“You know,” Lisa said, grinning across the table at me. “I can honestly say, for once, I didn’t see this coming.”

  We were meeting at the same picnic bench in Prescott Memorial Park as last time, though it was only the two of us. Well, unless Imp was lurking in the trees, or right behind me with her knife at the ready. Not something I could really count on, so I tried to put it out of my mind. Lisa’s eyes were sparkling with curiosity and mischief as she met mine.

  “That makes two of us,” I replied evenly, trying to ignore her smug tone. “And frankly, I’m not happy about it.”

  “Finally learning what it’s like on the outside of the organization?” she asked, her smile growing. “Not an easy business, huh?”

  “Can we cut out the part where you pretend to care to get on my good side?” I said tersely. “We’re not friends Lisa, I’m ninety-nine percent sure you were planning to kill me a couple months ago.”

  “To be fair, you killed my best friend,” she replied coldly. “But, I thought we’d moved past that. At least that was the impression you gave me last time.”

  “Sure, I did,” I said with a shrug. “But I don’t believe that you have.”

  “That’s going to make our relationship difficult,” Lisa said with a sigh. “Well whatever, that’s your problem, not mine. So, you wanna cut the shit? Let’s start with why a good, little hero like you asked to meet with a big, bad villainess like me.”

  “Information,” I said simply. “Unfortunately, there isn’t a better source in the city, and none of the shittier options are willing to work with me. So…” I shrugged as she let out a whistle.

  “Really on the outs with the heroes,” she said, nodding. “Not happy with how you handled Cricket, huh? Saw the footage of her trial, you did a number on her.”

  “I don’t need another lecture,” I snapped.

  “Not here to give you one,” Lisa countered. “What, you think I care you’re beating the hell out of them? Forgot who’s on my team?”

  “I...I’m used to that being a problem, yeah.” I said, shoulders slumping.

  “Well welcome to the real world,” she replied. “Don’t care how you handle your business, unless it’s interfering with mine; and beating up the gangsters causing problems in my city sure doesn’t count as interference.”

  “Your city huh?” I said dryly.

  “I live here too,” she retorted. “Now do you want to talk business, or sit here trading barbs until we die of old age?” I took a deep breath to settle myself, then slowly let it out before answering.

  “I’ve been trying to nail down where the remains of Wotan’s Wolves have gone,” I explained. “Since we took down Cricket, they’ve gone quiet. A couple affiliates seem to be operating in their territory still, but I heard the Wolves aren’t collecting dues anymore. Nothing in the news or on PHO about Stormtiger or his gang either, believe me, I’ve done my homework.”

  “Sounds like it,” Lisa agreed, leaning back. “Well I can at least stop you wasting anymore time looking: Stormtiger and what’s left of the Wolves joined with Werwolf not long after you took down Cricket.” I swore viciously.

  “Of course the fuckers did,” I groaned, pressing the heels of my palms into my eyes. “Fucking cowards, animals.”

  “Now now, no need for harsh language, there are children present.” She eyed me with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Fuck off,” I spat. “Whatever, guess you’re as much use to me as the Protectorate. Should have known better.”

  “Oh stop being melodramatic,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I didn’t say I couldn’t help, in fact I just gave you exactly what you were looking for, didn’t I?”

  “And it’s totally useless,” I said.

  “Maybe right now,” Lisa admitted. “But I know you won’t be keeping your nose out of things forever. Better you have a full picture when you jump in headfirst.”

  “I’ll be sure to thank you in six to eight months when my team is ready,” I said sarcastically, then sighed and shook my head. “Fuck sake. Do you at least know anything about either the Varangians or the other bitches haunting the East End?”

  “As a matter of fact,” she said with a chuckle. “But nothing in life comes free.”

  “How much?”

  “Depends what you want to know,” she said, leaning in.

  “Safe houses, hang outs, and drop points,” I said. “If you have specifics about a bunch of them getting together, that’d be good too; fights or shows or whatever.”

  “So only the moon and stars,” Lisa said with a sarcastic edge.

  “Told you, it’s shit I can’t find out myself,” I said simply. “If you don’t know, then there’s no point to me being here.”

  “Oh I never said that,” she said smugly, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together.

  “What do you actually have for me?” I demanded. “Not going to agree to pay for bad info.”

  “I’ve got what you asked for,” Lisa replied smoothly. “Varangians and Blood Wolf, they’re the ones working up there.”

