The Devil's Half Mile_A Novel by Paddy Hirsch
Author:Paddy Hirsch [Hirsch, Paddy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1786493500
Amazon: B0756FKST5
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 2018-06-05T00:00:00+00:00
TWENTY-FIVE
The Counting House was closed, its windows dark. Lars tapped gently on the door, and after a few moments a small viewing hatch snapped open. There was a brief pause, followed by the sound of bolts being drawn, and the door opened just enough to let them slip inside.
The tall bald man with the scarred skull greeted Lars like an old friend. He nodded to Justy. âIf Iâd known you were shipmates with this big damber, Iâd maybe have given you them papers for nowt.â
Justy smiled. âJust as well for your boy, then. How come you know each other?â
âYouâre rookinâ me, arenât ye? Every publican in the town knows this cove.â
Lars looked uncomfortable. âNot every publican.â
The barman laughed. âNear as dammit. Come on and have a drink.â
He lit candles at each end of the bar. The scar on his head looked deep and brutal in the light. âWhatâs it to be?â
âAle,â said Lars.
âWater,â said Justy.
The man pushed a bottle at Lars and filled a tankard from a barrel behind the bar for Justy. The water was cool and tasted slightly mossy.
âThanks. Whatâs your name, by the way?â
âRafe Durcan. Themâs are my friends call me Dirk.â
He pointed them to the opposite corner of the tavern.
âYou can talk over there. Thereâll be no one else in tonight.â
âWell, there might be one more,â Lars said. He glanced at Justy. âI sent the lad to ask after Kerry.â
Justy felt a stab of resentment. âWhy did you do that?â
âBecause she asked. And I can tell by the look on your face that weâre not done for tonight. I figure the more heads we have together on this the better.â
Justy shrugged. They settled in the corner. Lars took a long drink from his bottle.
There was a soft knock at the door. Dirk went to open the hatch and, after a brief conversation, drew the bolts. Kerry slipped past him to where Justy and Lars sat.
She slid onto the bench beside Lars. Her eyes were large and bright in the candlelight. She reached over the table and touched Justyâs hand. âSandy told me about Carrots. The poor clunch. He was a starchy wee bounce, but no one deserves that.â
Justyâs throat was tight. His tongue felt as though it were made of lead. He nodded and looked down. She pulled her hand away.
âWhereâs Sandy now?â Lars asked
âBack at my cousinâs house, being stuffed full of leftovers. One of the cooks took a shine to him. He said heâd be away back to the ship, after.â
Lars nodded. âHeâs a good lad.â
Kerry hadnât taken her eyes off Justy. âItâs been a long night for you. Are you all right?â
He coughed out a dry laugh. âIf being caught in a nightmare is all right. I talk to Drummond about my father and heâs killed. Then Cantillon. I find out my father was up to his ears in some filthy swindle before he died, and now it turns out my uncleâs involved as well.â
She frowned. âHow do you mean?â
âI dug up some
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