Cruel Zinc Melodies

10

I opened up after a look through the peephole, mainly out of habit. ‘‘What the hell are you doing here?’’

Colonel Westman Block stepped forward. I let him come. Because the Dead Man sent,Let him enter if he wishes. He has no ulterior motive.

That I did not buy. Block is head of the City Watch and Civil Guard. Lurking behind him, like shadowy, avenging devils, is the Unpublished Committee for Royal Security. Whatever their handle may be this week.

They change names but never stop being the secret police. And they’re having a huge impact on TunFaire’s darker side.

Block said, ‘‘I’ve been to the Hill. Enjoying a first-class ass-reaming. A certain sorcerer’s overly indulged second son is locked up in the Al-Khar. All he did was rape some foreigner’s four-year-old daughter. Prince Rupert showed up during the chat. I don’t know how he knew what was going on. Maybe Deal. But he told the Windsinger to be grateful that we didn’t cut the little asshole’s pecker and balls off.’’

Prince Rupert had a set of his own.

‘‘So you thought you’d drop by, mooch a beer, and fill me in?’’

‘‘I did want to ask why a known criminal was seen entering your house an hour ago.’’

‘‘So now I’m a known criminal?’’ I failed to steer him away from the Dead Man’s room. Once he invited himself in he had no trouble seeing John Stretch.

‘‘I’m not convinced. Deal has fewer doubts.’’

‘‘Deal thinks everybody but Deal Relway is a crook. And he’s keeping an eye on himself.’’

Block chuckled. ‘‘Letting you run free is more profitable than pulling you in. We’re like gulls behind a ship. We follow you and pick off the fish you turn up in your wake.’’

Took me a second to get it. I had to go back to the islands, us moving from one hellhole to the next aboard troop transports.

Singe left the room as we entered. She returned with a new mug and the pitcher refilled. Block accepted the mug. He didn’t mind it having been touched by a ratperson.

He took a long drink. ‘‘That’s good.’’ He eyed the Dead Man.

‘‘He’s asleep,’’ I lied. That being Old Bones’s preferred state.

‘‘I don’t believe you. But it doesn’t matter. The world is at peace. I hope winter never ends. So, what do you have going?’’ He looked at John Stretch.

I saw no reason not to tell him. He wouldn’t believe me, anyway.

I didn’t betray John Stretch’s secret power. The Crown doesn’t need to know everything. Especially if that might cause feelings of vulnerability.

‘‘Giant bugs? You’re shitting me.’’

‘‘I might be. By accident. I only saw one. But it was huge. I’m more worried about the ghosts.’’

‘‘Why would there be ghosts around there?’’

‘‘I don’t know. An old burial ground?’’

‘‘With the tenants just now getting disgruntled? Be rational. The usual reasons ghosts jump up would’ve brought them out a long time ago.’’

I’d spotted that flaw on my own. ‘‘Weider thinks it might be somebody angling for a payoff.’’

‘‘Villains. Breathing villains. Stupid, breathing villains.’’

We were getting sloppy already.

Possibly with a little subtle assistance.

I closed the door behind the colonel. ‘‘What was that all about, Chuckles?’’

He was passing by. Feeling lonely. Colonel Block will not admit it, especially to himself, but he is a lonely man. He may have created an adversarial relationship here but it is a relationship.

None of which was alive in his surface mind.