Page 47 of Roses and Murder
Because Keeva also taught me how to get rid of a body. I left them because it was really risky to move them and I didn’t leave any other evidence. If they were going to screw me over, then they’dneverfind that body.
“I think if someone was careful enough to do it when his family was gone, then their mother would get the cure, and I’d be interested in paying them a small fee to continue that work.”
“What about Trevils? Because he’s well-loved and I actually like the man.”
“That man is like a dog with a bone, but I’ll handle him with regard to your work. The only reason I haven’t insisted he retire at his age is that he’s nearly irreplaceable. Eventually,he’sgoing to insist and you won’t have to worry.”
“Then, yes. It’s done. I can do it again for money, but I won’t touch women and children. I also want the ability to decline jobs.”
The man was a complete moron, but he wasn’t totally stupid. I’d all but told him I was the Blight and he just needed to connect the dots. He could hang me or hire me. I was counting on this stinky, little weasel wanting to hire me.
“Done. But if you ever get caught, I don’t know you.”
I grinned. I wasn’t going to get caught, and I’d just gotteneverythingI wanted.
Guttertown looked beautiful. People had pulled their stalls over and Sabine and the girls set up outside to make music for everyone. The girls at the brothel had made themselves up and intended to flirt up a storm to bring in money. Leodos stole Mom to go over the books because he got that she needed to rest.
It was almost time to start and Neco wasn’t back yet. I was worried and they could all tell.
“He’ll be back. He’s a big boy,” Ollie said.
“You don’t think he killed a Baron, do you?” I asked.
“Neco is way too careful for that. If he did, they’ll never be able to pin it on him,” Beck said.
“Isn’t that him? No one else is that big and walks like a cat,” Ronan said.
Yeah, that was definitely Neco walking up the road. I took off running and flung myself at him. He caught me and squeezed me.
“This is assault. What was that for?” he asked.
“I was worried you gutted Folcard.”
“Nah. I just manipulated him. I don’t think he’ll be bothering you too much and I got exactly what I wanted. No women or kids and I can turn down a kill if I want. I got the cure, too.”
“Shit, we did it? We got exactly what we wanted?”
“I wanted Neco to gut them,” Ollie snorted.
“You could pick them off one by one,” Ronan said. “You’d be doing Nestran a favor.”
“Mm, can’t,” Neco said, nuzzling my hair with his cheek. “They know I’m the Blight now.”
“Holy shit, you never told me you were mysister!”Autar yelled, jumping into the conversation and pulling me into a hug.
“Which makes all the times you told me I knew nothing about women hilarious, arsehole.”
“I still think women like it when you tell them they have splendid tits.”
“Not right after meeting them and not right before you ask them to marry you.”
“Hey, you think Sabine would marry me? She’s gorgeous and I love her voice.”
“I think she’d flirt with you if she wanted something, but I’m pretty sure she’s into women.”
“Damn. I wish I was a woman right now,” Autar moaned.
“No, you don’t because our father would have thrown you in the brothel.”
