Nocturnal (episode n. 1) Read Online Free

more often. Then as now, it was only a matter of business, if business was the right word for it. And then as now this wasn't enough to put her at ease.
    Of course she had a very good reason to investigate on her own. She was sure that the police, especially after the show of that morning, wasn't going to find a single answer. And Parker, after all, had been a... friend was saying too much, really too much, but colleague was almost as good. And also... also she knew all too well that this was most of all a very good excuse to start meddling again in other people businesses. Not that she enjoyed doing that, but she had to admit she was quite good at it.

    She went to the counter and sit on a stool, careful in choosing one between two empty places. If any of her former contacts was there, or was going to be, they would see and approach her, but it might take a long time: the Underdark was open from sunset to sunrise, and the former was much closer than the latter.

    She was sipping a cocktail when a leap of the shadows made her realize someone was behind her. Before she could turn, a polite fake cough reached her ears, the kind that would be used to draw the attention of someone to whom you have to say something, either you want it or not. Not exactly the attitude she could expect from any of her old acquaintances.
    Turning slowly, she ended up looking into a strong chest enclosed into a stiff dark suit jacket, bearing more buttons than any of her dresses. She had to look up to see whom it belonged to.
    The man, a complete stranger to her, was tall and well built, two features that clashed whit his ebony skin and the short white hair, barely visible under a doorkeeper hat. No. Not a doorkeeper. Driver, was the correct definition. That men was in a perfect driver attire, and stood there stiff and motionless as if waiting for the chance to open the door of a coach and let her in.
    «My mistress was wondering whether you would be so kind as to be her guest at her table. She would appreciate to have the chance for a word with you.» His voice, too, was stiff and affected as much as his posture, it was almost as if he was repeating words learned by heart. And... mistress?
    With some effort, Amanda tried to look beyond the man to see who had sent that weird invitation. She met the gaze of an elegantly dressed lady who sent her an enigmatic smile. Was she trying to hit on her? In that case, she had to admit it was the most original attempt she had ever witnessed.
    She made a mental shrug.
    In its own way, the Underdark could be a dangerous place, but sitting at a table and talking didn't usually kill anyone. Or at least not anyone she had heard of.
    The driver seemed to read her thoughts because, when she stood, he lead her to the table of that woman, with a bodyguard attitude that seemed quite out of place in that situation. Sure it wasn't like she could be assailed while going from the counter to the table... or was it?
    If he could have, he would probably have pulled back the chair to help her sit down, but since there was only a semicircular sofa around the table, she would never know that for sure.
    «Vivienne Blanchard», the lady introduced herself abruptly, while politely gesturing for her to sit down opposite her. She reached out with a hand, but not like she wanted to shake hers, rather it seemed like she wanted to show her the back of it, or maybe the elaborate ring on her finger. What was she supposed to do? She decided to do nothing at all, and at least the woman didn't seem to take it as an offence, and just showed a condescending smile.
    «Amanda Sheldon», she replied.
    «Oh, of course, I know. This is the very reason why I invited you here.» Her accent had an exotic, indefinable feeling to it. Her "r", especially, seemed to be aristocratically unfinished, insubstantial, as if she had her own personal method to pronounce them without a single vibration.
    «I didn't think I was famous», Amanda replied, hiding her