Heart of Stone (29 page)

“Some would look down on us,” Dexter would say, “but this is our way. We take from those who have. We are the have-nots of New Orleans and this is our due.”

But no one lives forever, especially in a city plagued by war and yellow fever. As Dexter Grande grew older, the young men of the tribe became harder to control and were told to leave. Apoplexy brought Dexter down at the ripe old age of sixty-five, and without him, what was left of their tribe quickly scattered.

“It worked for Dexter, why not me?” Terrance speculated. “Just ‘cause Dexter died doesn’t mean we can’t start a new tribe and run the same games.”

Maddie turned on him. “Look around. We don’t live in New Orleans anymore.”

She didn’t want to think about moving back to the city. For the most part the twins were never around and she was alone, which suited her just fine. There were no reminders of her own losses here, only the gentle, healing sound of the water lapping against the dock and the hush of the wind through the lacy cypress.

He was at the table now, lifting the jug to his lips. He took a couple of deep draughts, set the jug down, and swiped the back of his hand across his lips.

“Just because I haven’t started a new tribe yet, that don’t mean it might not happen sooner or later. Right now though, I’m thinking bigger than that.”

He nodded at the sleeping child on the cot. “Why should we waste time havin’ her dance for a dollar or two on the street when there’s real money to be had?”

“You tell me,” Lawrence said. It was one of his favorite sayings. Terrance always obliged.

Terrance’s eyes glittered, lit by greed. “One word. Reward. Easy money and lots of it from the look of her.”

Maddie’s heart still hadn’t settled. She didn’t know which would be worse, hiding the child until they could collect a reward or contemplating the start of a new tribe.

One thing she knew for certain, this was no orphaned street urchin needing shelter. This child belonged to someone wealthy. This child would be missed.

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