While Thalia kept chatting, I made my way to the far corner of the tavern. A young guy in an apron was cleaning glasses with more vigor than hygiene.
"That lady over there," I murmured, "caught quite a bit of attention tonight."
He shot me a quick glance. Evaluating.
"Is she rich?"
"Rich in questions."
He laughed. Low.
"Then she'll end up broke."
I smiled.
Because I knew that's where the real answers were.
While Thalia charmed the oblivious upper crust, I was listening to the floorboards.
And by the end of the night, the one who'd find the right piece of the puzzle… would still be me.
"You been working here long?" I asked, pulling up a stool and sitting like I had nowhere to be.
"Too long," he replied, still scrubbing the same glass that should've died two cleanings ago. "Since back when 'The Bard's Bladder' used to be called 'The Three Swigs.' That's… five owners and two bodies ago."
"Two bodies?"
