Continuation of day 19

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Kris takes the shift out of schedule, giving Lila a day off, for no other reason than having a vague feeling it was the right night for it. He does his best not to yawn as he pours ale and wine, and keeps an eye on new customers.

He is right. He’s always right these days – whether it’s intuition or the same mysterious force that brings others like him to the bar, but he knows to trust it. And when a guy stumbles in, a haunted look in his eyes, desperate to drink and forget, Kris knows his decision was the right one.

He probes carefully – with words and with magic, a dance so familiar there is no room for mistake.

Words can only do so much, but the knowledge that he’s not alone, having tangible proof of the things he’s experienced are priceless, and as the young man’s face clears before the small lights dancing just above the counter, Kris knows he has the guy hooked.

“Give me a moment,” he says pleasantly. “I think I have a thing that might be of help to you.”

He doesn’t actually need to look for it, but he does wait an appropriate amount of time before returning and sliding the small book across the counter.

For most of these people, it’s pointless to have a serious conversation when they’re in such a state. There is too much shock, mixed with wonder and fear, for them to understand anything about the dangers and the precautions.

Kris thinks he’s come up with a rather ingenious solution.

They don’t have long, the bell above the door announcing a new visitor, but Kris doesn’t need long. Still, he looks up to see that he knows this latest guest very well.

Kris closes the notebook with a smile, lest the regular recognizes a copy of the same diary he’d given her five years prior, and nods for the poor lad to go pick a table. “Next one’s on me,” Kris says pleasantly. “Take your time.”

He then turns the same smile towards the new customer, “I suppose that means you’re back in town. I hope your travels have been pleasant.”

They have an understanding. They’ll tell him something of faraway lands or perhaps of how business is going – she never offers too much, but it’s usually enough that he can follow up through his own channels. They’re a good customer to have, knowledgeable and well-connected, but would also be a dangerous enemy.

Luckily, Kris makes a point not to be anyone’s enemy.

Her friends’ business is blooming, the latest gallery show has been a success and the city is quiet; so Kris assumes the visit is a regular one and not an emergency. She looks freshened up, clearly not just from the road, so Kris should probably ask a few polite questions about the wife. If he’s lucky, he might get some insight into the recent crimes – having a regular married to the top pathologist in the city sure has its perks.

She has a web of people behind her, and while Kris doesn’t rely on any single person to run his business, it’s nice to have her in particular back in town – more convenient, if nothing else. They make what sounds like small talk, but in Kris’s mind, the cogs are turning.

Who does he have with connections to the Metronome Industries? Could Jill from the rail ticket office have heard of this?

Kris’s hands brew tea, but his mind is combing through the vast web of people in the city. Wasn’t there that lady asking about the clockworks a few months ago? Too vague to tell the detective, but might be worth checking out in case it’s something.

She looks at him, a little knowing smile he returns. He knows she’s doing the same with the information he gives her, though her intentions are no doubt purer than his.

She wants the city to be safe.

Kris wants all these strings to connect in the palm of his hand.