”He must have seen my start of surprise to learn that he had served in the army, for he smiled and said, with a face filled with pride.“I was a fu...rier what you might know as a company clerk, in the demi-brigade commanded by Colonel Blanchard during the campaign in Northern Italy,. I probably used my musket and bayonet more often than my quill and ink pot, as Colonel Blanchard expected all of his men to be ready to stand in the battle line.”A shadow passed over his face. “I thought my last hour. "Apology accepted. You didn't really insult me; you just told me what Iam. It doesn't change anything Elliot." Poppy folded her arms andlooked away from him."You ever wonder how they found out about Robert? How they knew youwere visiting him? How they knew where the safe house was?" Elliotchanged tack."Someone in law enforcement told them. Brett Mendelsohn kept carping onabout corruption and the need for secrecy," Poppy answered.The truth was that Poppy hadn't given much thought as to how. We get in the car. Dad drives to a restaurant. Uncle Charles orders a round of beers for the table. No one talks much over dinner.I wanna ask for the full details so bad my chest aches. But Peter said to shut up about it an' it's clear that neither he or Uncle Charles are happy about this.But it's killin' me. Finally, I can't help it. "So what?" Alex." Peter snaps just as Dad say, "Don't."I ignore them, "No seriously, so what? What, he just out the family? You an' Aunt Elizabeth gonna get a. Mr. Pearse, Im so sorry! she said again. Shut the fuck up, you little clumsy whore! He walked over and lifted her to her feet by her hair, slamming her against the wall behind her and grabbing her throat. He squeezed tightly but not to the point that she couldnt breathe at all. She gasped and grasped at his wrist, looking up at him with her big brown eyes in fear. You dont have the money to pay me back, slut. He hissed the words through clenched teeth and looked angrily down at her. At six.