#fenixtj

She nods. "Ok."

"I figured they were mercenaries."

"They are," he says "I ..have their number"

"Do they still operate here in Tijuana?"

"They operate anywhere they damn well please" he says

"They work mostly in the American Southwest and the Mexican North Western states"

"Are they a further danger, do you think?"

"Only if they target us... to be fair, they rarely break right of life" He says "They've hunted to trap... "

"HEck, I've used them to smuggle folks to safety" he admits

Jessica nods, slowly. "Okay. Good to know. All of it."

"Not the sort of thing I wanted to talk to you about on Beltaine but I did think you SHOULD know, yes"

She nods. "No, Duff, it's ok. I know you had a life before I got here, and you'll have one if we part company. I'm a big girl."

"That you are." he says "One hell of a woman at that. "

"Ok, so." A shrug. "Anything else?"

"Just that, it sounds like the Crazy Coyotes are possibly being used as pawns? if yo ucan prove that.. you might get an ally"

"Pawns? Didn't seem like it..... they were paid, I'm sure of it."

"Oh I know they got paid, nobody cheats them of money"

"Exactly."

"But that doesn't mean there wasn't an attem;pt to cheat them somehow"

"You want me to engage with the Coyotes."

"Yes that's every man's dream that his former girlfriend and his current one get to meet and compare notes"

"It happens. And believe it or not, I'm not interested in talking about you with ... what's her name?"

"Marisol, but some just call her Crazypants"

"Marisol. Got it."

A knock on the door

Jessica looks at Duff to see if he's ok with the visitor.

A nod as they are in HER room

She answers the door.

It's Dame Ash, who has that look one gets "I caught the girls about to go for a walk.. to the Beach. Which si..what, fifty miles?"

"Closer to twenty five" Duff shrugs

"Oh.. well, Twenty Five.." She shrugs in that 'oh no big deal then' exagerated fashion

"Less than that, yes...." she nods "I asked them to stay close to the hold. Last thing we need is them in Tidemarch's barony before I have a chance to talk to him."

"They're really set on it. I'd like to take them there is possible.. I could drive, we could lay low if you dont' want me using the trod?"

A frown, but Jessica nods. "It's Beltaine. Ok. Um...." She roots around in her room and returns with a seal she was more or less required to accept as a Countess. "Take this with you; you have issues with Tidemarch, or anyone, use it to show your authority on my behalf."

"Okay. Roads or trod?" She asks

"Your call."

"This should be fun. " She nods "Thank you, Jessica. Nice to see you, Duff. I need to get back to the girls"

Jessica bids her a good day, closes the door, looks back at Duff.

Duff, once they are alone, raises a brow "Childlings?"

She nods. "A sudden influx. Three girls; Sidhe, satyr, and pooka."

"An unholy trio to be sure" he says wiht amusement

"Well, that might remain to be seen." A sigh. "Duff, I'm sorry. I have to send a letter to my freeholders -today-, let them know we need a meeting as soon as possible. Tomorrow, or the next day. Can you wait a few minutes? Or, hey, go have a good time. I'll find you later."

"Go on. I knew you'd be busy today. I'ts Beltaine. Go have fun toO if you can slip it in"

"I will." She goes to her writing desk, and settles in to write.

She writes.

And Dil peeks "Countess?"

"Come in."

"Sorry to trouble you, Countess, but the celebrations will be soon. And.. Steward Diego needs your approval to buy glasses for Salma"