'This division isn't good, he said to Kristabel as the guests started to leave. 'Makkathran needs to be united if we're to defeat the gangs.

'Quite. She led him over to Finitan and her father.

'Welcome back, Julan said. He embraced his daughter, then shook hands with Edeard. There was a slight pause when he looked at Edeard, as if expecting something. Finitan, too, seemed to be waiting. Edeard wasn't sure what to say.

'Right then, Finitan said. 'This is as good a time as any. Edeard, while you and Kristabel were away, we've been pressuring the remaining District Masters and Representatives to join the exclusion warrants scheme, sadly to little avail. The Mayor has been equally effusive in opposition to it.

'But why? Edeard asked.

'Because, as he rightly points out, we have no conclusion, no final answer as to what to do with these people.

'I do, Edeard said, feeling confident after everything he and Kristabel had talked about.

'You do? Finitan asked.

'Yes, sir. The only thing we can do. Banishment.

'Ah. That's a bold statement, young Edeard.

He grinned sheepishly at Kristabel. 'It was pointed out to me, that, although it sounds drastic, the actual numbers of people we need to get rid of are tiny in relation to the city's overall population.

Finitan and Julan exchanged a look. 'That makes this easier then, Finitan said. 'It's quite plain that Owain is going to steer this into another clash in Council, and delaying tactics will work in his favour. We need to grab the initiative back from him, and proposing banishment is exactly the kind of prospect that will galvanize people into supporting us.

Edeard glanced over at the Masters gathered around Owain. 'I don't understand, I expected it would make things worse in Council.

'It will, Finitan said with a smile. 'And we can capitalize on that division.

'Ah, Kristabel said, she nodded in understanding. 'Of course.

'Of course, what? Edeard said.

'I am going to announce my candidature for Mayor, Finitan said. 'And banishing the gangs will by my campaign pledge to the people of Makkathran.

'What did he say? Boyd asked as the squad made its way back to Jeavons station after the ceremony.

'That he's going to run for Mayor, Edeard told them all. He was still taken aback by the notion, though the excitement was growing. With Finitan in charge, so many things can change. 'There'll be a party in the Blue Tower tonight so he can make a public announcement.

'Not Finitan, you arse, Macsen snapped. 'Master Julan?

'Julan? He didn't say anything. But with his support, Finitan stands a real chance.

'All right, Kanseen said. 'Forget that. What did you say?

'I said that I'd support him in any way I could.

They all gave each other puzzled looks. Edeard could sense their minds closing against him, but not before several traces of irritation and disappointment were manifested. He guessed taking a week off had annoyed them more than he'd realized at the time.

'Okay then, at least we've been busy, Dinlay said as they passed through the station's main gate. 'Unfortunately, so have the gangs. The gondoliers pulled another body from the canal last Thursday. The second son of a cloth merchant from Igadi district.

'Lady! Edeard groaned. 'It didn't take them long to regain their courage.

They settled in the small hall. Dinlay's third hand shut the doors behind them. Kanseen sat down on one of the tables, her boots resting on a bench. Macsen directed a ge-chimp to fetch some water. 'That was very cheap wine at the party, he complained as he gulped down several mouthfuls from a glass tankard.

Dinlay pulled a bench over to sit opposite Edeard. His face was exhibiting a great deal of contentment. Boyd sat next to him, trying not to show too much amusement at his squadmate's attitude.

'So what did the second son do to annoy the gangs? Edeard asked.

'Nothing, Dinlay said. 'They're using a variant on the old extortion racket.

'A clever one, Macsen said, finishing his second tankard of water.

'They're not bothering with small shops and stalls any more, Dinlay explained. 'They've moved up a social class to target the smaller merchants. And they don't ask for money, they want a share of the business itself.

'It's a route to legitimacy, Kanseen said.

'If you've got a warehouse full of stock, someone comes along and asks if they can buy a share in your venture. But the thing is, they want to defer payment for that percentage.

'It'll come out of increased profits, is what they usually say, Boyd said. 'So far, nothing criminal. Certainly nothing you can use to complain to the constables or courts.

'Except you know who it is and what they're asking, Dinlay continued. 'They make that very clear. If you don't comply, then a family member gets hurt.

'Or in some cases, murdered, Macsen said. 'As with the cloth merchant's son. Which is extreme, but those are the cases we get to hear about.

'So we don't know how widespread it is, Edeard said.

'No. But everyone is complaining about how prices are creeping up, and there's no reason. There's no shortage of anything; the port is crowded with ships delivering cargo, and the city's warehouses are full.

'The lower and middle level of merchants don't have the kind of protective associations which shops and small traders have, Kanseen said. 'Their commercial rivalry precludes almost all cooperation.

'But they have personal guards, Edeard said.

'No they don't, Dinlay said. 'Oh, the patriarch will have some toughs with him when he collects large payments from clients, or pays a ship's captain, but we're not talking about the kind of small army which the Grand Families employ here. These merchants have large families who are completely unprotected, and they're a vital part of Makkathran's economy.

'I see, Edeard said. He had hoped for a brief respite after Ingot back, but he should have known better. 'So we need to identify who—

'No we don't, Dinlay said merrily.

'We don't?

'Already done it.

'Ah. Now a lot of the squad's attitude became clearer to

Edeard. He looked round, seeing their smug faces. 'So what do you need me for?

'To provide us with brute strength back-up during the arrest, Macsen said with an innocent tone.

Edeard laughed. 'Tell me.

'First the bad news, Boyd said. 'The House of Blue Petals has a new owner.

'Who? Edeard asked sharply.

Boyd gave Dinlay a sly glance, as if seeking approval. 'Buate.

'Never heard of him.

'Nobody had, Boyd said. 'Turns out he's Ivarl's half-brother.

'Oh great.

'Would you like the bad news now? Macsen asked.

Edeard gave him a brusque stare.

'Rumour has it that Buate has a partner.

'Go on.

'Ranalee.

Edeard dropped his face into his hands, and chuckled softly. I should have seen that coming, especially after Tannarl teamed up with Ivarl that night.

'Edeard? Kanseen queried.

'Actually, that's good news, he told them.

'It is?

'We finally have a link between the gangs and a Grand Family. Can we prove she's the partner?

'The Occupancy Deed is filed at the city Registry, Dinlay said, taking off his glasses to give them a polish. 'It's considered privileged unless a crime has been committed either on the premises or by the owner. We could lodge a request in the lower court to view it. But all it tells us is who's claimed residence rights to the structure, and as we know Buate is family it won't tell us anything new. And the articles of corporation governing the Blue Petal's business will be held by the Guild of Tax Clerks. However, the nature of the business means the arrangement with Ranalee isn't likely to be written down anywhere.