Wraith(12)

‘Saiya!’ Marrock stood up from his makeshift desk, balanced as it was with all four legs straddling the bowling lane, and stretched his arms out expansively as if to draw me into a hug.

I stopped in front of him with my arms by my sides. I didn’t get close to men like Marrock if I could help it. I didn’t get close to anyone. Fortunately he got the message and grinned, as if I were an amusing child. He sat down again and leaned back in his chair. ‘I presume you’re here to barter,’ he said.

‘I am.’

His smile widened. ‘I always enjoy your visits. What do you have for me?’

I tapped my fingers against my thigh as if considering. It was never good to appear over-eager. ‘A wealthy gobshite who pulled a fast one on a prostitute. Agreed to a price then walked out without paying.’

Marrock rolled his shoulders. ‘Giving me that information sounds more like an act of civic duty than providing anything I want to hear.’

It was – but he didn’t need to know that. Besides, I knew that there were plenty of madams dotted around the darker city streets who would pay him for my information. I shrugged. ‘Fair enough.’

Marrock sighed. ‘I suppose I can take it off your hands. Do you have a name?’

I nodded. ‘I do.’

‘I have a wonderful bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape,’ he said. ‘Will that do as payment?’

He was being unnaturally compliant; most people would jump at the chance of some decent booze and I’d normally be one of them. Not tonight though. I considered my options. ‘How about something along first-aid lines?’

‘My dear Saiya, a few glasses of good red wine and you’ll have all the first aid you want.’

I didn’t answer; I just waited.

Marrock’s left eye twitched. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘I can do you a basic kit.’

‘With iodine. And morphine.’

‘The iodine I can manage. Morphine will cost you much more. But I’ll throw in a few paracetemol just for you.’

I breathed out; that was more than I’d hoped for. I tilted my head slightly to show I understood. ‘Very well. His name is Murthers.’ I gave a brief description of the young idiot from outside Kanji. Marrock looked bored but I knew better. He listened carefully to everything and he always remembered. In that respect, at least, he was like me.

‘Is that it?’ Marrock enquired. ‘I assumed you would have more. After all, it’s not often we see you at this time of night. I was hoping for something far juicier than a wanker who can’t keep his dick in his pants.’

I smiled. ‘Stirling has a visitor.’

‘Another rat joining our sinking ship?’ He tightened his lips. ‘I’m not interested.’

My smile grew. ‘You’ll be interested in this one. I don’t have a name but I know enough to pique your curiosity. And everyone else’s.’

‘Without a name, your secret is not worth much to me.’

I held his gaze. ‘Don’t count on it.’ I crossed my arms. ‘You know I always bring you the good stuff.’

Marrock smirked. ‘You do indeed. In fact, if you weren’t quite so talented, I’d be tempted to offer you a position of another kind.’

I didn’t bite. If Marrock was disappointed by my lack of reaction, he didn’t show it. ‘Do you want to hear it or not?’

‘I’m still not sure it’ll be worth morphine. A few more grubby paracetemol, maybe. Not much more.’

‘I don’t want morphine for this.’

Marrock pursed his lips. ‘Indeed. What do you want then?’

‘Information.’

For the first time ever, I think I managed to surprise him. ‘The secret seeker wants to know some secrets?’

‘Just one.’ I didn’t have time to race around trying to find out the truth. Ange didn’t have time. I knew that Marrock had plenty of others who sold him information; if anyone knew the truth, he did.

Marrock knitted his fingers together and stretched them behind his head. ‘Go on,’ he purred. ‘What do you need to know?’

I didn’t bother prevaricating any longer. ‘The real reason why the goblins have arrested Ange Horrocks. Not the official explanation – I want to know exactly why they have her.’ Because when I had the why I could work on what it would take to get her out.

Marrock regarded me silently for a moment. ‘That’s easy. I should ask, though, if you are planning a rescue mission, little Saiya. I’d hate to have my best purveyor of truths destroyed in a foolish errand of mercy.’

‘I’d hate to be destroyed too, Marrock,’ I countered. ‘I’m not planning on getting myself killed by the Filits. What I do with the information is my business.’

He laughed. ‘So it is.’ Lifting one hand, he beckoned. From the far corner, a young man ventured towards us, stepping across the bowling lanes. When he reached Marrock, he bent down and listened while his boss murmured in his ear. After some murmuring back, Marrock looked at me. ‘Tell me about this visitor then.’

‘I need your assurance first that—’

‘Enough!’ The spark of anger in his eyes was enough to warn me off. It was never easy to tell where the line was with Marrock; apparently I’d just crossed it. ‘If I deem your information good enough, I will tell you what you need. Quid pro quo, Saiya. Quid pro quo.’