Chapter 5p1 – Lifesaver

Tic and Milly sat on stools in the back room of Haglyn's shot up and now abandoned pawn shop. Tic was slurping at a Saucy Wench, wincing with each mouthful but grateful for the numbing effects of the alcohol.

Haglyn entered with a heaping plateful of greasy bacon and plunked it down in front of them. "Eat up," she said.

"You're a lifesaver, Hagga," said Tic. "In more ways than one." He folded up two slices of bacon and set to chewing. Ah…

Milly idly tinked her fingernail against her glass.

"What's wrong, missy?" said Haglyn. "Never seen a man shot before?"

Milly's eyes clouded a little further.

"Don't let it bother you," advised Haglyn. "He was just one of Dunter's goons. Not worth battin' your eyelashes over."

"Is Mr. Dunter…" began Milly, but trailed off.

"Is he what?" prompted Haglyn.

"Well, evil?" said Milly. Haglyn threw back her head and laughed. Milly looked miffed.

"There's the word!" Haglyn wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Sorry, sweetie. I just haven't heard that word in years. You're on Haddock, dear. Didn't you know? We're all 'evil,' in one way or another. But Dunter's worse than most. Started out rotten and got worse. I still remember that day, twenty years ago, when he waltzed in here, stuffed some jewelry down his pants, and took off running! I took a shot at him that day, but I missed. Shame, too."

"That's horrible!" said Milly.

"I know!" said Hagyln. "And he went downhill from there."

"So why is he after Tic?"

"Blessed if I know," said Haglyn. "Bolter?"

Tic swallowed a mouthful of bacon. "Um…" What should he tell them? "I, er, stole his girlfriend?"

Haglyn burst out laughing again.

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