Asia stayed upstairs talking with Marius for quite some time, while I had been left in the dark regarding whatever else he'd meant to disclose about the lady Bijou. And yet it was I who would be the first to greet her face to face. For within the ahn, there came a loud rap upon the front doors.
Outside stood a brusque looking fellow who shoved a notice at me when I opened the doors. "This is the home of Marius, theatre district Administrator, yes?"
"Yes, Sir.. it is."
"Sign here then."
Glancing past him while I signed my name to the document, six burly men lowered a palanquin from their shoulders. The man I had been signing away my name for, turned and offered out his hand as the curtained panels parted. And out came Bijou.
My heart sank rather instantly.