  “Blood Wolf?” I scoffed. “Jesus.”

  “Right?” she said with a lopsided grin. “So, it’s gonna cost ten grand each.”

  “For?”

  “The lot,” Lisa said, spreading her arms. “I’ll give you a folder on each with everything we know. It’s not complete, haven’t got all their addresses quite yet, but it should give you plenty to chew on.” I blinked.

  “Just like that?”

  “Cash in my hand, info in yours,” she said, sticking out her hand.

  I studied her face quietly, mulling it over. Twenty-thousand dollars and I’d be able to take down a pair of Nazi gangs terrorizing the East End. That was cheap, frankly. If she wasn’t full of shit, this could be the break I needed. And if she was, well, I could always...recoup my losses.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  “You’re a little insane, you know that?” Lisa said, taking her hand back. “I’m here offering you exactly what you need and lowballing it, but you’re plotting to firebomb my operations?”

  “I wasn’t plotting,” I said sharply, then grimaced. “But it did cross my mind. Okay, I’ll have to get the money, but...fine, deal.”

  “You could stand to be a little more grudging,” she drawled, rolling her eyes.

  “I’m not exactly happy to be working with a villain,” I grumbled.

  “Consider me an informant if it’ll salve your conscience,” Lisa said. “But if it matters, I don’t think you fall on my side of the fence. You’re buying info to do your job as a hero. Sure the Protectorate might give you the stink-eye, and I wouldn’t tell your girlfriend, but you’re small potatoes and you’re doing the heroes’ job for them.”

  “I’m not stupid enough to blab,” I snapped.

  “Agree to disagree,” she snipped back. “Now, since you haven’t got the cash on you, we don’t have anymore business today.”

  “How did— No, stupid question.”

  “Little bit.”

  “Fine, whatever,” I sighed. “I’ll shoot you a PM on PHO when I’ve got it.”

  “Take my number,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “If we’re doing business it’s at least slightly more secure than a public forum.” She scrawled it on a scrap of paper, then passed it to me. “And if you prank call me, I’m sending Imp after you.”

  “Why would I do that?” I asked, pocketing her number.

  “I don’t know why you do half the shit you do,” she said, rolling her eyes. “So I figure it’s best to be thorough.”

  “Whatever,” I said. “Guess I’ll go find your cash.”

  “You do that,” she said as I rose from the table. “And Lia? For what little it’s worth, I appreciate what you’re doing for the city.”

  “Yeah because I’m clearing the way for you,” I said bitterly, sticking my hands in my pockets.

  “Well, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t part of it,” Lisa said, grinning. “But no, I think you’re doing something genuinely good, trying to get rid of the worst villains around.”

  “Uh, thanks.” I blinked, taken aback by what sounded like a genuine compliment. “I guess...I appreciate you’re actually willing to give me some info, or sell it, whatever.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “Be seeing you.”

  Hopefully not too often…

  “Bedford Attorneys, this is Jaya speaking, how can I help?” a chipper voice answered the phone.

  “Yeah I’m calling for Samuel,” I said. “It’s uh, tell him it’s the D’souza kid.”

  “One moment,” the receptionist said. There was a few seconds of hold music, then the line clicked.

  “Samuel Bedford,” he said. “It’s good to hear from you Amelia, how have you been?”

  “Fine,” I said quickly. I wanted to get to business. “How are things going with the money?”

  “Working on releasing the funds, we’re waiting for a couple insurers to get back to us yet,” he replied. “You need something?”

  “Twenty-thousand dollars,” I said.

  “Alright,” Samuel replied easily. “How soon do you need it?” I frowned.

  “Just...like that?”

  “It’s your money,” he said simply. “Not my business what you need it for, my job is getting it to you.”

  “Well, okay, cool.” I swallowed. “Is Friday too soon?”

  “Nope, should be just fine,” he said. “Need anything else?”

  “No I…” I pursed my lips. “What uh, what else can you do?” He chuckled dryly.

  “Why don’t you come by my office Friday? We’ll talk more then.”

  “Well...alright, see you then.”

  “Stay safe Amelia.”

  “Hey kid, it’s good to see you,” Samuel greeted me with a smile and a firm handshake. “You been alright? School’s not treating you too harshly is it?”

  “No, it’s fine,” I said, shaking my head and taking a seat across from him. He shuffled some papers around on his desk before sitting down himself. “Passed all my midterms, so like, yeah.”

