Sins of Commission (Iron Kingdoms)

[Imperial Overlord]

Kade Talbot stepped over the puddle and approached the two toughs at the factory door. They were hard looking men, broad and beefy, with heavy truncheons and thick mustaches. They wore heavy leather aprons and regarded him suspiciously.

Garthek stomped through the puddle. The trollkin could have broken either tough over his knee without breaking a sweat. "I'm Kade Talbot. This is my associate Garthek Slaughterborn. We're expected."

"Of course sir," said the man on the right. "Go right in."

The entered the factory. Heat assailed him almost immediately, a hot, dry wind emanating from the blast furnaces and cauldrons of molten steel. Dozens of men and Rhul folk attended the furnaces, guided the cauldrons, and shaped the steel. Two massive steamjacks, iron men with hydraulic muscles and magical cortex brains, assisted in the work.

Kade approached a man yelling directions. A small black cat with white paws trotted along beside him. "I'm looking for Rhudd Mallet," said Kade.
The man pointed to glass walled box near the factory ceiling. "Thanks," said Kade.

The two mercenaries ascended the stairs and crossed the catwalk to Mallet's office. The factory manager was a heavyset man with dark hair and a neat beard. He wore a heavy wool jacket lined with silk over a crisp shirt and pants. A gold medallions set with a ruby gleamed at his throat and he wore a slim gold wedding ring and two heavy gold rings, one set with a ruby. He looked up from his desk. "Mister Talbot, I presume?"

"Indeed sir," said Kade Talbot. "My comrade in arms, Garthek Slaughterborn." Mallet inclined his head. "How can we be of service, Mister Mallet?"

"My holdings, specifically this factory, is under attack. This is a very expensive operation Mister Talbot, probably more so than you can imagine. I have invested much of my fortune and I have several prominent investors. Many men and their families depend on this business for their livelihood. Many companies and the Cygnaran government depend upon our product coming to them in a timely manner. When it does not, the great web collapses. Someone is trying to destroy this business. I want them stopped."

"Have the authorities been of any assistance?" Kade asked.

"I would rather the government did not know I was suffering difficulties and consider sending their contracts elsewhere."

"Ahh. So a certain amount of discretion is desired. We will, of course comply." We'll try to avoid spell and gun duels in the streets, is what Kade really meant.

"Good. I'll have my man Quinn show you around and relay the details to you."

"Very good Mister Mallet," said Kade. "We'll get right on it."

----------------------------------------------------------

The lock opened as Ardin turned the key. The wizard turned the door knob and stepped inside. Kerry almost dropped the tray she held in her hands. "Oh sir! You gave me such a fright."

"I'm sorry," said Ardin. The small house was modestly, but comfortably, appointed. Much of the wealth that his comrades spent on mechanika instead went to buying and maintaining this place. Kerry's wages were just one of the expenses.

"How is he?" he asked the servant girl. She was vaguely pretty, in a mousy kind of way. She had some medical training and experience in dealing with the sick, which meant she earned a good wage and had skills that were essential for her duties

"Oh sir, he's taken a turn for the worst. Spending most of his time in bed."

Ardin bit back an oath. He took the tray from Kerry. "I'll take this up to him. You can have the rest of the day off. Full wages."

"Thank you sir." She bobbed her head as Ardin headed up the stairs. Hawke's bedroom was just off to the right. The old man was lying in bed, propped up on pillows. His grey hair and beard were neatly trimmed, although his eyes were milky. "Ardin, is that you?"

Ardin put the tray down on the chest of drawers by the bed. "Yes, its me old friend." He took Hawke's hand in his.

"It's good that you've come back. I don't have too much time left." He coughed. "Good thing my debts are all paid off."

"Yes, they are. You've still got time."

Hawke glared into his eyes. "Don't lie to me, boy. I'm still your better. The Protectorate signed my death warrant before you even came, forcing me to burn my life out make cortexes and weapons for them. It was too late before I ever met you. We both know that. But I die free boy. I got some peace and comfort before I go and a measure of revenge. I can take some contentment in that."

"You're not dead yet old man. There might be something I can still do."

"No point in arguing with you is there boy? Always stubborn, never giving up."

"You got that right, old man."

[The Nomad]

A promising start . I've liked Ardin since "Be Careful What You Wish For" and it improves with each story.

