„Quite an outfit,“ Benson was saying, looking at Rob's costume.
„Well, I wanted to fit in,“ Rob said, looking sheepish.
„Oh, I understand,“ Benson said. „When in Rome. Wish you'd warned me it was going to be like this; I could have gotten a costume myself.“
„Oh, you can rent one, very inexpensively,“ Eileen put in. „Mrs. Waterston, the festival organizer, had her dress shop run up dozens, so people who get here and want to join in the fun can do just that.“
„Really,“ Benson said. Why did I suspect he wasn't all that thrilled at the idea of renting a costume?
„Yes, what a good idea,“ I said. „Rob, why don't you take him along to the costume rental shop?“
„Uh… yes, thanks,“ Benson said, looking resigned. „I'll do that. Before we do, Rob, I just wanted to ask – “
„How is it going, anyway?“ Michael said, drawing me aside.
„Not bad,“ I said. „Getting a lot of commissions, assuming they don't all fall through.“
„I doubt that,“ he said. „My unit alone wants enough ironwork to keep you busy for a couple of months. Bayonets, swords, buckles, things I don't even know the names of.“
„I could get to like your unit,“ I said. „If someone in it would learn to cook edible period food, I could love it.“
„I had no idea you knew how to make all that reproduction hardware – I mean you do, don't you?“
„Most of it, yes; or I can figure it out,“ I said. „I've already done a lot of period medical instruments for dad, you know. And if I need help, I can always ask Faulk. If he doesn't know how, he'll know who does.“
„Faulk again,“ Michael said, his good mood evaporating. „I'm sorry, but I'm really getting tired of hearing about Faulk all the time.“
„Michael,“ I said, with exasperation. „You can't possibly be jealous of Faulk.“
„Why not?“ he said. „Ever since he got back from California, it's Faulk this and Faulk that – “
„Language, young man!“ chirped a gray-haired colonial dame, rapping Michael smartly on the head with a folded-up fan.
„I hear more about Faulk than I do about your family,“ Michael went on, but in a slightly lower voice.
He was exaggerating, of course; but I didn't think it would help things to say so.
„Well, I have been working very hard on my swordsmithing for the last six months,“ I said instead. „And he's the one who's helping me.“
„And did you have mis burning ambition to become a swordsmith before he turned up doing it?“ Michael demanded.
„Michael, Faulk is no threat to you. Not only has he been in a serious relationship for several years, he's – “
„Do you mind?“ Michael snapped, suddenly. For a second, I thought he'd snapped at me, and I froze in astonishment. Then I realized he was looking over my shoulder. I turned to see Wesley Hatcher lurking just within earshot, notebook in hand. Wesley must have sidled gradually closer, until he could overhear what we were arguing about.
„Trouble in paradise, kids?“ he said, with a snicker. „Don't mind me; just pretend I don't exist.“
„I usually do,“ I said, pointedly turning my back. „Look, Michael, let's talk about this later. Just come with me to see Faulk; I'll fill you in on the way.“
Michael sighed, and was opening his mouth to reply when –
„Thief! Miserable, low-down thief!“
I whirled and strode back toward our booth. I could see several other crafters heading our way. Crafters take theft alarms very seriously. For many of us, running on tight budgets, with a big part of our capital tied up in stock, it didn't take much shoplifting to turn a weekend craft fair from a profitable venture into a financial disaster. I was relieved to see that the people like Amanda who were running their booths solo weren't leaving them, in case the real thief was lurking to strike while a confederate cried „Wolf!“ nearby.
I even saw one of the watchmen. Good. Let the Anachronism Police do something useful for a change.
But when I reached the booth, I was surprised to find Tad giving the alarm. He'd knocked his own wig askew and was shaking his fist at Benson.
„What are you missing?“ the watchman was asking Eileen.
„I'm not missing anything,“ she said. „He just got here.“
„Don't be silly,“ I said, pointing to Benson's slender briefcase. „Do you really think that thing would hold very much pottery or wrought iron?“
Although I confess, I did glance at the table to make sure my dagger was still there.
„Tad,“ I asked. „Where did you spot him stealing?“