Coggler's Brood (Work in Progress)

Chapter 9

Consciously I close my mouth, which is hanging open, as wide as Magnus'. "Well if you're Annabella Steenkamph," I snap, "Why is the good Sheriff so intent on hanging me?"

"Because he thinks I'm some two-bit swindler called Nina Swift."

"Swindler?" I squeak. This explains the constable's joke. "And why," I ask weakly, "does he think you are Nina Swift?"

Annabella looks me straight in the face. "Because I arrived here in her airship."

"The Shonti Bloom?" My knees go weak and I grab the door post for support. "You have the Shonti Bloom right here?" I cannot contain my excitement at the mention the airship Trent stole from me. I love that ship—even if she is a bit shabby and down at heal.

Annabella's left eyebrow lifts in surprise. "You know her, this Nina Swift?"

"I... ," I catch a warning look from Jack. He is right, who knows what this pirate is capable of? She didn't earn her reputation for no reason. I should exercise caution. "I know of her."

"Excellent, then we are practically sisters." Annabella steps over the still comatose Daughter of Gaia and strides through to the Sheriff's office. "This way." The rest of us scramble to follow.

We all dig in the clutter for our weapons. I lay mine on the Sheriff's desk while I search the draws for Trent's package. I find it nestled safely in the lowest drawer-thank goodness. When I straighten up, Annabella Steenkamph is fingering my sword. Oh-oh.

"Mighty fine weapons you have here, Ms Stonejack."

A chill runs the length of my spine. So, as I suspected, she was listening during the interrogations. Now she is armed with my sword and I am defenseless

Annabella fingers the initials 'N.S.' on the pommel of my sword. "Fine weapons to match a fine name." She swishes the sword to and fro, feeling the refined weight of the weapon.

Cautiously I reach out for my pistols, but the blade casually slices the air between my hand and the desk. I freeze. Was that accidental?

Annabella twirls the sword one more time, then snaps it back into its scabbard and examines a snick on the grip. "This is the one that killed her you know. Right here."

"Really?" I have no idea what she is talking about.

She shows me the handle as she hands me the weapon. Indeed there is a cut in the grip just below the horizontal guard.

"A straight thrust through the heart. She nearly parried it. Nearly."

I strap on the sword and retrieve my pistols while Ms Steenkamph is lost in her thoughts.

"You can keep it if you like."

Very generous of her. "I intend to."

"The name, you can keep the name."

Does she know I'm an impostor? Maybe, maybe not. Still, if she's pretending to be me, I can hardly admit to being the same person. "I can keep my own name? Thanks, I happen to like it. Of course, I'm not the Nina Stonejack. I just acquired her weapons because I like them and the initials match."

"Stupid fight over a lover."

I have to ask. "Who killed her?"

Ms Steenkamph turns and heads for the door. "I did."

My mouth is hanging again, but luckily she has her back to me. "You killed an assassin?"

"I was young and reckless in those days."

She doesn't look a day over twenty five to me.

Jack's eyes are popping out of his head. "What happened to the lover?"