“He was murdered,” Samuel told Hadrian when he returned to the center of the barge where the two jewelers and Vivian were gathered. The hooded man had returned to the bow, probably wary of Eugene’s steering and not wanting to be caught below. Samuel nodded in his direction. “That one slit his throat and dropped him in the river.”
“We don’t know that,” Hadrian said. By the looks on their faces, he was the only one who believed it.
“Do you really think an experienced steersman fell overboard on a route he’s probably traveled a hundred times?” Sebastian asked.
“No, but I’m also not willing to jump to the worst possible conclusion.”
“Open your eyes, you foolish boy,” Samuel said in a loud voice. “A man is dead! And there is no denying who is responsible.”
Hadrian cringed. “You want to say that just a little louder? I don’t think Andrew and Bessie heard. Look, you insist that Farlan has been killed, but you are forgetting one very important thing.”
“Which is?” Samuel inquired.
“Why?” Hadrian let the word hang in the air. “Can you tell me why he would want Farlan dead? Because I can’t think of a single good reason beyond just being crazy, and he hasn’t seemed crazy so far.”
That seemed to knock the wind out of the merchants’ sails. They exchanged glances and seemed genuinely perplexed. While they pondered, Vivian’s small wavering voice spoke up: “I think I do.”
All three men looked her way.
“He was there last night, wasn’t he?” she asked, looking toward the bow. “When the two of us were talking? He wasn’t far away when you told me about Farlan getting the sheriff to investigate the murders in Vernes.”
“Is that so?” Sebastian asked.
Hadrian nodded.
“He had to make Farlan disappear,” Samuel said as his sight shifted to the bow as well. “No Farlan, no investigation, problem solved.”
“Well, there you have it,” Sebastian declared. “Now it makes perfect sense, but…”
“But what? Hadrian asked.
“Now we must take steps,” Sebastian said.
“What do you mean?” Hadrian asked.
“We know, don’t we? We all know it now.”
“Know what?”
“That not only is he the murderer of Vernes, but of Farlan as well. What’s more-he knows that we know. If he was willing to kill Farlan, he won’t stop. His only choice is to kill all of us.”
“You can’t be serious,” Hadrian said. “There are five of us, six counting Andrew. I think the odds are well in our favor.”
“He’ll just catch us off guard while we sleep or when alone at the tiller. Like a predator winnowing a herd, he’ll pick us off one by one.”
“That settles it, then,” Samuel whispered this time. “We have to kill him first. It’s us or him. He’s no bigger than Eugene-smaller even-and I don’t see any weapons. We could do it right now. The three of us. Hadrian, lend us your swords and get that big one from your cabin. We’ll all have at him and then roll the bastard into the water, just like he did to Farlan.”
Sebastian was nodding with stern resolution, a judge presiding over a hearing.
Hadrian had spilled enough blood for three lifetimes. However, it was possible, probable even, that they were right. Even more condemning was Mr. Hood himself. Why was he so distant? He must be able to hear their conversations. Why not deny the charges if he was innocent? His behavior invited suspicion and his attitude was worrisome, but that wasn’t proof.
“No,” Hadrian replied. “I won’t kill a man on speculation. Something happened to Farlan, something unexplained, but we don’t even know if he’s dead. Even if it was murder, who’s to say it was him? So the man keeps to himself, big deal. So you don’t like the look of his eyes. What does that prove? Why couldn’t it have been Eugene, or one of you two, or even me for that matter?”
The two merchants shook their heads in dismay, their mouths agape.
“There’s just too much we don’t know,” Hadrian continued. “I think we should do exactly what Farlan had been planning. We get through the rest of today and tonight, and when we arrive in Colnora, Andrew can fetch the sheriff. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll ensure that nobody leaves until he arrives and gets to the bottom of all this.”
“You can’t be serious,” Sebastian said.
“Farlan might be safe and sound, drinking hot soup back at the last outpost. How will you feel when he turns up in Colnora and you know you killed an innocent man?”
“Do you really expect us to do nothing except wait to be slaughtered?”
“I expect you to let the law decide what’s to be done.” Hadrian stood up, taking advantage of his superior height to make his point. “And if you attempt to lay a hand on him, I’ll see that you lose it.”
“You would defend a killer!”
“No, but I’ll protect what could be an innocent man from a mindless mob. You’ve had it out for him since he came on board.”
“And what about Miss Vivian? Didn’t you promise her just yesterday that you would protect her?”
“I did and I will.” He looked directly at her. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise you that.”
“And what about us?” Samuel asked.
“I suggest you stay together. You said it yourself, about being vulnerable when alone. Don’t give him any opportunities, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“That won’t change anything. Can’t you see the danger we are all in? You’re blind and a fool!” Samuel said.
Hadrian laid a hand casually on the pommel of his short sword and Samuel stiffened. “I’ll add deaf to that list, but only this once,” Hadrian said softly.
He walked away, annoyed by the smallness of the boat and feeling Samuel’s glare on his back. Sebastian’s mood was harder to gauge. Hadrian thought it a fair bet that both merchants were displeased with him; whether that constituted a change in their opinion was difficult to tell.
From the high rail of the gunwale, Hadrian realized he could climb onto the top of the cabin area-a modestly sloped roof made from pitch-covered boards. In the direct sun the pitch was soft, but not tacky. He sat alone on what he realized was the highest point on the barge. From here, he had a clear view of the entire deck. At the stern, Eugene sat with his feet up, much the way Farlan had, and Hadrian hoped the old steersman had made it to shore. From the little interaction between them, he had liked the man. Below, Sebastian and Samuel continued to speak, but now in hushed whispers, huddled close together in their matching robes, Vivian at their sides. On the bow, the hooded man appeared oblivious as he stared out at the river.
Hadrian was back at his new favorite spot on top of the cabins, staring at the stars. With nothing to lean back against, it wasn’t as comfortable as sitting on deck, but the difficulty of reaching it-requiring a significant effort to climb-guaranteed privacy. None of the jewelers were going to scale the railing in their fancy, flowing robes, nor was Vivian. That left only the hooded man, and Hadrian doubted he would make an appearance.
The day had passed uneventfully. Without Farlan, they managed as best they could. Sebastian, Samuel, and Vivian had set out the midday meal as well as supper. Hadrian had served his time at the tiller after Eugene. Samuel took the duty next and Sebastian would take the last leg. Although whose turn it actually was would make little difference. All three merchants were gathered at the back of the boat, and Hadrian guessed none of them would sleep at all that night. They would keep each other awake, and safe, trading off as needed. The hooded man continued his vigil at the front of the boat, and Vivian had locked herself in her cabin for the duration.
The river continued to narrow and the canyon walls rose ever higher. Hadrian knew the navigable portion of the Bernum River ended at Amber Falls, just south of Colnora. He didn’t have a clue how he knew this, any more than he knew not to stick his hand in a fire or stand on a hill in a lightning storm. Someone must have told him, but he couldn’t remember who or when. A lot of his knowledge had been gained that way, and he guessed a good deal of it was wrong.