A/N: I know you guys don't like short chapters… me neither… but keep in mind, this one is supposed to be short. Like an "interlude" or something. Hope you like.

Chapter 14

Pierre plunked down heavily on the bar stool, laughing uproariously at a bawdy joke that one of the other bar-goers was telling.

Bull's Eye Tavern was a popular after-work hangout for hansom drivers, a place to spend a goodly portion of their wages and tell jokes about that day's ludicrous or obnoxious travelers.

Pierre fumbled inside his worn coat, withdrawing the leather pouch that represented more than half a day's work. Not just a handful of dirty coins, but of a whole bagful of money! A just and ample reward, too; it had been quite a while since he'd driven any passengers as far out into the country as he'd driven the strange pair today.

But no matter – that odd father and daughter pair were on their way, and so was he – on his way to becoming inexorably and delightfully drunk!

He had fished out two coins and slid them across the scarred wooden bar top, one for him and one for Jean, a pal who often accompanied him into his nighttime forays.

Maybe he could find himself a pretty lass too, he thought as Jean flirted shamelessly with the barmaid. Before he could continue the thought, a firm hand closed on his shoulder.

"What – ?"

"Good evening, monsieur." The voice was clear and cultivated, the body belonging to the voice encased in a navy blue cape.

"I was hoping you may be able to inform me of some travelers you picked up today."

Pierre frowned at the man, who gazed at him with a blank yet pleasant expression. "What are you talkin' about?"

"I've spoken to several of your… fellow drivers," the man continued. "And have been without luck. Maybe you could help me."

Pierre frowned again at the strange young man, looking so out of place in the seedy bar with his expensive clothes, clean-shaven face and neatly combed hair. "Why do you think I can help you?"

The man produced a crisp bill from his pocket and extended it to him wordlessly. Pierre reached for it cautiously, and crumpled it in his grubby hand as if afraid it would be snatched back from him.

"What do you want?"

"I am looking for… a man. He is traveling with a young woman, very beautiful." The man's voice seemed to almost trip over the last few words, as if they were sad and difficult for him to say. "They might be a strange looking couple."

Pierre instantly thought back to the elderly man and the woman of earlier that day, and replied slowly, "Yes, I think I could maybe remember something…" he paused, and eyed the young man pointedly until he produced another franc note. Pierre took it eagerly, and pocketed it along with the other one.

"I remember an old gentleman, rather strange. Bandages all over 'is face." The young man's head seemed to jerk just slightly, and Pierre continued, "And he had a lady with him, just like you said. Quite young lookin'. I took them to an inn out in the country, called the Fishtail, I believe."

"Did she seem… harmed in any way?"

Pierre was puzzled at the question, but his mind was on the money, and he said hopefully "No, Messieur. Just a bit jumpy-like if I had to say."

"Jumpy? How so?"

"Jus' a little frightened of somethin'. "

The young man's jaw grew tight. "I knew it," he muttered under his breath.

"What'd you say, Messieur?"

The man raised his head again and smiled blandly at Pierre. "Nothing. Thank you for your help."

He turned and quickly left the rowdy, busy tavern, the door swinging shut behind him. Pierre blinked after him, confused, but his attention was distracted when Jean tapped his shoulder in order to introduce him to a voluptuous blonde serving girl.

A bag of coins for a country drive, two bills just for telling some strange young gentleman about his work, and now a pretty girl presented to him. Today was just his lucky day.