Part 28 (1/2)
”Then get lost; some of us are busy.”
Kaylin cleared her throat and lifted her chin. Marcus gouged a deeper runnel into the surface of his desk. Red was right-he was in bad need of a new one; it was a wonder the claws hadn't gone through the desktop by now. Kaylin mentally added buying another inexpensive desk to the list of things she had to do Right Now.
”Private.”
”Sir.”
”Why are you still here?”
She thought about retreating without mentioning Nightshade at all. It seemed the least career-limiting option. But if what Nightshade had implied was true, he had information about the Exchequer-or at least involving the Exchequer-and the Halls were in desperate want of solid, useful information. If there was a decent chance Nightshade was right, they needed it.
”Don't move your lips when you're adding things up in your head,” the Sergeant growled. ”It's a terrible habit. What do you need to speak with me about so urgently?”
”Lord Nightshade.”
”Is he in his own fief?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Has he stayed there?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Do you have any reason to suspect that he intends to engage in illegal activities in Elantra?”
”Nothing illegal short of breathing, sir.”
”Then I don't need to hear it right now.”
”He says he has information that you might be interested in, and he's willing to discuss it with you in person.”
”I see. And you think this is information we need?”
”He mentioned the Imperial Exchequer, sir.”
Marcus's eyes went copper; Kaylin's chin went higher. Wood shavings appeared beneath his extended claws. ”He's willing to discuss it out of the goodness of his heart?”
”...No, sir.”
”How much does he want?”
For the first time, she glanced at Severn.
Marcus turned to Severn. ”Corporal?”
”He's requested a leave of absence-for Private Neya.”
”I'm not interested.” Marcus made a show of turning back to his paperwork, which didn't involve much actual movement, given there was so much of it.
Not for the first time, Kaylin hated her lack of involvement in what had become the department's most important investigation to date. Had she been, she could have agreed and negotiated in Nightshade. As it was, she knew about as much as Nightshade did-or demonstrably less-and it galled her.
”Sergeant.”
Marcus's facial fur was now standing on end, as were the tufts of his ears.
”Nightshade didn't tell me either the information or its source. But I think you should at least listen to what he has to say. If you don't want to negotiate with him directly, let the Hawklord do it.”
”I'm not interested, Private.”
That might have been the end of it, given the color of Marcus's eyes, but Teela-and a slightly more cautious Tain-sauntered over to his desk. Like Marcus, they'd probably heard everything. Unlike Marcus, they were pragmatic. Braving a face full of angry Leontine, Teela spoke first.
”Sergeant.”
Marcus didn't bother with orders; he growled. It wasn't a quiet growl, and the background noise in the office took a nosedive in its wake.
Teela was unfazed. Her eyes, however, were distinctly blue. ”At this point, we can't afford to turn away any possible leads.”
”What leads can a fieflord give us?”
”We won't know until we hear him out. He's not asking for money.”
”If it were money, I'd listen.”
”He's not asking you to fire her.”
”What the h.e.l.ls is he asking then?”
They both turned to look at Kaylin. Blue and orange weren't colors that went well together, especially not given the expressions that surrounded the eyes. ”He wants me to go to the West March with him.”
Teela's thin brows rose. When they fell again, her eyes had narrowed. ”Why?”
”I don't know.”
Teela slid into High Barrani. Mostly. ”Kitling, Lord Nightshade has oft played dangerous games. The reservations of the Sergeant-”
”Those aren't reservations; they're an outright refusal.”
”The reservations of the Sergeant are not unfounded. When did Lord Nightshade ask for your company?”
”He hasn't given a date.”
”I have some suspicion of the dates. It is not, however, a short leave of absence, and if I'm not mistaken, you have very little experience traveling.” She frowned. ”Very well, Sergeant. I offer this. If, as I suspect, Lord Nightshade intends to travel for the gathering, I will also be in attendance.”
”He said only me,” Kaylin began.
”Indeed. And only you would be required to take a leave of absence. The Barrani Hawks, however-”
Tain cleared his throat; Teela glared at him. ”The Barrani Lords, however, are given a leave of absence for important cultural events. I am a Barrani Lord. I had not intended to attend the gathering, although I have, of course, been invited. I will change my plans,” she told Marcus. ”If Nightshade's information warrants it. Technically, you would not be in violation of his request, if you agree to fulfill it.”
”I'm not sure she's any safer with you around,” the Sergeant growled. But his eyes were less lividly orange. ”No drinking.”