Page 26 of The Swindler’s Daughter

“You really believe no one can beat you?” I asked, scrambling to keep the conversation going.

“I would say my father, but his eyesight isn’t what it once was.”

The urge to keep teasing him was strong, but it was difficult to poke fun at a man who knew exactly who he was and what capabilities he had.

We continued on in a silence that was almost comfortable, but not quite.

We came upon the village and as we neared the edge of the market, I realized that Johnny, Oliver and Tyson were there, no doubt waiting to help Rowan with whatever brazen plan he had.

As were Ansel and Gretchen.

I stopped in my tracks, turning to grab Rowan’s arm. “No!” I objected, keeping my voice quiet so the others would not overhear. “Not Gretchen. You can’t bring her into this. She’s too young,” I insisted, shaking my head viciously. “She doesn’t fully understand what it all means.” I knew that all too well from experience. She might think it was fun now, but she’d regret it later.

“Gretchen isn’t involved in anything illegal,” he assured me. “I promise, she’s not. But there are other ways she can help those who are being targeted.”

“Rowan,” I pleaded.

“I’m not going to endanger her or risk her being caught.” His eyes were steady and reassuring. “John would never allow that.”

I sighed through my nose. He was right. Johnny would be sure Gretchen stayed out of trouble. My grip on his arm relaxed.

“It’s all right,” he said in a soothing voice. “I know what I’m doing.” He gave me one more reassuring smile before leaving me and going to join the group of Bridgefield employees who had somehow fallen under his spell. They welcomed him with slaps on the back, seeming to all talk over one another. Gretchen caught sight of me where I stood and gave me a carefree wave then went with the lot of them as they turned and disappeared among the crowd.

Had I really just allowed a group of my friends to go off, knowing their intent was to break the law? What would Hunter do if he knew? He had run so fast and so far from the way we’d grown up—pickpocketing, stealing, and swindling. He had no tolerance for anything that reminded him of the childhood we’d had, filled with desperate thievery.

I’d thought I was the same up until a few weeks ago. I never thought I would be able to tolerate being on the wrong side of the law, yet I felt myself being pulled ever so subtly in that direction. And if I went that way—if I agreed with Rowan—I had no idea if I would be in the right or the wrong.

I finally forced my thoughts to other things. I’d decided not to interfere with whatever Rowan had planned, so I might as well get on with my shopping.

Weaving my way through the stalls, I noted that Rowan had been right. The same two village constables roamed the market at this time of day as I’d seen in weeks past, though the vendors seemed a little less tense than they had been before. I wondered if that was because they’d simply accepted the presence of the hulking lawmen or if the constables were being less aggressive.

I’d completed nearly all of my shopping when it happened. Many stalls were already closing down, and though I’d caught glimpses of both constables on multiple occasions, they always seemed to be watching without interfering. I’d grown hopeful that perhaps things were getting better. Then I saw not one but both lawmen in front of Mr. Harper’s jewelry stand. One was shouting, and as I drew closer, his words became clear.

“We’re here for your protection, so I suggest you show us some respect,” he yelled as he stuck his finger in the jeweler’s face. ”We’re working extra hours, needing extra patrols, and that requires payment. These taxes go toward your protection. Now, do you really want to be without protection?”

Mr. Harper stood still and stoic, refusing to flinch. “I do respect the authority given you by law, which is why I paid my due already. But I won’t bow to threats.”

“There’s no threat,” the constable said, putting his hands out at his sides as if to present a casual and calm facade, while the other lawman stood silently by with a menacing scowl. “We’re just humble servants doing our best to stop the thieving.”

The jeweler opened his mouth to reply, but both he and the constables were distracted by the young man, hooded cloak pulled up over his head, who ran forward, snatched several necklaces from the stand and then ran off.

As he passed by me, my heart jumped into my throat. The thief was Rowan, I knew it was.

“Thief!” Mr. Harper shouted, pointing after Rowan. “You say you’re here to stop the thieving,” he yelled at the constables. “Go stop him!”

The annoyance was clear on both constables’ faces, but they each ran off grudgingly, shouting, “You there! Stop!”

I made sure to stay back, well out of their way.

My heart raced as I watched them chase after him, hoping that Rowan was fast enough and smart enough to get out of this mess. The constables were slowed down when a tall hooded figure stepped into their path, causing a collision. The lawmen cursed and the man they’d plowed into apologized. Once the constables had resumed their pursuit of Rowan, the hooded man turned, and I caught a glimpse of Johnny’s self-satisfied smirk before he disappeared among the crowd.

“Quickly,” I heard someone hiss from behind me.

I turned to see Tyson speaking to Mr. Harper. “You must be gone before they return, otherwise he’ll demand payment again.” He started putting the merchandise away and was soon joined by Oliver, Gretchen, and Ansel.

Mr. Harper seemed surprised but happy for the help, and in only a few minutes, they had packed up the man’s goods, loaded them onto his handcart and sent him on his way, promising to take down and store the awning for him.

I watched in awe as they did just that, and by the time I saw the constables coming back in our direction, Mr. Harper and his jewelry were long gone and the merry band of misfits whom I called friends had disappeared into the crowd. I sank into the shadows and watched the constables’ consternation when they returned to find the stall gone and put away.