  “Good stuff,” he said with a nod. “Nearly flunked twice myself. And your girlfriend, she’s doing well?”

  “Yeah everything’s fine,” I said, shrugging. I didn’t really want to get into my personal life with him. “You have the money?”

  “Straight to business, huh?” he said, grinning. He put a quartet of thick envelopes on the desk in front of him. “There it is. Feel free to count, I won’t be offended.” I took them and did, opening each one and checking. Five grand in each, so I stuffed them into my backpack and put it on the floor. “Now, you had some questions about what kind of services I can offer, didn’t you?”

  “I guess, yeah,” I hedged. It was mostly morbid curiosity, but… “You talked about, I guess having control of my money right? Without my ‘guardians’ knowing?” He smiled.

  “I did,” Samuel confirmed. “But I assume you want details. The money would be kept in an offshore account, managed by a firm called VAT. Totally secure, allegedly run by a Tinker named Money Man. Don’t let that worry you, never been an investigation into it, probably just a rumour to promote their services.”

  “Money Man, huh?” It couldn’t be… “How would I get it out, or like know it’s even there?”

  “Call them, provide your account number and password, they’ll give you a few different options for withdrawal,” he explained. “Prepaid credit cards would be my personal recommendation, at least for your day to day. A young lady flashing cash around will attract some unwanted attention.”

  “I can handle myself,” I said. “But thanks for the advice, I’ll take it up.”

  “Current circumstances excepted,” he said with a lopsided grin.

  “Unless you set the account up before I got here,” I shot back.

  “No, that’ll take a couple days,” Samuel said, scratching his chin. “I presume you don’t want your legal name attached to this?”

  “Is that...okay?”

  “These guys understand privacy,” he replied. “And yes, in the jurisdiction they operate under it is completely legal to use a pseudonym.”

  “Huh.” It was hard to believe but...well, this guy was a lawyer. “Well, okay. How much is it going to cost me?”

  “Sharp one,” he said, winking. “Not much for this one, a few grand for the moving fees. Honestly makes my job a little easier, so I won’t tack on extra.”

  “How generous,” I said dryly.

  “Funny too,” Samuel huffed. “You seem a little prickly, doing alright?”

  “I’m fine, I told you,” I said.

  “Mm, most kids don’t need twenty thou in cash with short notice,” he said flatly. “Now I want you to know, anything you say in here stays between us, it’s called attorney-client privilege. If you need help with something you can’t ask someone else for, try me.” I started at him silently, frowning.

  “What’s your deal?” I asked. “I’m just the kid of your client. Why are you so interested in my business?” His lips drew into a thin, tight line.

  “Your mother and I were…” He frowned, shaking his head. “Not quite friends, acquaintances I suppose. She was quite the woman, not ashamed to admit I was a little taken by her. Strong-willed, fiery, and clever as a fox.”

  “And a Nazi,” I said coldly.

  “Every rose has its thorns,” Samuel said with a sigh. “She did have a habit of calling me the only good Jew in the city.”

  “You’re Jewish?”

  “No, I’m a lawyer,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “Anyway, that’s not all of it at least. You’re a young woman, out on your own in the most violent city in the states. Can’t deny I feel a little responsible to help you out, and keep you out of the same trouble Carol was involved in.”

  “No fucking way I’d follow her footsteps,” I snapped, making him hold out his empty palms in a placating gesture.

  “Not suggesting you would,” Samuel said quickly. “But the money?”

  “It’s...business,” I said hesitantly. “Private business.”

  “Legal?” I nodded and he sighed; it...wasn’t exactly a lie, I wasn’t buying anything illegal after all. “Good, try and keep things that way. Might sound strange coming from a man who makes his living off defending criminals, but I don’t want to see a kid mixed up in all this.” Yeah too late buddy.

  “I guess I appreciate the sentiment,” I said. “But no, I don’t need anything besides what I asked for.”

  “Well, if you do, you’ve got my card,” Samuel replied. “I’ll contact you once I sort out the account, that alright?”

  “It’s fine,” I said, shrugging. “Is it like a normal bank for deposits and stuff?”

  “They have their methods, varies depending on a few things,” he said. “If you have any questions, just give me a call about specifics. Or them for that matter, they could probably help a little more.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I said flatly. “Uh, thanks I guess.”

  “No problem,” Samuel said, offering a seemingly kind smile. “Stay safe out there, Amelia.”

  As I said my goodbyes, I didn’t bother to lie about trying.