Luke blew out a breath. “Indeed, I did. Cleaned up real well.”
Michael slapped his shoulder with approval. “I’ll have to try and humble you later this week.”
“You can sure try,” Luke replied good-naturedly.
Collin listened to the two men as they bantered back and forth, setting a date for another card game. “May I join?” Collin asked, thinking of a plan.
Luke sized him up, and Michael narrowed his eyes, then offered a nod. “That’s not a bad idea, you know. Luke, set it out about town that there’s a gentleman in town who has money to lose and a weak game.”
“I would be insulted except that’s exactly what we need. If we lay a trap, maybe I’ll be able to see one of these bastards face-to-face and find some answers,” Collin said.
“I’ll be sure to spread the word. When would it be?”
“Yeah, might as well. But don’t use his name. It will scare off those trying to make work of it.”
“Understood,” Luke agreed. “Well, I’d best return to my work. Michael, I’ll send word if I hear of anything else, and if not, I’ll see you at the game tonight.” Luke reached out his hand and shook Michael’s, then Collin’s before taking his leave back into the inner room of the livery.
“Well, that was helpful,” Michael stated as they walked back out into the sunshine.
Collin agreed. “It was. Now we have a man with a facer to locate and a game I apparently need to lose.”
“Are you any good at the game? Or am I going to need to save you a time or two?” Michael winked.
“Ass.” Collin chuckled. “I can hold my own, thank you.”
“We’ll see.” Michael paused at the crossroads. “The taverns will be mostly empty now, but if we go to a few of the boardinghouses, we can inquire if any of the tenants have injuries. I know most of the proprietors. After, I’ll take you to the taverns. Since they’re on the outskirts, we’ll make our way in that direction.”
Collin gestured for him to lead the way.
Michael turned down a side street and knocked on a wooden door that, like so many in Cambridge, was similar to the one beside it.
Collin waited as Michael spoke with the proprietor of the boardinghouse, nodding when introduced as a gentleman from out of town. The same process repeated itself at various boardinghouses across Cambridge, all with the same result: no current boarder with a black eye.
“It makes me think the man is local, or local enough that he doesn’t need lodgings,” Michael said as they made their way out of town to the tavern he had visited last night.
“Or they’re staying with someone local,” Collin added, his mind continuing to work on the problem at hand.
“That’s certainly a possibility as well. I’d wager that we need to make the rounds at the taverns tonight to see if we notice anyone with that black eye from Luke.”
“If the cheater shows his face again soon.”
“Aye,” Michael agreed.
They visited the tavern and had a quick pint as they took a moment’s rest. Michael checked his pocket watch and straightened. “Time to go.”
Collin took a last long draw of his pint and set it on the counter. “Have an appointment?”
Michael stood and waved to the barkeep. Collinnoted the way Michael’s ears turned faintly red at the question and filed the information away for later reference in his memory.
“You could say that.” Michael avoided the question.
Collin’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh?” Then he smirked.
“Well, since you’ll just try to ferret it out of me, I’ll tell you. My sister has a friend coming to tea this afternoon, and let’s just say she’s not hard on the eyes.”
“Oh…I see.” Collin nodded his approval. “Well, I suggest we make our way back to your residence. Wouldn’t want you to miss an opportunity.”
“Let it never be said that Michael Finch missed an opportunity.” He chuckled. “The lady won’t give me the time of day, but that just makes the challenge more irresistible.”
