𝟎𝟎𝟑 Three Parts In a Kaz Brekker Plan
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞
Ⅲ 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒛 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒌𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏
ELVIRA HAD SLEPT ON THE EDGE OF WYLAN'S BED, AND HE WAS GENEROUS ENOUGH TO LEND HER A SMALL PILLOW. In the morning when the grey sun had decided to creep through the workshop's windows and over Wyaln's workspace, Ira was up. She wandered around the shop silently looking for a coat or large enough fabric that she could use as a throw-over.
When she found her venture unsuccessful she huffed and stepped into the back alley, the wind chilling her cheeks. Elvira looked down at her waistband and the blue and silver daggers that stood out against her black shirt. The door creaked open and Jesper sleepily stumbled out of the door.
"Morning sunshine," Elvira cooed.
"Kaz left a note," Jesper said lazily before throwing his arm around Ira's shoulders. "Wants up to meet at that coffee shop across from that massive bank building at twelve bells."
"And where are you going?"
"To get out of these saint-forsaken clothes."
"That I can agree with," Inej agreed, making no sound as the door shut behind her.
"Okay, twelve bells at The Diamond Horn," Elvira said with a nod before the three spit their separate ways.
.
Elvira stopped by the dressmakers, quickly paying the two women Miron and Ilya extra, with slight confusion. Elvira's sleek black look had now been swapped for shades of blues and silver. With her blades attached to her new waist belt with claw embellishments on the jacket and blue gloves, Elvira tapped her claw ring against the wooden door to the small tavern before pushing it open.
Elvira smiled softly at a girl who carried past an empty try of glasses before sliding around her and making her way to a booth Jesper and Inej already sat at. "Now this Ira," Jesper mused as Elvira slid next to him in the booth. "I'd say you'd look like a Fjerdan treat, if I knew what any were."
"Thank you, I think. Nice coat," Elvira muttered, Jesper's new red coat and Inej's eclipse-lined suit not going unnoticed. Ira grabbed one of the empty glasses and chilled the water as she poured it into the cup. "So, either of you spoken to Kaz?"
"So you know. It's worse today," Inej said instead.
"Worse how?" Ira questioned, sliding the pitcher to Inej.
"We had to sleep on that novice's floor. This body deserves a proper bed," Jesper complained, leaning back in the seat.
"I slept in the bed," Ira said with a laugh.
"I still don't know why."
"Demo-men and blacksmiths aren't hard to come by in the barrel, but honest ones are." Ira set her glass down before sighing. "On the other hand, the word is we also killed a constable."
"What?" Jesper squeaked, leaning forward again and Inej nodded. "I have so many questions. How? Why? Who? Where? When? I guess-" Jesper's rambling paused and Inej shook her head. "Yeah, I guess that's all of them."
Inej took a breath before starting to answer his questions, "Last night, after you escaped from the wagon. Constable Sem was his name. Shot with his own weapon. Stadwatch are shaking down every informant they know."
Jesper sighed and leaned back in his seat. "I would never shoot someone with their own gun. Besides, it's not even a good frame-up," Jesper thought aloud.
"Have you seen him today?" Ira asked turning back to Inej, trying her question again.
"Avoiding questions, I suspect," Inej said with a shrug.
"Yeah, from the three of us. Blowing up the Crow Club..."
Inej spun her glass nervously, "Makes you wonder what else he's willing to destroy."
"Let's hope he sticks to buildings," Ira murmured, bringing the drink to her lips.
Kaz turned quickly towards their booth and Elvira quickly shuffled closer to Jesper. "Made sure you weren't followed?"
"Always," Inej said quickly and Jesper scoffed softly.
Inej slid to the window end of the booth and Tenzin sat next to her, forcing Wyaln next to him and Nina on the end. "Ooh. Is this place still serving breakfast?" Nina asked quickly as she picked up the menu.
"If you're quick enough," Ira said softly.
"Jes has a question to ask you," Inej spoke up, turning her attention to Kaz.
Kaz turned to Jesper and Ira leaned back in her seat. "Look, a lot has happened since last night," Jesper started. "We found out we lost our home, and then you blew it up just to piss off Pekka Rollins."
"And?" Kaz questioned.
"Have you heard we also shot a Stadwatch with his own gun?"
"All Stadwatch carry the same gun and it's standard issue," Kaz said. "This is Pekka Rollins firing back at us."
"Who is this Pekka Rollins?" Nina asked. "You say his name and your blood pressure skyrockets."
"That's not part of your purview, Heartrender," Kaz hissed.
"You're right. But I tend to have opinions and here's one, anger clouds judgment."
A silence held over the table before Inej sighed softly. "Pekka Rollins runs the Barrel."
"He cheated his way into an empire by running cheap cons. He isn't a boss, he's a scourge," Kaz said.
"If you hate him so much, why not just hire me to kill him? Or why hire me at all?" Nina looked over at the others and shrugged softly. "Your sharpshooter or your Wraith could take him out, easy." Nina paused to look up at Elvira. "And word on the street is they call her the Ghost."
"It's not enough to kill him," Kaz snapped. Everyone slowly turned to him, confused and concerned. "Killing him doesn't help us clear our names," Kaz corrected. "That's why I need all of you, so I can hang everything back on him."
"And we're just the pawns in a game for your revenge?" Elvira questioned, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands.
