204. REPERCUSSIONS: WIREMU
I knocked on the door of the townhouse where Modrica and Težka were living. It is not that Modrica would object if I entered. I came and went a lot as this was one of two key places I changed into Dianne. Dianne’s own place is on the far side of the city. I knocked because I didn’t want Susie to know how familiar I was with this place and because my Thermal Senses said Modrica was not alone. The townhouse looked like all the others in the street. We acquired it because of the large yard out the back. It was never adequately explained to me how we acquired it. Tabitha and Kelda returned from the casino one evening with the signed deed in Kelda’s name. I chose not to ask for any more details.
Modrica’s visitor came to answer the door, “Good afternoon,” she said.
Susie immediately dropped into a bow. I thought she might drop to a knee. “Ha... Hello, Countess,” she stammered.
“Hi, Skygge. Susie needed somewhere to stay for a few days.” I said.
“And you thought here would be appropriate?”
Susie was giving me sharp looks, and didn’t know what to say.
“Well, she can’t stay with me, and she needed protection for a while.”
“Of course, she can’t stay with you, Dianne. What would your girlfriend say?”
That got me another sharp look from Susie. I rolled my eyes at Tabitha. She was just trying to embarrass me now.
“We had an altercation with Harry, and Susie witnessed it.”
“You had better come in, and we can discuss it.” We went into the main living room and sat down. Modrica was downstairs with Težka in his den. “What happened?”
Susie seemed very nervous. I suppose she hadn’t met Skygge before.
I described the incident.
“You sliced her face? Awesome!” Tabitha gave me a high five in congratulations. Now Susie was looking at her funny.
“I didn’t find out what she wanted from me. I am assuming she wanted to get to you,” I said.
“Maybe or maybe not. You are quite the catch on your own, Dianne,” she said with a smirk.
“I am sorry, Countess,” Susie butted in, “I didn’t realise Lady Dianne was going to bring me to your house. I can find somewhere else to stay.”
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No wonder she was so nervous she thought she would be staying with a countess.
“Oh no, Skygge doesn’t live here.”
Now Susie just looked confused.
“I am not sure about this,” Tabitha said, “If this leaks, then public opinion will be brutal.”
“I won’t say anything,” Susie promised, “but I can also find somewhere else to stay.”
Truth Sensing was confirming her intention, but she didn’t know who her flatmate was yet.
“It is not whether you will talk that is the problem. It is whether you can be made to talk.” Tabitha explained. “Harry, who started all this, has some sort of Mental Skill that makes you want to please her. Dianne here barely resisted, and she knew she had the Skill. There are others who are just plain devious. After we leave here, it won’t be a problem, but for the next few months, we can't have a leak.”
“It will be worse at the compound,” I said, “and she needs someplace where somebody is around all the time. That is here or the compound.”
“She is probably safe enough at an Inn as long as she doesn’t leave without an escort.”
“This is safer than an Inn, and a house and yard are better than a cramped room.”
“I can’t be a problem for you,” Susie said, “I will be fine at my place.”
“She can’t afford an Inn,” I said bluntly.
“No,” said Tabitha to Susie, “We both agree that you won’t be safe at your place. The problem is we have many secrets. Our objectives will be harder to achieve if those Secrets get out.”
“I understand,” said Susie, “You have your work for the King.”
“That too,” said Tabitha, “Although that is mostly just something to distract the nobles while Dianne does the actual work.” Susie was looking between us, confused. “At the end of the day, King Thor can sort his own problems out. It is just easier for the old fogey to dump it on us, although it is no longer cheaper.” She grinned.
“I know it is a risk, but Susie can be a big help in the research.”
“You offered her a job, didn’t you? You bloody bleeding heart.”
“I could do with the help.”
Tabitha just gave a long-suffering sigh. She turned to Susie, “The knowledge you will have means people will kill you just because you know it.”
“The restricted information in the Lore Society?” Susie asked.
“Partly,” Tabitha replied, “but more about what Dianne will do with it.”
Then there was a rumble behind Susie and a voice, “She can stay.”
Susie turned quickly to see who was there. Tabitha and I knew Modrica had been listening, and the decision was hers at the end of the day. Susie was surprised to see Modrica’s towering presence. She was even more surprised when I said, “Susie, meet your flatmate, Modrica.”
Her eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open. “But… but…”
“But she is dead. Yes, we know. Težka is in his lair downstairs.” Tabitha looked at Susie. “Can you keep this secret?”
We had to wait for the answer. I think she might have gone into shock. Eventually, she nodded, “Y…Yes,” then she turned timidly to Modrica, “Can I meet Težka?” Modrica nodded and led the way downstairs.
When they left, Tabitha asked me, “Do you think it will work?”
I shrugged, “We’ll see.”