Chapter ONE - Weebly

told, the diminutive cooper worried about him far more
than Ethan’s father ever had.
“Well, thank you, Ethan. Ya’re welcome in that
room for as long as you want it.”
Ethan patted the man’s shoulder. “You’re just
saying that because you’ve been paid.”
Henry grinned at him, wide-mouthed and gaptoothed.
“Aye,” he said. “In advants, no less.”
The thieftaker laughed as he walked back to the
door and pulled it open. “I’ll see you later, Henry.”
The old man was still grinning. But he sounded
deadly serious when he said, “Be careful, Ethan. That
much money—ya’re bound to attract someone’s eye.”
Ethan glanced back at him. “Aye, thank you,
Henry.”
Once outside again, Ethan saw that both dogs were
still awake. Pitch was on his feet, his tail raised, his ears
pricked. Ethan looked around, but saw nothing. As he
started away, he heard the dog growl.
Wary now, he walked around to the back end of
Henry’s building, and climbed the wooden stairs to his
door. Just as he reached for the door handle, he heard