Den of Shadows Collection: Lose yourself in the fantasy, mystery, and intrigue of this stand out trilogy. Christopher Byford

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СКАЧАТЬ He waited for her laughter to subside, the idea inviting far more hilarity than was necessary.

      ‘I’m sorry. I was just thinking of you cleaning out cages with a broom.’ Misu subdued her giggling.

      ‘That in mind, I think I’ll give this a miss. Mister Kane can be left waiting.’

      ‘We need money,’ Misu reminded him, knocking the ice around her tumbler.

      ‘Yes, I know that.’

      ‘So, it wouldn’t hurt you to just speak to one of these people. You never know, it could be profitable. The answer to your problems.’

      ‘Problems?’

      ‘Money,’ Misu clarified.

      ‘You really think that?’

      ‘There’s nothing to lose, is there? Except a morning of you cluttering up the Den with your sour-faced self.’

      ‘I’m not sour-faced.’ He puffed up his lips in defence.

      ‘There, you see? You’re doing it now.’ Misu leant back and waved him aside. ‘Go and see this guy this afternoon and talk. You may even have some fun while you’re at it.’

      ‘I have plans for later. It wouldn’t be convenient.’

      Misu took hold of Franco’s cup and measured the remaining coffee with a squint. She swigged the last quantity with a tip of the neck, skimming the cup back over.

      ‘There. You’re done. Your busy schedule is now free. Nothing else to do this morning?’

      ‘I suppose not.’

      ‘Then problem solved.’

      * * *

      Pilgrims was a tucked-away smoking bar, where men normally congregated to discuss affairs of the day and drink in the evening. Its seating was simple, its décor rustic and weather-beaten, with the lines of tables leading through the alley to its entrance. Patrons puffed on supplied hookahs that burnt tobacco and filtered the smoke though a water-filled basin. Its walls were covered by tin advertising signs, eroded by a combination of age and the elements.

      Even at this time in the morning the tables were busy. The chatter was light-hearted as Franco edged past, looking for his contact among them. A wave from the back caught his gaze, from a smartly dressed individual with short, slick black hair. He wore a light beige suit in contrast to his olive skin, and rose on Franco’s approach, shaking his hand firmly in welcome.

      ‘Mister Kane.’

      ‘Please, Mister Franco, call me Donovan.’

      Franco scooted the chair backward with a squeak before folding his hands on the table.

      ‘Thank you for your time. I was worried you wouldn’t take me up on my offer, but I needn’t have fretted. Here you are.’

      Donovan snapped his thin mocha fingers together ushering over a waiter, who took an order of sour mash. Franco declined, being that it was far too early for such indulgencies, though late enough to smoke.

      The hookahs that adorned the centre of every table were tall and slender, constructed of steel and glass. Patrons sat relaxed, in the midst of morning discussion, taking turns to draw the hose between and exhaling the contents in the air. They burnt with a mixture of flavoured tobaccos. Donovan filled the one at their table with another spoonful of shisha from an accompanying plain bowl. He took the hose in hand and placed it to his lips, drawing in the vapour with a patient breath. When done, he handed it to Franco, who obliged out of politeness, though immediately began to splutter at the strength of its contents. Its potency was enough to make his eyes weep.

      Donovan watched intently and laughed. ‘An acquired taste, my friend. Forgive me, maybe something lighter is more agreeable to your palate.’

      Not such a bad idea, though the second inhalation found his throat without burning as much. The length of pipe was passed back across to Donovan, who puffed away, quite contentedly.

      ‘A little exotic, nothing more,’ Franco said.

      ‘Exotic,’ Donovan repeated with a toothy grin. ‘Yes, yes it is.’ He paused, assessing Franco with chestnut eyes.

      ‘Anyway. Let us talk about business, for that is why you are here.’ Donovan took his newly poured drink and soothed his throat. ‘The Gambler’s Den. The famous travelling show. What a reputation you have. You can’t go anywhere, and I mean anywhere in this region, without hearing the legend. You bring joy to the masses, Mister Monaire, and that is quite the achievement.’

      ‘Thank you for your kind words.’

      ‘May I ask –’ Donovan withdrew the pipe slowly ‘– how long have you been doing this?’

      ‘Three years, give or take.’

      ‘Three years.’ Donovan nodded his head back. ‘Barely any time at all, but you have your enterprise and your wealth, I suspect, all made in just three years. The Den has a considerable value attached to it, does it not?’

      ‘I doubt many would deem it valuable in a conventional sense.’

      ‘Monetary, of course. If that is conventionally enough.’ Donovan oozed confidence. Franco wasn’t blind to what he had walked into, identifying a predator on first sight in a place where he feasted on others. Pilgrims had an appearance of legitimacy but the muscle behind the bar and situated by the entrance eliminated that notion. This exchange was being watched, but for what reason he was still uncertain.

      ‘Considerable,’ Franco agreed, playing the game.

      ‘Considerable. Yes, I expected no less.’

      ‘Would you like to elaborate on your proposition now?’

      ‘My what?’

      ‘Your proposition.’

      ‘It’s not mine in any sense of the word, Mister Monaire.’ He lingered on an exhalation. ‘I speak on behalf of a benefactor who is impressed by the work you do. I appreciate that you would be unable to discuss figures – but to him, that is not of concern. What he has taken to, is your freedom. You take your business from town to village and you put on a show. People forget their cares. For a handful of hours, everybody’s life is made better.’

      ‘That we do.’

      ‘You do indeed!’ Donovan cheered, clapping his hands together. ‘What you achieve cannot be bought. Or at least that’s the impression folks have.’

      ‘Maybe.’

      ‘But we know business, do we not? Everything, everything in this world has a price. Tell me, Franco, are you familiar with the term franchise?’

      ‘I’ve a notion.’

      ‘And an interest in being one?’

      ‘No.’ Franco leant back. ‘Just one Den is enough. Having any more running СКАЧАТЬ