“Yeah, yeah, see ya.”
Finn began to wind his way back through the streets and the crowds. Like all the men on the team, he was always listening for danger, looking for danger. With all the crowds it seemed impossible. Yet, as he turned the corner, he heard someone who desperately needed help.
“Stop it! Stop it!” yelled the old man.
The children laughed, continuing to throw beads and doubloons left on the ground from the departing Mardi Gras parade. He felt the sting of them as they hit his sensitive flesh but didn’t want to toss them back at the children.
“Dirty, smelly, dirty, smelly,” the kids chanted.
“Stop!” he yelled back.
“Hey, you kids move on,” said a man standing in front of him. “I mean it. Get a move on. Now.”
The children stared at the big man and then ran off, hopefully toward their parents. The kind protector turned to look at the man, reaching out a hand to help him up.
“Are you alright, sir?” he asked.
“Yes. Thank you,” he said taking the hand. “My feet are very blistered and sensitive. I have trouble walking and couldn’t get up to move or chase the children away.”
“You need some good socks and shoes,” said the man. “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get you something for your feet.”
“No. No, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” he said.
“It’s not a problem, sir. I don’t mind. I was heading home anyway. Can you stand?”
“With help, yes,” he said.
“Come on. There’s a shoe store just up there. My name is Finnegan. What’s yours?”
“Nicolai. Prince Nicolai.”
CHAPTER THREE
Finn stared at the man sitting on the soft bench inside the shoe store. The owner, someone who knew the Belle Fleur family well, allowed the old man to wash up in the back room and pulled several pairs of comfortable walking shoes.
Next door was a store that carried touristy clothing. Sweatshirts, tee-shirts, sweatpants, and the like. The old man didn’t give a damn what it had on it, just that it was warm.
“He said he was a prince?” asked Hex standing beside Finn.
“Yep. Introduced himself as Prince Nicolai. I asked him what country he was a prince of, and he said nowhere. I’m not sure if he needs mental health resources or what.”
“Shit,” muttered Hex. “We can’t leave him on the street. Let’s see if he will come back with us.”
“I need to get out to Metairie for another appointment. Y’all good here?” asked Finn.
“We got it from here, Finn. Thanks,” said Luke. Finn walked with them and knelt in front of the old man.
“Nicolai, these are my friends. This is Luke and Hex. They’re going to help you.”
“But you’ve already done too much,” said the man.
Luke immediately noted a hint of an accent but couldn’t place it. His speech was clipped and sharp, like someone who’d had exceptional schooling.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Finn. “I’m sure I’ll see you again.” Finn left the store and the man just smiled at Luke and Hex.
“You two must think I’m mad,” he grinned.
“No, sir. We absolutely do not. We are curious why you would introduce yourself as a prince but then tell us you’re a prince of nowhere,” said Luke.
