Dockingboys

Chapter Nineteen

At this time of brunch hour, there was a gala at the Emerald Elite. Xavier, Mack, and Declan parked the truck in the parking lot and blended in with a group of gentlemen who gave their money and headed inside. The group dispersed and some of the young men gave them a few looks. Xavier grinned. "Told you we could get inside."

Mack rolled his eyes. "That was pure luck."

"Well, would you rather get caught?" Xavier asked with mock seriousness, suppressing a grin.

Declan ignored the two men and took a moment to search the crowd, then found a cluster of tables where multiple gentlemen and their wives were hanging out, their rich clothing obviously meaning that they had a wealthy amount of money. Declan motioned at the group.

"We can split up," Declan said. "I've done this sort of thing before. You two should probably go as swindlers. Grown men sneaking around with their fingers waiting to snatch at something is much more conspicuous than two men acting like their gentlemen and charming the ladies, then as they're swooning, you can rummage through their purses."

Mack looked down at their clothes. "I don't think gentlemen dress like this."

And he was right. Everywhere they looked, they saw dresses and gowns for the women, skirts and tights for the younger girls, and tuxedos and suits for the men. But Declan was dressed in a hoodie over jeans, and the hoodie was stained with paints. Mack's jacket and jeans were also very un-gentleman-like. But at least Xavier was still wearing his suit, albeit stained with a little of Pitts' blood.

"It's alright. We should manage. Hey, Declan, isn't that your sister?" Xavier said, pointing at a tall girl dressed in a small jacket over a skirt and tights laughing with her friends. Declan groaned and hid his face with the cowl of his hoodie.

"Shit. I should've known Irene was here."

"No worries. If she notices you, you can just say 'Oh please, Irene! I need money!'" Xavier said. Mack grinned.

Declan shook his head. "No, I can't be seen here. She'll wonder why I'm here and how I afforded the entry fee, which I didn't. Let's just get this over with and get some money."

Xavier nodded. "Got it. Good luck, guys. We'll meet back here when we've got enough money. If any of you got ten gold coins or a hundred silver, just meet back here. The rest of us will come back eventually."

"Two rules: One, don't steal from Irene Graham. Two, don't steal from Evie Robinson," Mack said casually. Xavier arched his eyebrow and smiled.

"Your daughter's here?"

"Don't know for sure, but just make sure. She should be the one next to Irene. So just don't go to Irene's table."

Declan nodded, then disappeared into the groups of rich women, girls, and gentlemen.

~~~

Right away, Declan noticed two people that didn't belong at the gala: a young girl with brown hair dressed in the customary jacket, skirt, and tights of a rich girl, but something about her seemed off, most likely the way she was standing off to the side and not really trying to engage with the others; and a tall, handsome blond man who was probably Detective Zack Farrell, but Declan couldn't tell because he was currently talking to a few women.

Declan had stolen four gold coins when the brown-haired girl suddenly tapped on his shoulder and, without a word, dragged him into the girls' bathroom and locked the door. Declan backed away from her and narrowed his eyes, but couldn't make out who she was.