I take it you will not update "A Piece at a Time" and "The Whirlwind" any time soon ?

[Imperial Overlord]

I take it you will not update "A Piece at a Time" and "The Whirlwind" any time soon ?

"The Whirlwind" before "A Piece of at a Time". They're both huge projects and I'm not really enjoying writing them at the moment, which is why they are on the backburner. They will get finished though.

[LadyTevar]

I take it you will not update "A Piece at a Time" and "The Whirlwind" any time soon ?

"The Whirlwind" before "A Piece of at a Time". They're both huge projects and I'm not really enjoying writing them at the moment, which is why they are on the backburner. They will get finished though.

Yeah.. same reason I've not touched "Cycle's End" this month.

[The Nomad]

Yeah.. same reason I've not touched "Cycle's End" this month.

*resists urge to insert lousy joke* God damn it was tempting, but good taste is saved today...

So the next assignment will require some stealth... But when the group's rogue-type flings grenades at enemies, it looks kinda sketchy

[Ford Prefect]

This a lot different in terms of operation from the last jobs - it doesn't look like steam-powered armour will be the weapon of choice in this situation. I like that.

[Imperial Overlord]

This a lot different in terms of operation from the last jobs - it doesn't look like steam-powered armour will be the weapon of choice in this situation. I like that.

Yeah, Kade isn't likely to be getting much use out the War God on this one. Fortunately he's a skilled Arcane Mechanik as well as steam armour jock.
(roughly Arcane Mechanik 8/Fighter 1/Ironhead 3)

[LadyTevar]

This a lot different in terms of operation from the last jobs - it doesn't look like steam-powered armour will be the weapon of choice in this situation. I like that.

Yeah, Kade isn't likely to be getting much use out the War God on this one. Fortunately he's a skilled Arcane Mechanik as well as steam armour jock.
(roughly Arcane Mechanik 8/Fighter 1/Ironhead 3)

Since I've not played Iron Kingdom, that means nothing to me... but bring on the Story!

[SirNitram]

This a lot different in terms of operation from the last jobs - it doesn't look like steam-powered armour will be the weapon of choice in this situation. I like that.

Yeah, Kade isn't likely to be getting much use out the War God on this one. Fortunately he's a skilled Arcane Mechanik as well as steam armour jock.
(roughly Arcane Mechanik 8/Fighter 1/Ironhead 3)

Since I've not played Iron Kingdom, that means nothing to me... but bring on the Story!

D&D d20 rules, and I'd guess Arcane Mechanik are a kind of 'Arcane magic builder dude' class.

[Imperial Overlord]

D&D d20 rules, and I'd guess Arcane Mechanik are a kind of 'Arcane magic builder dude' class.

Yes. Arcane Mechaniks are a hybrid casting class specializing in making mechanika (magic-tech fusions) and Ironhead is steam armour builder/operator prestige class

[Imperial Overlord]

Quinn was a lean man with grey hair that looked like forty hard years of living. He wore battered great coat over an expensive suit. "You Talbot?" he asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"I'm Quinn. Things need handling, I handle them."

"You must not be happy to see us."

"No, I'm not. Not a fool either. Things are getting out of hand and I need the help now before things go completely to the Wyrm." He lead Talbot and Slaughterborn along the catwalk and down the stairs.

"So what's been happening?"

"First thing was a bunch of gremlins and poison meat were snuck in. We started seeing dead cats, either torn up by the gremlins, or got by the poison. We caught on pretty quick, got rid of the meat, got more cats, brought in some specialists to exorcise the machines and get the gremlins out. That cost, but wasn't too bad. Then it got worse.

"A couple of shipments of supply shipments went missing. Two of our best workers got the tar beaten out of them by masked men."

"Interesting way of escalating," said Talbot.

"Ehh?"

"Gremlins are invisible to everything to but cats and cats aren't inclined to let them live for long. Capturing them means magic. So does sneaking a large bunch of them in here. Stealing shipments and sending out thugs doesn't require magic. You attacker prefers to lead with expensive, arcane resources."

"Hmmph."

"My company includes several magical specialists as well as those conversant with civilization's under side. We're well equipped to be of assistance."

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"You're not from around here, flash boy. You know who runs the show in New Larkholm?"

"The Cygnaran Crown or the Mercian League, depending on what aspect you're talking about."

