Page 44 of Pretense

Edmund pushed away from the couch. “Good. Then I need to get back to work.”

Averett gave a nod. “Let me know if you need anything. Any resources, any help.”

“I will. The Intelligence Office is working round the clock on this, searching for anything that was missed in the reports.” At least Edmund had managed to wiggle his way into the investigation so that he wasn’t stuck behind a desk with everyone else. He would probably join them at some point, but for now, his place was out in the field.

With one last glance at Jalissa, Edmund left the sitting room and returned to his own room. He dressed in plain, serviceable clothes that would blend in until he could change into the disguise he would use on the stakeout. It took a few moments to stash all of his hidden weapons, then he was ready.

He left Winstead Palace by the back garden door, the guards in the hallways and at the door paying him little attention.

As he headed for the gate, he found a figure pacing across the drive in the gloom, her back straight. Another figure lingered in the shadows.

Edmund sighed and strolled up to Jalissa.

Before he had a chance to speak, Jalissa spun to face him. He had never seen her face so set and hard, except perhaps during the war. Her chin lifted. “I am going with you.”

“I’m going on a stakeout of the Times. I might be out there for days.” Edmund scratched at the back of his neck. “And it’s a sketchy part of town. I can’t keep you safe.”

“That is what Sarya is for.” Jalissa pointed to her guard where she lingered in the shadows.

“A single guard won’t guarantee your safety in this part of town.” Edmund’s stomach churned at the thought of placing her in that kind of danger. It had been fun spending time investigating with her, but it wasn’t something that would last.

“I am not helpless.” Jalissa raised her hand, green magic dripping from her fingers. She touched a nearby tree branch, and it whipped around, coming to life and growing. “I do not have the strength of my brothers, but I am not without magic. I can defend myself if need be.”

Edmund sighed. She was right. Besides, this was her choice. He had told her the risks, and she had made the decision that she wanted to come anyway. He would respect that and accept the help she was offering.

In this kind of stakeout, she likely wouldn’t be a liability. Jalissa could sit and be patient. If anything, having more people would allow them to catch some sleep.

“All right.” Edmund gestured toward the gate. He would have to leave word with the guards that Jalissa was with him, and Averett was likely going to pitch a fit that Edmund let Jalissa come along. But, right now, Edmund wanted Jalissa at his side too much to care about the consequences. “I’ll appreciate not being the only one sitting in refuse and vomit all night.”

Jalissa released her magic, staring at Edmund. “That is what we will be doing?”

“Being a spy isn’t as glamorous as it seems.” Edmund grinned, then led the way out of the palace.

He didn’t go straight to the Times. Instead, he led Jalissa and her guard to the safe house run by the Intelligence Office, located in one of the nicer row of apartments on the outskirts of the market.

He let himself in, then climbed the staircase to the top floor. At the last set of rooms on the floor, he halted, eased up the corner of a floorboard, and pulled out the key. With Jalissa and her guard looking on with raised eyebrows, Edmund unlocked the door and let them in.

After fumbling in the darkness for a moment, he lit and turned up the gas lamps to light the space. He pointed to the door on the right. “There should be female disguises in that room. Jalissa, pick out something with a ragged cloak and tattered clothing. If it already smells slightly rank, all the better. Put on the gray wig.”

Jalissa nodded, then glanced at her guard. “What about Sarya?”

Edmund gestured to the chairs by the table. “Please wait here. I’m going to pick out a variety of male and female outfits. You’ll be our eyes ranging about on the streets.”

The guard nodded and took a seat.

Edmund walked into the room on the left. Instead of a normal bedroom, this had two narrow bunk beds sticking into the room while every available wall space was covered in racks upon racks of clothes. Trunks held other items, and wigs hung on stands on the tables.

After going to the rack of disreputable clothing, he picked out one, then shrugged into it, grimacing at the gritty feel of the rough cloth. He added a dingy gray wig for good measure and smeared some grease paint across his face to give himself a more haggard appearance. Over everything, he added a ragged cloak. A cane completed his outfit.

He then picked out a few items for Jalissa’s guard before he returned to the main room.

Jalissa was already there, dressed in rags reeking of rotting vegetables. She wrinkled her nose as her guard helped her pin her hair up, then situate the wig. “Does this smell terrible enough?”

“Definitely.” Edmund grinned, then entered the other room to pick out a few more costumes. He stuffed all of them in a bag as he returned to the kitchen. He held it out to Sarya. “I trust you can figure out how to interchange these to make the most of them.”

The guard nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. On our way, I’ll show you a place where you can change. That will also be our meeting place.” Edmund motioned, and the three of them set off. On the walk through the street, he gave his instructions in a low tone that wouldn’t carry. Sarya would keep moving on the surrounding streets, changing out her costume on every circuit. Edmund and Jalissa would find a place across from the Times to huddle on the street, pretending to be an old, homeless couple.

---