Part Twenty Eight – Speculations in the Coach
The coach wheels clattered over cobblestones, muffled by the morning fog that clung to the streets. Inside, Raleigh and Albert sat opposite one another, the Elton seal resting on the seat between them like a weight neither wanted to touch first.
Albert frowned. "So Elton doesn't want to help us. He wants to use us."
"Aye," Raleigh replied, his tone even. "Use, test, or trap — we'll find out soon enough at least the tea and biscuits would be delicious,"
Albert hesitated, then leaned forward. "And Jonathan Hanns? What do you make of him?"
Raleigh's gaze shifted, thoughtful. "The boy's pretty ordinary, A true hanns, keeps his nose out of trouble, went through the college, top grades and all though there was just one incident,"
"An incident? What incident?" Albert asked.
"At seven years old, he disappeared. Out in the market with Heller — gone in the crowd, vanished. For two days, the whole city searched. Nothing. Then on the third dawn, he was found standing on the Hanns doorstep. Alone. Unharmed. Couldn't say where he'd been, or who had him. The hanns hushed up the whole incident, too grateful to have the boy in one piece perhaps." Raleigh continued.
Albert stilled, his tapping knee going quiet. "You're telling me no one pressed further?"
"Whispers said it was a warning. A message from some council rival. But Raymond Hanns ordered it buried. No questions, no records. Case dropped." Raleigh paused, voice lowering. "And the boy's never spoken of it since."
The coach swayed, the silence between them heavier than the fog outside. Albert's young face was thoughtful now, the excitement tempered. "Then Jonathan Hanns isn't as simple as he seems."
Raleigh only nodded. "And that, lad, is exactly why we tread carefully."