Page 89 of Forge the Blade

Sevastyan agreed. “The entire incident is well beyond the Yadro’s tolerance of public exposure.”

“One would imagine.” Ellisandre raised both eyebrows.

Sevastyan grimaced. He motioned Rei to go on.

Rei clicked through to the next slide with different faces. “The chaebol family would like the wedding to go through, as long as Black Flower’s husband’s name can be cleared. They are supporting her in pursuing an arrest warrant and speedy trial against Jun. She’s not the only one advocating for an arrest, just the loudest.”

Ellisandre leaned forward to study the screen. “Which ones are on her side and which ones are doing it for themselves?”

Rei grimaced. “It’s not clear. It’s more like a sense of pressure here and there, both in Seoul, the Merchari, and inside the Yadro’s messaging boards.”

Rei pulled up a new page. “The web of relationships in favor of pursuing a guilty murder charge against Jun goes up to the Merchari council, possibly to Director Bai or Director Yekta in the Yadro. They may have ties in South America, California, Germany, and Seoul. There could be a part in Australia and the Caribbean.”

“It’s a gut sense you’re getting, based on patterns, then,” Ellisandre said. “Opinions moving in the same direction that show up precisely when needed but without obvious connections.”

Rei did more nodding. His head was becoming a bobble. He picked at his thumbnail under the table. Sevastyan reached down and slid a glass paperweight into Rei’s palm to calm him.

“It makes sense that California is in question.” Ellisandre pondered the screen. “And Bak Sahyuk has ties to Bak Gyeong. They’re cousins. Bak Sahyuk has ties to all the places you’ve mentioned.”

“He does, but I can’t prove that’s the connection,” Rei said.

“Is Jun’s father related to Black Flower?” Ellisandre asked.

“No. Bak Sahyuk joined the Merchari after high school. His family, except for Bak Gyeong, are not involved in criminal activities. They’re quiet. Teachers. Plumbers. A university professor. Engineers.”

“And Bak Gyeong is a client, not a member of the Merchari, even though Bak Sahyuk, Jun’s father, is.”

“Yes.” Rei made a decisive motion with his head.

Ellisandre sat back on their couch. “Any time you want a job in investigations, I know several organizations that would hire you. Reading data for patterns is valuable.”

Rei shifted nervously. His eyes flickered to Sevastyan again.

Sevastyan

It was late by the time Ellisandre’s questions were satisfied. Lisa and Rei left to prepare for sleep. Ellisandre went to the window and looked out over the city. Sevastyan followed them.

“I’m even more certain I should go with you,” they said.

Sevastyan came up behind them, wrapping his arms around their waist. It felt warm, the fact that such touch was possible. “I’d rather you were here with Rei and Lisa.”

Ellisandre leaned back against him. “We’ve been careful. I can have two guards here at all times. The boys have their secret room. Alice can be on standby if they need to reach someone else. She already knows both of them.”

“Won’t Linda be shorthanded? Alice is Dana’s caregiver.”

“A caregiver who needs breaks and time to herself. Alice is a nineteen-year-old girl. Sometimes it would be good for her to act like it. Dana also has Linda and Ash and our entire security team. She’s good.”

“Richard and Linda are spending a fortune on security.”

“They have a fortune to spend. If they weren’t rich, they wouldn’t need it. I saw that roster in Seoul. You don’t have an ally on the ground. Every single person on that list has a good reason to want you gone.”

“The point of the trip is to make them realize that’s not in their best interest. And, I’m bringing in three of my own men.”

Ellisandre turned, wrapping their arms around Sevastyan’s neck. He settled his hands on their waist. “Your men are paid subordinates. They don’t have a blood oath or family ties like some of the people you’re going to meet. And they’re Merchari. The Merchari has as many agendas as the Beast of Babylon has heads”

Sevastyan groaned. “And they eat each other and everyone else.”

Ellisandre chuckled.