Michaels made a disgruntled noise, but since they were in public he did not comment.
Percival glanced back over his shoulder, and tipped Michaels a quick wink. Michaels rolled his eyes in response, but continued to stoically trundle his wheelbarrow.
“Ah, here we are,” Percival said. “I do hope Constable Brooks is here already. I am eager to hear what he has learned.”
Constable Brooks was waiting for them in the taproom. “Good morning, Gentlemen. I’ve reserved a sitting room for us.”
Percival and his friends filed in. Constable Brooks beckoned Lucas and Michaels to join them after standing the wheelbarrow up beside the door, and propping the basket against it.
Lucas stood against the wall. Nervously, Michaels went to join him.
Constable Brooks sat at the head of the table, and for a few minutes he said nothing at all. Then, he abruptly announced, “I went to visit the law offices that managed the estate where Old Elizabet is squatting. I’m afraid my visit might have triggered a raid on the place.”
“A raid!” Percival started up from his chair.
“Keep your voice down, My Lord,” Constable Brooks growled. “Yes, a raid. But I believe I gave them enough warning that everyone is out, and gone to ground in safer places.”
“Tiffany?” The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Safe,” Brooks confirmed. When Percival relaxed, he went on, “And best you not know where, My Lord. I have information, but not yet enough to clear her name. I think I will need the help of someone on the staff for that.”
“I’ll be glad…” Michaels started.
Constable Brooks cut him off. “No doubt. But your name is tainted. I’ll not let it be known the real reason you were off your ship when it was confiscated and the crew conscripted.”
Michaels face fell. “Twarn’t nothing all that bad,” he protested.
“No, but enough to get you keelhauled had your captain been alive.”
Percival frowned at Michaels, who looked around as if he could see through the walls to find listening ears.
“It was a girl, ya see? A sweet little thing from the islands, scarce eleven years of age if she knew her birthday, which she didn’t. She spilled gravy on the captain, an’ he was about to give her to the crew.”
Percival stared at him for a moment. “So you are a defender of young ladies? Tiffany certainly remembered you.”
Michaels ducked his head, his ears growing red. “She wus hardly more than a baby. I couldn’t just stand by.”
“She was a slave,” Constable Brooks filled in. “Michaels would be wanted for theft had the captain not had a seizure and died that day. As it is, the ship was short a slave and a cook when inventory was taken.”
Percival sighed. “Full proof that the law is not always right or good. I will not fault Michaels for choosing to save a child. But what have you learned about Tiffany?”
“Not a lot beyond what we already knew. She was delivered to the orphanage in an apple box with the word Tiffany burned in the side of the box. Likely, it was the name of the company selling the apples. The woman who left her said something about only being paid for the night, and that she wasn’t taking in some high-born by-blow.”
“What?” Percival exclaimed. “Who said that, and how did you get the quote?”
“It seems that the Sister, who is now Mother at the orphanage, was on duty the night Tiffany was brought in. She remembers her as a bright-eyed toddler, full of curiosity and mischief. She remembers that the baby was not with them long before being adopted.”
“Did she remember anything else? Who was the woman who left her there?”
“No one seems to know. No one has been able to find her. She has simply disappeared among all the other ordinary people.”
Percival frowned. “One has to wonder at someone being so callous. It is my understanding that the orphanages can be horrible places.”
“That one is remarkably well run. Somehow, it has been passed by when similar places were taken over by factories or torn down to make way for manor houses.”
“Speaking of which,” Constable Brooks interjected, “I have learned a great deal about the crumbling manor house where Old Elizabet and her brood have been sheltering.”
“I had wondered about that,” Percival said, leaning forward. “What can you tell us?”
