[b]Madam Cask[/b]’s eyes settled on [b]Marcus[/b] first, and for a moment she seemed to weigh whether his politeness was more irritating than Hwicce’s insolence. Politeness won by a hair.

[color=0054a6]“Carriage fourteen was returned with no declared belongings left inside,”[/color] she said. [color=0054a6]“Unofficially, there were irregularities. The rear floor mat was missing. The curtains had been wiped down. One inner latch was scratched, and there was pale clay packed into the wheel rim. Not street mud. Service-road clay.”[/color]

[b]Piero[/b]’s gaze sharpened. [color=00a651]“Undertrack roads.”[/color]

Cask did not deny it.

Then [b]Hwicce[/b] leaned in, all grin and deliberate disrespect. The clerk flinched slightly at “pencil pusher,”.

Her attention returned to [b]Hwicce[/b]. [color=0054a6]“As for Mr. Bell, there is very little to give you. Which is the point. Tall. Dark coat. Pale gloves. Hat low. Voice roughened, perhaps intentionally. He paid cash and knew exactly which paperwork to request. He did not behave like a first-time client.”[/color]

[b]Gears[/b]’ gauntlet gave a soft click.

[color=f26522]“So he knew your house rules.”[/color]

[color=0054a6]“He knew enough,”[/color] [b]Cask[/b] replied.

Piero smiled thinly. [color=00a651]“And the third companion?”[/color]

For the first time, Madam Cask’s poise shifted. Barely, but enough.

[color=0054a6]“The person who remained inside the carriage was veiled. Smaller build. Did not speak. Mr. Bell insisted they were unwell and not to be disturbed.”[/color]

Gears exhaled through her teeth. [color=f26522]“Convenient.”[/color]

Cask folded her hands over the ledger.

[color=0054a6]“You have one question left. I suggest making it more useful than clever.”[/color]