analyst comment. She smiled, accepting the challenge. “Go on.”
Vin fixed her with a stare.
“ You entered the Directorate as an inspector straight out of school, not based on talent—but because of your father. You have no formal inspector training, but despite this, you were sent to hobnob with aristocratic ladies of the Versailles court. As for me? I put myself through school, taking the lowest position at the Directorate as an analyst. And then it was only a matter of luck that I got to travel because of the clusterfuck that is our legislative system. And it was only because your father, the one that shut you away in France for the past five years, begged me to.”
He finished, downing a glass of wine in one swig.
Kanon sat in silence, focusing on the gentle clink of the dishes the monk was preparing. It was a nice distraction from his speech—saying things she never thought would be spoken aloud, especially not to her. Her unique status as the Director’s daughter had never been thrown in her face quite so brutally.
Vin was toying with the wine gourd, not looking particularly bashful after his hurtful statements. She swallowed heavily before responding.
“ If there was training I missed as an inspector, I’m determined to set that right. But you must understand, I’ve been in the field for the past five years.” She felt close to tears, trying to get her emotions under control, she continued, “I need to know any news on what’s to become of Julius Arnold. I want to help,” she finished.
“Not for me to decide, ” Vin replied, although Kanon detected a slight pause.
The monk brought over dishes of rice and vegetables. After relieving the firs t pangs of hunger, Vin continued, “I can tell you that the investigation is ongoing. We don’t expect Julius to stick around much longer in France. It’s clear the man has an extensive network—he’s built up personas in many locations.”
“I mpressive research for a new inspector. You must be a natural for it,” Kanon replied, changing tactics.
If he wasn’t going to give her information due to a sense of duty, perhaps he was susceptible to flattery? Kanon was an expert in this field, having perfected the art of sweet-talking during her time with the Duchess.
Vin grunted in response, applying himself to the food.
“ Tell me how you became an inspector?” she cooed.
He looked at her blankly, clearly reluctant to tell her more.
“It was Chief Smiley’s idea,” he responded shortly.
“Ah, and by virtue of you being an analyst,” Kanon pieced together, “you aren’t subject to the blanket travel restriction. So then who is going to track down Julius?” she asked, fearing the answer as Vin straightened.
He looked up from his rice bowl with a smile.
“ Yours truly, Inspector Hay.”
“How is she?” Director Hay asked.
Despite the intensity of his gaze, Vin maintained his composure. A few short hours had elapsed since Vin’s meeting with Director Hay—however, his training amounted to almost two years spent in the past. It was a startling revelation, one in which Chief Smiley had warned him about.
Seeing Vin’s dazed state, Chief Smiley decided to interject.
“ Inspector Hay is fine. Vin has been through a lot, sir. I think it’s pertinent to mention our Post Travel Syndrome services.”
“ Yes, yes,” Director Hay echoed, coming to life again after affirming that his daughter was safe.
Chief Smiley rambled on while Vin studied the changing pictures of Kanon on Director Hay’s photo pane.
She looked so different from those photographs . In person, Kanon was more refined—ladylike. Vin wondered how long it had been since Director Hay had seen her. His little girl was not so little anymore.
By Directorate standards, Kanon Hay was the most popular girl in school. Their dramatic encounter felt like a tumultuous first date, which made Vin feel in control—and powerful.
Chief Smiley broke Vin’s train of thought,
Vin fixed her with a stare.
“ You entered the Directorate as an inspector straight out of school, not based on talent—but because of your father. You have no formal inspector training, but despite this, you were sent to hobnob with aristocratic ladies of the Versailles court. As for me? I put myself through school, taking the lowest position at the Directorate as an analyst. And then it was only a matter of luck that I got to travel because of the clusterfuck that is our legislative system. And it was only because your father, the one that shut you away in France for the past five years, begged me to.”
He finished, downing a glass of wine in one swig.
Kanon sat in silence, focusing on the gentle clink of the dishes the monk was preparing. It was a nice distraction from his speech—saying things she never thought would be spoken aloud, especially not to her. Her unique status as the Director’s daughter had never been thrown in her face quite so brutally.
Vin was toying with the wine gourd, not looking particularly bashful after his hurtful statements. She swallowed heavily before responding.
“ If there was training I missed as an inspector, I’m determined to set that right. But you must understand, I’ve been in the field for the past five years.” She felt close to tears, trying to get her emotions under control, she continued, “I need to know any news on what’s to become of Julius Arnold. I want to help,” she finished.
“Not for me to decide, ” Vin replied, although Kanon detected a slight pause.
The monk brought over dishes of rice and vegetables. After relieving the firs t pangs of hunger, Vin continued, “I can tell you that the investigation is ongoing. We don’t expect Julius to stick around much longer in France. It’s clear the man has an extensive network—he’s built up personas in many locations.”
“I mpressive research for a new inspector. You must be a natural for it,” Kanon replied, changing tactics.
If he wasn’t going to give her information due to a sense of duty, perhaps he was susceptible to flattery? Kanon was an expert in this field, having perfected the art of sweet-talking during her time with the Duchess.
Vin grunted in response, applying himself to the food.
“ Tell me how you became an inspector?” she cooed.
He looked at her blankly, clearly reluctant to tell her more.
“It was Chief Smiley’s idea,” he responded shortly.
“Ah, and by virtue of you being an analyst,” Kanon pieced together, “you aren’t subject to the blanket travel restriction. So then who is going to track down Julius?” she asked, fearing the answer as Vin straightened.
He looked up from his rice bowl with a smile.
“ Yours truly, Inspector Hay.”
“How is she?” Director Hay asked.
Despite the intensity of his gaze, Vin maintained his composure. A few short hours had elapsed since Vin’s meeting with Director Hay—however, his training amounted to almost two years spent in the past. It was a startling revelation, one in which Chief Smiley had warned him about.
Seeing Vin’s dazed state, Chief Smiley decided to interject.
“ Inspector Hay is fine. Vin has been through a lot, sir. I think it’s pertinent to mention our Post Travel Syndrome services.”
“ Yes, yes,” Director Hay echoed, coming to life again after affirming that his daughter was safe.
Chief Smiley rambled on while Vin studied the changing pictures of Kanon on Director Hay’s photo pane.
She looked so different from those photographs . In person, Kanon was more refined—ladylike. Vin wondered how long it had been since Director Hay had seen her. His little girl was not so little anymore.
By Directorate standards, Kanon Hay was the most popular girl in school. Their dramatic encounter felt like a tumultuous first date, which made Vin feel in control—and powerful.
Chief Smiley broke Vin’s train of thought,
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