Chương 20: Perspective shift II: Profits

The crescent moon hid behind thin clouds, leaving the alley drowned in uneven shadow. Rainwater dripped steadily from warped rooftops overhead, carrying the smell of mildew, stale ale, and the harbor beyond. Between a brothel and a crumbling tavern, two cloaked figures stood half-hidden beside a stack of swollen crates. One was short and broad through the shoulders, restless beneath his cloak. The other stood taller and unnaturally still.

"We have a problem," the shorter thief muttered. The taller figure said nothing. Simply adjusted one glove, the edge of a raven with spread wings briefly showed beneath his sleeve. Finally, he inclined his head once.

"Go on."

"My crew should be having a field day after the storms," the shorter man said.

"Flooded warehouses. Broken locks. Missing inventories."

"And yet?"

"We keep getting pushed out." A slow silence followed. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. The taller thief brushed rainwater from one sleeve.

"The Dock Ward is your territory."

"It was." That earned him a glance. The shorter man shifted uneasily.

"Half our jobs are failing because of Breakwater Holdings." The taller figure went still.

"Who?"

"Their leader's named Jack. Rumor says he used to work as a fixer." The alley quieted around them. Farther down the street, someone shouted drunkenly before laughter swallowed the sound again. The taller thief finally spoke.

"And this concerns you enough to bring to me? The other branches haven't." The broader man frowned.

"People trust him." A faint scoff drifted from beneath the hood.

"Trust is expensive."

"He's giving it away for free." That gave the taller man pause. Small. Subtle. But there.

"He fixes problems," the shorter thief continued carefully.

"Keeps disputes quiet. Protects shipments. Organizes crews. Half the ward treats his people like heroes already." The taller man's fingers tapped once against his sleeve.

"You're losing opportunities because starving dockworkers suddenly found principles?"

"We're losing opportunities because people feel safer." Silence stretched between them. The taller thief stepped forward slightly. Moonlight briefly caught pale skin beneath his hood.

"Then stop picking at flood victims and damaged warehouses and find better prey," he said softly.

"Reconstruction always creates gaps somewhere." The shorter thief nodded stiffly.

"With attention on the worst parts of the ward," the taller man continued, "something valuable is being overlooked." He adjusted his gloves again.

"Find it."

"And this fixer?" The taller thief turned toward the mouth of the alley. Rainwater dripped steadily from the rooftops above.

"I'll look into him."

"You think he's dangerous?" The taller man paused.

"Not for long."