Episode TEN

Without hiding anything, Ellie responds, “Well that brawl of his almost cost a young girl’s life and her father’s. I’m sheltering a Lillianne Ruthann and her father Bill at my home.”

“Aye, so brash ol’ robin Robert is now going after little girls, eh? Reckon you’ll want to speak to the Sheriff.” Mister Beckett retorts.

Nodding her head, “It’s on my to-do list of objectives this morning.”

Shaking his head Jake responds, “Pity…he’s out visiting relatives for the week over in…err…Sandel I think.”

Pulling the reins, Elouise halts the wagon and helps Mister Beckett down while shaking her head in doubt, “Well I guess the coroner will have to do, he also killed three traveling companions of my two guests. One was the stage coach driver; the other two I think Lillianne said they were patrol officers?”

Pointing his finger at Ellie sternly, “If they were being escorted, then you got yourself a nobleman on your hands. Best to tread lightly with that mouth of yours…speaking those innovative details. Might label you as a lunatic.” Holding his arms out laughing, “Like me!”

Brushing aside his comment Ellie replies, “Have a lovely day Mister Beckett.”
            “Aye, and you the same Miss Rosie. Thank ye again for the ride, my ol’ knees thank ye too.” Tapping his cane against his legs, he saunters off slowly.

As Elouise continues her trek into town further, more and more people start to follow behind, greeting her in joyful conversation. Soon after she arrives at the front of the tavern, several employees meet her and start to unload her goods. The inn keeper, from across the street, Missus Benson welcomes Elouise back into town and she is looking forward to a hug to which Ellie gives happily.

Elouise chuckles out and embraces her, “Of course, I have a hug for you Kae”

            “My goodness gracious child, you’ve lost more weight than last time.” Putting her hands on her broad hips, “Those children are eating you out of house and home, aren’t they?”

            Both women laugh heartfully before Ellie includes, “Well with two more mouths to feed, it’s getting tight, but it’s still manageable, besides I come bearing gifts.” Spreading her arms, she begins to explain what all she has brought for this week’s exchange between the inn and tavern.

            “Well, everything seems in order,” pulling out a sizable coin purse from her bosom, “Here is what you are owed for the inn purchase, and Mister Lewis is almost ready to pay you for the tavern purchase. After he…Puts. Down. His. Ale!” Crossing her arms in a huff, “I tell ya lass, never get married to a drunkard.” Putting her hand on Ellie’s arm as she begins to turn away, “By the way Rosie, did I hear you correctly. You have two more mouths to feed? Did you find two more wee little orphans?”

            “Oh no I haven’t. Though one is a child. Poor things name is Lillianne Ruthann. Her and her father got mugged by Robert, night after last and seriously injured the father. Nearly drowned in the river.”

            Gasping in surprise, Kae Benson holds her chest, “A child? He never goes after fathers with children, he’s downright becoming savage! That man needs a good speaking with the Lord.”

“The nerve of that man, and why he’s protected by Paynel is beyond me.” Lewis who has been overhearing everything interjects his surprise as well. He walks with a sway back into the tavern to grab the payment for Ellie. One of his employees meets him at the door and hands it to him.

            Nodding her head, Ellie responds, “I agree my dear.” Turning to Lewis as he hands her another sizeable coin purse. “Thank you darling. Oh, Kae my dear…” Pulling out the letter that Lillianne needs sent, “…could you see to it this letter is delivered, here’s some coin to pay for a horse and man.”

“Will do Love.” Kae replies taking the letter and coin in hand.

Ellie hops up on the wagon and sets in motion Agnes and Myrtle, “Now I must be on the way I have plenty more to do and go. You folks take care now.”

Waving goodbye, she departs from the busy village square and heads to the next section of town. Needing to speak with the Sheriff isn’t going to happen this trip, but she still needs to let someone official know about the deaths Robert caused, that and so they can be laid to rest.

On the other side of town, Ellie finally halts the wagon in front of the coroner’s office and walks in. “Doctor Higgins, are you in?” Elouise rings the bell for service at the counter.

He shouts from a distance, “Aye, I am, just in the cellar. Who is it?”

Ellie starts answering, “It’s Rosie from…” but is cut off mid-sentence.

“ELLIE! I’ll be right up!” Shouting in glee Doctor John Higgins stumbles up the stairs in a quick huff, a few items fall to the floor in the next room as he comes through the doorway, “So nice to see you! What brings you out to my end of town?”

“Joseph and I came across a young girl and her father who was injured along the Wharfe River just north of the bridge close to my homestead. You remember where that’s at, right?”

“Aye I do, quite the trek to get up there. Did the father not make it?” John Higgins asks, pondering what she’s here for.

“So far, he’s making it, just still unconscious. Took quite a beating and put up a fight. It’s just that they had three other traveling companions who, upon investigation, were found dead. Could you and a few lads round up the bodies and give them a proper burial. I’ll pay for the expenses.” Ellie’s asks holding up a tithes amount of coin for each dead man.

“Poor lads. Must have drowned I assume, what with all the rain we’ve been getting lately, the river must have been torrential.” He accepts the payment and writes up a receipt.

“I wish I could say that, but no, their throats were slit. Cowl was most likely the attacker as it was a nobleman and his daughter who they were safeguarding.” Ellie says.

Looking astonished Doctor Higgins questions, “With a child? Are you sure it was that robin bastard? Just the father being a nobleman I can believe, but he usually doesn’t attack if there’s children present.”

Nodding her head, Elouise replies, “I’m almost certain of it, and Mister Beckett, I just talked to this morning, confirmed my suspicions as he saw Robert in the tavern all beat to hell as if he was in a brawl around the same timeline as when Lillianne said the attack happened.”