The Veiled Diplomat (The Reluctant Assassin Book 3) by Thomas K. Carpenter

Author:Thomas K. Carpenter [Carpenter, Thomas K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Moon Books
Published: 2018-12-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tenth Ward, March 2016

A job for an old friend

The bodega smelled like grape-seed oil and antiseptic. Zayn let the door slip shut behind him, rattling the little bell on a string. The place hadn't changed much in the last two years. The black, green, and gold cross flag was still plastered to the wall behind the counter, which appeared currently empty.

From the middle aisle, a smooth voice softly sang a Bob Marley tune. Zayn peeked down the aisle to find Uncle Larice working a mop in big circles along to the beat of the music which seemed to be playing in his head.

"Uncle Larice, how are you, man?" asked Zayn, feeling the cadence of the Jamaican patois return.

"Hey, if it isn't my old friend, Zayn," said Uncle Larice, his grin turning his wrinkles into deep valleys.

They clasped hands and shared a hug. When Larice pulled back, his hazy eyes studied Zayn, while his mouth skewed to the side.

"I see you survived another few years," said Uncle Larice.

"I have," said Zayn, finding it was hard not to grin.

Coming back to the bodega after a few years felt like visiting a high school teacher after graduation to show them how he'd succeeded.

"I'd tell you some stories, but I don't think we're supposed to," said Zayn.

Uncle Larice glanced towards the door. "Hey man, it's good to see you, but you know you're not supposed to be coming back around here. Carron likes to use this bodega every few years after everyone's forgotten the last relative. If they see you around, it's going to ruin the game."

Zayn had forgotten that Instructor Allgood paid Uncle Larice to let the Academy students imbed in his bodega. He didn't take on dangerous mages in his store for charity, but to help make ends meet.

"I wouldn't come by if it weren't important," said Zayn, reaching to his wallet. "And I'll compensate you for the help."

"Now you speaking my language," said Uncle Larice with a wink as he accepted the handful of bills.

"The little callolo, Marley," said Zayn. "Does he come around here anymore?"

"Aye, Marley, he does, but not lately," said Uncle Larice.

"Do you know where he lives?" asked Zayn.

Uncle Larice nodded. "I've seen him climbing the apartment building across the street. Maybe he lives on the roof, or with a family."

"Thanks, Uncle Larice," said Zayn. "I appreciate it."

The old man held up the bills. "If you're bringing this, you can come back anytime."

Zayn went straight to the apartment building, climbing up the emergency scaffolding in back as quietly as he could. While the callolo had come to his rescue at the warehouse, it'd been a few years since he'd seen him and he didn't know if he'd remember him.

Pulling himself onto the roof, Zayn surveyed the area for potential nests. A brick maintenance building resisted his attempts to examine the inside, so he hopped onto the roof to find no sign of alternate entry. He was about to get down when he noticed the edge of the roofing material had been cut, and could be peeled back.

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