The Rail Pirates: A Steampunk Novella Series (The Crimson Blade Book 2) by Ed Zenith

Author:Ed Zenith [Zenith, Ed]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Word Nerd Publishing
Published: 2017-09-17T22:00:00+00:00

9.

Ash could see that Acton required a little more persuasion. He was quite deft in this area and soon Acton was running out of excuses. The job would be over and done with in a matter of days, Ash would be on hand to see to the customer and once the job was done, Acton could throw Ash to the gutter once more, if he wanted. Acton was impressed, in spite of himself, with the boy’s resourcefulness and ingenuity. The fact that the customer could pay cash upfront also helped. He finally agreed.

“How’d you find this customer then?”

“Oh, I have my ways,” said Ash elusively. He neglected to mention that his ‘ways’ included getting knocked unconscious and pure blind luck.

It was approaching midday and they rose from their seats. The two men, a small boy and a very tipsy dog shuffled towards the door. As Acton laid his hand on the handle, a meaty fist forced the door shut. Acton looked up into the piggy eyes of a red-faced ogre. Kington Langley was the landlord of The Ballast Inn and from the look of his belly, his own best customer.

“Morning Mr Langley,” said Acton, sensing from Langley’s angry demeanour that a little charm wouldn’t go amiss. “The Fugglestone Red was particularly excellent today. Why don’t you have one on me?”

Langley snorted a laugh.

“On you? That’s a laugh Turville. I ain’t never seen you put your hand in your pocket in this pub. I’ve a slate out the back with your name on it so large I could re-tile my roof.”

Ash and Frampton exchanged glances. They were ready to run or fight on Acton’s command.

“And I’ll settle up soon, my friend. I just got to run a job first. Soon as I’m paid, you’ll be too.” Acton smiled. He certainly knew how to sing his way out of a bad situation, something he and Ash had in common. A few tense moments passed and Langley relaxed his grip on the door.

“Next time I see you in here, I’m taking my money, or you’re taking a beating.”

They hurriedly left the inn and went out into the smoky Swindonian air. Acton looked at Ash.

“Tell your customer to come and meet us.” slurred Acton, embarrassed at his confrontation.

“Too late,” grinned Ash sheepishly. “I already told her to meet us at the station with the freight at noon.”

He winked at Frampton and ran off down the railway sidings to meet his customer, sending a group of men scattering.

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