The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

distance. Still, the subtle uneasiness during the training bothered her. For the umpteenth time, she wished she hadn’t wrapped around Nat’s neck and kissed him. She ground her teeth. Well, it was too late now, the horse had already bolted and fucked off down the meadow.

“Ah, what did you think about the Phines?” Amanda asked when they came back to the shop. She was alone this time.

Anouk produced a smile. She wasn’t supposed to know about Amanda’s loss, and thus no showing her condolences or pity. “It’s fine. Nat’s a good teacher.”

“I’ve no doubt about it. He has an accurate aim.” Anouk itched to ask how she knew that, but Amanda continued, “I took the liberty of packing your purchases. Let me get them for you.” She vanished to the backroom.

Anouk’s gaze caught a full body mirror. She walked to it. Her reflection looked back at her. The pale, freckled face and hazel-green eyes were the same. The light-brown hair tucked under her cap was the same. The clothes were the same, but the revolver around her waist and the hilt of the katana peeking over her right shoulder gave her an air of ‘don’t-mess-with-me’—that was new. She glanced at Nat.

“Aye.” Nat smiled at her. “You look like a real bounty hunter.”

It was a sincere compliment, and it warmed her heart. “Well, the appearance is important, right?”

“You have proved you’re more than that. You’re a real bounty hunter.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Aye, I know so.”

Amanda came back, carrying a small package—their knockout gases. She handed it to Nat.

“Thank you, Amanda.” Nat tucked it under his arm. “You said you had some information.”

“Yes.” The smile faded from Amanda’s face. “One of my contacts told me this morning that a man, with a tattoo behind his ear, approached him and placed a large order for weapons and ammunition. I know De Meriweth soldiers used to have the family crest tattooed behind their ears, so the man must have been one of Stalo’s. I warned my contact about it. And then… there is this.” Amanda took a copy of the Rondon Gazette from under the shop counter. Spreading it open, she said, “The afternoon issue.”

Anouk and Nat leaned in to read the article Amanda was pointing at.

Body of a prostitute found in Flower Estate alley, said the headline. Under it was a grainy photograph of a woman. The quality was low, but Anouk recognised the girl—Shannah. Anouk’s blood turned to ice.

“Yes, she’s one of Madam Valeria’s girls.” Nat’s voice was almost inaudible.

“I thought they worked inside the premises and not on the street,” Amanda said.

Nat’s eyes met Anouk’s. “Yes. Madam Valeria doesn’t allow it.”

Anouk’s skin prickled. Could this be their much-hunted lead? “So there is something fishy going on at the brothel.”

“Aye,” Nat grunted, his face grim.

Chapter 19

The Communicator chirped on the table, causing Anouk’s heart to race. Earlier in the day, Nat had sent a message to Rose, asking where she was and if she could meet them. It was their turn to set a trap, he had said. This might be their chance to get Stalo—or at least get closer to him if Rose was co-operating with him as it now seemed. Was this her reply? Anouk licked her lips in anticipation as Nat pressed a button on the device.

“Let’s see what Rose suggests,” he muttered.

Anouk dropped her backpack on the floor and hurried to join Nat. She peered over his shoulder, but didn’t catch the message. “What did she say?”

“She wants to meet us at Vaughn’s Bakery at midnight.”

“Vaughn’s Bakery? Where’s that?”

“It’s at the border of The Pits and Flower Estate.”

“That’s conveniently located.” Anouk sniffed. “And an odd hour. Another trap?”

“Aye, and I’m a little insulted they’re being so obvious.” Nat sat at the table and started to type a message. “I’ll say we’ll be there.”

Anouk gaped at him. “What about our snooping gig around Madam Valeria’s brothel? We got a good, solid lead from Amanda. I think we should check it out before walking into another hastily set trap.”

Before Nat pressed the send button, the Communicator peeped again. His eyebrows shot up and he pressed a button to read the message. This time Anouk caught it too.

Trap.

“Did Rose just…” Anouk let her unfinished question hang in the air.

Nat nodded. “Warn us? Yes.”

“What’s going on?”

“Hard to say. Maybe the first message was the one she was told to send, but the second was from her.”

“Why would she risk herself and her girls by warning us? I’m sure the one who dictated the first message wouldn’t be thrilled about the second if he saw her sending it.”

Nat lifted his hands, turning his palms up. “Perhaps she’s trying to attract our attention so we’ll know what’s going on and come help them escape.”

Anouk touched her Phines at her waist. “In that case, we have to postpone our plans and go and help her.”

Nat typed his message again, hit the send button and faced Anouk. “We’re not cancelling our snooping. I want to check first what we can learn in Flower Estate before we go to Vaughn’s Bakery. The new lead is more likely to yield new information than going to another ambush.”

Anouk frowned at Nat. “But what if something happens to us and we can’t make it to the bakery on time? Stalo might order his men to hurt Rose or…” She swallowed. “…Valintina and Danja.”

“We have to take risks.” Nat added when Anouk opened her mouth to argue, “You can’t let what could happen dictate what you do. If you start, pretty soon you’re frozen.”

“Suppose you’re right,” Anouk grumbled.

“You don’t think our disguise will work?”

Anouk glanced at a package on her bed. There they were, their costumes, supplied by Amanda and wrapped in brown paper. Two dark suits favoured by working-class men—she had her reservations. “What if there are other rat-catchers around? Are they as territorial as the rats they hunt?” She shuddered. “Or what if someone actually asks us to catch a rat! Do you know how to do it?