Free Master of Myth (The Antigone's Wrath Series Book 1) by Starla Huchton Page B

impact this would have on their business. Rachel wouldn’t settle for less than top dollar, however, so he continued his search.
    In the pawnshop on Rue Charlemagne , Danton drummed his fingers noisily on the glass case that served as a counter, waiting for the proprietor to return from assisting a customer. Max was a dependable resource for all things off the books, but Danton’s success with tips today wasn’t stellar. As a last resort he went to this source. While he was reliable, his information did not come cheap.
    Maximillien Bernard was short and balding, with thick, round spectacles enlarging his eyes to the size of apples. He was very unassuming in appearance, but Danton knew underneath that mild exterior lurked a snake, and not one of the quick strike-and-kill types. He was more the kind to squeeze the life out of you slowly, extracting every last bit of suffering he could before devouring you whole. As the pawnshop owner approached, Danton shuddered. He detested this man’s very presence.
    “Monsieur DuSalle,” Max said, oozing politeness. “To what do I owe the honor of your presence in my humble establishment today?”
    Danton repressed his shiver. The man even hissed his S’s like a snake. “You’ve heard about the Singapore ban, I take it?”
    His massive eyes blinked rapidly. “Indeed I have. Terrible thing, that. I’m acquainted with several people who find this development to be…” he paused, “restrictive to their financial interests.”
    Danton nodded. “I empathize with their situation. It’s a shame you can’t point them in the direction of someone who could assist them in their endeavors.”
    Max smiled greedily. “Indeed.” He slid a small slip of paper across the glass. Danton glanced down at the figure and narrowed his eyes. Five hundred francs was an exorbitant amount of money to pay for a name, even coming from Max.
    “Expecting me to pay the merchant’s finder’s fee as well, are we?” After his unproductive afternoon, Danton was in no mood to trifle with this reptilian con artist. “You know better than to take advantage of my kindness.”
    “Kindness?” Max looked stricken. “Surely you don’t think you’re the only one offering this kindness?”
    Danton rolled his eyes. “My offerings are far more valuable than most, of which you are aware. If you don’t wish to acknowledge this, you are a fool and I’ll not suffer you.” He turned to leave. This was normally a bargaining ploy for him, but in this case, he really did prefer to be elsewhere.
    “Half then!” Max hissed as Danton’s fingers touched the doorknob.
    He smiled. Not only was this a reasonable offer, but, coming from Max, it was quite the fortunate turn. He’d have settled for four hundred. Whoever wanted cargo shipped must have promised him quite the sum if he found transport. On the down side, this also meant they were desperate and he would have a lot of questions about the type of goods that needed shipping.
    “One-twenty-five now, the other half after I meet them,” Danton turned and fixed Max with a look. “Our usual arrangement.”
    Max looked physically pained to accept this paltry amount, but he nodded in agreement. Danton passed him the fee and was given another piece of paper. “Eight o’clock tonight. Etoile Premiere office three,” Max said.
    Danton nodded at him and departed. The Etoile Premiere “office” Max mentioned was not an office at all. There was a pub on Rue d’Etoile Premiere with a few rooms for rent. One of these rooms served Max as a place for conducting business of the less than legal sort. Which room he rented would rotate, and he always subtracted a number from the real room number when giving instructions. Scheduling the meeting for eight was another windfall. This would give Danton plenty of time to cover Iris at the Aux Vieilles Armes and then make it to meet the mystery merchant.
    At the thought of Iris, Danton realized it was nearly time to catch up with