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Madrigal sighs. "Didn't walk, if that's what you mean. Had Pat drag me there. But yeah, I— man. What is there to say about it? Thanks for not letting him blow himself up."
"He seemed happy," you say tentatively.
"He's always happiest when he has a new thing, I think. When the novelty wears off, who fucking knows. At least he's not dead. Anyways, uh, I did sneak a peek at this, and I'll let you read most of it yourself, but this really stuck out to me. Ahem. This is about Ramsey. 'Is consolidating power in the region, including alliances with... blah blah blah... Wind Court.'" Madrigal jabs the page. "What's the Wind Court want with that bitch? She's just as much of a freak as Monty, no offense to Monty."
"Probably way more than Monty by now." If Correspondent #301's been putting any work in. "Wait. Are you saying <span class="mu-i">Ramsey</span> ordered my—?"
"I'm not saying shit. I just think there's something fishy here, and you better know about it. Here." She waves the papers above her head for you to take. "Give them a look."
"I will in a while. Does Eloise know that Ramsey—?"
"Not yet. I should loop her in, though. Man. Lotta shit going down, huh, Charlotte?"
She doesn't know the half of it. "...Yes. Tell Eloise for sure. Um, and see if she has any other thoughts, or— I know she knows a lot of people, so if she learns anything—"
"You got it." Madrigal tilts her head back. "Things going okay around here, Bran? You got Earl with you still?"
"Outside. Got Wallace with him. Boy ain't too bad with a hammer."
"Putting Bug Man to work? Shit, that'll do him some good, I think. Need any other help around here?"
Branwen shrugs, which gives you an opportunity to interject: "You have short hair again."
"Huh? Me? Oh, yeah." Madrigal touches the nape of her neck. "I cut it. Kinda neat to grow it out for a bit, but I'm not 17, so..."
"Claudia!" you say.
"What the fuck? What?"
She's not 17 either. She's 18, barely, and also getting increasingly grouchy about being stuck in your head. With Madrigal here, you can make somebody else talk to Pat— who owes you big-time, but would also be grouchy about it. You're a genius. "Don't worry about it. While you're here, could I..."
—
Yes, you can. With a little help from Earl (who knows the "address" to Pat's manse, whatever that entails), you've brought a whole gaggle of people along— yourself, Madrigal, Gil, Earl, and Richard, if he counts. Branwen opted to sit things out ("ain't my speed"), which is good, because if Pat had to make one more cup of tea you think she'd scream. She's already looking twitchy. "How'd you duck the Court?"
"Monty tipped her off, duh. Haven't you been following the news?"
"I've been busy. I have Us on the payroll. And the new..."
"You've been in touch with Ellery?" you say.
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