"The four of us are under equal jeopardy," Kaz reminded. "And if they catch us, we can't protect you." Kaz turned to Wylan and Tenzin before looking at Nina. "And you'll have to turn to Pekka to see your man. No doubt with some very unappealing conditions attached."
"All of that in mind, I mean, Ira, Inej and I need to know the plan," Jesper insisted.
"Um, yes, I- I, too, would like to know the plan," Wylan stammered, crossing his arms over his chest.
kaz looked around the area before twisting his body to face the others. "To get leverage on him, I need to know the scope of his business, inside-out," Kaz started. "There are three ways to learn this. The first is by following his driver, tracking his schedule. Second, Third Harbour. All his documents and shipping pass through there. Third, his accountant, Henrik Van Poel. If I get access to Pekka's books, it'll tell me everything I need to know. So, we need to get into that building."
Kaz motioned to the window and Inej drew back the salmon-coloured curtains revealing the big brick building. "It's where his accountant works. Although, there's no way of knowing which office." Nina quickly grabbed the menu and slipped from the table. Inej spared her a glance but no one spoke. "That's the mission. It looks like a typical office building, but it has a number of subtle features."
"So nothing for me to shoot?" Jesper questioned.
"I can throw a pack of cars in the air if that makes you feel better," Ira teased, glancing up at him.
"You're sassing me, but I recall that got us out of a jam once."
"This place values anonymity," Kaz continued. "The doors aren't numbered. There are no names or placards. These aren't for businesses' clients to visit. This is for people who value discretion. So, Jesper, Wylan, you follow the driver. Tenzin, Ira, you both go to the harbour. Inej, I want you to take watch on the roof." Nina slid back into the booth, the plate of waffles she set on the table making a small noise. "I need you with me
while I copy Henrik's books," Kaz said, looking up at her. "Gunfire would only draw attention, but a Heartrender-"
"Has many skills. Yes, like this. Second floor, second-last door on the left," Nina relayed before tearing a small part off of the waffle.
Ira furrowed her eyebrows and looked across the table at Tenzin who shrugged. "What?" Kaz asked softly.
"Henrik's office. Do you mind?" Nina motioned for the pitcher and Tenzin slid it towards her.
"How do you know this?" Inej asked, leaning past Tenzin.
"I asked the waitress," Nina said simply.
"How did she know?" Jesper asked.
"People who work in places like that, they eat in places like this," Nina explained, displaying a small scribbled note. "And sometimes they get the meals delivered, so I said, Um, excuse me, but I have a delivery and I can't read the directions. Ta-da." Nina slid the note on the table and Kaz picked it up.
"I like having her around," Jesper said with a nod.
Nina hummed softly. "And I like truth. You said you'd get me in to see Matthias."
❆
TENZIN AND ELVIRA WALKED NEXT TO EACH OTHER DOWN THE EDGE OF THE DOCKS. Elvira's hair whipped in the wind, no matter how hard she tried to pin it back and keep it under her hood. Tenzin unfolded the papers Kaz had written up to get the pair access to the files in the boathouse building. Tenzin stood in front of Elvira and knocked on the oak door twice.
A moment later the door swung open and Tenzin smiled proudly. "Evening sir," Tenzin said with a smile.
"What do you want boy?" The man questioned, his voice gruff as he leant forward, trying to intimidate Tenzin, who was still half a foot taller. "You're on a clock."
"We've heard rumours that bandits have been getting into merchants' private belongings," Tenzin said while handing the man the piece of paper. "Mr Rollins sent us on behalf of Cornelius Smeet."
"Smeet and Rollins?" The man scoffed. "No way that Merch is working with that Barrel dog."
"Ever since that stunt with the barrel rates and Rollins's Club, Smeet thought it best to be safe," Tenzin said smoothly.
The man huffed before looking around. "Quick you two, ten minutes, I'm paid by the hour." The man ushered the two through the door and the two stepped up. As the man closed the door Elvira slipped her hood off. "Ghost..."
Elvira spun quickly, knocking the man in the nose with her claw ring. "What are you doing?" Tenzin hissed, watching the man go limp and slid down the wall. "Why'd you take the hood off? We were set!"
Elvira shrugged simply and Tenzin cursed to himself under his breath. "What would we do when we find something?" Elvira questioned as she started to look through different drawers. "Hey, Sir, we're just gonna take this."
"I don't know," Tenzin huffed. "We would have worked something out!"
"Ten, just help me out," Elvira hissed. "Lecture me later." Tenzin turned and started searching the higher shelves. A few minutes later Elvira sighed and dropped the file she was reading on the table. "For as much a prick Rollins is, man he has a boring life."
"He's barrel boss from the Wandering Isle," Tenzin muttered, sliding a book away. "It's not like he's chasing Sun Summoners."
Elvira tossed another file away, "This place is a dud. Everything we'll find Kaz will know from the bank book," Elvira pointed out. "Let's get out of here." Tenzin quickly pushed everything back in place as Elvira headed for the door. She paused to glance out the window before jumping back.
"What?" Tenzin questioned.
"Dime lions," Elvira murrmerd. "It's a setup." Tenzin walked to the window looking out over the docks. At least twenty men stood around, their guns trained on the small building.
❆
❝ cold as 𝒊𝒄𝒆, sharp as a knife ❞
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