Page 133 of The Dark Mirror

Ducos climbed out of the car with a grimace. I followed, taking my holdall and weapons from the boot. Once Arcturus was out, Ducos showed us into a Renaissance building. Beyond the entrance, a courtyard housed a few tables and a marble fountain. As far as I could tell without the æther, there was no one else around.

On the upper floor, a gallery overlooked the courtyard. Ducos led us to a pair of adjacent rooms, each with a lockbox mounted outside. She used different codes to open them and presented us each with a key.

‘The Chiostro del Bramante,’ she said. ‘Domino personnel often meet here. It’s essentially a private hotel.’

‘Does Sala know about it?’

‘Fortunately not. Before I leave, do you need any medical treatment, Warden?’

‘No,’ Arcturus said. ‘Thank you.’

‘You took five bullets from a revolver.’

‘They are earthly metal.’

‘I see.’ She looked sceptical. ‘You … get yourselves settled. I need to contact Pivot.’

I unlocked my door. In the bathroom, I rinsed the blood off my hands, watching the water turn rusty.

Lennart Bohren had enjoyed his work for Cordier. Each time I escaped, he had stalked me through the streets. He had let me believe I was getting away, only to crush my hopes with the white aster. I should not feel any remorse for shooting him, or any pity for Cordier.

My wrist throbbed. I flexed my fingers, knowing a tiny bone was dying inside me, and there was nothing I could do about it. I had ignored the pain for too long.

Ducos returned to the upper floor. By that time, I was leaning on the balustrade, gazing into nothing.

‘Flora,’ Ducos said. ‘Are you all right?’

I nodded. ‘Did you get hold of Pivot?’

‘Yes. Spinner has been apprehended, as have multiple intruders from Tinman. Pivot has recalled the whole of Command to discuss our cuckoo problem. You and Warden are safe.’

‘For now.’ I rubbed my eyes. ‘Are you leaving straight away?’

‘Yes. I need to join my colleagues.’

‘You can’t drive all that way with a broken rib.’

‘I’ll take the first train back to Venice.’ She handed me a thick file, bound with oilskin. ‘This is our dossier on President Sala. It contains all information we have on her personal life, her public duties, her political career, and so on. If you haven’t located either her or Fitzours after two weeks, we’ll recall you to Venice and discuss a different approach. But I think you can find her, Flora. I think you will notice something none of us have.’

I was almost too surprised to reply. She had never expressed such confidence in me before.

‘I’ll do my best,’ I said.

‘Call if I can help from Venice. Remember to keep your dissimulator on,’ she said. ‘As soon as I’ve spoken to Pivot, I’ll set about finding somewhere more secure for Warden.’

‘Thank you.’

‘All right.’ She checked her watch. ‘I’d better go to the station. Good luck.’

She left.

I switched my phone on. Nick and Maria had called several times. They were probably still awake and worried, but I sent my explanation as a message, too drained to talk.

A breeze went through the courtyard, unsettling my hair. I traced the white dots on the dossier.

Cordier had given me some closure. I was still left to face the stark reality of what she had done. It would almost have felt better if it had been personal, but I had just been a bartering chip, and Arcturus an obstacle. I was a queen on my own board, but a pawn on hers. Now I remembered the night of the airstrike, and the words of the medium who had grabbed me.

The Devil has deceived you.Two horns, two wings, two cloven hooves.

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