The Jack Hansard Series: Season Two

Episode 6.4

It belonged to the figure of someone who really ought to fit the image of a 'jolly fat man'. He had the paunch, and the fluffy beard, and even the pink-tinged cheeks and reddish shine to the nose. But his mouth was creased downward so firmly that I had to believe this was its default resting position.

'Hello Seven,' Cora said. 'How's business?'

'The answer is no,' he replied brusquely. 'I am all out of favours for you, until you have repaid what you are currently owing. What trouble are you trying to get into today?'

I watched Cora think about it, just for a second, and lower her voice. 'Okay then, let's cut right to it. There's something big going down tonight, right? Something . . . equestrian? And I hear where maybe you want a piece of it, and I'm here to say I'm your girl. Don't send Skuzzer or Mitts. I'll do the run for you. No tricks. It'll be payment toward my debt.'

Seven regarded her in the slivers of clandestine light. I could just about tell that his suit was a dark, shabby green. From an inside pocket he withdrew two dice.

'I see. And what do you imagine your odds of survival are?' Without leaving pause for her reply he threw the dice onto a table next to him. 'Hmph. Snake eyes, sister.'

Cora surveyed them critically. 'That's only probability. I might get lucky.'

'Chances are low. You're not doing this job.'

'You can trust me with this! Not everything is up to luck!'

'Sorry,' I piped up in the back, 'but what's going on right now?'

Seven's bulk turned slowly to fixate on me. The frown strained so low it threatened to fall off his chin. 'Who is this?'

'I'm Jack,' I said before Cora could stop me. I held out a hand, which he ignored.

'He's a friend of mine,' Cora said quickly. 'He's all right.'

Seven grunted. 'Well, Jack. I'm a dealer in luck and chance. And I like to measure the probability of success for my investments before I invest in them. These dice,' they flashed between his fingers again, 'help me do just that. And the dice say no, Cora.'

'Um,' I said. 'So did you roll for both of us, or just her?'

There was a long pause, in which I caught a glimpse of glee on Cora's face.

'He'd be going with you?' Seven said doubtfully.

'Yes,' said Cora.

He sighed. 'Then, if it will convince you . . .' He rolled the dice again.

Cora grinned. 'Lucky seven.'

'It's only average,' Seven barked. 'Sixes are what you want.' He stroked his beard, eyeing me up and down. 'You a good liar, kid?'

'Um. How would you know if I was telling the truth?'

'Ha!'

He turned his back and rolled the dice again. And again. The results seemed to leave him disgruntled. 'Very strange. But it's still not worth the risk, Cora.'

'Please, Seven!' she burst out, and suddenly I caught a hint of childish petulance that threw her relationship with this intimidating man into a different light. 'I'm ready for this! And I'll even have back-up. Even the dice agreed – seven's not a bad score, you know that. Jack might even make the difference on your investment.' She leaned in earnestly. 'Go on, roll on your investment! Roll on the probability of losing it in our hands!'

Seven gave a begrudging huff. 'If it will persuade you otherwise.'

The dice clattered onto the table. He stared at them in disbelief.