"I heard that your daughter was involved in the incident, Mr. Gray."
Mamura Gray sipped his tea and placed the mug down on the circle table between him and the commander of the Red Talon, Bruce Wallin. According to Wallin's report, a renowned leader of thieves had killed himself yesterday afternoon, but how could his daughter have been a part of it?
"He jumped from the balcony on his own accord, didn't he?"
"Viktor Ancelin is the King of Thieves." Bruce cleared his throat. "He was a man of great power and ambition."
"You and I both know the responsibilities that come with leadership." Mamura slowly swirled the steaming liquid inside his mug with a spoon. "Maybe he determined he wasn't fit for it."
Bruce pressed his thumb against his lips and sighed. "There was an assassin involved, sir."
Mamura met the younger man's gaze, then turned towards the tall and clear windows on his left. Outside, the sky was a pale gray with clouds framing the winter horizon. He wished to travel somewhere warm soon. Bruce continued, "They single-handedly wiped out Ancelin's troops and I heard Viktor took his life shortly after"
"And why does this sound like my daughter's doing?"
The leader of the Red Talon crossed his arms, leaning back into his chair. "Well, for one, she and he were not on good terms. Can you recall the recent celebration?"
"That pervert got what he had coming." A third voice interrupted. They both shifted their attention to the grand staircase. It was Arden. She stood at the top of the stairs, but even from where they sat, he could see how her lips were turned down and her eyes were iron.
Mamura sighed and waved her off. "You aren't helping your case, Arden. Leave now." She didn't move, so he sipped his tea, ignoring his daughter and waving with his hand for Bruce to continue.
The younger man chuckled. "Regardless of whether or not she did it, Ancelin's allies are convinced that Arden was behind his death and are most likely plotting revenge right now."
Mamura stopped sipping his tea and returned his hands to his lap. If the entire army of thieves already set their mind on this revenge plot, then he could not deter them. He would need to convince someone important. Someone who mattered.
"A storm should be avoided. That's the proper means to take." Mamura nodded at his own thoughts. "We will set up a meeting to clear up the misunderstanding."
Bruce reached for his pen. "When should it be?"
"No later than a week from now. In the meantime," He glanced over to Arden, who was tapping her foot. The sound was a steady rhythm in the wide acoustic space. "I'll need to find a place for her to stay. Preferably, somewhere out of the country."
Arden huffed. "If you're concerned about my safety, then there's no need."
He met his daughter's hard gaze. Her eyes did not waver. "This isn't just about you. I hope that at your age you understand. Leave Ceylon for a while, Arden."
His daughter made a face as if she tasted something sour. "You know what you're really good at? Getting rid of your problems." He rolled his eyes in response. She never knew how to step down. Did he ever teach this girl manners?
"You just send them all away." She finished.
His chair screeched against the floor as he stood up. "Do as I say, Arden!"
Her glare battled his own. He saw so much of himself in her, but that was the problem. His pride and stubbornness only ever got him in trouble, and it would do the same for his daughter, but she never understood. After long silent moments, Arden finally relented and sighed.
"Fine, but I'll be the one deciding where I go."
She raised her chin and spun on her heel. The clicking of her shoes echoed throughout the room as she left. When the clicking died off, Mamura turned to Bruce, who looked pale.
"Where do you think she'll go?"