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The boy started to nod, but caught hiet you out," Wayne said "Don’t worry I don’t recognize you You new?"

"Yes"

"Clamps recruited you?"

"Just teeks back"

"Which base were you working out of?"

"Which one?" the lad said, frowning

"We have several stations of operation," Wayne said "But of course you don’t know that, do you? The boss only shows one to new kids, in case they get caught Wouldn’t want you to accidentally lead people to us, eh?"

"That would be awful," Sindren agreed He eyed the door, but kept hiard I thought ere the only ones!"

"That’s the idea," Wayne said "We can’t let a si payback"

"Er, yes"

"You don’t believe in all that, do you?" Wayne said "It’s okay I think the boss gets a little crazy with that stuff too"

"Yeah," the youth said "I mean, most of us just want the money, you know? Payback’s nice But…"

"…about how things will be better when he’s in charge, and how the city betrayed him, and stuff But the city betrays everyone That’s how life is" The youth glanced again at the constables outside the door

"Don’t worry," Wayne said "They think I’m one of them"

"How’d you do it?" the boy asked softly

"Just gotta talk their language, son Surprising how ure that out You’re sure they never told you about any of the other bases? I need to knohich ones are in danger"

"No," the youth said "I only ever went to the foundry Stayed there pretty much all the tiive you some advice, son?" Wayne asked

"Please"

"Get out of this business of robbing folks You aren’t o back to the mills"

The boy frowned

"Takes a special type to be a proper criminal," Wayne explained "You ain’t that type You see, in this conversation, I tricked you into confir the location of your base"

The youth grew pale "But…"

"Don’t worry," Wayne said "I’m on your side, remember? You’re just lucky that I aht," Wayne said, lowering his voice, reet you out by force Face it, kid, you’re not worth it But I can help you I want you to talk to the constables"

"What?"

"Give o back to the base and clear the place out Once that’s done, you can sing to the conners, tell theh to get us into real trouble Our contingency plans will protect us I’ll tell the boss I told you to do it, and so you’ll be all right

"But don’t talk to theo free in return Get a solicitor into the room; ask for one by the name of Arintol He’s supposed to be honest" At least, that hat people on the streets had told Wayne "Get the conners to promise you freedo you know

"Once you’re out, get away fro erous for you Go to the Roughs and become a millworker Nobody will care, there Either way, kid, stay out of cri someone killed Maybe you"

"I…" The youth looked relieved "Thank you"

Wayne winked "Now, resist everything I ask you fro and dropped the speed bubble

"--that I can’t hear," Brettin said, "I’ht here"

"Fine!" Wayne yelled "Boy, tell , conner!"

"You’ll talk, or I’ll have your toes!" Wayne yelled back

The kid got into it, and Wayne gave the constables a good fiveout

"I told you," Brettin said

"Yeah," Wayne said, trying to sound dejected "Guess you’ll just have to keep working on them"