“So, when you told me she was helping you look for the Hooded Robber, you already knew shewasthe Robber?”
I didn’t look away from Ellery as I responded. “It was something we were keeping under wraps.”
“Since we’re all going to be thieves by the end of this, he should know who he’s working with and my level of expertise.”
“That level of expertise will remain between us… and onlyusfrom now on. Some of Tucker’s followers are going to help with this. They donotneed to know who you are. We can’t have that knowledge getting out, and the more who know, the more likely it will spread.No oneelse.”
Ellery bit her lip before responding. “Fine.”
I looked at the giant. “Is that understood?”
He held up his hands. “I won’t say a word. I have a feeling you’d fry my ass if I did.”
“I would.”
Ianto didn’t take offense to this as he smiled before chuckling again. We were going to have to beat the shit out of each other again.
When Mouse tugged on Ellery’s arm and pointed at something on the map, she shifted her attention to it. Her forehead furrowed as she studied the area he indicated. “Is there another road there?”
Mouse nodded.
“Is it another dead-end road?”
Mouse nodded again.
“Should the boy be involved in this?” Ianto asked.
“Even if he decides to start talking again, he won’t tell anyone. I trust him completely,” Ellery said. “There’s another road here, Tucker.”
Tucker changed the map to reflect what she and Mouse indicated. Mouse pointed out a few more spots where there were other unknown roads. Some cut through a small section of the woods, but most dead-ended.
When Tucker finished making adjustments, we all moved closer to study it again.
CHAPTERSEVENTY-FOUR
Ryker
“Ivan will keepthe caravan to the roads outside the woods throughout most of the collection. He’ll want everyone to see it,” I said.
“We don’t know if he’ll start the collection in the Hollows or Carthaway,” Tucker muttered as he tapped the end of the pencil against his chin.
“Carthaway,” Ellery and I said at the same time.
Tucker and Ianto looked at us for an explanation. I waved my hand at Ellery to indicate she should continue.
“Carthaway’s on the opposite side of The Hollows with the Revenant Woods separating them in the middle. It’s also a lot smaller than Nottingshire. If the caravan starts on this path”—she ran her finger along the road leading from the palace to Carthaway; it didn’t cut through the woods at all—”it will allow them to fill the caravan as they go. By the time they make it to The Hollows, it will be an impressive display of the king’s wealth and ability to make the amsirah do as he commands. The largest town will get to see that.”
“I agree,” I said.
“So, The Hollows will be his last stop, but will he cut through the Revenant Woods after, or stick to the main road?” Ianto asked.
“After Nottingshire, there’s no one left to impress,” I said. “From there, it will simply be a matter of getting the money back to Ivan. The caravan will be heavily guarded, and Ivan’s arrogant, so he’d never consider the possibility that someone might steal from him.
“The Hooded Robber took moneyintendedfor him before, but Ivan is certain he’dneverdirectly steal from him. That money was being transported to him from others who were far less competent than him. This caravan will be underhisguard, and no one can take from it… except us.”
“I know the perfect place where we can set up for this,” Ellery said as she pointed to a section of road. “That’s where I set up to steal your money.”
Tucker chuckled while Ianto lowered his head into his hands. “What a fucked-up relationship.”
