I take over. 「I can offer the assurance that Jehovah Mason believes it is important to protect human life, as do the King of Spain and… others.」 It was not the time to try to force the unready into believing in Achilles. It may never be. 「If you do what we ask, you will win the gratitude of princes. That is worth a lot, especially now.」

A pause—a wise, long, thinking pause. 「I’ll need more details, if I’m to persuade my bash’, and more proof that this deal is real than just your word.」

Look at my Saladin’s beautiful victory grin. 「Whose word do you want? MASON’s? Spain’s? Madame’s? Name your prince.」

All stiffen. 「Is Madame part of this too?」

「Everything and always. I thought the underbelly knew about Madame long before the public.」

「We did, but not as much as we know now. After recent events, you must understand we’re reluctant to get closer to such an unpredictable force.」

I answer this one. 「Madame doesn’t care about this, or about you. This is about saving lives and preserving some semblance of an economy. That’s not Madame’s concern, only her Son’s.」

Again the young boss pauses for thought. 「I’ll talk to my people and see what else we need from you to move on this. How can we find you?」

「I’ll find you.」 A shimmer betrays the vizor’s edge across Saladin’s cheeks. 「Oh, there is one more thing I’m supposed to ask you for.」

「What?」

「Whichever of your people sold the real Canner Device to Merion Kraye.」

「What for?」

「Fun.」

「No, not fun,」 I correct quickly. 「Information. Perry-Kraye may be gone, but their network of allies likely isn’t, and we don’t know that the extermination of Europe’s leadership is the end of their plan. We need to know all we can about their contacts, for the near future as well as for history.」

Frowns pass among the guards.

「You must understand, Ghost, Canner, whatever, why I’m skeptical that even I could convince one of our people to hand themself over to you.」

Saladin purred at the compliment. 「Fair enough. Have the guilty party call Romanova’s police, ask for Detective Desi O’Callaghan, ask them for Deputy Commissioner Bo Chowdhury, ask them for Papadelias. Be helpful and I doubt the law will want to waste its time prosecuting the peon of a middleman. Might even help exonerate Japan a bit if they can focus blame on Perry-Kraye. Good for you.」

「I can’t promise anything at present.」

「Fine, but I know who it was, and I know their bash’mates, and I can start mailing them finger bones if it would help.」 He smiles. 「Would it?」

「Not necessary, thank you.」 Dignity is strong in this one. 「One more question, Ghost.」

Saladin enjoys that title. 「Yes?」