Meg planned to hold a meeting with the other Pigeons during the funeral. It would mean they were less likely to be interrupted, and she wanted to speak with them herself before they would be inevitably interrogated about the missing poison.
Performing the autopsy on Dame Cora's body had been horrible—the pressure of discovering the truth while exposing Sal to the work and the smell. Meg had hated it all. She had found the poison three hours before telling Clem. She knew the implications of the poison being discovered. It was kept in bottles, making it look like standard medicine that anyone could buy in a shop and was always locked in the office next to Meg's in the Warehouse.
Meg was a terrible liar, both verbally and in Hand. And Clem's ability ensured she liars were discovered through their revealing heartbeat. Regardless of the truth, Granny would blame her. Meg could not think of a plan to prove her innocence and decided to get drunk. It hadn't been her most intelligent decision, but it was all she could think to do.
Meg thought back to Sara holding her gun up at her, and Meg was drunk enough to wish she would pull the trigger. It would be better than whatever Granny would do to her. She reflected.
Clem had grabbed her in the hallway as she was heading to the Warehouse.
"You know I know you're innocent. And you know Granny will believe you as well." Meg had still been drunk and could barely follow what Clem had said. She just jerked away and walked to the Warehouse. Clem said something else to Sal, but Meg hadn't heard it.
Meg extracted most of the alcohol from her bloodstream shortly after separating from Clem. It was a trick she had learned from another Grisha a few years earlier. She had never told Clem about it, as Clem would have always made her repeat it or show it off.
Once Meg felt sober, she unlocked and opened her office door to address her group of Pigeons. Sal was waiting behind it. Meg acknowledged her by tipping her chin down and moving past her down the stairs. A worker occupied every machine. More machines would fill the office daily, and their numbers would double.
Meg was not born into leadership and had very little interest in it. However, she felt responsible for protecting the primary workers she had helped find and hire.
She stood at the front of the room and waved her arms. Even with their lack of hearing, it would be difficult to get their attention above the sound of the machines. One by one, they stopped working and looked up at her. Meg waved them toward her, and they all picked up their stools and walked them over to surround her.
Meg scanned their faces; almost all were her age or younger except Germaine. An older woman from the Shu Han was the first person they had hired. She had been a beggar who survived by doing odd jobs but had somehow avoided indentured slavery.
Clem had been the one to discover her. She had roamed the streets constantly when she was young and had noted Germaine. Meg wasn't sure what her real name was, but Clem had named her this as a child. Germaine couldn't write or read and never demonstrated any abilities to communicate verbally. Nevertheless, she took to Hand immediately. She was only refusing to respond when asked for her name. Meg had no idea how old she was, she looked older than Granny, but Meg supposed that was from living on the streets of Ketterdam for years.
Tohan, Jetto, Vikrum, Galit, and the rest. All found and offered work. After that, families contacted the Widows directly to ask for a job for their child, sibling, or cousin. Meg knew. Before this, if you had no money, being unable to hear in Ketterdam was as good as a death sentence.
Meg momentarily wondered how many more needed saving but shook herself to avoid this thought process. Single-minded.
She breathed through her nose and ensured all could see her. Then, she backed up a step and communicated.
"Since we last met, you have done the work for the Widows quickly. Thank you again. I assume the extra money has made it to your homes." The group nodded in unison. "Good. I'm here to announce that this portion of the Widows is expanding. We will be increasing the numbers in here daily." Meg saw several hands go up. Then, she called on Galit, a small Suli girl who was 13. Meg gestured for her to communicate.
"Will they be like us?"
"No. We haven't had the opportunity to look for more and need to up the work too quickly." More hands went up. Meg was already becoming overwhelmed. She should have brought Clem to help. The Pigeons were the one thing that Meg was permitted to manage autonomously. However, she realized this would end once Granny sent in more workers. When Meg hesitated too long, some began using Hand in the air. Meg desperately crossed her arms and brought them down to her sides repeatedly.
"Silence! Silence!" They stopped using Hand, and Meg tried again.
"Galit, continue."
"I'm sorry, Pigeon, but some know others like us. Can we bring them forward so they can be hired first?"
Meg was disappointed. They would have usually brought her a new name sooner. She recalled how many days she had spent locked in her office and neglecting this group.
"Jetto, you can write. First, take down a list of names from everyone in the group and how you know them. Then, I will set a day they can come and interview them. Teach them basic Hand beforehand or accompany them." Jetto, a boy from Novyi Zem, lifted his hand. Meg nodded to him.
