Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 431

Ty Odo staggered away from the docks—no, not out of defeat, but out of sheer fatigue.  His head ached and sweat clung to his ebony brow, making him both alarmingly hot and sharply cold at once.  For a moment, just a moment, he thought perhaps that he had succumbed to the Yellow Jack like Mrs. Cage had.  His fatigue turned to alarm and he ran his grimy fingers across his thick gums.  No, they weren’t bloody.

Odo forced himself to laugh.  Where would he go?  He held in his mind—like a lozenge of comfort—the image of Marjani eyes and the awareness therein that he could still cause damage to all of them.  That lozenge grew as he walked and, soon, his weariness was transformed into something far greater than alarm—determination.

But, how?  Where would he go?  He couldn’t go back to Mr. Cage.  Surely the man would have him killed.  Or would he?  Mr.  Cage didn’t know what Odo had been about during the last few hours.  

Still, it was risky.  His master might blame Odo for failing to secure the child. 

Marie?  Could he go to Marie?  He had failed her, too.  She helped him get the child from Mama Routhe.  She told him that if he followed her directions, they would both get what they wanted.  He could be a hero to his master and she could…she could.  What would she get?  She very much wanted the Duke to go to her.  That was what she had asked.  She was so certain that he would come.  Odo hadn’t thought they’d send a valet in his place.  Marie probably hadn’t thought of it either.

Odo imagined Gerry running toward Marie Laveau’s house.  There was no way he could catch the man.  He was younger, healthier than Odo.  Odo licked his thick lips and then frowned.  Marie wasn’t going to be too thrilled when that wild-bearded Gerard knocked on her door asking for Mrs. Routhe.

Then, suddenly, Odo had an idea.  There was one person who could bring it all together for him.  She was just as desperate as he, and surely just as wicked.  Odo clapped his hands for his own amusement and walked in the direction where he thought he’d be most likely to find the Duke’s undoing. 

Did you miss Chapters 1-430?  If so, you can read them here.