Free Fly Up into the Night Air by John Houser Page B

carefully through the closet. There was no cloak matching the one described by Peli.
    "Maybe he keeps it in his room?" he muttered.
    Harte returned his cloak to its place and was hesitating at the bottom of main staircase, when he saw Brin Greer reflected in a framed mirror across from the steps, coming down the hallway from the back of the house. Harte stifled a gasp, moved lightly back to the library door and stepped in, unsure whether or not Brin had seen him.
    "There you are, dear. Did you find it?" asked Amalia.
    "Yes, here it is. It was in my pocket the whole time. Silly of me." Harte took the hand written invitation out of his pocket and gave it to his mother.
    "Agatha, I wanted to give this to you in person, because I would so love for you to come. We are having a little party to celebrate the winter solstice next Sunday. You're all invited of course. I do hope your husband and Brin can come."
    As if on queue, Brin Greer opened the door to the library and swept inside. "Mother, I saw you have company. Who is--ah! Harte. Mrs. Walford. How pleasant to see you."
    Harte nodded stiffly. "How are you, Brin?"
    "Fine, fine. How is the family? Your father well?"
    "He's doing well. I'm terribly sorry we can't stay to chat. We stopped by to invite you to our solstice party next Sunday. I do hope you can come. I'm terribly sorry to rush, but we must be off. So much to do ... " He shrugged helplessly. "Mother, do come along." He took her arm and steered for the door.
    "Oh my, must you leave so soon?" said Mrs. Greer, ringing for the maid.
    "I do look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!" said Amalia.
    Harte and his mother stepped out into the hall to wait for the maid to retrieve their outerwear. Once properly attired, they rushed out into the fading light of the December afternoon.
    Back in the barouche, Amalia examined Harte. "You have gone pale! Did something happen?"
    "I could not bring myself to speak to him. I saw him come in. He was wearing the cloak with the black and white, striped collar."
    "Ah," sighed Amalia. "So it begins."
    * * *
    "We must find Peli." Harte and Griff were at the bar in the Ragged Crow, half empty mugs in front of them.
    Harte spoke urgently. "I don't dare bring the case forward, until we have him safe. He will have to testify, or we will have to find other witnesses. But if it was Brin that threatened him and I made an accusation now, I'd surely put him into jeopardy."
    "Do you want me to go to Greer House for the cloak?"
    "No, we need better evidence before I can go to a magistrate to get a warrant--even if the magistrate turns out to be my father." He murmured to himself. "Especially if it turns out to be my father. No, we have to find Peli. Then we have to get another witness, before we can proceed. And it's imperative that Brin not know what we're about, or he'll destroy the cloak. Pray he did not see me in the hallway."
    Griff drained his his mug. "What do you want me to do?"
    "Take this note to the Red Rooster. Give it to the barkeep. Round up a troop of your friends from the watch and have them meet us in front of the Red Rooster at eleven bells." He aimed a grin at his friend. "Tell them to wear their browns."
    Griff frowned. "What are you doing to do? We toe a narrow rail on Dock Street. If you upset the balance--"
    "I'll be careful." Harte raised a figure in the direction of the barkeep. When the barkeep slid a fresh mug into place he took a long pull. "I'm must speak to Sister Grace again."
    "Better you than I," Griff challenged in his gaming voice.
    Harte raised his eyebrows and looked down his nose. "I, better than you."
    "You are my better."
    Harte smirked. "I claim to better you--by a length."
    "An unsubstantiated claim."
    "A substantial claim."
    "A claim which had better wait for another place."
    "Better not Grace's place," said Harte.
    "Not a claim to place at Grace's place."
    Harte laughed. "Peace, friend, you have bettered me! Please go deliver that note. I must think."
    Griff