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don’t know how he knew what was going on. Maybe Deal. But he told the Windsinger to be grateful that we didn’t cut the little asshole’s pecker and balls off.’’
    Prince Rupert had a set of his own.
    ‘‘So you thought you’d drop by, mooch a beer, and fill me in?’’
    ‘‘I did want to ask why a known criminal was seen entering your house an hour ago.’’
    ‘‘So now I’m a known criminal?’’ I failed to steer him away from the Dead Man’s room. Once he invited himself in he had no trouble seeing John Stretch.
    ‘‘I’m not convinced. Deal has fewer doubts.’’
    ‘‘Deal thinks everybody but Deal Relway is a crook. And he’s keeping an eye on himself.’’
    Block chuckled. ‘‘Letting you run free is more profitable than pulling you in. We’re like gulls behind a ship. We follow you and pick off the fish you turn up in your wake.’’
    Took me a second to get it. I had to go back to the islands, us moving from one hellhole to the next aboard troop transports.
    Singe left the room as we entered. She returned with a new mug and the pitcher refilled. Block accepted the mug. He didn’t mind it having been touched by a ratperson.
    He took a long drink. ‘‘That’s good.’’ He eyed the Dead Man.
    ‘‘He’s asleep,’’ I lied. That being Old Bones’s preferred state.
    ‘‘I don’t believe you. But it doesn’t matter. The world is at peace. I hope winter never ends. So, what do you have going?’’ He looked at John Stretch.
    I saw no reason not to tell him. He wouldn’t believe me, anyway.
    I didn’t betray John Stretch’s secret power. The Crown doesn’t need to know everything. Especially if that might cause feelings of vulnerability.
    ‘‘Giant bugs? You’re shitting me.’’
    ‘‘I might be. By accident. I only saw one. But it was huge. I’m more worried about the ghosts.’’
    ‘‘Why would there be ghosts around there?’’
    ‘‘I don’t know. An old burial ground?’’
    ‘‘With the tenants just now getting disgruntled? Be rational. The usual reasons ghosts jump up would’ve brought them out a long time ago.’’
    I’d spotted that flaw on my own. ‘‘Weider thinks it might be somebody angling for a payoff.’’
    ‘‘Villains. Breathing villains. Stupid, breathing villains.’’
    We were getting sloppy already.
    Possibly with a little subtle assistance.
    I closed the door behind the colonel. ‘‘What was that all about, Chuckles?’’
    He was passing by. Feeling lonely. Colonel Block will not admit it, especially to himself, but he is a lonely man. He may have created an adversarial relationship here but it is a relationship.
    None of which was alive in his surface mind.

11
    Another day, half of it wasted on morning. I wakened early, feeling good, and couldn’t go back to sleep. I ambled down to the kitchen, where I surprised Dean, though he wouldn’t admit it. He just poured tea and started the eggs and sausage. ‘‘This could turn into a habit.’’
    ‘‘A good one, I’m sure you’ll argue.’’
    He wasted no breath responding. ‘‘There was a message from Miss Weider.’’
    ‘‘Um? What does she want?’’
    ‘‘To know why you haven’t cleaned up the world.’’ He seemed both amused and puzzled.
    ‘‘It’s a big place. And I don’t run so fast anymore.’’
    ‘‘I’m sure that isn’t what she meant.’’
    ‘‘That kid Penny still running messages?’’
    ‘‘I wouldn’t be surprised. But I don’t know how to get hold of her.’’
    ‘‘Figures.’’
    ‘‘You need a message carried?’’
    ‘‘I do. To Playmate.’’
    ‘‘There’s a new family moved in down by the corner. They have a boy who could do it. Joe Kerr. He seems like a good kid.’’
    I gave him the look. ‘‘You’re kidding.’’
    ‘‘What? How?’’
    ‘‘Joe Kerr?’’
    ‘‘Yes? So? There’s a problem with that?’’
    ‘‘Maybe not. Maybe it’s just me. Is he trustworthy?’’
    He shrugged. ‘‘I trust