Chapter ONE - Weebly

overhead. “Occasionally, yes. I’m a merchant, from a
family of merchants. The Dernes have business in every
part of Boston, as well as in Newport, Providence,
Norfolk, Newbury, Hartford, even Halifax. And our
business doesn’t always end with the setting of the sun.”
“Can you tell me where you were last night?”
“I’m not inclined to, no,” Derne said in a flat voice,
his expression unchanged. Still, Ethan could tell that the
merchant’s patience had started to run thin.
Ethan said nothing, allowing the silence to stretch on
until Derne seemed to grow uncomfortable.
“If you must know,” Derne said at last, “I was
home. My father will confirm that if you ask him.”
“Thank you, sir. I don’t think I need trouble him.”
“Have you asked similar questions of the brutes who
were abroad last night, behaving like savages and
showing themselves capable of the worst kind of
violence and mischief?”
“Not yet,” Ethan said. “But I will.”
“Good,” Derne said brusquely. “It seems to me
more than coincidence that poor Jennifer should be
killed the same night that rabble was rampaging through