Page 54 of Throwing Fire

A cold weight settles in my stomach. “I’ll make sure they’re released.”

She closes her eyes briefly. “Myhre.”

“She’s following the money. Led back to you.”

Payton shakes her head. “I gave her everything she asked for. Father was making payments to Mister Mereia and his associates. I did not conceal that from you. Since Father’s death, I’ve made none. I refused him when he asked. Why are you punishing me?” Her voice breaks on the last two words.

I wait until she composes herself, watching her steadily. “I’m not your Father,” I say.

Payton presses her lips into that crimson slash. Takes a deep breath. “I beg your pardon, Mister Snow.”

I take my own deep breath. “It’s Hale. Halemano Hauser. Now you got leverage. Understand?”

Payton’s mouth works for a moment, but nothing comes out. “Thank you,” she finally manages.

“I’ll get those accounts released before dark. When you decide where you wanna be, you let me know.”

“Mister Hauser, Hale—” she says slowly. “I haven’t tendered my resignation. No matter what Myhre says. If you want me to come in, Iwill. I’ll turn over the operation here to Myhre or whomever you want. I’ll do whatever you tell me to do ... but I want ... I want a role.”

“You got one,” I say simply. “You wanna be here or there?”

She looks as surprised as if I’d slapped her. I wait and let her compose herself. When she does, she says, “Myhre feels threatened by me.” It’s not a question; I nod. “Am I less threatening here?”

“Yeah, I’d guess so. You okay stayin’ there?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Snow,” I remind her. I hate it when the Tyngalings call me ‘sir.’ Always sounds like an insult. “You ready for your first assignment?”

She straightens her shoulders and nods.

“You know Acker?”

“Yes, Leader of the Deep Whites. He was a person of interest to Father.”

“Yeah?” That’s not in the Tyng-net files. “Why’s that?”

“Father felt that the Deep Whites’ tunnels would be an ideal storage and transportation hub for the distribution of product, both throughout the Clouds and into Eastern Colony.” Payton props her head on one hand. “He made several approaches to Acker and his Consort but was strongly rebuffed. Yet—” Payton pursues her lips.

“What?”

“He said something, on the last day of his life, something I did not understand. He said that Acker would soon change his mind about working with us.”

“He say why?”

Payton shakes her head. “Father had many secrets. Even from me.”

Turns out he was right, but probably not the way he figured. “I want you to meet with Acker. He’s my new go-to. Head of security for the SoBo. I’ll arrange a meeting. Today, tomorrow the latest. Get to know him—” Her crimson mouth twists. I follow her line of thought. Grunt in annoyance. “Let’s try this again. Who am I?”

Payton lifts her chin and swallows. “Hale. Halemano Hauser.”

“Not your Father. I don’t punish. I don’t assign you ... whatever the fuck you called them ... targets. Are we clear?”

“Yes.” The lines between her brows smoothes. She stifles a yawn. She looks beyond tired.

“Get some sleep. I’ll plex you when Acker’s ready to meet. It’ll have to be on his turf. He don’t come topside.”

Payton nods slowly. “I understand.”