“The bluejackets is all over us now,” an older boy pointed out. “We can’t move for the Guard. Cuffs always kept ’em bought off, at least.”

“Shut up, Jonas,” Cat said, glaring at him, and Jonas shut his mouth.

“There’s eight Southies down on the bricks,” Cuffs said. “That was a daft move. You can’t dawb your way out of that.”

It was like Cuffs had slid into his streetlord skin and began speaking a foreign language.

Cat glared at him. “You act like we did the Southies.”

Cuffs shrugged. “Who else?”

Raisa, feeling ignored, had been shifting from one foot to the other, debating her chances of making a run for it. Now she focused more closely on the conversation.

Cat snorted. “Us? We had nothing to do with it. We figure it was you. That’s who the Guard is blaming, anyway.”

“The bluejackets are blaming all of us,” Cuffs said. “Look, how could I have done the Southies? All by myself?” He grinned. “You maybe, Cat. Me, I’m good, but not that good.”

Cuffs is a charmer, no doubt about it, Raisa thought.

Cat studied him suspiciously. “You’re not with anyone else? The Keepers? Widowmakers? Bloodrunners?”

Cuffs shook his head.

“We heard you was bringing leaf up from We’enhaven,” Jonas said. “Heard you’d made a killing selling it off to pirates in Chalk Cliffs.”

“I don’t do business with pirates anymore,” Cuffs said. “They’re more likely to cut your throat than pay up.”

“How you getting on, then?” Cat asked, rolling her eyes.

Cuffs cleared his throat, as if embarrassed. “This and that. I’m a runner for Lucius Frowsley. Do some trading. Shine the gentry’s shoes.” He touched his knife. “Get in a little barbering.”

Laughter rippled through the Raggers. All except for Cat.

Cuffs noticed. “Look,” he said, going serious, “I got no idea who’s doing the Southies, but we’re all paying for it. I need your help. If you know anything…”

“How about this?” Cat said, leaning toward Cuffs. “We’ll hand you off to the bluejackets. Then maybe they’ll leave us be.”

“You can try,” Cuffs said. His voice was calm, his manner unruffled, but Raisa noticed that he straightened and gripped the hilt of his knife. “’Course, I’d not sell you out. I think mates need to hang together. But that’s just me.”

The Raggers shifted nervously, stealing glances at one another, some of them nodding.

I can learn something from Cuffs Alister, Raisa thought. He’s been here ten minutes, and he has them all in the palm of his hand. Except for Cat, who has a grudge against him.

Cuffs moved in closer to Cat, fixing her with his blue eyes, his voice soft and persuasive. “Give me a moment, will you?” He looked from her to the other Raggers, raising his eye-brows. “Please?”