Of Lights and Shadows (Book 4)

25) A Day in the Park

There was a light drizzle the next morning as the clouds still hung dauntingly black over the city, never once losing their threatening spirit as thunder rolled around inside them like a hungry stomach wanting to bring it's starvation to the world. Yesterday it may have scared the inhabitants of the city into scurrying around to get out of the rain, forcing them into hiding indoors, but Monday was not the same. It still hung, yes, but the noble citizens were out and about once more, not to be deterred with what lay above their heads. Many of them carried umbrellas, and those that didn't regretted their decision as droplets dripped down the backs of their necks. It was a wonderful day.

Dastardious enjoyed it. He sat on a green park bench overlooking the Lake, the giant lawn stretched out all around him. He watched the birds on the Lake, and the brave men and women who decided to hire boats and were rowing about.

Across from where he sat was an almost perfect view of the Loeb Boathouse on the other side of the Lake and all the forest that surrounded it. He was currently taking care of this section while Silence took care of the Loeb Boathouse and the land around it. On the other side of the lake walking the paths in the forest and probably scaring the bird watchers and the birds was Dutch. Dastardious didn't care what Dutch did to amuse himself as long as he kept an eye out.

The minutes ticked by, and gradually the land around Dastardious grew empty. The men and women on the boats rowed to shore and departed, leaving only the birds on the water. In another half hour they would all switch positions and change views. Dutch would take his spot, Silence would take Dutch's and Dastardious would take charge of the Loeb. It was decided this way so to keep interest if they had a different view every now and again. They would rotate as long as it took, although there was no telling how long they would have to spend watching. They just had to wait...

'I reckon it's about time I paid Kingstains that visit,' said Dutch, creeping up behind Dastardious. Dastardious stirred, but said nothing. He had known Dutch was behind him, he could tell from the heavy steps and the aftershave.

'You okay with that?'

'You see anything?' Dastardious asked still not turning, choosing instead to keep his eyes fixed on the boathouse. There seemed to be something happening, but if it were anything major Silence would have called him. Some man probably couldn't pay for his meal or tried to get in with the wrong sort of dress.

'The forest was empty except for a couple of walkers. I saw only one female; I checked her print in the dirt as she passed. There was no way she was the Shadow.'

'There are so many possibilities, Dutch.' murmured Dastardious absently. 'Are you aware?'

Dutch nodded as he moved to take a seat beside Dastardious.

'I know people, I also know certain tricks. I know how those tricks are used, who by, and why. Has it occurred to you that we may be following a false trail with the footprint?' Dastardious continued.

Dutch nodded again thoughtfully. 'Our Shadow sneaks round the city kidnapping children and placing them for the entire world to see, but never once is she seen. She could wear a disguise.'

'Yes,' it was Dastardious's turn to nod. 'That print you saw could have been placed by her, but it may not have been her. As for that hammer you found, while it could have Jackson's blood on it and it could also hold someone's print, that print could be false. I don't really believe the Shadow made a mistake in dropping the weapon or leaving a print.'

'But-' Dutch frowned. 'What do you mean then?'

'Think about it,' Dastardious told him, pulling out and lighting a cigar.

As Dutch watched him smoke it he couldn't help but think about what John Kingstains had told him the day before. How Dastardious didn't really enjoy smoking, that it was really just a habit. And so while he watched he tried to find some hint that showed that he didn't enjoy it.