Pigeon Blood Prologue Page 3

Henry shrugged. "They are not right."

The boy was determined, their wrongness instinctive and obvious to him. Chaim shook his head, returning the stones to his pocket. That broke the spell holding Henry’s attention. He wondered to the front room window, and looked out at the street beyond.

"How could he know?" Uncle Sharett muttered to himself.

Anna was confused. "Know what Chaim?"

"Except for the ruby the stones are flawed, but how did he know?"

Anna and her brother looked to the boy, who was absorbed watching the neighborhood kids play stick ball in the street.

Chaim came to a decision, instructing his sister,

"Anna, when the time comes, send Henry to mein Amsterdam."

* * *

In addition to the highborn neighbors and notable house guests, the shooting party at Dee Manor included the Marquis; his ten year old son and heir; the Marquis brother, who was His Majesty’s Commercial Attache to India; and the eight year old daughter of the Manor. The Marquis was coaching his son with a steady, monotonous voice. The heir appeared uncomfortable, and put upon.

"Center the front blade in the notch of the rear sight, son. Now level the blade with the top of the rear sight, and squeeze the trigger."

The boy closed his eyes and jerked, pulling the .22 caliber Webley Revolver completely off the target. The bang so startled him, he dropped the pistol.