Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (best interesting books to read txt) 📕

plans would now have to be placed on hold as he collected information on his targets. The Lord General might already have Guild members employed within his household staff but without access to the Library, Cooper would be risking exposure just trying to discover that for himself.

A few days later, while eating breakfast, Cooper asked Birt, “Have you decided which work crew to hire?” Birt made an effort to swallow a mouthful of food as he nodded. He started to speak, “Yea-“, then forcefully cleared his throat and started again, “I have. I’m hiring them all.” Cooper stopped chewing and his eyebrows pulled tightly together. Birt set down his plate, “Now before you get upset, listen.” Cooper set down his plate but said nothing. Birt continued, “I’ve hired on four masons and three carpenters, along with their crews. I’ve offered them each a location here in the Ruins, well distanced from one another, as a place to build their own businesses. In exchange, we’ll own a percentage of these business and they’ll offer their services to us at a discounted rate. This will also provide places to stockpile the construction materials without having to watch over them ourselves. The materials will be theirs, not ours.” Birt paused, “Well? What do you think?” Cooper smiled, “I think it’s brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that?” Birt snorted, “Probably because you haven’t slept more than two or three hours at one time in a week. You can’t go on like this.” Cooper shook his head, “I can. For a while longer, at least.” He paused, deep in thought, “All this new construction… moving work crews in…material transports… that won’t go unnoticed. City Watch, Lukasi agents, hell, just the folk from the Waterfront and Batter’s Field! Haunted Ruins or not, they’re going to get curious.” He paused to chuckle, “Word gets out and we’ll be covered up with Tax Collectors before we know it.” His smile faded and he grew serious again, “We’re not strong enough yet to hold off an organized foe. We need a plan.” Birt nodded, “True, but in the case of Lukasi agents, the plan is simple.” Cooper quickly followed Birt’s train of thought, “Yes. We kill them.”

He picked up his plate and continued his breakfast. After taking a few bites he looked at Rukle, “What news from the Dregs?” Rukle wrinkled his nose and Balat chimed in, “It stinks.” Spen gave Balat a nudge to the ribs with his elbow, nearly causing Balat to spill his tray. Balat replied with an indignant, “Whaaat?” Spen grumbled, “He wasn’t asking you. And I daresay” he tilted his head towards Cooper, “he already knows that it stinks there.” Cooper smiled at the exchange. He was liking Spen more and more. He seemed to be both smart and aware. Cooper didn’t say anything further. He merely waited for Rukle’s reply. Rukle had been glaring at the two boys, willing them to silence before he turned to Cooper, “I told Birt already. That’s what you told me to do.” Cooper opened his mouth to reply but Rukle continued quickly, “I know, I’ll tell you, too. I only said that ‘cuz I want you to know that we’re not just sitting on the information.” Cooper closed his mouth and simply nodded. Rukle reported, “The locals were right, three to five guys, the same three men plus one or two others each time, made that trip three times during the day yesterday. There didn’t seem to be any schedule. Three trips might be enough to show a trend, but it isn’t really enough to establish a pattern.” Cooper accepted all the information eagerly and replied, “Good. All of you. No one noticed you, I assume?” Spen shrugged, “Noticed? Maybe. But I’d wager none of us left a lasting impression. The men were nervous… wary even; like they expected to be attacked or arrested at any moment. If we’re there every day, at some point at least one of them is going to remember one of us.” Cooper nodded, “That’s a fair point, but who’s to say that you don’t live there? Wouldn’t it be normal for you to be in the same place over a period of days, if that’s where you live?” The boys nodded but Spen offered a tentative reply, “I don’t disagree, but we shouldn’t be in the habit of becoming memorable, should we?” Rukle’s head turned to Spen and he took a breath to speak. Cooper spoke first, “You’re right, of course.” Rukle’s head snapped up as he looked at Cooper in surprise. Cooper smiled as he finished his thought, “So, choose your vantage points carefully. To avoid being noticed.” He turned back to Rukle, “What can you tell me about these men?” Rukle shrugged, “They came in quickly, glancing down alleys and side streets as they went, and entered the house. They stayed inside fifteen, maybe twenty minutes, then came back out. At least two, sometimes three of them, came back out with a bulging leather satchel at their waist, strapped over their shoulder.” Spen added, “There was always one guy that never carried a satchel. Thing is, it was always the same guy.” A simple plan was forming in Cooper’s mind, but he needed to see the scene for himself before discussing it further. Attacking this crew would be a necessary step, but more information was needed. If these men were picking up quantities of Apex and taking it somewhere else for distribution, why store it so far away? And was it even Apex that these men were carrying out? These questions and others would need answers before deciding whether to attack. He spoke again, “All of you know what you’re doing today.” He turned to Rukle, “The locals said that these crews come and go at all hours. We need to keep a watch at night, as well. It doesn’t have to be us watching. If you feel confident in our Dregs kids, have them keep