Crooked Kingdom (The Six of Crows Duology #2) - Leigh Bardugo Page 0,158

Of course, Van Eck and Dryden didn’t know that. The important thing was they believed they might lose their opportunity to invest. Nina was almost sorry she wouldn’t get a chance to hear Jesper hold forth on the resources market for an hour.

Nina gave Colm another kick under the table.

“Well,” he said hurriedly. “I must be on my way, gentlemen. It’s been a pleasure—”

“What’s the stake price?” asked Dryden.

“I’m afraid at this late date, I couldn’t really take on more—”

“What if we came in together?” Van Eck said.

“Together?”

“The Merchant Council believes jurda prices may change soon. Until recently, our hands were bound by our roles as public servants. But the upcoming auction has freed us to pursue new investments.”

“Is that legal?” Colm asked, his brow furrowing with every appearance of deepest concern.

“Absolutely. We are prohibited from influencing the outcome of the auction, but an investment in your fund is well within the law and could be mutually beneficial to us both.”

“I see how the fund may benefit you, but—”

“You’ve been courting separate investors. What if the Merchant Council became your lead investors? What if this became our fund exclusively? The Council represents thirteen of the oldest and most established families in Kerch, with thriving businesses and plenty of capital. The farmers in your consortium could have no better partners.”

“I … I don’t know,” said Colm. “That’s certainly appealing, but I would need serious security if we were to expose ourselves to risk in this way. If the Council were to back out, we’d lose all our investors at once.”

Dryden bristled. “No member of the Merchant Council would violate a contract. We’ll enter into it with our own seals and have it witnessed by the judge of your choosing.”

Nina could almost see the wheels turning in Van Eck’s mind. No doubt there had been farmers who refused to sell in Novyi Zem. Now he had the chance to control not only the jurda fields he’d purchased, but a good chunk of those he’d failed to acquire as well. Nina also wondered if, given the money the search for his son was costing the city, he was feeling pressure to bring the Council a good opportunity.

“Give us forty-eight hours to—” began Van Eck.

Colm’s expression was apologetic. “I’m afraid I must finish my business here by tomorrow night. I’ve already booked passage.”

“The harbors are closed,” said Van Eck. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Jesper’s father directed a cold gray glare at Van Eck that raised the hair on Nina’s arms. “I feel distinctly bullied, Mister Van Eck, and I don’t like it.”

For a moment Van Eck held his gaze. Then his greed got the better of him.

“Twenty-four hours, then,” said Van Eck.

Colm pretended to hesitate. “Twenty-four hours. But I make no promises. I must do what’s best for the consortium.”

“Of course,” Van Eck said as they rose and shook hands. “We only ask that you make no final decision until we’ve had a chance to make our case for taking over the fund. I think you’ll find our offer very generous.”

Colm glanced in the direction that Radmakker had gone. “I suppose I can do that. Good day, gentlemen.”

As Nina turned to follow him out of the dining room, Van Eck said, “Miss Zenik.”

“Yes?”

“I hear you worked out of the House of the White Rose.” His lip curled slightly, as if even saying the name of a brothel constituted debauchery.

“I did.”

“I’d heard the Heartrender there occasionally works with Kaz Brekker.”

“I’ve done jobs for Brekker before,” Nina conceded easily. Best to go on the offense. She took Van Eck’s hand in hers, delighted at the way his whole body seemed to recoil. “But please believe me, if I had any idea where he’s taken your son, I would tell the authorities.”

Van Eck stiffened. Clearly he hadn’t intended to take the conversation in that direction. “I … thank you.”

“I can’t imagine the anguish you must be going through. How did Brekker even lay hands on the boy?” Nina continued. “I would have thought your security—”

“Wylan wasn’t at home.”

“No?”

“He was studying music in Belendt.”

“And what do his teachers have to say about the abduction?”

“I …” Van Eck looked uneasily at Dryden. “They are flummoxed as well.”

“Perhaps he fell in with bad company?”

“Perhaps.”

“I hope he didn’t cross Kaz Brekker,” Nina said with a shudder.

“Wylan wouldn’t—”

“Of course not,” said Nina as she shook out the cuffs of her kefta and prepared to exit the dining room. “Only a fool would.”

N ina was tired, Kaz could see it. They all were. Even