The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 6: Opens but to Golden Keys

Chapter 6: Opens but to Golden Keys

Lanfore, Hertfordshire

The town gathering happened around midday, with any residents who knew of its occurrence in attendance in the market square. Robert and Phillip also attended, though neither of them could say with a measure of confidence that they were actual residents of Lanfore, only residents of convenience. Nevertheless, both of them had the same mutual bad feeling, that this gathering was no random event.

Such a feeling was all but confirmed when Magistrate Sherman Donaldson himself took the podium, displaying a public appearance the likes of which he had clearly tried to avoid the past year.

"Quite a severe man," Phillip muttered to Robert, who grunted in agreement. "Men like that rarely have good intentions, it's a wonder he's a magistrate at all."

"The same could never have been said for my brother," Robert muttered. "He was just as severe, but he never held malicious intent for anyone."

"What do you think Magistrate Donaldson means to say?" Phillip asked.

Robert opened his mouth to answer, but instead his eyes fell on Sebastian Lucas, who stood closer to the platform with his pretty wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of the Magistrate. The two men locked eyes for a good minute, and Sebastian offered Robert the briefest of nods before looking away.

"Frustrating man," Robert growled, shaking his head.

Phillip looked to him with a frown. "Pardon?"

"You see that man standing close to the platform with a pretty young woman on his arm?" Robert asked.

Phillip searched the crowd and when he found them he nodded. "What of them?"

"The man's name is Sebastian Lucas," Robert whispered, never once taking his eyes of the Magistrate, who seemed to be preparing himself to speak. "I will explain the details later, but it is imperative that we have him on our side."

"Why?" Phillip pressed. "He hardly seems like much."

"That may be true, but without him our efforts will be for nothing, and your brother will never be free of what he owes me."

Before Phillip could reply to that, the Magistrate silenced the crowd and spoke with a voice that commanded attention.

"Good people of Lanfore, welcome!" He boomed. "I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking the time out of your most valuable days to gather here to hear me speak."

"Did we have a choice in the matter?" Phillip snorted. Robert had to mask a chuckle at that.

"As you all know, a certain resident of this town passed away," the Magistrate continued. "Some of you knew him as a friend, others saw him as a business associate or a hard working man who sacrificed a great deal to live up to his father's legacy. But this town knew him as James Gregory Boatwright, son of George and Mary Boatwright," he held up a hand to calm whatever shocked whispers would ensue from that revelation. "Now, some of you were aware of his death, others were not. I am here to confirm that James Boatwright is dead, and has been for quite some time.

"His parents chose not to come today, as they are still in mourning. Rightfully so, to have unceremoniously lost their only child."

"If he drives that dagger in any deeper, he'll eventually find the hilt sticking out of his ass," Robert muttered.

"News has not yet arrived as to the nature of James Boatwright's death," the Magistrate continued. "But such a thing has never stopped me, as you all well know. I have spent many nights delving into the details of this case, as any good Magistrate would in the wake of such a horrible loss," he glanced about at the crowd, his eyes as severe as his resolve. "Upon further investigation, I have arrived at a conclusion, and it is not one that I announce with a light heart."