“Not old Charlie Chancer, the only man aboard my boat who looked good in a suit.”
The butler held out his arms on either side of him. “And I still do, Captain, but now I’m wearing it for keeps.”
“So you’ve gone through all your gold?”
“No, Captain, but it’s a lot cheaper paying for rent when you’re getting paid to be under the roof.”
“Always the skinflint.”
“Not so much that I wouldn’t use my breath to ask about the ship and Fidel.”
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the two of them,” Marc assured him as he half-turned to us. “You can come out now. He’s an old friend.”
“Is that always a good thing?” Ramaro mumbled as he trudged out with me following on his heels.
Charlie perked up at the sight of me. “You caught yourself a lovely thing there, Captain.”
“Miss Rose Larkin, meet Charlie Chancer, one of the finest sneaks I ever had aboard my ship.”
Charlie took my hand and pressed a kiss on the back. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Larkin.”
Marc looked him over. “Since you’re staying around here, what do you know about a man in a mask who controls the fog?”
Charlie’s face drooped. “You mean the Phantom, sir?”
Marc folded his arms over his chest. “I might if you told me what that is.”
Charlie bowed his head. “My apologies, Captain. The Phantom is a, well, a rather odd thief. He only steals musical instruments.”
I lifted my hand that the Phantom had touched and furrowed my brow. “Why did he attack me? It felt like the guy was trying to steal something from my hand.”
“Maybe he changed his tune and decided to try for a ring or bracelet, My Lady,” Charlie suggested as he eyed me with a look that hinted at his past, less gentile occupation. “Or perhaps he saw you in the fog and couldn’t help himself.”
“Are we sure he’s a man?” I wondered as I thought back to that strong hand around my wrist. “Maybe he’s a strong woman?”
Charlie chuckled. “That may be, My Lady, but that would disappoint many women in the city. They are very fascinated by his many exploits. He has even robbed the local opera house of its finest harp.”
“That must’ve been a heavy steal,” Marc mused.
“And quite bold, as the harp was being used in a play being acted out that very moment. The instrument had only been set aside for a brief scene when it was stolen.”
“I might have to make his acquaintance,” Marc suggested.
“You won’t be doing anything other than sitting in a stinking jail if we don’t hurry along,” Ramaro spoke up as he jerked his head up the street. “Your old friend’s home is this way.”
Marc looped his arm around my waist and inclined his head to his old friend. “Thanks for the story, Charlie, and I hope you enjoy your comfortable bed.”
Charlie cast a long look at the manor house. “The bed is comfortable, though the roommates are rather annoying.”
“We’ll leave you to them then,” Marc teased as he drew me away.
We made our way up the street with Ramaro trotting along beside us. The fog had almost completely vanished, allowing us to see the full length of the short street. The end stopped fifty yards ahead of us and forked, veering left and right into the depths of the metropolis. There were very few lights on at that hour, and all was quiet and calm. So much different than our thrilling welcome.
“So where does your friend live?” I asked my one-eyed guide.
“At the heart of the city near the old palace.”
My eyes widened. “Is that near the tower you can see from the boat?”
