Thursday, October 11, 247

Noon

I visited the woman during Day Shift. She was left in one of the common prisons were the drunks and petty thieves stayed for the night or until their hearing. She stared at me through the bars with red-stained eyes and frayed gray hairs. She seemed familiar to me.

"You stupid mutt," she harshly whispered at me. "It's your fault my Katherine was murdered by that lying, murderer. She was but fifteen! How dare you even show your face." The woman broke out into a new fit of sobs.

"Miss, I'm trying to find the cove who did it but I can't be sure unless I get all the information I can. Is there anything you can tell me?" I hand her a handkerchief and she takes it. She pats her tears away and even blows her nose. When she offers it back I lift a hand, she can gladly keep it.

"Well, Cooper, I supposed I shouldn't really blame you. It's the man whose out killing them whose fault it is. Still, he's doing all of this because of you. My youngest daughter was with Katherine. She said that night that Katherine met a strange man." The woman looked around and leaned closer to me to whisper, "Dressed like a dog, he was. They went off into the alley way and my youngest came home. She assumed they had gone to the man's home. My eldest, as I am ashamed to say, did that often. She didn't come home though and it took some drunkard passing out on her body for them to finally find her."

"Did you daughter get a description that I could use?" The woman shook her head and I frowned. That would be the cursed luck I've ever had. "Why have you been stealing, if I may ask?"

"Katherine's money helped pay the rent. I don't make enough to support the family since my husband died out at sea. My youngest daughter and her brother are still at home, probably with hungry stomachs." She cried a bit more.

"I'll bring them some food," I offered easily. I had to do something for her, after all, her daughter died because of a man trying to get me. "Give me their names, their address, and something only you'll know so they know I'm not a stranger."

"Bless you, Cooper. I'm sorry I was so harsh to you before. Liza is my daughter and Jeremy is the baby boy. They live at twenty-fourth Weiyn street. Tell them that their mother was once a gypsy who played flute for a giant's parade. It was a story I use to tell them and somehow, they always thought I was the character. My name is Helena Jonice. And if you could please, miss, look at my daughter's files. I think you are the only one who can stop him."

I nod my head and make sure to do everything that I promise to do.

I knock on the door and a voice comes from behind, "Who is it?" The voice is definitely a young girl. When I think of what to say, I hear her reply to my silence, "I have a knife and I'm not afraid to hurt you if you have bad intentions. My mother is upstairs sleeping but she wakes easily and she has a pretty fair shot with a bow and arrow." I bet she had been trained to say that no matter what. I almost believed her lie it was so good.

"My name is Beka Cooper. I'm here with food upon request from your mother who was a gypsy that played flute for a giant's parade. Your name is Liza and I hope Jeremy is still there as well." The door flung open before I could say anything else. The girl, who was about ten, really hungry stared up at me.

I held in front of me the basket of breads and fruits that I had gathered from the stocks at the Dancing Dove. The girl smiled up at me, "Momma sent you?" I nodded my head. She quickly reached out and grabbed the basket before I could change my mind (which I wouldn't of course). Just then, I heard a meow and Pounce was stepping out from behind me to greet the children.

The young boy grabbed an apple and took a bite. As juice dripped down his chin, he stared at Pounce and smiled. When did you get here? I asked him lightly as the children sat down and ate right there on the front porch. I watched them to make sure they were okay as they did so.

Well, I was watching to make sure you didn't get hurt. I rolled my eyes but Pounce purred light before replying, Better me than Rosto. He is much more protective than I. I sighed knowing Pounce was right. It took a lot to convince Rosto that didn't need him at the moment to deliver the food. I figured the children might be scared of him- being the Rogue and all. Besides, this was something I was obligated to do, not him.

"Will you come back?" The girl asked, handing me back the empty basket. I nodded my head.

"Until your mother is able to bring the food herself," I promised easily. Liza smiles and then pokes at Jeremy to stand up. "I'm sorry about your sister," I reply quickly. Liza's smile disappears and I regret saying anything.

"Thank you, but I think it's best my brother and I go inside now. City isn't safe anymore," then they went to close the door and it scared me when not one single part of me didn't disagree with what she had said.

The city was truly not safe.