"Yeah, and that's the problem. The earl's setting up to break the power of the League."

"Sweet Morrow's bones. I should have charged double."

--------------------------------------------------------

The Black Shield Tavern was not a nice place. It was, as a matter of fact, infamous. It was visited by dangerous men and women and located in the worst neighborhood in the city. No one paid Ardin a second glance when he walked in.

The tavern was drab, but in pretty good shape. The tap room was sunk about two feet into the floor and filled with battered, but solid looking tables. A fireplace was located on the far end from the door and a solid looking stairway climbed to the second floor. The bartender was a bull necked brute that looked like a Khadorian bear strangler.

Ardin headed toward four men gathered around a single table. Three of them wore dark clothes and had gold jewelry glittering on their fingers, ears, and throats. The fourth man was over average height, heavyset, with the beginning of a beer belly. He wore a shirt of violet silk with gold threads. The heavy gold rings on his fingers were set with various gems.

The three other men turned to give Ardin appraising looks. Their great coats allowed them to conceal pistols and short swords under them and they weren't bothering to be careful about hiding their armament here. "What do you want mate?" said the leader.

"I was hoping you could recommend a priest," said Ardin.

"And why would you think I would make a recommendation for a spiritual advisor?"

Ardin fished into his pocket and dropped a silver medallion attached to a think silver chain on the table. A platinum Tower bounced on the table next to it. The crime boss ignored the coin and picked up the medallion, giving it a closer look. It had the image of a bearded man in old fashioned royal robes and a crown-like hat. "A demonstration of my spiritual convictions," said Ardin.

The ganglord slid the talisman of Scion Ekris, patron of Tyrants, Diviners, and Infernalists, back across the table. "If I did know such an individual and you happened to be with the law, then I could get myself in trouble by directing you to him or her."

"That's true. If you actually knew one, instead of say suggesting a place to look for one. Then you would only be guessing. A lucky guess is no admission of guilt."

"True enough," he replied. "But the priest of the Dark Sister might not be so happy and that could be unpleasant for me."

"If the priest knows to expect me as well, well then he or she can take whatever precautions he thinks are necessary. Who could say how such information would get back to him. We are talking in a public place, after all. Perhaps we're being spied on right now."

"You're pretty bold."

"I need the priest, I have the coin, and I kill people in batch lots for a living. Fear is something other people feel. Now, are you going to help me?"

"You might have some luck if you check around the Palantine Street trolley house, in two or three days. Just as a guess."

[The Nomad]

Why a priest, I wonder. Perhaps he wants to have the location of the Menite slavers that did this to the old man divined (if he doesn't know Scry, or the Menites are too well shielded?)? Or is it something even darker?

[Imperial Overlord]

Kade and Garthek walked back into their lodgings at the Godlen Bull where they had taken suites on the third floor. Kade unlocked the door and walked in to find Shay had her feet up on the table in front of the fireplace. The gunmage had her weapons within easy reach and a glass of wine in her hand. A half empty platter of sweet meats lay on the table. "How did it go?" she asked.

Kade took off his gun belt. "Fine."

"We're not gettin' paid enough," rumbled Slaughterborn.

"I might not have charged enough for our services," Talbot admitted. Shay's eyes narrowed. "We're still getting a lot of money."

"Alright," said the gunmage. "What exactly have we gotten ourselves into?"

"Possibly a feud between the two largest power blocks in the city," said Kade.

Shay winced. "Ouch. They better be paying my body weight in platinum."

"Not quite that good. Where's Ardin?"

"Still doing whatever he's doing."

"He didn't tell you?"

"I just sleep with him," she said with a grin. She swung her legs off the table and stood up. "Seriously," she said, "there's some things from his past he just doesn't talk about. This is connected, I think. I don't press him on it."

Kade nodded. "Okay. We'll, we don't need him yet, but we do need his twin."

"Sadko?" she asked. "Why? City stuff isn't his thing."

"I know, but monster hunters are a different story."

"Why monster hunters?"

"Because huge batches of gremlins have to come from somewhere and since nobody wants the little bastards around, it means they had to catch them themselves-"

"Or pay professionals. Most of whom are pretty woodsy. And thus Sadko's kind of people. Good thinking."

"I have my moments."

