Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1) Read online

  Chapter 5

  Jack

  When Bess and Mother left me, I sat on the sofa burying my head in my hands. Peace was the last emotion that I was feeling. The homecoming that I expected had quickly turned into a nightmare with my mother’s confession and meeting the man whom she hoped would solve all her problems. I had not believed her story about Richard until she spoke of her debt. Then, it all fell into place. The way she went through funds, it was inevitable.

  Richard appeared a pleasant enough man, but with our secret at stake, I could not afford to grant my approval without great consideration. I knew I would have to do some digging and see what I could discover about Richard Hamilton. Add that to my full plate, and I was feeling tired beyond my eighteen years.

  A loud knock echoed through the room making me raise my head. Levi came in, silently closing the door behind him. Apprehension surged through me. Levi knew not to come to the house unless I signaled him. He advanced toward me with his dark hair all askew and his nose red from being out in the chilly air.

  His smile nearly stretched its length, “I have found him. I have found the giant!”

  I leapt to my feet; all my problems forgotten. “Where?”

  “I rode to the apothecary shop, to see how it went during my absence, and while I was there, the giant entered. A seven foot tall man is impossible to mistake. I hid in the back room, but had the chance to observe him, and when he left the shop, I followed.” Levi’s impish grin and air of excitement were contagious.

  “To where did he go?” I asked anxiously.

  “I followed him to a house near the shipyard.”

  “Was he there to conduct some business?”

  Levi rocked back on his heels. “Nay, I paid a street urchin to tell me who lived in the houses. He described the giant in detail. His name is Dimitri, and he frightens the children.”

  My excitement matched that of Levi. “Good work. Tonight you, Leo, and I will pay a visit to the giant and see what we can discover.” Walking over to my desk near the window, I stopped, remembering something important. “Do not say a word of this to Bess.”

  Levi contemplated that for a moment before shrugging. “She would only insist upon going and well, after what happened the last time, we must do what we can to protect her.”

  I unlocked my desk and pulled out a pair of matching pistols.

  “Meet us at the waterside tavern at two, and we will go from there.” Levi touched his forelock in salute and moved to the door. He looked into the foyer first, then disappeared from my sight.

  Even though I felt like my father had done Bess a disservice naming her his successor, trapping her forever into a life of danger, I was glad that he had not laid such a burden at my feet.

  Bess had done a remarkable job over the last two years. Losing not one agent was a great accomplishment; better than the other two leaders could say. Frederick had lost no less than three agents within the last year, and Samuel Mason, the leader of the Charleston Phantoms and George’s nephew, had lost one. Thinking about Sam brought thoughts of George and his capture.

  George liked to say that even in a time of peace there are threats at work. Never had he uttered truer words.