"Will we be training them? And will they be taking on the work of…clean up?"
"Yes and no. I will speak to Granny about increasing the wage for anyone who trains. Then, I will tap you if I want you to train." Leopold lifted their hand next. A recent hire. His flaming red hair and green eyes made him stand out in the crowd. Meg nodded to him to communicate next.
"You run us still?" Leopold's knowledge of Hand was still amateur. He had joined them only two months prior. Meg hesitated to answer. Sal lifted her tiny hands in the air as high as she could.
"Of course."
Many in the group looked satisfied. Meg was not a good leader, but she understood why they would prefer her. Having someone with the same challenges meant empathy. They knew she understood their desperation and that she wouldn't exploit them for it.
"More machines will be installed tomorrow; we expect you to keep working without interruption. Once the new hires are trained, we can consider giving you time off. The funeral is in less than an hour. Be careful when you leave; many people may be hanging around the building. Thank you." Meg finished and turned to walk off. Everyone took their stools back to their workstations.
Meg waited until they were all back to work and headed for the second office in the Warehouse. She reached into her shirt and opened a pocket sewn into her under-top. It was a deep pocket that went all the way into her trousers. She struggled but stretched and grabbed hold of a set of keys, pulling them out of the hidden pocket. She opened the first door, which revealed another door directly behind it. She took another key to open that door and came face to face with a large vault door. Meg looked at Sal, who dutifully left and returned to the Warehouse, closing both doors behind her.
Meg turned the dial to the right combination of numbers, unlocking it to a room. This room was where Meg and Clem used to provide services to lost and desperate girls many years ago. It was filled with shelves along three of the four walls. The shelves were filled with vials of the three different poisons she and Sol had developed when she joined. There were also supplies to make different bombs and a whole shelf filled with guns. Meg knew there was also kruge in a box somewhere, but she didn't dare look. She always suspected it was a test from Granny to see if she would steal it.
Only Meg, Clem and the older widows had the combination to the vault. Meg wondered who would inherit the combination now that Nula and Dame Cora were gone.
Meg walked over to the shelf filled with vials. They were three distinct colours, blue, purple and red. She counted them twice. None were missing. Meg looked puzzled. She counted a third time and still came up with the right number. Meg took a breath in and closed her eyes. She dramatically waved her arms in front of her and combed through the space of the contents of the vials. She could feel and sense all the chemicals and particles that made up the contents inside until she identified that one was not like the others. She reached further into her mind and came up against it. She opened her eyes and looked at the last vial among the red poisons in the back right corner. She grabbed it with her left hand and inspected it. They had named it the scarlet poison. Sol had shared the creation method with Clem and Meg as proof of loyalty in allowing her to join the Widows.
She left with the vial, pocketing it along with two other vials filled with legitimate scarlet poison. Meg closed the vault door behind her, spinning the dial. She locked both doors and went to her office.
Meg entered her office with Sal following in toe. Meg knew not to examine the contents of the poison vial with Sal present. Instead, she moved to complete another task she remembered she had to complete.
Meg opened one of her desk drawers and took out an empty vial. Next, she pulled out the leather pouch around her neck and a spoon the length of a fingernail and filled the vial with three spoonfuls of her best parem recreation. She proceeded to take the za vee paste and smeared it into a silver, compact disc with the Widows W engraved. She unlocked the bottom drawer of her desk, opened it and lifted the false bottom, putting the remaining parem in it and locking it back up.
Meg looked to Sal as she conceived an idea.
"Open your hands."
Sal obeyed and opened her palms. Meg placed the tiny vial inside.
"Keep it in the side of your shoe. I don't want to be tempted; they should be kept separate. We'll make it a priority to test them as soon as the new workers are in."
Sal shoved the tiny vial into the side of her sock instead of her shoe. Meg spotted the holes in Sal's shoes and thought she had decided well. Meg put the compact disc in her deep pocket in her chest.
"What if Clem finds out and asks me for it? Or Granny?"
"They can't know. I know you're as good at lying as I am. So, smash it, or drop it into a sewer or in the water if they find it. They'll be mad, but I'll cover for you." Sal nodded.
Meg wondered if it was a mistake to give it to her. She didn't feel comfortable with how accepting she had been only an hour earlier at the prospect of Fara blowing her head off. She knew her temptation to take the parem would grow, and she needed to ward it off for a bit longer. She would need to trust Sal.
