or how Strafa worried. No point throwing naphtha on the drama. 'No real need for the fancy headgear, guys. His Nibs has been out cold since the other night. But wear them if that makes you comfortable. Let's go into Singe's office.'
Singe greeted my return with a bloody look. That evaporated once she saw the kids. She got up. 'I'll tell Dean we have more guests. Garrett, shall I make sure you aren't disturbed by the others?'
'That would make these three more comfortable.'
Kyra said, 'I told them about what's going on and how your place is, like, a madhouse.'
'It's getting better. We've got only six or seven extra bodies here today.'
One of those, Penny, arrived with tea and a heap of the cookies that Dean always brought out when young people visit. Cookies I could never find when I wanted to nick one or three for myself. Penny offered Kip and Kevans a polite smile. She had a warmer look for Kyra. When she left, Kyra told me, 'That's who you should be chasing, Garrett. She's quiet, submissive, and young enough for you to train up right.'
'I'll wait a while. At least till she stops peeing herself every time I look at her.'
Kip was not in a social mood. He isn't happy when life intrudes. 'Kyra says there's stuff we need to talk about.'
'Yeah. Kevans especially. You heard any rumors about strange stuff going on?'
Kip said, 'In TunFaire? You're kidding.' But he spoke without passion and nodded in concert with Kevans as he did.
'You probably heard it wrong. Except from Kyra, who was here.'
Kip and Kevans both nodded. They were nervous but I sensed no guilt nor any defensive attitude.
'Bad things have been happening. People are trying to cover up. Others are putting out false reports. The whole thing could get ugly in a few days.' I told them almost everything, deemphasizing the role of the Windwalker. Kevans showed no particular emotion when I mentioned her mother.
Singe returned moments after Penny left. She took notes.
Penny returned to the doorway. She wasn't sneaking so she wasn't exactly eavesdropping. 'Penny, would you get your sketches and Bird's portrait? Please?'
Kip said, 'That's ugly stuff, Garrett. Kyra must have sugared it.'
'She's an amazing girl, Kip.'
'I know. I have an awful time remembering that she isn't my imagination running wild.'
Kyra was pleased. Kevans was not, though she was not strictly a romantic rival. She and Kip strove to maintain that frog's-fur rare boy-girl relationship where they were just good friends.
Kevans was, I noted belatedly, wearing girl clothes. She always dressed as a boy, before. She looked good as a girl but she didn't look nearly as good as that wicked woman in black leather.
Penny brought the sketches and painting. Singe held the latter up while Penny handled her own work.
'Anybody recognize anyone?' I asked.
Kevans countered, 'Is my mother still here?'
I glanced at Kyra. Butter wouldn't melt. Then to Singe, 'Miss Pular, would the Windwalker still be with
