Arthur took a brand-new cup from Maltz's cabinet and prepared the tea to Malinda's taste, adding a little rock sugar and a few mint leaves.
Malinda immediately eyed Arthur with suspicion and wariness.
"What are you up to?"
"I told you, only what's within my capabilities!
Remember, only what's within my capabilities!"
As Malinda stressed her point, she picked up her pipe and put it between her lips.
To Malinda, a cup of sweetened mint tea was hardly enough to make her abandon her principles. Likewise, Arthur did not believe a cup of sweetened mint tea would get him anything more-if that actually happened, he would have to be wary of whether Malinda was setting a trap for him.
Besides...
This cup of tea was not for Malinda.
"Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you?"
With that, Arthur drained the tea in his hand.
Malinda immediately realized that the man before her had done it on purpose. He was getting back at her for claiming the roast beef with her spit earlier.
"Childish!"
Malinda delivered her verdict with a cold expression.
Meanwhile, she had already devised three ways to counter whatever Arthur said next, but to her surprise, Arthur stopped pursuing the subject.
Old Charlie had said that the most important things for a Medium were thinking on your feet and... knowing when to quit while you were ahead.
Arthur, who knew all too well that Old Charlie was a handsome old devil-and a consummate player-had taken that advice to heart.
The results?
Naturally, they were pretty good-
"I want to start a security company!
I need you to help me get all the paperwork.
Of course, if you want a stake in it, you'll have to provide suitable premises and the initial funding."
Arthur laid out his requirements.
"A security