“That’s easy,” Seb says. “He comes into the bakery on his way to work every day.”

“So, you’ll do it?”

“I’ll do it tomorrow. Don’t worry – you can count on me.”

The note I give to Seb doesn’t require a reply. I just have to hope that I am right to trust Karl. But then, I don’t have any other choice.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-four

The breeze is chilly despite the early morning sun; I need my shawl for warmth as well as disguise. I asked Karl to meet me outside the studio, and shivering in the shady alleyway, I can only hope that he will come.

I don’t have to wait long. When he turns the corner and stands silhouetted at the top of the passage, I remember our first day here at the studio. The sight of him had made my stomach lurch. But this morning, I could hug him.

He doesn’t say anything, just gives me a tight nod, and then we start walking.

“You’re sure about this?” Karl asks as he ushers me towards a side entrance to the government building. “You’re wanted for murder – it seems foolish, to say the least, to be heading right for one of the people you’re meant to be hiding from.”

“I know. And it is foolish. But it might be the only way I can find out what’s going on – and change things.” I look up at Karl, his swept-back blond hair as neat as ever. He makes such a good government official; he looks the part, it’s hard to believe he is on the side of the crows now. But I have to trust him – and even if he can’t be trusted, all I need is to see Minnow face-to-face. “I didn’t kill Mel, you know that, right?”

Karl sighs out a laugh. “Yes. I know that.”

“Do you have any idea what happened to her?” I push.

He looks carefully at me. “Of course I have an idea. This is not the first time the leaders have called for someone to go ‘missing’. But this is the first time I’ve not seen a body.”

“You seem so different, Karl.” I can’t help it, I want to know. “What changed – what made you join the crows?”

Karl pauses as though taking stock of me, deciding how much to say.

“I’ve learned a few things about loyalty. From you, mostly.” I look at him, surprised. “You’ve always done the right thing, even when it meant you suffered. It got me thinking. I used to just want to have an easy life – make money, be successful – but then I realized it wasn’t really worth anything if I didn’t have a conscience.” He carries on walking and I follow.