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willing to use his talents to help children who have been abandoned by the corrupt system that rules over life force transfers? Or are you the kind that can turn your back on them and still look in the mirror?”
    I can’t keep in the snort-laugh. I don’t like the sound of it, but I’m way beyond looking in the mirror. And she’s still trying to sell me on signing up full-time for her charity. “I’m the kind who wants to rescue his friend from the mob. I’m interested in a one-time exchange of favors, that’s it. Then…” I glance at Grace. “…we will no longer have reason to do business together.”
    “That’s… unfortunate.” But Madam A doesn’t look surprised. “However, a one-time exchange is acceptable. For now.”
    “What did you have in mind?” I steel myself; if it involves Tilly or Elena, I’m going to have to walk away empty-handed. Or negotiate for something else. But if it’s a smaller transfer…
    “I have several girls who have accumulated hits that need to be transferred out to the children,” she says. “Our current debt collector has been unavailable recently due to some… personal business. We’re a little behind, and as I’m sure you know, the children can’t really wait.”
    Children. That means multiple mercy hits, which makes a chill run down my back. But it sounds like the hits are small ones. And that I can work around the Tilly problem. “I agree to do the transfers, but it will have to wait until I return.”
    She frowns. “All I’m asking for is four short hits. You will be on your way soon.”
    I cross my arms. “At which point, you won’t need me further, given that I have no intention of working for you full-time. It seems safer for you to have a reason to want me back.”
    The smooth skin of her forehead wrinkles. “You think I’m going to sell you out to the mob.”
    “It’s crossed my mind once or twice.”
    She smiles. “What assurance do I have that you’ll return?”
    “I’m… interested in making sure Tilly receives some of the transfer.” Which is true, even though there’s no way I can personally transfer out to Tilly. And it’s a convincing, given my moment of weakness in the stairwell. When I get back, I'll just make sure their other debt collector does that particular transfer.
    Madam A narrows her eyes. “Two transfers now, two later.”
    “I’ll do all four transfers, plus another two, but only when I return.” I keep my face impassive. “I want you to have incentive to bring me back.”
    She sighs. “Fine. But if you do not return, Tilly will drop to the bottom of the list for transfers.” She tilts her head to me. “I want you to have incentive to return to us as well.”
    My stomach hollows out, and I sneak a look at Grace. Her gaze is fixed on Madam A, emotionless. I have no way of knowing if she’ll follow through with giving my hit to Tilly.
    “Agreed,” I say between my teeth. “And I assure you, I have every intention of returning.” Surprisingly, I actually mean it.
    She inclines her head again, accepting my promise. “I still have contact with a debt collector who has worked for us in the past,” she continues. “He now belongs to Kolek.”
    I don’t like the way that sounds, like the debt collector is the personal lapdog of a mob boss. “How unfortunate for him.”
    “Perhaps,” she says, noncommittally, which I find even more unsettling. “But it’s fortunate for you. He says your friend Ophelia was brought to Kolek’s central operations this evening. And he’s agreed to provide a cover for you to get inside. In case you are wondering, the facility is well-guarded. Even if I told you the location, it would be impossible for you to get in.”
    “So it’s quite a risk for him to cover for me,” I say. “What are you giving the debt collector in exchange?” Even if they’re friends, that can’t be the extent of it.
    “He owes me a favor,” she says evenly. “I’m more concerned about you,