Meg looked past Sal, out into the Warehouse and saw Clem running towards the office. Clem jumped up the stairs and opened the door, closing it behind her.
"Sal, I need to talk to Meg alone." Sal looked to Meg, who nodded that she should leave. Sal tentatively left the office and closed the door behind her. Clem waited a minute and then turned back to Meg.
"I told Granny what you found. She might set a bomb underneath this building just to get the rat who did it."
"Will she still go through with the funeral?"
"Of course. Did you check the vault?"
Meg took out the vial that had been taken from the vault of her pocket. She went to remove the top but hesitated.
"Clem, yesterday you said you think Granny is up to something. What did you mean?" Clem let out a sigh. Her eyes shut, and she brought her fingers to the bridge of her nose.
"It's worse than I thought. People will know soon, but keep it between us for now." Meg didn't respond; it was already understood that they had their level of secrecy. Clem continued.
"From what it seems and from the information I've gathered. I don't know if it's directly tied to Granny, but…"
"You're babbling, Clem." Meg communicated with difficulty, still holding the vial. Clem slammed her hands at her side in frustration and then tried again.
"A law will be put forward and probably pass, outlawing any individual from attempting to terminate a pregnancy. If they are caught, they are put into asylum until the child is born, then they are arrested after the birth."
Meg gasped. She kept her eyes on Clem, waiting for her to continue. When she didn't, she shook her head in disbelief.
"It's not confirmed that it's Granny who did this-"
"Is there any penalty for providing the service of termination?" Meg asked, already knowing the answer.
"No, there's no punishment for providing a service. Only for the individual seeking it." Clem admitted and had the decency to look ashamed.
Meg was always quick to anger compared to Clem but was horrified that Clem wasn't as angry as she was.
"So, we are the only gang who provide the ability to effectively and consistently terminate pregnancies, and this is something that any public official has never addressed. And now, after several closed meetings held by Granny that you weren't aware of, a law will be passed that punishes those seeking to terminate and not those providing the service of termination. And you're claiming Granny may have nothing to do with this? And you're ok with this? After all the girls we've seen, how desperate they've been. You're ok with accepting Granny making them more desperate only for her profit?" Meg's hands were moving so aggressively that she almost made contact with Clem.
"I haven't spoken to Granny yet; there may be something else we haven't heard." Meg felt her anger rising more. She wanted to scream.
"You make no sense to me, Mouse. You watch everyone, observe everyone, and try to make everyone happy. How can you be blind to what Granny is doing? Are you so addicted to the sweet perks of being her favourite?" Meg questioned, adding emphasis when addressing her as 'Mouse.'
"Favourite? I'm not her favourite. Granny told me. She was planning to put Dame Cora in charge instead of me. I know what this lifestyle demands and can face the reality of it. It's my job to help everyone else do that."
"Oh, Mouse, you haven't faced the reality of your grandmother and who she truly is your whole life."
Meg could see Clem become defensive. Only a privileged few knew of their biological relation. Clem's temper finally showing.
"You don't think I know? You don't think I react the way I do because I know better than anyone what she is capable of? You are so lucky I soften her blows. You wouldn't even be here if I didn't step in. You, Sal, Dal, Win, and so many others. You would all have been hurt or run and already dead if I didn't shield you from her and so much in this place."
Meg stared at Clem, confusion filling her face. However, she had disregarded what Clem had just communicated and was preoccupied.
"Wait, what did you say? Who did Granny say was being looked at to take over?"
"Dame Cora, she told me a little while ago." Clem's anger calmed, confused by Meg's question.
"Not Zelda?"
Clem shook her head.
"No, why?"
"Sal said she heard Zelda say Granny was specifically looking at her."
Clem shrugged.
"So? You know Zelda, always looking for a way to make herself bigger than she is."
Meg's eyebrows rose. It was true; Zelda had always been promoting her authority since Meg could remember. She looked at the vial of poison in her hand. Clem followed her gaze. They snapped both their heads back to each other. Meg took off the stopper. Without fabrikating, she could immediately smell the contents—red wine. Meg gaped, and Clem grabbed her shoulders. She didn't bother using Hand.
"Me, you, Dame Cora, Nula, Ertha, Granny. Does anyone else have the combination?"