------------------------------------------------------

Ardin stood in the shadows beneath the bridge, his collar pulled up around his face and a long white scarf tied around his neck. Gloves of soft black leather protected his hands. It was predawn and miserably cold. He could live with that.

Labourers were moving around, starting their day. Poor bastards. Still, one did what one had to. He knew the truth of that.

A woman wearing a dark coat walked towards him, away from the lines of labourers heading into the factories and foundaries. She wore a hood and a black scarf around the lower half of her face. She had dark eyes and eyebrows and might have been pretty. Beyond that Adrin couldn't say much other than she was on the tall side and well built. Her hands were in her pockets. There was a bulge in one of them that could have been a gun.

That didn't bother him. A priestess of the Dark Twin was dangerous with or without a gun. There was the possibility that the gangsters had sold him out to the law, but he didn't think so. Besides, it wasn't illegal to worship Thamar. It was, however, illegal to be one of her clerics.

"Good morning," said Ardin. He pulled his medallion of Scion Ekris out of his pocket. "I have a friend who needs healing."

She was wary. "Indeed," she said. "Why not go to the Church of Morrow?"

"Not a follower of Morrow," Ardin said. "Morrow didn't get him out of the Protectorate. We did that ourselves, with some guidance from the scion." Which was a confession to infernalism, in a round about way. He could, of course, be lying. He would certainly say that if he was questioned by the authorities.

She nodded courtly. "What's your problem?"

"He's ill. Dying. I need a priest and a good one."

Mischief danced in her eyes. "Well, that depends on what definition of good you mean." Then her gaze hardened. "It will cost."

"I know."

"Very well. Lead the way."

[The Nomad]

Yeah Interesting return to the Iron Kingdoms

[Imperial Overlord]

Sadko loomed over the smaller Midlander. The monster hunter was a half a foot shorter than the druid, but with shoulders almost as broad and a neatly trimmed dark brown beard and mustache. He wore a leather reinforced great coat over a mail shirt and wool shirts and trousers. A military pistol and iron banded cugel swung from his belt.

"I am looking for a buyer of gremlins," said the black clad.

"Aye," said the monster hunter warily. His wagon was parked in the warehouse district, on an open lot close to the docks. "Well, I catch 'em, not buy them."

"But if someone was buying them, you would know."

"I'm not in the habit of breaking confidences," he said warily.

"How much of a confidence is it?" asked Kade. "We're just talking about an offer and directions. Not secrets, just business. Someone is going to get paid for telling us, might as well be you."

"Hmmm," said the monster hunter. "Alright," he said at last. "Davyn Haderson, has a shop near the gate. He was looking to buy. Couldn't help him. Hard to catch them alive and not much in the way of an honest use for them."

Kade tossed him a pair of gold crowns. "Thanks." The adventurers began walking to the other side of town. "So," said Kade, "if you were going to hunt gremlins and wanted to capture them alive, how would you do it?"

"Not easy," rumbled Sadko. "Invisible to all but cats. Need magic or mechanika to see them. The are smart and can ruin devices. Traps won't work. Cats will kill them, but that won't get you live ones. Magic is easiest, if you have it. Freeze them and put them in a heavy cage. Lid on top, not lock just a bar. Put the cage in a room full of cats so they won't want to get out and no rescue will work."

"You've though about this," said Kade.

"Yes, I have. Plenty of time for it. Specialized mechanika costs. He's either already got it or he has magic."

"We'll find out soon enough," said Kade. "Somehow I don't think he'll be as willing to cooperate as our friend back there. He'll be paid for his discretion."

"True," said Sadko. "We need Ardin to loosen his tongue."

"Not quite," said Kade. "I caged a charm spell off him a couple weeks back."

"I thought you sent Shay after him for that," said Sadko.

"No," said Kade, "I sent Shay after him because she wanted to go and this is rapidly looking like a situation that could make us rich or dead. We need him, personal business be damned. We don't need him to handle one monster hunter, but we will for what comes after."

--------------------------------------

The priestess was bent over Hawke when Ardin came back up the stairs. She straightened up and turned toward Ardin. "He's in bad shape. There is only so much I can do for him."

"I expected as much," said the wizard. "Go on."

"His health has been damaged, probably by having his life force drained by the creation of magic or mechanika. I can cure the disease afflicting him, but he will remain very vulnerable to them. That's how he got so ill in the first place. His age only exacerbates the problem."

