“I think so. Just a matter of determining exactly when it’s coming in and where.” He shot a look at the screens that was just shy of maniacal. “While they’re playing stupid pranks on the lawn, we’re going to come down on them so hard they won’t know what hit them. I’m keeping a close eye on all the activity around the major highways.”
A prickle of memory passed through my mind. “It won’t be coming on the roads.”
Gideon raised an eyebrow at me. “What are you talking about?”
“Anything particularly important, Colt would have his people delivering it at the docks on the river. He’s got some people there under his thumb—it’s easier to avoid random checks or something.”
Now it was Gideon’s turn to blink at me. “How do you know that?”
I leaned back in my chair. “I was engaged to him for a year, you know. He didn’t talk business much with me, but I was around him a lot. I listen well.”
“Huh.” Gideon’s hand darted over his tablet. “I’ll take that into account, then. We wouldn’t want to ambush them right in the docks area, of course. Too easy for us to end up surrounded. But the most likely route through to the main Steel Knights holdings in the Bend from there would be…” He brought up a map on one of the larger screens and drew his finger through the air to trace a few streets.
I considered it and then shook my head. “Not quite. There’s a pocket of Black Jacks territory through there, and they’re one outfit that won’t have thrown their lot in with the Steel Knights no matter what. There’s a longstanding rivalry between them because of something Colt’s dad did ages before Colt even inherited the leadership. He’s tried to make peace—tried to open a conversation with them just a few months ago, but they just sent him back the head of his messenger.”
Gideon eyed me for a moment with an appraising air. It was hard not to feel like I’d be coming up short under that piercing stare. But then his smile returned, a little wider this time. “It seems like it’s a good thing you stopped by. I should have asked you to weigh in with your inside knowledge of the Bend to begin with.”
From him, that was practically a love letter. Weirdly exhilarated by the praise, I grinned at him. “If it helps reduce Colt and his men to smithereens, I’m all in.”
Something shifted in Gideon’s expression that I couldn’t read. He jerked his gaze away, but when he spoke, his voice didn’t sound quite as cool as before. “I wonder if we could make use of the Black Jacks against Bryant then.”
I hummed to myself. “I don’t think there’d be much point. They’re a pretty small outfit—they wouldn’t add much to what the Nobles can do on their own. And they seem to prefer to stick to their own business. They’d push back against Colt if he came into their territory, but they haven’t come out of theirs to attack him. Unless he strikes against them directly, I don’t think we’d get more than grudging help out of them.”
“Better to rely on our own power, then.” Gideon slid his thumb along his mouth, drawing my attention there again. “I just have to make sure that I can narrow down the arrival window before they actually bring the goods through.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out with plenty of time,” I said. “You always seem to be one step ahead of everyone else.”
He looked surprised, and then his eyes softened. “Everyone except you, it’s starting to seem. But thanks for your confidence.”
I never would have expected it, but the vibe between us had gotten almost… comfortable. Maybe we could be friendly after all. Me and Wylder’s closest friend…
The question tumbled out before I could second-guess the impulse. “Do you know what’s up with Wylder lately? He’s been acting kind of… strange with me.” I hesitated to use the more accurate words like “asshole” and “prick,” considering Gideon’s loyalty to his boss and best friend.
Gideon’s smile vanished. “I have noticed that,” he said after a moment. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
I held up my hands. “I get that you don’t want to criticize him behind his back or whatever. I’m not asking you to. But you know him a lot better than I do. I was just wondering if I should push back against the attitude or ignore it or…? Whatever will mean the least amount of mind games going forward.”
Gideon hesitated again, and I could tell he knew something I didn’t. He sucked in a breath. “All I can say is that I’m honestly not sure what would work—or if there is anything—but you probably shouldn’t take it personally.”
I snorted. How was I supposed to not take it personally when Wylder personally insulted me straight to my face? But when Gideon didn’t elaborate, it appeared the conversation was over.
“Okay,” I said, getting up. “Thanks all the same—and for checking the footage for me. It was… actually kind of nice chatting with you.”
As I reached for the doorknob, Gideon spoke. “Mercy… You should know this much. I don’t believe his current attitude has anything to do with your competence or his enjoyment of your company. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
Somehow, hearing that from him was weirdly reassuring even if I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Thanks,” I repeated, meaning it, and left his office with my emotions even more jumbled up than before.