She continuedto eye me curiously and turned to head behind the old woodencounter. “Well, Not From Around Here, I do happen to have a coupleof rooms available.” She fetched a key that hung from the back wallamongst the jars of rum and handed it to me. “It’s nothing fancy,but there are fresh quilts and awash pan.”
I smiled.“Thanks.” An awkward silence hung between us as I wondered if Icould just head to my room. “Those men, do they always harass youabout your boat?”
Her eyesflashed with something and I watched her put up a wall. “Yes,” shereplied. “It’s just a small thing my pop left to my daddy. Now it’smine.” She nervously began to wipe down the bar top. “Just a tinyfishing boat, really.” Then she pointed to the stairs. “Your roomis at the top, first on the right.”
I retreated tomy room, a modest space with a single bed and a dresser with a washpan on top. I collapsed on the bed and let it really sink in that Iwas there. I’d traveled back intime twice. I had a long road ahead of me to figure out whathappened to The Devil’s Heart, but I was on the right track. Icould feel it. If I could get this far on my own, then there wasnothing that would stop me. My fingers reached down into my shirtand pulled out the ruby necklace. I loved the feeling of the coldstone warming in my palm as I held it tightly.
“I’m going tofind you, Henry.” Absentmindedly, I rubbed my stomach with my freehand and smiled. “We’re going to find you.”
I then removedmy heavy satchel and placed it on the bed in front of me. Without asecond thought, I took out my diamond studs and tucked them into atiny inside pocket for safekeeping. Then I popped a prenatalvitamin and took a swig from my canister before laying back againstthe pillow. Without realizing, I dozed off and woke up sometime later, the setting sun casting apurple glow across the room as a knock at my door pulled me from mysleep. I rolled off the bed and opened the door to find thebarmaid.
“Apologies,”she said, “I wasn’t aware you were sleeping.”
I rubbed mytired eyes. I had jetlag from hell. “No, it’s okay,” I assured her.“I have things to do, anyway.”
“Well, justwanted to let you know that supper’s being served in a fewmoments if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” Ireplied with a yawn, “I’m starved,actually.” The young woman lingered, and I could sense the tensionradiating from her. “Is thereanything else?”
With armscrossed over her chest, she chewed her lip before deciding tospeak. “Are you truly from The Burning Ghost?”
“What?”
“Your dagger,”she continued, “It bears the markof The Burning Ghost. Everyone thought that ship was long gone.Then it recently resurfaced, causin’ trouble everywhere.” Shestopped and let her words stew with me. “I don’t want any troublehere.”
I inhaleddeeply. “No, I promise you, I’m not from The Cobham’s ship.” Therelief that washed over her body was hard to ignore. “I’m here tofind some friends of mine. We–” I wondered how much information Icould trust this woman with. “We got separated about a weekago.”
“Very good,then,” the woman accepted my words, “If you’re lookin’ for anyone,just ask around the tavern downstairs around mealtime. All thefishermen and merchants come in for some grub, one of them shouldknow somethin’.” She turned to leave but paused at the top of thestairs. “I’m Lottie, by the way.”
“It’s nice tomeet you, Lottie,” I genuinely told her, my mind racing to think ofa name I could use. Then I grinned. “I’m Dianna. Dianna White.”
***
After Icleaned myself up and changed the dressing on my shoulder, I headeddownstairs to the tavern for some food with the intent to gaininformation about The Devil’s Heart. I found the place full,bustling with chatty fishermen and locals. A few gave me a smileand a hat tip but ignored mebeyond that. I found an empty chair at the end of the bar and tooka seat. Before long, Lottie came charging out through the swingingdoors with a heavy food tray in hand. She spotted me and, after sheserved a couple of patrons, came over to me from behind thebar.
“What can Iget for you?” she asked as her cloth wiped the wooden surface infront of me.
I shrugged.“What do you have?”
“Well, youhave a choice between a fish stewand fish stew,” Lottie replied jokingly without a smile. Her humorsurprised me, and I laughed as she threw me a wink. “I’ll bring yousomethin’ to drink, as well.”
I nodded.“Thanks.”
While Iwaited, I opened my ears to the conversations around me to see if Icould pick up on anything that may help my mission. I couldn’t juststroll up to a stranger and ask if they’ve heard of The Devil’sHeart. I had to be sneaky about it. Drawing too much attention tomyself probably wasn’t a good idea, and I was certain word hadalready spread about the crazy lady at the tavern with MariaCobham’s dagger.
All around, Icould hear the raspy voices of fishermen mixing with the cheerytones of the locals, every person just happy to be there andrelaxing with friends around good food and the warmth of the bigstone fireplace near the back. As the sun set, the tavern dimmed tothe glow of oil lamps that hung from the walls and anchored thecenter of every table.
While eatingthe surprisingly delicious fish stew Lottie brought me, I attemptedto strike up casual chit-chat witha few sailors that sidled up to me. But, one after another, theyleft when I turned the conversation to The Devil’s Heart. Icouldn’t tell if they were scared or just plain hiding something.Either way, no one would give me any helpful information. But theword must have made its waythrough the bustling tavern because, over the sudden sound of afiddle filling the space, I picked up on the mention of Cupers Coveand two men planning a trip to see
