Chapter 39-- The Cat is out of the Bag

Ben turned as the door to the barn creaked. He smiled at the figure in the door. “Jack! It’s good to see you. Do come in.”
The red-haired boy sauntered in, grinning. “Good morning, Ben. How are you?”
“Well, thanks. How are you?
“Well, thank you.”
“It’s only been a week since we saw you last. Does General Washington always keep you this busy?”
“Not usually, but there’s a lot going on in the camp. He needs messages sent.”
“Any for the Shadow Fox?”
Jack shook his head. “This is merely a social call.”
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by, because I have a message for you.”
Robyn strode in, carrying an empty milk pale. She ignored Jack and perched on the stool by the cow.
“Really, what’s the message?”
“The Shadow Fox would like to enlist your aid.”
Robyn shot him a glare around the cow.
“Really? He’s dismounting his high horse to ask me for help?”
“He can’t ignore the fact he needs your help.”
Robyn growled beneath her breath. The cow swiveled her head to eye the girl thoughtfully.
“So he won’t even ask me himself?”
“It’s too dangerous for him to parade around in broad daylight.”
“Oh. I’m sorry I thought ill of him. I’ll be happy to help.”
Ben grinned. “Good. There’s a spy in the camp.”
Jack’s eyebrows rose. “But we haven’t heard of a spy.”
Ben nodded. “He’s very clever. However, we’ve have information stating that he is a boy. How old, we’re not sure. We need your help to figure out who he is. The Shadow Fox already has a plan to deal with him. However, this spy is currently putting the Shadow Fox in great danger. I’m worried he might aid in the Shadow Fox’s capture before we can catch him.”
“So you want me to keep an eye on all the youths in the camp?” He whistled. “That’ll be interesting. Sure, I’ll do it.”
“Excellent.”
“So, now that I’m in league with the Shadow Fox, do I get know his name?”
Ben shook his head. “Very few know who he is. It’s safer that way.”
“You know his name.”
“Of course. He’s my best friend. How could I not?”
Robyn strode by with a full milk pale.
“Here, Miss Rivers. Let me carry that for you.”
“I have it.”
Jack took it from her hands. “Please, let me carry that.”
She huffed and marched to the house. He strode along next to her.
“May I call you Robyn?”
“If you are so inclined.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Aye.”
“Why don’t you like me?”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” She pushed the door to the kitchen open. “You can set it on the counter, there.”
Chaplen looked up from his newspaper. Thanks to Robyn’s nurturing, his cold had left him several days before. He took a sip of tea, watching them thoughtfully.
“Really, why don’t you like me?”
“I never said that I didn’t.”
“No, but you’re acting like it.”
“You’re too full of yourself.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
Just then, Captain Long burst in. “Agent Chaplen, sir! Washington’s going to attack Boston!”
Chaplen choked on his tea. “He’s going to do what?!”
Long nodded. “Attack, sir! General Howe’s just heard it from his spy!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“No, sir, he could do it.”
“Has Howe alerted the town?”
“No, sir. It’s to be kept a secret that only we know.”
Both men turned to look at Jack and Robyn.
“If either of you tells so much as a cat, I will put you both in the stocks, understand?” Chaplen growled.
Robyn blinked at him. “Tells a cat what, sir?”
Chaplen sighed. Why had he even bothered to tell her? “You, then,” he said pointing at Jack.
“I’m loyal to his majesty, sir.”
Chaplen narrowed his eyes at the lad. “I doubt it.
Jack shrugged. “Well, I’ll see you around, Robyn.”
“Good day, Jack,” she replied coolly.
~~~~~
The Shadow Fox, Ben, Sovay, Jacob, Alice, and Patriot all sat on hay bales later that night.
“But we didn’t see any lad come in besides that Jack fellow.” Jacob sighed. “Maybe he’s not really a lad.”
“Or, he’s not coming in person,” Sovay suggested.
“I agree with Sovay.” Alice and Sovay had been agreeing on a lot of things lately.
“But that would mean he’s using someone else,” the Shadow Fox interjected.
“Maybe there’s a farmer loyal to the king who’s bringing in messages for him.” Jacob suggested.
“Or maybe, he meets a Redcoat at a certain time outside the gates,” Ben commented.
There was a mumble of agreement amongst the group. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
“No need to sit around worrying. Jack Richards is on the job. He’ll shed some light on the subject for us.” Sovay grinned.
Everyone mumbled their agreement, except for the Shadow Fox.
~~~~~
Several days passed before they saw Jack again. He sauntered into the barn late one night. Robyn was inside, grooming Midnight.
Jack grinned. “Good to see you, little one!”
Robyn tugged the hood. “Salutations. What brings you here?”
“Well, Ben gave me your message about helping out, so I’ve been helping.”
“Any leads?” she asked as if she wasn’t the least bit interested.
“Aye. I’ve got my eye on this one lad, Thomas Brown. He’s a drummer boy of about your age with blonde hair. He slips away from camp a lot, and I caught him eavesdropping on two officers. I’m sure you heard about General Washington’s plans to attack the city?”
“I was caught by surprise. He didn’t even warn me.”
“Apparently, it was to be a great secret. However, the spy heard it and tattled.”
“Hmm.”
He shrugged. “Well, that’s what I have right now. I’ll see you around, little one.”
“Thank you for your aid.”
“Anytime, little one, anytime.”
The Shadow Fox watched him go, glaring at him from beneath her hood. She did not appreciate being called “little one.”

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More Jack being annoying. Sigh. He's so annoying and lovable at the same time.
Sorry it's late.
Have a great week!