“Ever see him before?”
“Nope, but I recognize his manner of dress. He’s with the thieves’ guild, a collection of misfits and trash. They’ll do most anything for a copper coin.”
Tanner said, “They steal for a living?”
“That’s what they say, but they’ll take a coin for almost anything you don’t want to do for yourself.” He turned to their captive. “Your name and who do you work for.”
“You’ll have to kill me to find out.”
Devlin shrugged. “You’re lying. Tanner cut off his ear and hand it to me.”
The guild member went rigid. Tanner shifted his grip as if readying himself to slice off an ear.
“You can’t do that! You can’t leave me with one ear,” the terrified voice said, almost shouting.
Tanner picked up on the ruse. “We know that. One ear wouldn’t be right. I’m taking both.”
“Okay, a man paid us. Paid our guild, I should say. He was dressed in black. I think he’s a ship captain.”
“What did he want you to look for?” Tanner asked, his temper growing short as he wondered if Racine had any honest constables. Explaining why he held a knife to a man’s neck might be hard to explain.
“Where you go. Who you talk to. That’s all.”
Devlin stepped closer. “He also offered you a bonus. They always do. What was it for?”
Tanner tightened his grip. The man said, “He wanted you to have an accident or disappear. All three of you. He said we should feed you to the fish.”
Devlin said, “See, was that hard? But there’s more. You gave that up too easy.”
“Money! He said we could split your money. You’re rich, and he offered us half.”
“That’s about what I thought. Tanner, let him go.”
Tanner released him and took a step back, but did not put his knife away. “You believe him?”
“These people in the thieves’ guild are not the smartest in the city. This one is below average, so he does not have the ability to make up a story like this. Give me a copper coin.”
Tanner pulled one from his purse and held it out.
“Not a small. Give me a bigger one.”
Tanner switched coins.
Devlin held out his hand, just out of reach of the guild member. “More than you make in a lunar cycle. It’s yours. I only want one thing in return.”
His eyes were wide with the offer. “What?”
“If there is more business that has to do with this Captain in black and us, you will find either of us, and we will pay you another copper of this size. But if you come to us with lies, I promise I will take your ears, my new friend. I may also take your nose. Do we have a deal?”
First came a nod, then the coin was snatched from Devlin’s hand, and the man ran off. Tanner said, “Do you think he’ll keep his word?”
“Probably not, but he might. His kind has no honor, but his greed might bring him back. If not, it was a low price to pay for the information.”
Devlin is smarter than me in many ways. Tanner said, “Let’s go to the Inn.”
When they entered all eyes turned to greet them. Three strangers sat at three tables. The others were the usual sea captains. They seemed to be taking a shine to Tanner. He said, “Is anyone here wishing to do business with me?”
All three strangers stood.
Tanner pointed to the nearest. “Come sit with me. Would you like something to drink?” He leaned closer. “Speak softly if you don’t mind. I don’t need everyone knowing my business.”
“Can we hurry up? I should already be back at my shop. I’ve heard you’re buying debt.”
“Only for The Rose.”
The merchant withdrew an accounting ledger. He circled several entries that were indicated as being charged to The Rose. He calculated a total. Six silver, two copper, all small.
Tanner said, “Name your price.”
“Well, I’d like six silver. That’s what I’m owed so it’s only fair.”
Tanner knew the others were listening even though they kept their voices low. He stood. “You are not owed that amount by me, and you’re wasting my time. Take it up with The Rose. Now, please excuse me, I have business to attend to with these other gentlemen.”
Tanner motioned for the serving girl. He requested a mug of wine, well-watered, and then he sat at the next table and introduced himself. He then asked to see the debt owed by The Rose. The entries in the ledger seemed to span a degree of time. Each was neat and totaled. Tanner said, “These seem reasonable charges. What is the price for me to purchase the debt?”
“That’s subject to question, son,” the elderly man drawled as if he didn’t care if he recovered his money or not. “Captain of The Rose is a good man who’s having a few difficulties. I’d like to know your intentions before I name a price.”
Tanner couldn’t say his intentions in front of everyone at the Inn, so he said, “They are honorable, sir. I mean the Captain no harm and am trying to help him. If possible, we will hire him.”
One of the other captains across the room pounded his mug on the tabletop. When he had the attention of everyone, he said, “Here, here. The lad is telling the truth.”
Several of the other captains pounded their mugs once on their tables. The elderly man nodded his thanks and turned back to Tanner. “Twenty percent.”
Carrion had said to argue for ten. After looking the man in the eye and understanding he was not only trying to recover part of the money he’s lost, but also trying to protect the Captain of The Rose, Tanner said, “Deal. I’ll need a statement from you, signed.”
He counted out the money and went to the third man while the document was being written. This man was smaller, better dressed, and eager to settle. He quickly laid out several notes, each signed by the Captain over the last two years. He said, “I was hoping for ten percent until I heard what you offered Old Jim.”
“I’ll match my offer, and I see that you sell rope and sail. Can you come by The Rose after the noon meal and speak to my partner? His name is Carrion, and he may have business for you, cash money.”
“I’ll be there,” he said, standing and shaking hands. Then he sat and removed a pen and small ink.
He wrote his receipt as Tanner returned to the table with the first man.
The man said, pointing to his ledger, “He owes me this, and I intend to collect in full.”
“Then take it up with him. Our business has concluded.”
“I’m not done. I have a right to say my peace.”
Tanner stood and turned his back. “You have that right when speaking to those who owe you money, but that does not include me.”
“Then how do I get paid?” He leaped to his feet and stepped in front of Tanner.
Instead of getting angry, Tanner stood still. He said, “Sir, I do not know you, have never dealt with you and owe you nothing except a beating if you do not move out of my way.”
A captain at a nearby table said, “He’s right, you know. If I were you, I’d head for my overpriced store.”
The man grabbed his ledger and stormed from the Inn. Tanner nodded his thanks to the Captain. He collected the debt papers from the two others, then sat and waited for more merchants to enter.
Instead, a sailor came in and looked around the room until he found Tanner. “I have a message. You’re to go to The Rose at your earliest convenience, sir.”
Tanner glanced at Devlin. They stood.
One of the captains called, “Luck to you boys.”
Another raised his mug in salute.
Outside, Tanner said, “I hope this is what I think.”
Devlin said, “I haven’t understood any of what we’re doing.”
“Doing?” Tanner laughed. “I think we’re buying a ship.”