After shift

I enter the Dancing Dove through the front entrance. I feel like pretending I am here for the pleasure of being at the Court. In reality, I am here for the pleasure of watching Rosto. He sits on a wooden throne that was very modest and common. A man is there in front of him bowing. He talks about his life stock being poisoned.

The man offers a gift to Rosto but the Rogue refuses. Instead he says, "I will send one of my men to check your live stock. The only price you have to pay me is the knowledge that the food you provide for the city through your animals is once again healthy. Return when that is so." I see the man slip his gift away- a few coopers as if that was all he had.

That's why Rosto was a good Rogue.

Another man steps forward and bows, "I know you're already searching, but my daughter was killed a few weeks ago. I ask that you search for the killer behind all of these murders of young women. He will not stop- not until he kills a certain Dog. I ask too that you offer her up to him. Hopefully, in the event that he might give up." Rosto frowned and he was clearly mad. I step farther into the corners as if someone who knew the killer was after me, liked the sound of the man's idea, and tried to take me. I didn't have the strength to put up a fight after chasing among the streets again after a few thieves.

"For your first, I will accept. As to you second, I decline." No Rosto! I think, If they learn it's because we're together, they'll use me to get to you. Stop! Of course, I couldn't stop him, I couldn't say any of this out loud. "As a community, we can't turn against each other when a killer is about- that is what he wants. Even though some of you here don't like the Dogs, they simply do their jobs. This girl that the killer is after is a victim just like the rest of us. I have men searching for the killer, I assure you. It is my top priority."

"That's because you're sleepin' with her aren't you?" A slurred voice carries through the crowd. I gasp as well as most of the audience. We all turn to watch as Niko stumbled in front of Rosto's throne. Rosto is glaring down at him. "You always have a soft spot for Beka don't cha? Always comin' to her rescue as if you're some knight when you're the filthy Rogue!" Someone, angered by Niko's ignorance, broke through the crowd and punched him in the face.

"Niko!" I screamed and pushed through the crowd. He was still dressed in his Dog uniform. He was lying on the ground still talking about Rosto and I. The things he said made me want to hit him myself. "You've had too much to drink, you crazy fool. In one of your pets again I see." Niko shook his head and kept talking. I covered his mouth and helped him stand up.

I then led him outside and when the fresh air hit us, he stopped talking. "What is your problem Niko?" I asked stubbornly. He stared at me and shrugged. Oh sure, now he was silent of course but where everyone can hear him he's saying things about Rosto and I that weren't completely true. (We hadn't actually canoodled).

"Just trying to point out that the Dog is after the same thing of the Rogue. He's good at lying, he's probably the killer. He was pretty angry about you and the Dale Rowan guy, whose also a scummer in my opinion Beka." Niko crossed his arms.

"I don't want to bother with you," I waved my hand goodbye, "Don't come back Niko. You just make yourself look ridiculous when you're that drunk. I like you better when you're sober." Then I entered the Dancing Dove again and headed straight towards my bedroom without catching a single person's eyes (except for maybe one).

I had changed into a nightgown when a knock came at my door and then Rosto walked in. He stared at me, "Friend of yours?" He was teasing lightly and smiled. I peered over his shoulder hoping no one had seen him leave the Court to follow me. You can never know though in a room so large filled with so many people.

"Nope, I'm off to bed." To prove my point, I stood up and went to lie on the bed. Rosto soon followed and laid down next to me. Since he had first slept in the bed with me, we hadn't stopped. It was nice to at least go to sleep knowing he was right beside me while I dreamed.

"Me too," he wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed my lips. "Funny that the Dog was sort of right about us. We technically are sleeping together." I smiled, a bit too exhausted to hit him for the joke.

"Sometimes, I don't get Niko. He's a fair bit strange, but he's just a Junior Dog like me. He's got a lot to learn. He'll make some girl happy." I whispered, my eyes shut.

"Beka," Rosto murmured. "I think he's hoping that girl is you." I heard the slight edge of jealousy in his voice. I smiled before letting out another yawn.

"Don't worry Rosto, no one compares to you."

As I drifted off into sleep with him, I heard him whisper.

"Good to know love, good to know."