Chapter 3
3
L
u found the jail just as he’d left it the last time. A grungy, dark building with the dank and pungent stink of sweaty humanoids. He didn’t bother to pinch his nose. His ears caught a laugh he recognized, and he clenched his teeth and balled his fists at his side. She’d done it again, and this time getting her out wouldn’t be easy.
“Poobari!” Lu exclaimed as he approached the overweight jailer.
“I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you. She’s in for good this time.” Poobari’s creamy skin folds made grimy rings on his shirt and pants.
“There must be something I can do. A large basket of Majiwan delicacies?”
“I can get that on my own.”
“You haven’t seen the latest tech in the Twinlands. I might be able to get you the newest listening device.”
Poobari opened a drawer and pulled out three such listening devices.
Temi let out a half yawn and growl catching Poobari’s attention.
“What have you got there? Hey little fellow, want to come to Uncle Poobari?”
Temi growled and retreated deeper into Lu’s pocket.
“Sorry, he’s a good judge of character.”
Poobari frowned. “She’s not getting out, so go on about your business.”
“What? You’re joking. I’m one half of the best team of couriers Bolaji has ever seen. I can get you whatever you like.”
Poobari stopped and looked up at him with beady eyes half buried in folds of skin. He gave Lu toothy grin.
“Perhaps there is something.”
“Anything, I’ll do it.”
“I have a special fetch and delivery request. It’s half on-and half off-the-books. You need to go through official channels to accept but I can make sure you’re the only one who gets the offer. Agree to it up front here with me and I’ll send it to you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Since when does a courier need to know what the package is? Aren’t you supposed to be discreet?”
“I am, I am. Poobari, you’re amazing. I’ll take the fetch. Thanks again. Can I go back and see her? I want her to sweat a little.”
“You horrible little yahtz. Sure, just make sure you’re both out of here within the half hour. I have another prisoner in transfer, the cell will be filled again before night’s end.”
“You have my word.” Lu didn’t bother to shake Poobari’s hand. His nod was enough. Poobari released the locks on the cell door. Lu entered the cell and Poobari locked it behind him with a loud clang.
The reek only grew worse within the walls but he followed the corridor down to the fifth cell on the left. Several of the inmates whistled and called out as Lu passed. He got too close to one side and had to remove his tunic from someone’s gnarled grip. When he reached her cell, she was hanging by her fingers from the ceiling and pulling herself up. Her green skin and large eyes and ears were a perfect blend of her Tero-Joro parents, one from each of the Twinlands.
“Told you boys I wouldn’t be here long,” she said and dropped to the floor. They groaned and yelled obscenities at her. She brushed her hands off on her fitted pants. “Well, hello big brother.”
Ladi,
two years younger and half a head shorter than him, swaggered up to the bars of the cell and rested her arms on them. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the smell of the place. She pulled out a piece of dried meat and gnawed on it. Lu shook his head and leaned against the bars.
“What’s it going to take with you?”
“What do you mean? Hey, who’s the new little beastie?” She reached out a hand and Temi purred at her touch.
“His name is Temi.” Lu pulled away from the bars, stepping just out of reach. “When is it going to be enough?”
“I’m enjoying myself and making lots of money. So what if I get caught sometimes, I have plenty to bring home when it’s all done.”
“Mother and Father are well taken care of,” Lu said between clenched teeth. He dropped his shoulders and relaxed his jaw. “You have the skills to work legitimate jobs, I don’t know why you won’t take them.”
“They don’t pay as well.”
“I wish you wouldn’t worry our parents so much. I won’t always be able get you out.”
“But you got me out this time, so why are we still talking through the bars?” she asked, tapping them with one finger.
“Because I want you to understand something.” Lu waited for her to meet his eyes. “This is the last time.” She didn’t flinch as he stared her down. “I don’t have a problem seeing you punished for criminal activity. Next time they’ll take more than just your money.”
“What? Poobari, you scheming, two-faced ranglefort!” Her voice carried down the corridor and their ears picked up his belly laugh.
“You let him take my money?” she said, turning back to Lu.
“Let him? I’m not sure what kind of position you imagine you’re in but you put yourself here.”
“No, I didn’t. Who do you think hires me to do all these off-the-books fetches and deliveries?”
“Well, not anymore. If you get into trouble again, you’re on your own.” The cell door’s mechanical locks clicked and the door slid open. Lu noted it was just before the half hour mark.
Ladi strolled out of the cell and down the corridor, not waiting for her brother to catch up. “So, he took the money, which means you’re doing something for him. What is it?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re doing a run for him. I can help you. We can have it knocked out in a day. Debt paid and I never have to worry about it again.”
“No, you’re going home, right now. I’ve been missing Mom’s baked beti and you need an escort.”
“I need no such thing.”
“Well, no, but I’m desperate to see your face after Mother and Father finish with you.”
He chuckled when she glared at him.