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“He has his fingers in a good portion of the illegal activities that take place in Port Cantor.”
“And you took a job working for him?” Kalpar gave him a disgusted look.
“Most of the people who wish to hire my services were not entirely legal. The job did not appear to violate my… restrictions, although as you pointed out earlier, it may have eventually done so.” He sighed. “Of course, I regret it now - except for the fact that it led me to my wife - but I had not allowed myself the luxury of emotions in many years. It was the only way to survive.”
Both Borgaz and Temel nodded.
“That has changed now, thanks to my mate, but it doesn’t alter the past.”
He squeezed Lottie’s hand and she squeezed back, giving him a small smile.
“What else do we know about him?” Temel asked. “Can he be reached?”
“Anyone can be reached,” Kalpar said. “But the cost can be high.”
“He and his daughter live in the penthouse of his primary business tower. He owns numerous other properties, but I don’t believe he uses them personally. He attends some high profile social events, but he is always guarded.”
Kalpar gave him a thoughtful look.
“And the daughter?”
“Much less visible. He keeps her very close.”
One of Kalpar’s knives appeared in his hand and he flipped it a few times before addressing Temel.
“I will go to the city and investigate. We need to know more.”
Tomlin looked at Kalpar, his expression as unreadable as always, but Celenk could have sworn he saw a flash of amusement in his eyes before he looked away.
“You do have work here,” Temel said, his voice even.
Kalpar shrugged. “Celenk can handle it.”
It was the last thing he would have expected Kalpar to say, but Temel didn’t look surprised, only regarding Celenk thoughtfully.
“Which brings us to the question of your future. Lottie, you should know that Celenk requested that you be allowed to remain in your home and we agreed.”
This time she was the one to squeeze his hand, her eyes bright with tears, but she shook her head.
“I’m very grateful, but I’m not staying without Celenk. I go where he goes.”
“I’ll find you a new home, my flower,” he promised.
“That’s very touching,” Temel said dryly. “But I don’t recall saying that you had to leave.”
The sudden flare of hope almost made him dizzy.
“You would allow me - us - to remain?”
“Are you concealing anything else from us?”
“No,” he said immediately, then hesitated. “The things I did during the war - they were not good things. I learned to be… ruthless.”
“That damn war,” Borgaz muttered, then looked at Temel. “All of us were affected by it. I don’t think that’s a reason why Celenk should have to leave.”
Perhaps Borgaz hadn’t completely given up on their friendship after all.
“I agree.” Temel steepled his fingers, regarding him. “I am willing to give you a trial period. If you continue to work as hard, if you can prove yourself trustworthy, you may remain.”