She shook her head no frantically. Clem ran to the office door, flinging it open and pushing past Sal, who had been standing there. Clem sped to the hallway. Meg began to follow but stopped at the doorframe of the office door. Her eyes scanned the room and noted someone was missing from their workstation. Leopold. She chewed her lip, puzzled. Sal stared at her in silence.
Meg took a deep breath and ran towards the door Clem had left through. Entering the hallway, she bumped directly into Sol and Win. Sal bumped into Meg from behind. Sol steadied herself first and helped Meg, ignoring Win and Sal. Sol grabbed Meg's face and spoke in hand to make sure they faced each other.
"Granny collapsed on the way to the funeral. Rudy is carrying her to her house, and Dal is getting her paid medik to meet her there. Clem is following Rudy and meeting Granny there."
"Do we know what happened?"
"Someone suggested stress from losing Dame Cora. I do not believe this is true."
"I agree. I found a vial of the scarlet poison, replaced with red wine. I think it was taken, replaced, and used to kill Dame Cora and now Granny."
Sol wasted no time.
"If Granny has not already died, then she may not have had very much. The scarlet poison kills quickly, but it does take a certain amount. Come, there is an antidote; it is not difficult." Sol sped off back towards Meg's office. Meg, Sal, and Win followed. Win looked utterly perplexed. No one took the time to explain anything to her.
Sol explained to Meg what she would need to do. Meg retrieved the two vials of the scarlet poison and freely began fabrikating in front of the three of them. She knew she should kick them out and work privately, but she was becoming too overwhelmed with events to care about. Sol and Sal did not react, but Win did not hold back.
"You're a Grisha?! Does everyone know?" No one answered her. Meg worked feverishly, removing elements from it and discarding them into a bowl. Sol looked through Meg's cupboards for an ingredient that needed to be added. When she found it, she made the sign for the number three. Meg dropped three drops into the vial, and it changed colour to orange. Sol nodded vigorously, and Meg put the cork back on the vial.
"I can deliver this to Granny." Sol communicated. Meg shook her head in response.
"Sol, there is a traitor among the Widows. It may be Zelda. She won't trust me and may even immediately put me in chains. She will try to bring in you and Win. You have to stay near and gather information. I will inform Clem."
Sol considered this and agreed. She explained the plan to Win, who was looking overwhelmed with fear. Meg was unsure if Win would be loyal to Granny or any of the Widows. I hope for her sake that she can run fast if she's planning to leave. She thought, heart racing.
They exited the office together. Sol and Win ran towards the hallway. Meg waved her arms to the Pigeons.
"Everyone keep working; if anyone comes here, you don't understand, answer to them, pretend you don't understand. You only respond to Clem or Granny. Understood?" They looked at her, perplexed, but all nodded their agreement.
"I'll be back; I'll be right back. Thank you." Meg communicated while running out the door outside the Warehouse district.
Meg was not a fast runner who got winded easily. Therefore, she tried to jog at a steady pace. It was still early afternoon, and the streets were beginning to become crowded. Meg stuck to the water's edge, hoping to avoid any crowds. She felt the antidote in her trouser's pocket and gripped it hard.
Should I do this? Meg wondered. Isn't this my chance to get rid of Granny? Maybe I could be free of my debt; maybe Clem would forgive it. Or Zelda and Clem will be too busy waging war to remember me. But, on the other hand, if I just slowed down, I could be too late, and it wouldn't be my fault.
Meg's thoughts became so consuming she slowed to a walk. Sal bumped into her from behind. She had forgotten about her and didn't realize she had followed.
Sal apologized. Meg stared at her. She would lie for me and cover it all up. Meg thought. Sal would do anything for me. She wondered if this was how Clem felt about Granny. Meg had to be different.
I can't have Sal already covering up something so big; the stress would destroy her.
"Meg?" Sal asked. Meg sighed and started jogging again; Sal followed. When they hit the Zelver district, they moved up from the water to reach the streets.
There was a sudden appearance of four men. Meg motioned to defend herself but realized she wasn't carrying a weapon. Three grabbed Meg by her legs and arms, while the fourth held Sal quickly. The two of them screamed desperately. Meg could only get out a few intelligible words.
"Not her! Not her! Just me! Just me!'
Sal shrieked without words. As Meg watched them put a bag over Sal's head and hit her, she fell unconscious. Meg was overcome by panic, and she struggled desperately. She felt arms around her waist. She almost flipped upside down to free herself, trying to pull away. A bag was put on her. The last thing she felt was a strike of pain against the head, the side of her good ear, and then she lost consciousness.