Page 61 of The Study of Poisons
“It was rough at first,” he said. “None of the dealers were sure if they could trust me. But I convinced them that I was just working as Sven’s baiter and not involved with his business. And Ididn’tsteal his profits.”
“How did you convince them?”
“Even when no one would hire me, I still brought in customers. For free. But I spread them out to all the dealers. Eventually, one hired me, so I’d bring my customers just to him.”
“And the profits?”
He patted his stomach. “Hard to buy food when working for free. The other baiters also vouched that I’d been going hungry.”
Smart. “Did you get the information I needed?”
Trevar’s grin was sharp and a bit feral. “Yes, and more. Do you have a map of Castletown?”
Valek gestured to the top of the desk. He’d left a map there earlier. Handing Trevar a piece of charcoal, he stepped back.
Trevar marked various buildings and warehouses with a black X. He circled one of them and tapped it with the charcoal. “This dealer’s name is Bunton, and he’s the one who killed Sven.”
Valek stilled. “Him personally? Or did he order the hit?”
“Personally.”
“Do you have proof?”
“He bragged about it. Wanted me to spread the word to the other black market dealers. To warn them not to undercut everyone. To not be another Sven. Or they’d end up just like him.”
That seemed too good to be true. “Are you sure he wasn’t lying?”
“He had Sven’s merchandise and his dagger.”
Cold fury burned in his heart. That knife had been a gift from Valek. “Good work, Trevar. Sven would be proud of you.”
The young man nodded.
A knock sounded. The captain poked his head into the room. “Your team leaders are here, sir.”
“Send them in.”
“What are you going to do now?” Trevar asked.
“We’re going shopping.”
* * *
“That’s technically a raid,”Janco said after Valek explained the mission to his six team leaders. They crowded around the small desk, studying the map. “A smash and grab involves more property damage and—”
“Janco,” Ari warned.
“Feel free to make a mess,” Valek said. “That’s part of the show.”
“Ah.” Janco grinned.
Valek assigned the location of one X to each leader. “Memorize the address.”
“What about this one?” Maren asked, pointing to the circled X.
“That’s mine,” he said. “You’ll each have an eight-person squad. Six will be the Commander’s soldiers, and two from the town watch. I don’t care how you smash,” he glanced at Janco, “as long as you wait until sunrise.” Valek gave the leaders a few more instructions on the op.
“Can I be on your team?” Trevar asked Valek when he’d finished. The young man had been standing to the side, probably hoping no one noticed him.
