Deborah J. Natelson Libri

Mercedes is the lowly personal assistant of a cryptanalyst. She runs errands, helps break ciphers, and brews endless pots of coffee. So when her boss tells her he's discovered an assassination attempt against the king, she jumps on the opportunity to play spy. Too bad no plan survives contact with the enemy. Before she knows it, Mercedes is being kidnapped by lordly prefects, interrogated at gunpoint, and hunted by the diabolical personification Deals & Bargains. It's time to up her game. Or better yet, cheat.