Chapter ONE - Weebly

ecognized him as Gilbert Deblois, the brother of a
wealthy merchant and a successful dealer of firearms in
his own right. Ethan wouldn’t have been surprised to
learn that Sephira had purchased some of the weapons
in her collection from him.
He walked to the door leading into the office,
smiling benignly as he stood watching the three men, his
hands clasped behind his back.
Cyrus Derne barely spared him a glance. “Yes,
what is it?” he demanded.
“Good afternoon, Mister Derne.”
Derne looked at Ethan again, more closely this time.
At last, after several seconds, the man recognized him.
“Mister Kaille!” he said, making no effort to mask
his surprise.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir,” Ethan said,
offering a hand.
Derne stepped forward and gripped it, still looking
perplexed. “What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping for a word with you.”
Derne released his hand and cast a self-conscious
look at Deblois and then at his father. Fergus Derne had