Parry had one question more important than any other: was the barkeep part of the shakedown? He hoped against it with all his heart, but luck was not on his side.

When he pushed through the doors with little Sean in hand, the man practically leaped to greet him.

"Ah, sir, you look tired from the road, perhaps a nice place to rest? We have the best rooms in Fishmouth, I even have a vacancy. Perhaps you and your sister? Half rate for children, of course."

Inside, Parry frowned. Was it too much to expect restraint, let alone subtlety? The fellow was practically shoving them into his nice warm oven for a good roasting.

Outside, a great big smile, a look of relief, gratitude. "Why, how kind and generous of you, we are very tired, my sister and I, and hungry too, maybe a meal before we retire?"

Might as well put something in Sean's belly. That would be more payment than the girl could expect, if this "gang" were as naive as they seemed. A few moments and a coppers exchanged and the two were guided carefully to the sole room on the ground floor (of course) near the back exit (of course). At least they had a cloth full of bread and cheese to enjoy before the robbing commenced.

Sean held on to him the whole time and would not meet the eyes of the keeper. When the door closed, she turned her face up, eyes at least dry. He took back his hand, and without a word she went right to the small stool in the dark corner. Parry struck a light and set the oil lamp burning, putting it right back on the window sill where it belonged.

"Almost sundown. When you're sure I'm asleep, you blow out the lamp as a signal? The back door will be open for the mean people in the alley. Hmm?"

The girl nodded, looking at the bread and cheese. Hard to fault her, it's likely her handlers kept her hungry to save coin and to make her look all the more wretched. He undid the bundle and handed her the contents.

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"Go on. Fill up. I had my meal already. It's fine. I'm going to check on something, just across the hall, I'll be right back. Okay?"

She nodded with cheeks full of cheese.

Parry stepped into the hall, immediately catching the eye of the barkeep, who had line-of-sight on the door from his perch.

No easy outs the front way, Parry thought. And by now the back will have many eyes on it, as well as the room's lone window. At least they aren't that sloppy.

"Just a bucket of water?" he asked of the man, who was already frowning. The mark wasn't supposed to do anything off script. Even this was too much. "Little girls fall down a lot, my sister is wearing too much road."

"Yes, little girls fall down all the time," the fellow was agreeable in a way that made Parry's skin crawl. But he at least got a pail from the kitchen and let his guest have it, relieved to see him back in his room.

There was a look of apology on Sean's face, she had eaten all the bread and cheese, even the rind. But she hadn't gone through his pack. He set the bucket down without sloshing out the water, then sat on the rickety cot.

"We'll be gone soon, safe and sound," he said in his most reassuring tone. "But I need to know where to take you and what might be waiting for you. Are things really bad at home?"

The girl hesitated, pretending to chew more than she needed to buy some time. Trust? Maybe. When her answers finally came they barely rose above whispers, her eyes darting constantly to the window.

"They have to tell the man I did okay or they hit Daddy."

Parry nodded understanding, keeping frustration out of his voice. It'd be simpler if she were just a runaway or escaping some awful foster house. At the end, there was no sense returning her to "Daddy" if he was obligated to pawn her again.

"Is home in Baronston?" She nodded, and to Parry that made sense, as Fishmouth was too small for no one to know the girl.

He went over to his pack and feigned rummaging around.

"Alright, Styak, your turn. Meow and purr and maybe let her squeeze you a bit if she must, she's had a rough time."

"You owe me for this."

Seemingly out of his bag, Parry produced a calico kitten which he carefully handed to the girl.

"His name is Styak, and he's a very good cat, and he wants to play with you. Will you hold Styak for me?"

Her eyes got enormous and in moments she had the fluffy little demon in a tight embrace.

"She's filthy!"

"I hadn't noticed. Now keep her quiet and entertained, I have to draw up a plan."