"I’m going to enjoy watching you squirm."
Revenge is a dish
“Understood, sir,” Harper commented. “Sir, we must make a contraband run in a day or two. Would your deputies like to go along? We offered Dafyd, but he left it in our hands.”
“Ah, yes, either myself or a couple of deputies will go along,” Balgair stated as he extended his hand to Harper, who took it and gave it a soldier’s shake. “Do you mind if we look around a bit before we leave?”
“No, not at all.” Harper smiled. “We are at your disposal, sir.”
After leaving the Lieutenant’s Office, Balgair and his crew wandered around the gatehouse as they spoke.
“According to Lieutenant Harper, Rydell is in the clear,” Balgair commented as they walked into the records section of the gatehouse.
“I’m sort of glad, sir,” Tackett said in obvious relief. “Rydell is an excellent soldier, sir. He wouldn’t have left if he had known that Willems would leave and abandon his post.”
Balgair hummed as he checked the records on the desk. His eyes widened slightly as he read over the contraband reports. Pixie dust, Canaan, Ether spirits, black powder, hand crossbows, red salamander spit. That is a lot of illegal goods. The poisons alone. He shivered, glad that they had been interdicted.
Leaving the records section, they went to the contraband lock-up, checked the paperwork, and examined the steel cases in which the illicit goods were locked up. “Not bad, special keys, magic wards, and solid steel construction,” Balgair said as he ran his fingers over one of the chests. “That cuts it when it’s time to get rid of this,” he indicated the chests, “Ben, Methak, and Farank will go along. I will, as well, so that I know where it’s going.” The three men nodded.
After thanking the soldier watching them, the group went to the search section and watched as a team of soldiers, including a mage, searched a merchant wagon. Then, satisfied that things were working as they should, Balgair turned and led the way back to the Landau.
Chapter Seventeen
“How do you want to handle this?” Tackett inquired as he patted his jacket to ensure the documents Eygas and Harper had given them were still there. For the hundredth time, he felt them, and for the hundredth time, he sighed in relief.
Balgair watched the sergeant’s motions and couldn’t help but tease him. “First of all, don’t lose those documents.”
“You’re a barrel of laughs, sir,” Tackett glared at the Reeve.
“I must be slipping because all I’ve heard is “You’re mean.”” Balgair smirked.
Tackett couldn’t help but laugh. “You are, sir. You’re just a big meanie.” The smile reached his eyes. “Next thing you know, you’ll be spanking Bannachian in the wagon.”
When all eyes fell on Arien, she blushed to her toes and muttered, “Meanie,” causing another round of laughter.
Balgair reached over and ruffled the woman’s hair, causing another blush. He held up two fingers. “Second, I’ll have to research and see if I have to form a jury, and if so, how many citizens sit on it.”
“You do, and the number is seven freeholders,” Tackett replied without thinking about it.
“Ahh,” Balgair vocalized. “Then we must find seven freeholders who can sit in court and judge Willems.” He took a slow, deep breath and exhaled. “Then we will put Willems on trial, and if the citizens agree, we will strip him of his position and open it up for another Mayor.”
“We won’t get all that done today, but we can get a start on it.” The sergeant replied as he leaned back and relaxed.
Ben, who had been half-listening, nodded and commented. “Today’s Diardaoin. We have rest days coming up.”
“Is it?” Balgair blinked. “I hadn’t thought to check the calendar today.” He threw the ranger a look of thanks. “How much time do we give him before we open court?”
“You’re the boss. The court can be set any time you want to do it.” Tackett commented. “Just as long as it’s not on a rest day.”
“Diathan a' toirmeasg[1],” Balgair whispered. “Heather would probably kill me if I didn’t spend some time with her.”
Methak cleared his throat and chuckled, “No, she wouldn’t. She’d refuse to join you in bed.” An evil glint sparkled in his eyes as he craftily said, “I’ll bet she could last longer than you could.”
Balgair waved him off, “Don’t even think such thoughts. She’s already bratty enough as it is.” Ananke forbid she sleeps in some other bed. All it would take is for Amelia to find out. Then I’d be dead.
Upon seeing his expression, the Enchantress couldn’t help but tease him. “Should I tell her?” Arien yelped as Farank slapped her on the thigh.
Balgair growled and pretended to reach for the redhead. “I should spank you for even mentioning that.”
Arien’s frantic expression made it impossible to keep up the pretense. “Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to spank you within public view.”
Arien blushed deeply, murmuring. “Thank you, Maighstir.”
“One day of work, two rest days, then start selecting the jury on Diluain. Take two days doing that, and start the trial on Diciadain.” He ticked off the days on his fingers. “That would give him almost a week to prepare his defense.” He nodded. “We’ll put out the trial announcement on Duluain so the public gets the notification.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Tackett said, a slow grin crossing his lips. “May I be the one to tell Willems?”
Balgair nodded, not caring who informed the ex-mayor of his upcoming trial. “Go for it.”
Tackett whistled to himself as they entered the office. “I’ll be back momentarily,” he informed the group with a smile. “I’m just going to step downstairs for a minute.”
They could hear his whistling as he went down to the jail. “That man takes joy in the strangest things,” Farank stated, drawing a chuckle from Balgair.
“That he does, my friend.” The Reeve replied as he walked toward his office.
Farank stopped at the desk, leaning against it. “What would you like us to do?”
“Pick two neighborhoods and go on patrol,” Balgair said, waving them off. “Introduce yourselves to the citizens and let them know we are back in business.”
“Gotcha, boss,” The thief-taker replied, then turned and took his crew out.
“Oye, someone’s coming,” one of the jailors said as he heard whistling down the stairway.
Angus Cluder, the head jailor, cocked his head to the left as he listened. “Aye, and whoever it is sounds happy.” He covertly signaled to his partner, who stepped back into the shadows.
The jolly whistling grew louder as the person reached the bottom of the staircase. It faded away as the person stopped momentarily and stepped into the jail proper.
“Ahh, Sergeant Tackett,” Cluder welcomed the sergeant. “What can we do you for, sir?”
Tackett’s grin was positively devilish. “I haven’t been down here since you rebuilt it.” He sounded like the cat who had swallowed the canary whole. “If possible, I’d like to talk to Willems.”
Cluder took a good, long look at the sergeant. “Of course, sir. He’s in the private cell in the back hallway. You’ve got five mionaidean.”
Tackett couldn’t contain his glee. “I won’t need that much.” He chuckled. “If you hear crying when I leave, it’ll be him.”
“Understood,” Cluder replied. The bad news was incoming. He watched as Tackett walked down the hallway to the private cells and waited.
“Oh, Willems,” Tackett practically rubbed his hands together as he leaned against the door.
From inside, he heard a rustling sound as the ex-mayor moved. “Yes? Is that you, Tackett?” What is he doing here, and why does he sound so happy?”
Tackett leaned against the doorframe and peeked through the bars. “You’ve got a week to find yourself a good advocate. You stand trial next, Diciadain, for leaving the town undefended and not designating a stand-in for the com-crystal.”
The look on the ex-Mayor’s face was enough to brighten Tackett’s day. “Just let Angus know who your advocate is so he can be prepared.”
Willems paled as he saw the look on the sergeant’s face, which promised great pain.
“You won’t get off for not having a prepared advocate,” Tackett whispered. “I’m going to look forward to you being expelled from town. I’m going to enjoy watching you squirm.”
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.
[1] Gods forbid