After some arguing we settled on a plan. Isabelle needed talking down from murdering anyone we found. The agreement was, we would scope them out, find out what we can, then tell the guards. We would only get violent if we had to. As we were talking Isabelle started to strip, not for sex, but to change into an outfit she'd bought with her reward money.

  A grey brigandine over a black tunic. Dark green tights and grey padded armour forearm and shin protection. She'd also stretched black fabric over a simple helmet. Everything except her black leather gloves and a tan face scarf, looked second hand.

  "You can take the helmet and gloves off, we're just going to walk about the city right now. In fact, sorry but... I need to run a few errands, you can come with or wait here."

  She blushed, visible when she lowered her face covering, then proceeded to bag the helmet and gloves in a simple worn looking dark brown fabric satchel.

  . . .

  She tagged along to the bath house, adventurers guild and to the bank. I'd decided Harvey needed a bank account.

  Gold secured, I sternly remind Isabelle of 'no questions asked' before being pressured to jog back and forth to dump my clothes in the room.

  I realised upon jogging back and seeing Isabelle in full as I approached, we both looked like assassins. Me in my black gambeson and dark brown cloak (I saved the nicer blue for later), Isabelle with her dark getup under another recent purchase, a dark purple cloak.

  "I think we should talk to the wash ladies first, they're nearby. Then I want to visit the Red Liars." Stated Isabelle.

  I let her lead. She was on a warpath.

  . . .

  A little ways upstream of the river we found the wash ladies. I quickly took in the environment, then got Isabelle to backtrack with me. Crossing a bridge, we walked to an alehouse diagonally downstream and on the bank opposite the wash ladies. The weather was pleasant plus they had outdoor seating.

  "Observe, try to figure out who's in charge and if anyone looks like they might talk to us."

  "This ale is schizer, my father makes better." Complained Isabelle.

  "Audo told me a little about your family, you father was ranger too right?"

  "Not in the adventurer sense, he was a specialised scout in the army, till his right leg was magically blasted off. Now he runs wilderness survival training, advises on missions and brews ale as a hobby."

  "Wilderness survival? So can I leave you to light the campfire next time?"

  "Absolutely... My ex hated that I could do camp stuff like light a fire better than him, why I prefer to step back and let you guys have your caveman moments of glory."

  "Me no small man, you woo-man can light fire!"

  We laughed, continuing to make idle chat while we kept the wash ladies in our periphery. Looking indirectly, whether keeping a subject at the edge of your vision or using reflections, was something I'd taught Isabelle.

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  The first ale had been ruby, the blond was a little better. I tapped the table, then swiveled on my stool, catching Isabelle's attention.

  "OK student, what have you seen?"

  "There's a younger girl, when a brute dropped stuff off she was scared by his unwanted attention. We could ask her... But the woman in charge defended her. Seen her walk about taking care of everyone."

  "Isabelle, I was thinking exactly the same. Impress me more, what was her name, what's her story?"

  I wanted to see how much she remembered of what we'd learned from Hans and Lando.

  "Maria Benvenuti, wife of a well established and much respected crime lord. Gennaro Benvenuti runs the city's best whore houses and gambling dens. He also runs the biggest smuggling ring, bringing in over half the city's illicit goods. Dark magic ingredients, narcotics, forbidden books you name it, he can bring it in. Also gets stolen goods out.

  Maria has stayed out of crime and she's run this laundry service for almost twenty five years. The girls are protected, everyone knows they are off limits. Used to just be retired whores, the younger ones are daughters of dead associates of her husband.

  They'll clean and repair anything, no questions asked. Also have contracts with several legitimate businesses."

  I let out a long, low whistle, nodding approvingly.

  "Let's finish this weak swill and see if we can't catch her alone?"

  . . .

  Maria had stepped away to apply a balm to her hands and have a drink. Raising her head, she closed her eyes to bask in the sunlight, she didn't see us approach. I stood over her shoulder, looking menacing and let Isabelle ask the questions.

  "Maria. We don't want to hurt you-"

  "I know you bloody don't, fucking idioti, my husband would do worse than kill you. And I'm Mrs Benvenuti to you teppisti maleducati!"

  "How do you feel about the raid on Xeothea's Mrs Benvenuti?"

  Maria's confidence took a visible knock.

  "Merda... My husband had nothing to do with it, I already told generale Armen. But since you are no guards, I say this...

  I slapped that stupido man's face when I found out he was approached. He say could not warn anyone after declining, they would have assassinated him. He says they did not share details... but he could fucking guess what they were planning. Coward!

  I would personally have crawled on my hands and knees to Xeothea's at night to warn them if I knew."

  Me and Isabelle exchanged a brief look.

  "Mrs Benvenuti, have any gangs brought bloodied clothes here after the raid?"

  "That Armen, he ask the same. No. No one stupido enough. I think they were told to burn their clothes."

  "Can you read Mrs Benvenuti?"

  "I can, would you like me to read you your last rights?"

  "Please look over this document, it's a compilation of all descriptions of outfits worn by the raiders."

  "Pfft!

  ...

  ... There is no gang uniform or style I recognise, again I think they were told.

  They were told not to stand out... Hmmm. No gang but...

  These three men in formal clothes, paisley face covers, short capes, what weapons did they use please?"

  "Err..."

  "Seen with rapiers." I interjected seeing Isabelle didn't know.

  "Then they are no gang. Gambling addicted sfigati. Tutte faccia di culo! I think they are a trio of disgraced nobles, high stakes gamblers, they stick together because they are all three such fucking failures, used to be wealthy, their families have disowned them. No longer allowed in my husband's establishments. They hustle, cheat, owe a lot of money and are rude to staff.

  Call themselves gentlemen gangsters, I think their names are Barnaby, Hector and err... Alsta- No... Aliceman... No... Ah! Alastair. Yes, Alastair. They can all vaffanculo!"

  "Thank you Mrs Benvenuti, did the general already show you these face sketches?"

  "Sì- Yes. And I recognise many, but we don't use names except for my legitimate customers. I use two old card decks, the malvivente takes one, I keep the matching card with the basket. No names. But here..."

  Maria took the sketches to rifle through.

  "These two, they are from a gang in the north side, something stupido brothers. Maybe Soot Brothers, started as thieving chimney sweeps. But I told Armen already, I think they are getting hung tomorrow. Now you know everything I know, more even than I tell to Armen. Stop being pains in my arse and piss off!"

  "Thank you Mrs Benvenuti, arrivederci." Stated isabelle, with small respectful bow.

  "Sì Sì, arrivederci!"