'Llulah skipped to the main kitchen, jiggling with energy as she tugged Harmi's sleeve and pointed back through the doorway.
    "He says at least a pot!"
    Harmi nodded, her eyes a little absent today. She finished tossing the day's batch of quinoa salad before making her way the rearmost room. Settling herself somewhat, 'Llulah brought over large teapot half full of freshly brewing tea and ceremoniously placed it in front of Pekoe. She removed the lid and Harmi topped it with brandy. Pekoe shivered ever so slightly, and nodded his thanks. He pulled a small suede lump from a soft leather night bag. Deft fingers untied a single thong so that the suede fell away showing a clean porcelain sake cup ready to fill. As he drank--always with two hands on the cup--he shook his head several times. Harmi waited.
    Pekoe sighed. "Your brandy delivery is at the bottom of the river."
    "Bloody hell." Resignation came through stronger than frustration. Those bootleg cases might as well have been smashed on a sidewalk. The last time a boat went down with her goods it was away from the town making a clandestine recovery possible. This was different.
    "Shit," she pined under her breath as she made her way back to the remaining day's work.