“You keep coming round people’re gonna start thinking you’ve got the hots for me.” Badger leaned back in his seat, showing off what was probably a fairly new wifebeater, but on him everything looked dingy.

Swallowing back the slight feeling of nausea, Mal said, “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

“And where’s Freya?”

“My wife has other things to attend to.”

“Pity. She brightens a man’s day and puts lead in his pencil. Still, this one does nicely.”

Zoe caressed the butt of her Mare’s Leg.

“If you don’t want to do business, that’s fine by me.” Mal pulled the Land Deeds from the pocket of his coat. “I’m sure the Fosters’d be happy to get these back.”

Badger sat forward, his eyes gleaming. “Are they …”

“From the safe, yeah. Nothing in the way of pretties in there, but you did mention anything else that might be.”

The crime boss of Persephone – if only in his own head – held out his hand. “Hand ‘em over, then.”

Mal shook his head. “We haven’t decided on a price.”

“You gonna make me pay?”

“We went to some little trouble for these. Could’ve been bound if we got caught. I think there should be some recompense, don’t you?”

“How about my goodwill?”

“How about the truth of what’s going on with Pike and the Triskelions?”

Badger’s eyes narrowed under the shade of his hat. “Why should I know?”

“Because I know you. Because I think you and Pike are as thick as thieves, and you know damn well Hank ain’t a Triskelion.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Fine. Then maybe your friend …” He made show of reading the details on the papers. “… Winston Downey would be willing to help. Seeing as it’s his name on these deeds. I’m fair sure the local Alliance station would give me his address. A’course, they may not take too kindly on money-lending outside the official channels.”

Badger glared, then his face broke into a cold smile. “I nearly told old Seppy you wouldn’t fall for it. But I decided to sit back and watch the fireworks.”

“You’re right, I