hawk & sable

CHAPTER SIXTEEN,

HAWK & SABLE | SIXTEEN

"I REMEMBER THAT case," Rhys said aloud after Ciri briefed her on the conversation. Irina was busy somewhere, and she thought the Wolf would be the next best person to question about it. "Didn't go into our hands. Don't think they caught the killer, just put it down to a robbery."

"It's too much of a coincidence," Ciri told her. "We need to investigate it."

"I'll ask Irina and head down to the Magistrate to get details on the case," Rhys replied. "You're right. Patterns are showing its head."

"We need to watch out for any young female officials in the Treasury. Both to protect them and with suspicion."

"Damned business," Rhys muttered, pushing her weight off the wall she leaned on, long ponytail swaying behind her. "Targeting defenceless females. Note how both of those girls wouldn't have had much in the way of funds, status or influence. They're preying on the weak."

Dryly, she said, "I believe that's how it works, Rhys. They look for the vulnerable and leech of them."

Rhys glared. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Ciri plucked at her sleeves, the silk soft and cold between her fingers. "We need to stop this before anyone else gets hurt."

Rhys nodded. "I'll go check as fast as I can. If it is linked, we'll convince them someone's targeting female officials in the Treasury Department and post more guards there day and night. Maybe convince some of the ones who live outside alone to sleep here for a while. We could arrange quarters. Some of them would consider that a godsent opportunity."

"Keep an eye on all of them."

Rhys gave her a look of annoyance. "Duh."

There was a rustle of leaves. Rhys snapped upwards, and Ciri turned her head, brow raised. Io came out from the trees, a sheepish look on her face. "I couldn't help but overhear..."

Rhys looked nonplussed. "How did you sneak up on us?"

Io's smile widened. "You have good hearing, Briar, but I'm better. I've been practicing with Ronan."

Rhys swore under her breath. "Well, you heard us, then. What do you think?"

She shrugged. "I was out of the country during the case. But it does sound like too much of a coincidence. Irina's returning to her quarters, by the way."

Rhys raised a hand. "I won't question how you know that."

Amused, Ciri said, "I think we all learnt that lesson early on. Iolanthe Mi, you are a threat to national security."

Io smiled, innocent and all adorable-like. "Good thing I'm on your side, then. Better keep me that way."

"And how would we achieve that?" Rhys mocked, fingers tapping every blade strapped on herself in a silent, subconscious checking.

With a straight face, the girl replied, "Candy. And rescuing me from Lady Kuroki's clutches when she decides to start feeling nostalgic over apparently everything. It becomes boring at around the second time."

"You're easily bribed." Ciri tucked a lock of rogue hair behind her ear.

"I'm a simple girl," Io said, skipping forward. Simple was not the word to describe Iolanthe Mi. The better word might be wildfire, devouring everyone in its path.

"Shouldn't you be out watching some kid?" Rhys asked with narrowed eyes.

"I was," Io protested. "Irina said I could take a break around this time. I'll be heading back out later. I'm not neglecting my job, how dare you even suggest that?"