Brutus Weaver Chapter 2 – Part 6
“That is quiet a story,” Brutus finally said after a few minutes of carefully measured silence.
“It is more than a story – it is what I am living with right now,” Sarina said with a hiccup – a swallowed sob.
“Don’t know if I can do much for you though, whatever it is,” Brutus responded. “I’ve been a bit on the down and out with the Upper City for the past few years. Couldn’t get up there if I wanted to.”
“Reggie said…”
“Listen, I don’t want to hear a damn word about Reggie. Reggie’s dead and if you say otherwise one more time I’ll kick you out in the street and the rats can help you.”
“Then you’ll help me?”
“Ain’t got much else to do. Fifty a day with a retainer of one-hundred up front.” Brutus tried to keep his face as straight as possible. He didn’t charge a tenth of that to his normal clients, but Sarina was no normal client – she was upper city ilk and she had the cash to toss around.
“Here,” She dropped a purse on the table. “It’s five-hundred – your retainer and eight days more to get you started. Let me know if you need anything for expenses.” She lifted her shoulder slightly – defensive but not in the same way Brutus often saw from the women in the Under City. She was lying to him. Now he just needed to figure about what and why. He told her he would get started first thing in the morning and tossed her coat over so she could leave. The longer she was there, the worse off he was going to get – better if she left him to think at least.
For now, he was more than happy to count the coins she had just tossed on his desk and to get himself a real meal though. The case could wait until morning.
