Alcingeria

Chapter Forty Seven: On The Hunt

Chapter Forty Seven On The Hunt:

Saturday July 3rd 1690

We searched for the target we lost for the remainder of yesterday, the day we freed Alice from her pyre. After searching for a few more hours without any luck, we stopped at an inn to get some rest. The law enforcement officers got themselves and the rest of us free rooms. How great was that? In the morning, we all met back down in the lobby.

"Everyone ready to get back on the hunt?" Gerald asked.

"Any time, sir." Darwin replied enthusiastically.

"Right then," he nodded. "Let's get on it."

We all walked back out into the street. It wasn't like yesterday morning, when the city had been just starting to wake up. It was late morning, and several people were about.

"We overslept," Edwin noted.

"Let's hope we have better luck than yesterday," Don sighed.

"We will," Stella perked up. "I'm sure of it."

"Don't expect too much," Edwin said pointedly. "The mafia has proven to be cunning and elusive."

"Always the pessimist, eh?" Laughed Edward, then turned to us. "He's always like this, don't worry. Probably in a mood from yesterday, too."

"I'm just being logical." Edwin countered. "And I don't want to hear about yesterday. Ever again. I mean it."

"Alright ladies, enough gabbing." Gerald barked, glaring at Edwin. "You. Focus."

We walked down the street, casting our gazes around. We were in the financial district again.

"Why do you guys think that the guy was just wearing his cap in public?" Don asked. "It would have made our jobs a lot easier, for sure."

"Who knows?" Gerald asked. "Maybe he was making a statement, maybe he was showing that the mafia isn't afraid of showing themselves, maybe he didn't think anyone knew or was looking for them this soon, or maybe he was just plain stupid."

"Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter." Darwin sighed. "Nothing to be done about it now except keep looking."

In the ensuing silence, the sound of coins clinking and chatter pressed in on us, as though looking to squeeze us out of the area. We continued along as merchants and patrons shoved along to go about their business.

The merchants were selling a wide manner of things, varying between each stall. There were meats, cheeses, jewelry, clothing, and various trinkets aplenty to be seen. One of the stalls that was selling jewelry also had a nice looking pistol on display. It caught the gazes of passerby's, but a lone man stood looking at it.

"How much will this here piece run me?" He asked. "I'm in the market for another after I lost mine."

"The engravings that you see are pure silver, my friend, and the wood is quality." Replied the merchant. "Three hundred gold pieces, but for a man of clear taste such as yourself, two hundred."

"Two hundred?" Blurted the man. "That's extortion!"

"Slimy merchants," Don muttered.

"Quality is quality, no?" Came the swift reply. "Just as gold is gold. Now, if you have no interest in buying, get out of my stall."

"One fifty."