It was noon, and Drake had overslept. He gathered the paperwork for the acquisition of William's property, groomed himself, and rushed into the inn's lobby.

He saw a boy sweeping the floor and offered him coins to look after his steed. Drake planned to sell the horse in New Iberia. It had to be well-cared for.?

Exiting the inn, Drake strolled toward William's tavern; it wasn't long before he was pushing past its swinging doors. The place was almost empty, except for ...