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Although he appeared to be in the tavern on official business, he spoke in a tone that was quiet and menacing. It was clear that he didn’t want the tavern’s other patrons to know what was happening, but it had nothing to do with preserving Ben’s reputation.
“I have taken nothing,” Ben replied. “You have nothing on me, and you know it.”
Marcus took a sip of his ale and watched the barmaids’ backside sashay past for the umpteenth time. He didn’t bother to respond to the flirtatious looks she kept giving him, primarily because his attention was focused firmly on the conversation beside him.
He had followed the lad as soon as he had left the lodging house this afternoon, and was curious to know who he was. Not only that but this Carruthers was the man who had also followed the lad home last night.
Ben’s attitude irked the somewhat officious gentleman, who puffed out his chest with indignation and glared at him. Marcus watched the man’s fingers twitch and suspected he was some an official of some kind in the village. He was familiar with a gun. He was, however, also poorly trained, bad mannered, and offensive. His demeanour gave the impression that he was more of a thug than a protector of the people.
No wonder Bamber’s contact made his way here. With this buffoon posing as the law around here, it is guaranteed that he won’t get caught. Marcus mused as he strained to hear over a loud blast of ribald laughter.
“You won’t be so smug once I have you behind bars, Parkinson,” Carruthers threatened. “When I do put you in gaol, that sister of yours will be easy pickings.”
“You leave my sister alone, Carruthers,” Ben snapped. He rounded on the official and glared angrily at him.
“Keep it together,” Marcus murmured into the lad’s ear.
He willed the lad not to fall into the magistrate’s ready hands. It wasn’t that he wanted to protect him in any way, he just suspected that this Carruthers fellow would cause more problems for the Star Elite than they needed right now. Before Ben could reply, a second man appeared beside them. It was clear from the way he moved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Carruthers that he was a colleague of some sort.
Marcus mentally groaned and took a long drink of his ale in an attempt to hide his disgust.
“We know it is you,” the new arrival murmured.
“Lloyd, you know nothing. I ain’t done nothing wrong,” Ben protested.
“So, why were you seen in the woods last night? When most people are tucked up in their beds, why are you out and about?” Lloyd poked a finger into the lad’s chest.
“It’s nothing to do with you,” Ben countered. “I am not under kerfew. I do not have to explain my comings and goings to you, and you know it.”
The conversation was starting to draw the interested gazes of several of the locals. The noise within the busy tavern dimmed as everyone listened and watched what was happe
ning.
“Don’t threaten me, or my sister,” Ben warned.
“What are you going to do about it?” Lloyd demanded.
It quickly became evident to Marcus that Lloyd was the magistrate, and Carruthers was his assistant. However, he had little doubt that they were both as corrupt as the man Marcus had spent the better part of last night following.
Thankfully, Joe chose that moment to appear beside him. Marcus met his colleague’s gaze but, rather than acknowledge him, he took a sip of his ale and pointedly turned his attention to the argument that was brewing.
“I ain’t stolen nothing from nobody, and neither has Jessica. You leave her alone. I know about your visit. You have no business going around to the house to bully her. It’s not fair.”
A few cries of ‘here, here,” went up around the tavern. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense and expectant.
“Stay away from me, Lloyd, and don’t threaten me,” Ben instructed.
“If I catch you stealing game from the Priory, I will put you behind bars, Parkinson,” Lloyd countered. “That’s my job.”
“It is also your job to work within the law so don’t pester innocent people.”
One again, another cry of ‘here, here’, rippled through the crowd. Everyone turned accusing eyes on the magistrate and waited to see what he would do.
Clearly furious at being shown up as a corrupt official, Lloyd turned and stalked out of the tavern. The loud slam of the door behind him warned everyone he was angry. With the main source of the discontent gone, everyone turned to stare at Carruthers. He turned a glare on Ben but, before he could speak, the lad shook his head.
“Shut up, Carruthers.” He abruptly turned away, effectively dismissing him as insignificant.
When Carruthers remained where he was, Ben downed his ale in one gulp and stomped out of the tavern without a backward look.
