Best Left in the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

pigs kept behind the building was sharp and
pungent, and the animals themselves were loud. Even over the sound of pigs,
Alys heard the heavy slapping sounds of someone getting the worst of a beating.
    Dax’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, but her hand shot
out and caught his wrist tightly. Her eyes met his, and she shook her head. He
frowned, but released his grip.
    Alys walked around the side of the big building. There,
behind the pig pen, two men were taking turns methodically beating a third man.
A tall man with thick, dark sideburns and a long face leaned against the wall.
He looked decidedly bored with the proceedings.
    “Running a successful business can be so tedious, can’t it,
Keyburn?” Alys called out.
    The tall man’s eyes widened. “Alys!” he said jovially,
leaping off the wall and coming toward them. He wrapped Alys in a tight embrace
and grinned at Dax. “And you bring a guest as well.” He bowed low. “Keyburn the
Sportsman. You must be the Magistrate Inspector. The Blacktide sent word you’d
be out and about the district.”
    A heavy smacking sound came from behind Keyburn, followed
by a groan of pain. Alys peered around Keyburn’s shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt
you, Key, but I was hoping you might have a line on someone I’m trying to track
down.”
    “Please. You are never an interruption, Alys. The boys
could do with a bit of a break.” He whistled once, sharply, and the two large
men let the beaten man fall heavily to the ground, where he lay panting and
bleeding.
    Keyburn turned back to Alys. “Now, what is it I can do for
you, fair cousin?”
    Alys smiled. “I’m looking for a Lowside slummer. Inkman.
Between crews, likely. Gambler and grafter named Calder.”
    There was a muffled moan from the man on the ground.
    “Why young master Calder is right here,” Keyburn said,
stepping back and gesturing to the man on the ground. “We were just discussing the
negatives inherent in not only being delinquent in repaying a debt, but also
dishonesty.”
    Keyburn walked over to Calder and gave the man a quick
sharp kick to the ribs. “He assured me he would have my money as of two days
ago. And yet, when the lads came across him last night, he was empty-handed.
Tsk tsk.”
    At his feet, Calder moaned and rolled over onto his back,
breathing hard.
    Alys looked over to Dax. His lips were set in a tight line.
He had not taken his eyes off Calder since Keyburn had confirmed his identity.
She could practically hear his teeth grinding together.
    She sighed.
    “How deep is he in to you, Key?” she asked.
    “Including the juice on his original borrow?” he said. “Twelve
stacks.”
    Alys’s mouth fell open. “Twelve stacks?” she said, shooting
a look at the man on the ground. “You must be a complete degenerate to rack up
numbers like that.” Alys rubbed a hand over her forehead in frustration and
sighed once more. “Look, Key. I got need for him. You willing to sell me his
marker?”
    Keyburn seemed a bit surprised, but he slowly nodded his
head. “I would be, but I gotta warn you, cousin. He likely owes at least one
other house besides mine. A few toughs came asking for him early this morning.
I had to remind them that I had found him first, so I had first claim.” Keyburn
shrugged. “If you buy up his marker, you won’t be the only one with a claim on
him.” He smiled at her with stained teeth. “Never let it be said I entered into
a deal without giving full disclosure.”
    “I am obliged, Key, and I’ll take my chances.” She looked
down at the form slumped on the ground. “I do need him to talk, though. You
started work on his teeth yet?”
    “Not at all,” Key said. “Just a bit of the body for today.
Was thinking ear tomorrow, then perhaps teeth, but not my problem anymore.
Provided you have something worth his twelve stacks, Alys.”
    “I know the names of the Razors that three of the schools
are putting up to fight in the tournament next month. Not the