They found another bar where Puck still had some social credit and talked. Alfred was shrewd and subtle, but Puck could read between the lines. Albert was head butler to Lord Cantwell, which meant he had the run of the large estate here in the Gray City, but more importantly it meant he was trusted with secrets. State secrets even: Cantwell was one of the king’s closest allies and had recently returned from delicate negotiations with the leaders of a rival city. As a sign of good will, some of the crown jewels were traded, and were to be worn by either party at affairs of state. A symbolism to be sure, but such things were of enormous monetary value and usually locked away in a dungeon under the castle behind layers of walls and gates and armed men. Not to mention the jewels of the king were the subject of much art in the Gray City: if the miraculous theft was pulled off, not a one of the usual suspects would dare fence the merchandise. But the jewels of another royal, from a disliked city, stored casually in a duke’s mansion? Well, this was a juicy opportunity for the young Puck and the canny Albert.
“All this is music to my ears, Bert, hypothetically of course. But tell me why such a one as you is interested in my side of the law all of a sudden.”
“It is a matter of some personal insult.”
“You fell in love with some high born lady, dinya?”
“What? No! I never! Well, yes.”
“She snub you, didit’she?”
“Yes.”
Puck took a sympathetic sip from his drink and patted Albert on the back. “Ooo, it’s Cantwell’s daughter, isn’t it?”
“No! Ms Jessica is like a daughter to me. My love was rebuked by Lady Nesbitt.”
“Well, bert, you are a swell guy, I’m sure she’ll come around. But Cantwell does have a daughter, right?”
“Ms Jessica is his niece. And Lady Nesbitt was married today.”
Puck looked down at Albert’s formal attire and sucked air. “Eesh, and you had to attend in your role as Cantwell’s butler.”
“Indeed.”
“Well,” Puck had a gleam in his eye to match his wry smile, “I find a good heist is just the thing to cheer me up.”
“I am inclined to experiment with such a cure.”
“And who knows, maybe Jesse-”
“You go near Ms Jessica I will run you through.”
“Alright, just the jewelry then.”
They went into more detail as the night went on. Usually not a good idea when alcohol and crime are involved. But the young Puck was a professional, and the dour Albert was only as drunk as he wanted to be. They decided on a plan. A simple plan. A good plan. Albert knew about the vault in the sub-basement, and about the custom key that the Duke kept with him. Puck was confident that he could open the gates on his way in in such a way he could both get out and distract the Duke’s guards from searching the premises. And above all, they both were confident the Duke’s personal bodyguard, a deadly man who always kept two pistols loaded on his person, would never know they were up to ill. Shaking hands they went away to rest before the next night, the night of the heist.
