A Knight in Central Park(73)

I have a cloak,” Joe finished. “But first things first. Since it will be one against two, I have an idea that might even the odds...but I’ll need some help.”

“You can count me in,” Sebastiano said with a nod, “for your lady was right about those men being the true thieves. They are weather-bitten old fools who deserve a taste of their own medicine.”

Joe was glad to have the boy on his side. He smiled when Sebastiano slapped him on the back as if they were true comrades. Sebastiano followed Joe to the kitchen as he explained his plans.

Susan ran up from behind as they reached the smoke-filled kitchens. She was breathless as she slipped the pills into Joe’s palm. He gave her a reassuring nod before he turned to the innkeeper who was busily plucking feathers from a dead chicken. “My lady,” Joe said to the busy woman. “The king’s men were hoping you’d be so kind as to prepare a small meal for their long journey ahead.”

The innkeeper looked more than put off until Joe reached into his satchel, where he hid the pills, and pulled out two commemorative gold coins from Wal-Mart. Shelly had given them to him months ago and he’d forgotten he had them until this morning when the coins had slipped from between the leather casing of his briefcase. “They said to give you these.”

“Strange,” the innkeeper said as she took one of the coins and placed it between her teeth. She bit down and then examined it closer. “What are they worth?”

“Surely a king’s ransom,” Sebastiano said. “I will give you two silver coins for the both of them.”

The woman grabbed the other coin and held them out of Sebastiano’s reach. “I’ll keep them myself, boy. Follow me,” she said to Joe. “I believe there are some day-old scones in the cupboard.”

While the innkeeper filled a cloth with hard scones and stale bread, Joe gestured for Susan and Sebastiano to keep her busy while he placed the pills on the cutting block and crushed them with an iron pan. He then added the fine powder to the wine cups.

He worked quickly, amused by Susan and Sebastiano as the two of them raved to the innkeeper about the wonderful meal and cozy rooms, exaggerating the inn’s warmth and comfortable beds.

“And such a marvelous complexion you have, ’Tis the skin of St. Anne herself,” Sebastiano said when the innkeeper turned toward Joe.

The woman blushed.

Joe gave Susan a nod when he’d finished the task.

“I’ll take the men their wine,” Sebastiano said. “’Tis the least I can do.”

Joe didn’t have time to ask Sebastiano what he meant by that. Through the open window, he saw that the horse had been shod and was being led back to the front of the inn. They didn’t have much time.

“Will it kill them?” Susan asked, glancing at the tray in Sebastiano’s hands.

“No, it’ll only put them to sleep,” Joe said. “Hopefully long enough for me to cut the ropes from your brother and sister.”

Susan sighed. “I hope it works.”

“So do I,” Joe said as he leaned down and scooped Rebecca into his arms. “So do I.”





Chapter Twenty



Seeing is believing, but feeling’s the truth.

—Thomas Fuller

Squirming and kicking, Alexandra tried to spit the gag from her mouth. ’Twas useless. Her hands were bound and her gag well placed. She looked about, her loathing for the two men welling into bile within.

And where was Sir Joe? Probably off to have his back scrubbed since ’twas against his nature to use force to garner their release. She could only pray he would see the girls safely back to the village.

Sir Joe had been right about her interfering. She should have remained calm, thought things through before confronting the king’s men. But her anger at seeing Garrett bound and gagged without a word to his guardian had been too much for her to bear. These men were not guardians of the king; they were barbarians. True, her brother had the mouth of a serpent, but Garrett would never steal. Of that she was sure and naught could convince her otherwise.

She had no wish to ride with her back against the man’s protruding belly. He was foul-smelling. His dirty hands brushed against her leg every time he added to his saddlebags, making her cringe. Alexandra stole a peek at her brother, catching him unaware. His eyes had taken on a hunted look. Her brother was scared. Garrett was only twelve, and he was small for his age. When his attention moved to the entrance of the inn, she followed his gaze, surprised to see Sebastiano bearing a tray of wine cups.