Magic Lost, Trouble Found читать онлайн

ask, his request often came from the business end of a cannon.“Since when does spending the night in an alley rate above dinner with me at the Crown and Anchor?” he asked.“Since Quentin’s moonlighting again.”“Varek said you were staking out Nigel Nicabar’s. He didn’t say anything about Quentin.”When in Mermeia, Phaelan did business out of the Spyglass, and Varek Akar, the proprietor, served the dual purpose of business manager and social secretary for my cousin when he was in town. I didn’t normally make my stakeouts public knowledge, but since Nigel was involved, I thought it’d be a good idea to let my next of kin know where to find me.“That’s because I didn’t mention Quentin,” I told him. “I’d rather the watch not get wind that he’s working again.”“Varek knows how to keep his mouth shut.”“I trust Varek, but I don’t feel the same way about his new barkeep. Quentin hasn’t done anything illegal tonight.”Phaelan laughed, his voice low. “Night ain’t over yet.”He was right, but I didn’t have to admit it. If certain members of the watch knew where he was, they’d jump to conclusions, and then they’d jump Quentin.Phaelan’s ship had arrived in port late that afternoon, and the plan had been to meet for an early dinner. Early, because I knew he had plans later—plans that had everything to do with a woman, but nothing to do with a lady. My cousin had a strict threefold agenda on his first night in any port—get fed, get laid, and get drunk, in that order. Occasionally he would skip the food, but never the other two. When in Mermeia, my cousin could either be found in one of the city’s less reputable gambling parlors, or enjoying the comforts offered at Madame Natasha’s Joy Garden, and probably the attentions of Madame Natasha hers