Free Allegiance: A Dublin Novella by Heather Domin Page B

Adam. “Tis too late at night for young boys to be out on the streets.”
    “You’re out on the streets,” replied the kid, “and you look like a boy to me.”
    Daniel snickered.
    “Go on, off with you,” Andy called. “Go find someplace else to loiter.”
    The boy jerked his chin. “What if I don’t wanna?”
    Kelly moved forward, but Adam blocked him with one arm. He stepped out from the group and walked slowly toward the boy, whose eyes went wide when he saw the shotgun clutched in Adam’s fist. With his free hand, Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out a shining coin. He held it in front of the boy’s face, distracting him from the gun. The child looked from him to the others, then at the coin, and gasped.
    “Are you outlaws?”
    Adam’s face was a grave scowl. “Aye,” he said, his voice low and raspy. “We are. Now clear out of here and tell no one what you have seen this night, and perhaps we will forget that we ever saw you. ”
    The boy’s eyes grew round and enormous. Adam tucked the coin into one filthy little hand and patted him on the head. The child stood there for a moment, awestruck, and then turned and tore off into the night, his dog clambering along behind him.
    Adam retained his scowl until the lad was out of sight around the corner, and then it cracked and broke up into a fit of giggles as David, Andy and Kelly all laughed themselves red-faced behind him. Hans and Daniel looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and returned to stacking boxes for loading. William watched them all, still wary, but his tension slowly began to ebb.
    Kelly shoved his rifle back into his coat, still grinning. “Quit mucking about,” he said to Adam. “Let’s get this done.”
    “Put it back in your trousers, Jesse James,” David smirked.
    Adam winked at him and uncocked the shotgun, tucking it smoothly back into his jacket. A breeze ruffled the strands of hair peeking from beneath his gray cap, and William shuddered and went back to his work with extra energy.
    Adam nudged him on the shoulder. “You alright, Glasgow? Sorry if we startled you. There’s naught to worry about.”
    “I’m fine,” said William.
    “Leave him be, Adam,” Andy said. “You probably upset him, waving your guns about foolishly like that. William’s not used to that sort of thing.”
    William kept his eye on his lifting and said nothing.
    After that they got to work in earnest; it took about a quarter hour to get everything sorted. When the boxes were all loaded, David took a step back and surveyed the job, wiping his brow on one sleeve.
    “There now, right as rain. Let’s get ourselves to the pub before the sweat freezes on our backs.”
    Hans gave them all a little bow. “Good evening, gentlemen. Always a pleasure to work with you. I hope to see you again soon.”
    “Obliged, mate,” Adam said. “Tell your boss these will be put to good use.”
    Hans grinned. “Too bad you do not know by whom.”
    “Aye – I prefer my neck unstretched and my head without extra holes.”
    Andy was already heading for his gangway. “I’ll see you lot in two days,” he said. “I’ve got a shipment to make before I get this month’s pay. Some of us actually work for a living.” He reached for the door, stifling an enormous yawn, as the others called out their good-nights. When the ship’s lights went dark, the rest of the men turned to each other.
    “I suppose you ’ ll want to ride with me?” Daniel said. “Or would you prefer to walk on this fine Dublin evening?”
    The wind picked up with a gust and Kelly snapped, “Bugger that, I’m with you.”
    “Me too,” said David, “And I’m in the front. Let Adam and Glasgow ride in the back.”
    “I see how it is,” Adam said. “I’ll remember that when next it’s buying time.”
    David and Kelly were already climbing into the lorry, grinning. Adam called “Bastards!” after them, chuckling, then turned to William and gestured to the rolled-up tarp at the back