Free Wintermoon Ice (2010) by Suzanne Francis Page B

Where in the hell did you get this?"
    Suvi looked vague. "I found it somewhere."
    Max scanned the paper quickly. "Fifteen cases of tinned pukka,
if
the rest of the papers are genuine."
    She laughed mirthlessly. This was an old game between them. "Please don't waste my time, Max. That file describes a top-secret troop movement, to engage the Grond north of Lake Copaheg . Very important tactical information. I am sure your employers would not want it to fall into the wrong hands. Berengarth would pay dearly for such vital intelligence." Suvi waited breathlessly, hoping Max would not call her bluff.
    He lowered his beetling brows, until Suvi could hardly see his eyes. "You ain't threatening old Max, are you?"
    She spoke quickly. "Of course not. I just want you to understand how important this file could be. You might even get promoted if you turn it back in to the High Command."
    Max sniffed noisily and spat in an oily puddle, making a swirling rainbow in the water. Suvi looked away in disgust. "I don't give a rette's ass about promotions. I got a good deal here, and something this big could screw it up, see?"
    Suvi held out her hand. "As you wish. I can always sell it somewhere else."
    "Fifteen cases of pukka and three parachutes," he offered, after a calculated pause. "That is all I can give you. Take it or leave it."
    "I want the meat, six parachutes, two hundredweight sacks of flour, three tins of evaporated milk and a flask of poteen," she said firmly. "And
you
may take it or leave it."
    Max gave her a grudging smile, exposing stained teeth and a generous plug of tabac. "You sure drive a hard bargain for such a pretty little thing. Any chance you and me could..."
    Suvi quickly shook her head. This too was an old game. "I don't think so, Max."
    He spat again, closer to her feet. "Suit yourself. All right, you got yourself a deal. I'll load the stuff in one of those big crates you like so much. One of my boys will deliver it." He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers suggestively. "I'll take the rest of that file, Sweetie."
    "I will give you half now and the balance when the cargo is delivered. Please don't be offended. In this business it doesn't pay to trust people."
    Max gave her a knowing wink. "Too right, little lady." He tucked the sheaf of papers into the back of his pants and covered it with his uniform shirt. "You want to take the milk with you?"
    "Yes, please. But just one tin, Chelah can wait for the rest." She stood by while he dug through a teetering stack of cases close to his desk. Max handed over the milk with a frown.
    "Why are you doing this?"
    She pretended to be baffled. "Doing what? Getting milk for my degum?"
    "Dealing in military secrets." Max stared at her pensively and his eyes looked almost kind. "You are a nice girl, I can tell. Treason isn't your style. Are you sure you want to..."
    Suvi cut him off. "You can't wriggle out of our deal now, Max Jalo." She turned her back on him, but called over her shoulder, "When should I expect the delivery?"
    "Tomorrow night, after curfew. Give the rest of the file to Jaegr. He won't ask no questions."
    She tossed the milk in the front basket, started the pede and sped away, glad to be out of there. Dealing with people like Max Jalo was the only part of her job she truly disliked. They used the war for personal profit, siphoning off supplies needed by the men in the field.
    "But we need them too," Suvi muttered as she bounced though another mud filled pothole. "We need them too."
    Max crossed his untidy office, retrieving the papers Suvi had traded as he did so. They were already damp and stained with sweat. After perusing them for a minute, he picked up the phone and dialed.
    A clipped voice answered. "Major Bennett."
    Max sighed deeply, wondering what would happen to her.
Did they still shoot traitors?
"Jalo here, Sir. The pigeon has come home to roost."
Chapter Five

    Tessa

A cave bat may hide from the light, but not the darkness.
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