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“Yes, and he brought a jolly friend with a machete along with him.”
“Were you armed?”
“Only with a knife.”
John’s frown turned disapproving. “Braden, I think it’s time you carried a pistol with you in Old Town, especially at night.”
“Yes. That oversight will be corrected forthwith, I promise.”
“See that it is. So, how did you manage to escape?”
“I whacked Parson in the face with my medical kit and then ran like hell.”
John choked out a surprised laugh. “Thank God for quick thinking.”
Braden tapped his skull. “Unlike my brothers, I prefer to use brains over brawn.”
“I find that’s usually best.”
After knocking on the door, the porter entered with a coffee service and a plate of scones.
“You may leave it on my desk,” John said. “I’ll pour.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Just coffee, thanks,” Braden said, after the porter left. “Sugar and cream will do nicely.”
“You should eat,” John said. “You’re beginning to look like one of the skeletons in the anatomy classroom.”
“Thank you for that charming comparison. And while I might not be a brick wall like my brothers, I’m lean and I’m quick. Which does come in handy when running away from armed morons.”
“That’s one advantage, I suppose.” John frowned. “You’re fortunate to have been able to get away from them.”
“Yes, but there’s more to the story,” Braden replied after a gulp of the hot brew. “That’s what I wanted to speak with you about.”
John let out a sigh. “So there is trouble. I do believe you’re as bad as your brothers, after all.”
“That is literally impossible, at least according to any normal law of nature.”
John twirled an impatient hand. “What happened?”
“I only escaped because I was rescued by a young lady.”
“One of the Old Town girls?” John shot him a quizzical look. “I know a number of them carry knives, but against two armed men?”
His friend often provided free medical services to the prostitutes who plied their trade in Old Town. He and his wife, Bathsheba, made a point of helping vulnerable women who were forced to support themselves on the streets.
“No, this woman had an armed manservant with her, and she also carried a very lethal blade concealed in a walking stick.” He shook his head at the memory of her impressive skills. “And let me say that she knew how to use it.”
“Good God.”
“That’s not even the oddest part. Neither she nor her companion uttered a single word at any time. They simply rousted the villains and quickly escorted me back to safety.”
John had been about to take a sip from his cup, but put it down. “They said nothing at all?”
“Not a word. They did, however, communicate using hand gestures.”
“You mean like sign language?”
