“I don’t pay for what I don’t require,” the voice countered. “Just remember that. And remember that when I do pay for silence, I expect it. Don’t disappoint me, Jass. You’ll find I’m a different man when I’ve been disappointed.”

A shiver ran down Skif’s back at the deadly menace of that voice, and he was astonished that Jass didn’t seem to hear it himself. Jass was either oblivious or arrogant, and neither suggested he’d be enjoying life for very much longer unless he realized he was treading on perilous ground. “Th’ job,” he simply prompted impatiently, quite as if he was the one in charge and not his client.

“Simple enough,” the smooth, cultured voice replied. “Another fire, like the one I commissioned last winter. But this time, I don’t want any cleverness on your part. No earth tar, no pine tar, no oil or mineral spirits; nothing to encourage the blaze. The warehouse will be left open for you, so start it from the inside.”

Skif froze; he couldn’t have moved to save his life. There it was—everything he’d been looking for. Except that he couldn’t see who Jass was talking to, and he’d never heard that voice before.

Jass growled. “Ain’t gonna burn good,” he complained. “Might even save it, if—”

“Nonsense,” the voice replied firmly. “In this heat and as dry as it’s been? It’ll go up like chaff. People were suspicious the last time, Jass. There were enquiries. I had a great deal of covering up to do. It was exceedingly inconvenient for me, a considerable amount of totally unexpected work. What’s more, some of that work went to saving your neck. Some of the tenants didn’t get out—and if the fire had been traced back to you, they’d have hanged you for murder.”

Jass actually laughed, but it had a nasty sound to it. “Well, they didn’t, did they? Tha’s cuz there weren’t no witnesses. I seen t’ that. Tha’s why people didn’ all get out. ‘Cause I quieted ’em.”

Skif’s heart turned to ice.

“And that is supposed to show me how clever you are?” The man snorted. “You’re very good at what you do, Jass, and my lord Orthallen gave you high recommendations, but you’ve become arrogant and careless. Stick to what you’re told to do. Don’t try to be clever. And if you get caught, I’ll wash my hands of you, don’t think I won’t.”

“Jest gimme th’ job,” Jass growled, and the voice related details and instructions.