"I'm not expecting the impossible," said Ardin. "If you cure the disease, will he still have good years left?"

"Yes, if the gods are willing."

"Then do it."

"There is the matter of my fee."

There was a knock at the door. They both looked downstairs. "Expecting someone?" the priestess asked.

"No," said Ardin, killing spells coming to mind. "Stay up here," said Ardin. He went down the stairs and opened the door.

"Shay."

"Yes," she said. "Me."

"This isn't a good time."

"I know. You've been avoiding me and I'm more than a little angry about it, but I'm here on business."

"I said I had things to take care of. Personal business. That I wouldn't take contracts."

"Things change. We need you for this," she pushed passed him and into the house. "I don't care if you have a mistress here or a boy harem or whatever your secret happens to be. We need you."

A wheezing cough came from upstairs. "Wait here," said Ardin and went up the stairs. Shay followed him up.

"Sweet Morrow," said Shay when she saw Hawke. "You should get him to a priest." Her gaze swept over the priestess. Her voice hardened. "Or maybe you already have." Suddenly her magelock was in her hand. "That your secret?" she said.

"Yes," said Ardin. "I new just enough magic to be useful when the Menites grabbed me off the street and smuggled me into the Protectorate. Hawke was one of those assigned to train me in how to make cortexes and reflex triggers for war jacks. So was Erwin. The Menites had burned both of his legs, crippling, because of a previous escape attempt. We plotted another.

"I was the muscle, they were the brains. We formulated the magic we would need and planned what we had to do. Then we did it. Erwin didn't make it. Me and Hawke did, but he was an old man. He finished off my magical education and I provided the coin for him to live out the rest of his life comfortably." He was tellling the truth, but he was only telling a fraction of it.

"And her?" Shay asked. She knew he was leaving a lot out.

"The church of Morrow wouldn't approve of the magics we used and Hawke isn't a hypocrite. So when a disease is killing him and alchemy won't work, I need a Thamarite cleric. What are you going to do?"

She holstered her gun. "I'm going back to the inn. I'll expect you when you're done with this business." She walked down the stairs and out the door.

"One liar to another, you weren't very convincing," said the priestess.

"My problem," said Ardin. "Not your business. So name your price and let's get this over with."

[Imperial Overlord]

The Monster Hunter's shop turned out to be three story stout brick building. "Pretty big," said Garthek.

"Big enough for a shop front, living quarters up top, and to store gear and captures in back," said Kade. "A success."

"Let us just finish this," said Sadko.

"Remind me again while you are with us."

"Man fights man and he's not focusing his energy in burning down the forests or ripping down the mountains. The followers of Morrow will at least listen to reason, those who follow Menoth will plunge off right off the cliff in their madness."

"Right," said Kade. "Balance, Oroboros, waking the Wurm."

"Do not mock it," growled the druid. "The Wurm is just a fraction of the Oroboros. To draw its wrath will be a disaster that will make the Orgoth invasion seem like a bog trog party. Human civilization must remain in balance with the wild."

"So the war is good as long as it cripples both sides," said Kade. "Nice."

"Or makes me stronger while the participants weaken. In the long run, it is best for everyone."

"Enough of this," said Garthek. "Let's get this done." The trollkin strode forward.

"Right," said Kade and the druid and the mechanik followed in Slaughterborn's wake. The trollkin opened the door and stepped into the shop.

Trophies lined the walls, ranging from two yard long titan tusks to a spike ladden spine ripper hide. There were a pair of comfortable chairs facing a desk behind which sat a Midlander almost as tall as Sadko and just as broad. He was dark skinned, with even darker hair and beard. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Yes," said Kade, "you can tell us who you are catching gremlins for."

The monster hunter smiled and flung out his hand. Blinding light flashed the adventurers staggered back. Haderson was through the door behind him before any of them could recover. Garthek growled and staggered after him.

The storage room was huge, dominated by large cages and a wagon. Several of the cages were inhabited. The walls were lined with a wide variety weapons and traps. Davyn grabbed a hunting spear off the wall and turned to face Slaughterborn.

"Not smart," said Garthek, unslinging his battleblade. The rune plates blunt tipped chopping sword flared into cyan life. "Now we're going to have to get rough."

