Jason and Ethan reached the dock a little after dusk, and David walked a pace behind them with his hands in his pockets, trying to look like a man out for air.
The first thing Erik noticed was the water. The flood had risen another hand's breadth overnight. The platform bolts he had tested two weeks ago sat wetter than they had, and the lowest rung of the fire escape had gone under.
"You're early," Kai said, from the rail. He had Hrimnir at his heel in the small gray form. "Same terms as before. A boat, back by dusk."
"We're not here for a boat," David said.
Erik had been leaning against the brickwork with his arms folded. He straightened. He did not ask why. He looked at David's face, then at the boys', and said, "Not here. Come up to the landing at twenty-one. We'll talk through the gate."
"We'd rather say it where nobody's listening," Ethan said quietly. "Anyone can hear the dock from the water."
He said it without boast. Erik glanced at him, and filed that away.
