The arrest of Peacekeeper Milburn, one of the City Guard's highest-ranking officers, caused no less of a stir than when Annan captured Barr Montreal.
A peacekeeper wielded real power. Milburn and two other peacekeepers jointly commanded more than a thousand City Guards. Milburn also had an impressive record and was a prospective councilor.
The city's nobles had thought Annan would lie low for a while now that he was Court Director, with nowhere higher to climb... Instead, he vanished from sight only to make headlines again.
Young Miss Olmedo had even arrested someone that important... Would councilors be next?
Some frightened nobles had begun calling Young Miss Olmedo the "Hound of the Kingdom." It sounded like an honor, but they meant it as an insult: he was the Kingdom's dog.
Annan didn't care. He took the benefits while the Royal Family took the blame. They were cursing Young Miss Olmedo—what did that have to do with Annan?
Annan had barely sent Peacekeeper Milburn to the Dungeon when his former superior, Peacekeeper Hena, sent someone to plead for him.
The three peacekeepers appeared to have little to do with one another, even harboring minor grudges. In truth, they were practically secret allies. They held the same rank and lined their pockets the same way. Each knew how dirty the others' hands were.
Facing his old superior, who was also one of Minister of War Reynaldo's people, Annan chose his words carefully. "He colluded with the Blade of Freedom. That crosses a line the Kingdom won't tolerate."
Everyone knew how much the King in the Royal Palace hated Free City. Peacekeeper Hena settled for a lesser request: if Annan couldn't spare Milburn... then he could make sure Milburn never walked out of the Dungeon again.
Annan drew a sharp breath. "You're even