"Of course, an absolutely flawless identity. Your wife won't even need to change her name. I offer the finest bespoke service available. Did you bring the photos and money?"
As soon as his customers brought up business, the Fox Wesen perked up, thumping his chest with an animated expression.
Dahlia opened her handbag and placed her photo and two large bundles of cash on the counter. Looking as nervous as an unsophisticated country girl, she asked in English with a thick Eastern European accent.
"Can I really use my real name? My name is Dahlia Ivanovna Ivanova, and here is twenty thousand dollars as a deposit."
"Of course." The Fox Wesen was in no hurry to count the money. Instead, he took a receipt book from under the counter, had Dahlia write down her name, and then actually made out a proper receipt.
"You see, everything about my business is aboveboard. I even pay my taxes to the IRS as required. Of course, as far as the authorities are concerned, you've simply paid a large sum for a batch of expensive tea from the East."
As he spoke, he tore off one copy of the duplicate receipt and handed it to Dahlia. After counting and putting away the cash on the counter, he turned around and actually took two tins of tea from the shelf behind him.
"Consider these a complimentary gift. This white tea isn't cheap. The documents and records will take a month to prepare. Remember to bring the remaining cash when you come to collect them."
Nick opened a tin and sniffed it. It really was decent-quality white tea, the kind he seemed to remember being called White Peony. Of course, such a small quantity was actually worth a hundred dollars or so at most.
A hundred