Dangerous Gifts Read Online Free Page B

occasion because of a lucky deal or two and the hope of making more of the same. One must, as they say, spend money to make it.”
    “So I’m told,” I said, looking down at my gown. Not as extravagant as one of Laney’s, but it hadn’t been cheap.
    “Speaking of spending money,” he looked around, and lowered his voice, “I wondered if I might put a proposition to you.”
    I wondered what good he thought lowering his voice would do, since anyone in the room interested in such things would already have assumed he was trying to book me.
    “I’m afraid my books are rather full at the moment.” The words were out before I could stop them. He seemed pleasant enough, and I had space for another client; but it’s a gut thing. That overwarm touch of his lips on my hand had been enough to tell me we wouldn’t suit.
    “Oh, no, I apologise, you mistake me,” he said. “Not that I wouldn’t be delighted, but it would be an unwarranted extravagance in these difficult times. No, I just wondered... some of your clientele must talk about their business. You could turn such knowledge to your advantage.”
    I thought I knew where this was going, but I’d give him the benefit of the doubt. “Oh, certainly, sometimes they can put me on to a good bargain,” I said. “Knowing when a fresh shipment of rare fruits is coming in always pleases my cook.”
    “I was thinking more of knowledge they might let slip, about the turn of the market, or perhaps new customs laws that a man might find useful to know about before they were implemented... there are those who would be willing to pay for such information, you know.”
    “Ah.” I smiled. Not the first time I’ve received such a proposition. “I’m afraid, Mr Heimarl, that I have no memory at all for such things. I concentrate on the matter in hand, as it were, and after that, I can barely remember a thing my clients might have said. I’d never retain any information of the slightest use to anyone.”
    He looked down at his glass and sighed. “A pity. A good memory is so useful. But discretion, of course, is also a quality to be greatly valued, and is no doubt essential to building a reputation such as yours.”
    “I see you understand my position.”
    “Oh, indeed. You can’t blame a man for trying, I hope. With things as they are, we’re all struggling, you know, all looking for that extra edge.”
    “I most certainly don’t blame you for trying,” I said.
    “Well, I suppose I had better tear myself away and go talk to the rich and powerful, who will no doubt turn me down with far less courtesy.” He bowed, smiled, and walked away. He had a certain charm, no doubt of it. And I really didn’t blame him; but passing on pillow-confidences is very bad business. I have been known to do it, but only in cases of serious crime or danger to others in the profession. That’s not betrayal of confidence, it’s more of a civic duty.
    I glanced around for Hargur, and found him leaning against the wall, surrounded by a gaggle of youngsters. He took off his helmet and perched it on the head of a small boy, who – despite looking like a toadstool as a result (a toadstool that couldn’t see) – was instantly the object of envy. Hargur laughed, as the rest of the children clamoured for some equal sign of favour, and held his hands up helplessly.
    I felt my heart contract.
    As though he’d heard something, he looked over the children’s heads right at me, and smiled, the long lines of his face tilting up. I smiled back, then turned away before we became completely obvious.
    Those who knew about us, knew. But we didn’t make our liaison too public. Some people don’t think the Chief of the City Militia should be associating with a whore, even though whoring is legal in Scalentine. Anyway, it was no one else’s business.
    But that wasn’t the only reason I turned away. Seeing Hargur with the children got me thinking about things I didn’t want to think about, and I