Page 132 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“And you want a spin-off?”
Now he was getting it! She said, “I have a good feelingabout this. Something like this will win over more people than all thepoliticians combined.”
After an excruciatingly long pause, Ash said, “It could bedangerous. All those things we talked about before—protestors, bomb threats,paparazzi—they could turn up on your front step.”
“I trust our enclave.”
He didn’t take nearly as long to nod this time.
Tami triumphantly concluded, “And if we can get just theright go-between, they’ll take care of the press. All we have to do is showup.”
Ash blandly said, “You’re over-simplifying.”
“A little,” she conceded.
“I could talk to my father about comparable aviantraditions.” He muttered, “But I amnotdoing any of the mating dances.”
She laughed and asked, “How about the waltz? Black wings.Black tuxedo. You’d be entirely dashing.”
His gaze slid sideways. “I can handle a little embarrassmentif it helps the clans.”
“Thank you.” Tami’s mind was racing. “We’d better pool ourresources. Is Kip close by?”
“Probably with Joe.”
Tami had planned ahead, brought her phone. “Do you mind if Ibring in Melissa?”
“I trust her.” Ash quietly added, “Remill dropped abombshell on her earlier. She okay?”
“Melissa will be fine.” She began a quick message. “Butreaver courtship is baffling.”
“Not sure I can criticize.” Ash covered her hands, thenstole her phone. “Before we rally an American version of the Five, may I bringout my gift? Or are we saving ourselves for the television cameras?”
“If we’re going to do any good out there, it has to beginhere.”
“As you wish, Tamiko,” he said, adding an avian flourish.“Hold out your hands.”
FORTY-THREE
Lady Mettlebright
Tami’s plan was already sounding more possible by thetime she finished explaining it to her co-conspirators, who actually numberedsix, thanks to the addition of Biddie.
Kip spoke first. “You’re onto something, but you’re going toneed some serious influencers in the go-between department if we’re going topull this off.”
Joe quietly added, “Someone with clout.”
“Doon-wen has influence,” said Ash. “But he’s also inhiding. We need someone who’s already in the limelight, and that limits ouroptions.”
“Someone on a level with Hisoka Twineshaft, if not the cathimself.” Kip nibbled on the edge of a peanut butter cookie. “He’s probablybooked, though.”
Tami couldn’t help hoping. “What if we’re the very thinghe’s been hoping for? What if we’re exactly what he needs to shift publicsentiment into better favor?”
“If the guy can orchestrate the Emergence, surely he canplan a couple of weddings.” Kip cuffed Ash’s shoulder and grinned. “America’ssweethearts.”
Melissa leaned forward. “Do any of you have a way to get amessage to one of the Five?”
“Indirectly,” said Tami. “Also, the Twineshaft Initiativewill bring Hisoka to Fletching on Dichotomy Day. But that doesn’t guarantee aprivate conversation.”
