Punch's Cousin, Chapter 58

The professor laughed. “I outweigh the both of ya--together. Do ya really think you could lick me?”


“I don’t need brute strength,” Robert smiled, removing a pistol from the breast pocket of his coat. “Not when I have this.”

“Here!” Punch cooed, “Where’d you get that, Chum?”

“It’s Cecil’s.” Robert said, pointing the pistol at the professor. He looked at the man called Zeke, “Get over there by your companion!”

Zeke did as instructed.

“Now, now, Doctor.” The Professor smiled. “We don’t want no trouble.”

“What is it you’re wantin’ then?” Mr. Punch frowned. “You come here for somethin’. Not gonna get me chum, Naasir. Not gonna bother me family no more.”

“You’re both barmy!” The professor spat. “You’re both mad!”

“If I am mad,” Robert narrowed his eyes, “I come by it quite naturally. And, if I am mad, I don’t suppose I have any idea what I’m doing. So, killing you won’t be difficult for me at all.”

Mr. Punch hooted. “Well, then, this is turnin’ out to be kind o’ a bit o’ fun, after all. Which one will ya shoot first, me chum?”

“The big one.” Robert growled. “I want the other one to watch him die.”

“Coo!” Mr. Punch chuckled. “Didn’t know ya had it in ya, Mate.”

“Barkin’ mad—the lot of ya.” The professor stammered.

“Am I?” Robert smiled. “Is it madness to protect my family? Don’t you think that threatening women and children is much more a sign of madness than my fraternal affection? Perhaps it is you, ‘Professor,’ who is mad.”

Footsteps thundered through the corridor behind them as Cecil bounded into the nursery. “Robert, dear boy, stop.”

Cecil was followed by Gros Chidi and his son, Ty Chidi and another man that they’d yet to meet. “Just let the boys take these two men out of here.” Cecil said slowly.

“And, have them return with more threats? And, have them inflict more pain on Adrienne? And, let them burn Naasir? And, allow them to harm my…Julian. And, let them bring uncertainty to your son?” Robert hissed frantically.

“What would you have me do, Brother? Allow you to kill these men in my son’s nursery?” Cecil whispered.

Robert lowered the pistol. “Take them before I change my mind.”

“Chidi!” Cecil snapped. “You and the boys show these men to La Rue de la Colline Cramoisie and escort them all the way down the hill.”

“If I ever see you again,” Robert raised the pistol, “either of you—I’ll make sure you’re filled with holes.”

Chidi and the others pushed The Professor and Zeke from the room.

“Give me my pistol.” Cecil said firmly.

Robert handed the weapon to his brother.

“How you found this is beyond me.” Cecil shook his head.

“You always keep a pistol in the top shelf of the bookcase in your study. Behind the books on Bernini.”

“I’m going to follow the men down the hill.” Cecil said quickly. “Adrienne and Fuller are safe with Gamilla. I want both of you to go out back to my studio and wait for me there.”

“I’m sorry, Cecil.” Robert sighed.

“For protecting my family?” Cecil smiled. “Never apologize for that. Just try to keep your wits about you.”

“I think he done perfect!” Mr. Punch whooped. “Showed me he’s got the guts what’s needed to be the champion he claimed he was.” Punch looked at Robert with great admiration and affection. “Liked you for a long time, I did. Trusted you, too. But, now, Chum, I respect you.”

Robert smiled. “Thank you, dear Punch.”

“Go on, then, both of you.” Cecil said sternly. “Mr. Punch, on the table in my studio is something for you. I stayed up most of the night working on it. It isn’t painted yet. But, you’ll know exactly what it is.”

“Somethin’ fer me?” Punch asked.

“Yes, a gift to show my gratitude to you for loving my family.” Cecil said. “Now, I’d best make sure those men are off of my land.”

With that, Cecil hurried down the passage.

“I’m proud of ya, Chum.” Mr. Punch smiled.

“I’m not so very proud.” Robert shook his head. “I don’t know what got into me. I’m usually so much more level-headed. I don’t know what possessed me to get Cecil’s pistol this morning. I just had a feeling I’d need it.”

“Glad you did,” Punch nodded Julian’s head. “Only, you don’t think maybe you got your own Mr. Punch inside you what made you think to do it?”

“No.” Robert smiled. “You’re the only Mr. Punch around here. There’s only one of me.”

“For the best,” Punch grinned. “Can’t really recommend it, what. No, it’s a bit confusin’ bein’ more than one fella at a time. ‘Sides, everyone only needs the one Mr. Punch, and I’m it.”

“You are, most assuredly, it.” Robert smiled. “Come along. Let’s do as Cecil said. I’m sure we’ll get a stern talking to. It’s his prerogative as eldest brother.”

“Fine, but then can we go to the Rittenhouse place what’s got Lady Barbara?” Punch asked as they walked.

“Yes, but remember, we need…”

“I know.” Mr. Punch groaned. “A map so’s we don’t make a mess a things. I know.”

Together, they walked out of the house—after checking on Adrienne and Fuller once more—and toward Cecil’s studio. A large brick building with rows of windows, Cecil’s studio stretched gracefully through a grove of huge oak trees, creating an L-shape which mimicked the lines of the main house.

“Kinda nice in here, in’t.” Mr. Punch smiled when they entered the building. “All bright and cheerful with lots a windows what he can see out of. And, look at all the statue folk. Marble and metal. Clay! Coo, hope he talks to ‘em.”

“I’m sure he does.” Robert nodded.

“Good, cuz I don’t…” Punch paused, pointing to the table in the center of the room. “Here!”

“What is it?” Robert coughed.

“Right there!” Punch pointed wildly. “It’s me head!”

Robert looked at the table. Amidst a pile of wood shavings and sawdust was a figure of Mr. Punch—not as he looked in Julian’s body—but as he once looked when he sat in the cabinet at Fallbridge Hall.

“Aint’ got no color on it. But, I can see, it’s me head! That’s me nose and me chin!” Punch whooped. “Brother Chum made me head!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-57? If so, you can read them here.