Grace stood arms slack, spent but triumphant. Rousseau rose, suppressing a groan. I guessed he’d been too busy or too worried since Ladysmith’s burning to get much sleep. But he found new strength and turned his big presence on Daniel. “Delegates from some of the dens are gathering here tomorrow. A strategy session, given what’s gone down lately.”

Daniel nodded, like he wasn’t sure why he was being told. “Good idea.”

“You seem to have a more current grasp of the big picture than most, friend. I’d see it as a favor if you hang around to share your views and information with the group.”

I noticed Daniel sat up straighter when talking to Rousseau. Maybe we all did.

“I’d consider it an honor.”

“Till tomorrow, then.” Rousseau waved Grace and Tito ahead of him, then followed. The lads milled in his wake. Maxine struggled in her chair, and Poppy ran to help her up. The human tide bustled and receded, leaving us in a big empty room echoing with the last footsteps, and Jenn and Breakers raking over some guy they’d both known in the downtown art scene and agreed was a dick and a tightwad.

“He’d take art for rent and stash it in a bank,” Breakers said. “But he never moved it uptown and Misha’s surge flooded the vaults. Last I heard, he was still squatting upstairs, waiting for the water to go down.”

Spunk turned back by the doors. “Y’all comin’?”

Daniel pointed a fork at his untouched plate. “Food first, if you don’t mind.”

“Da leas’ we kin do, bro.”

Jake hadn’t moved. “I hate boats.”

“You won’t hate mine.” Daniel worked on a mouthful. “It’s full of books.”

“I hate all boats. They never sit still.”

Spunk looked to me.

“Seen ’em already,” I said.

“Das ri’, ain’t it!” Spunk shot me his raw grin and pranced a bit, his injured arm flapping in its sling. “Later!”

Jake watched the doors swing closed. “ ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.’ Hard news, but he had to hear it. They all did. The boss needs a rest he ain’t gonna get.”

Daniel nodded thoughtfully. “A bit more than he signed on for, you think?”

Jake pushed back his chair, now there was room enough. “Well, he was always about preserving community. And living, as best as we could, a moral and responsible life. Suddenly it’s about armed defense? Just not his skill set. Or mine, for that matter.”

They looked so companionable, their dark heads bent in talk: smiling, easygoing Daniel and earnest Jake, the sharp planes of his handsome face creased with doubt. It came to me that they were really friends. Made me feel like a kid eavesdropping on the adults, but I wouldn’t have left for a handful of credits.

Daniel said, “I hear he was a good man with his fists.”