Davyn raised his left hand and light flared again. The monster hunter lunged and rammed the spear head into the trollkin's right shoulder. Dark troll blood spurted from the wound. Haderson twisted the blade and shoved. Garthek staggered back as Haderson relinquished the spear and retreated.

Sadko came through the doorway in Slaughterborn's wake, his iron shod staff at the ready. Haderson muttered a spell and silvery light wrapped his form before fading away. The monster hunter pulled a mechanikal great axe. Runes lit up with lemon coloured ligh on the hollow steel shaft and on the axe blade.

Sadko swung low at the monster hunter's legs. The staff impacted on an invisble force, robbing much of the power of the blow. Haderson brought the axe down on the druid. Sadko parried the strike. The mechanikal axe sheared right through. Sadko stepped back.

A shot rang out and Haderson fell, blood pouring from his right thigh. Kade pushed his way forward, his mechanikal pistol smoking in his hand. "The other barrel is still loaded," he said. "So settle down," said Kade, "or I'll shoot you again."

Haderson struggled to his feet. "You really don't want to go this route," he said. Haderson through out his hand. Light blazed again. Kade fired.

When Talbot recovered from Haderson's sorcery the monster hunter was staggering towards the rear of the storeroom, his right shoulder a bloody mess. Sadko gestured and a gust of wind hammered Haderson into the wall. The monster hunter slumped to the floor.

The druid lunged forward and seized Haderson's good arm and twisted it behind his back. "Kade, get over here and lets get this done."

Kade cracked open his pistol and slipped in two new silk wrapped cartridges. He whispered the words of the charm spell. "Tell me," he said, "who hired you to get the gremlins and all of this will be over."

"Markus McNay."

"And who does he work for?" Kade pressed.

"He's one of the earl's men."

"Lovely," said Kade.

"What do we do now?" rumbled Garthek.

"We talk to Ardin," said Sadko.

[Imperial Overlord]

Markus McNay felt them coming before he saw them. A life time of doing deeds in the dark for those who could not be tied to those deeds had left him all too familiar with danger and the predators that inhabited the worst parts of town. He feigned tripping in a puddle so he could he could get a good look behind him.

Yes, he was being followed. A trollkin and a cloaked human were trailing him, half obscured by the mist. A big cloaked human because he was damn near the size of the trollkin and he was a pretty big trollkin. They weren't being subtle about their interest. Damn.

He stood up and started walking rapidly away. He was armed and he could fight, but running was safer. Running and then hunting the hunters with men who did that kind of work. Men that he had hired to do that kind of work before and who always delivered.

He rounded the corner and almost crashed into two men, both wearing coats, hats, and long scarves around the bottom of their faces. One muttered something and the earth spun and he found himself on his face on the wet cobbles.

Hands seized him and removed the small sword and pistol from his belt as they dragged him into the alley. Another was standing guard. They found the derringer in his vest pocket and braced him against the alley wall. Strength began to seep back into his limbs.

The trollkin and the cloaked man joined the others. "Listen closely," said on of the scarf wearing men. "We know who you are. We know who you work for. We know who you have employed. We know where to find you. We know where to find them. We can lay out the trail of events for the League or the Crown."

The other man pulled out his pistol and cocked the hammer. "And we can blow your brains all over this wall. Or the wall of the room you keep on Pine Street. Or the second story bedroom you have in the earl's manse. Your little foray into industrial sabotage is over. Or your life is. And the crown will get a detailed account to what your master has been up to. If we don't end your master. Because the League knows and it isn't happy."

The let him go. The soles of his boots touched the alley floor. "Let your boss know that the coach house fire wasn't an accident. We can reach him anywhere. On the other hand, if this ends, you both get to pretend this never happened." They walked away, leaving Markus alone in the alley.

"Think he bought it?" whispered Shay.

"Sure," said Arden. "It's all true and far more than he bargained for. The earl is rumoured to be getting a lot of heat from the crown already because they need the Mercian League to be shipping as much as it can to feed the war. It's safe and easy for them both to just drop the matter. It's not like they'll lose any face."

"If they don't?" asked Kade.

"Then we really do blow his brains out and the earl will have to be looking for a new black bag man if he wants this to continue. That is, if the earl is still here. Aren't we do to get paid?"

Kade arched an eyebrow. "This from the man who initially didn't want a piece of the job?"

"I have expenses," said Arden.

"Like what?"

"You don't want to know. Trust me on this."