The Lost Prince Read Free Page B

the welcome would not be warm, I assure you.”
    Gentleman Jim leaned forward and rubbed his hands together. “Why do I get the feeling we’d never reach the island either way?”
    “Sir?”
    Gentleman Jim pushed the map back to Dean. “I know what this is, son. Either you have friends out there somewhere who would attack my ship off the coast of some godforsaken rock, or you’d rob me blind while I slept and set me adrift on the waves. Don’t let the fancy clothes fool you. I’m as much a pirate as any other man in this room. I know a con when I see it.”
    “Sir, it’s not like that. I swear on the—”
    “I’ll give you a bit of free advice, lad. If you’re interested, that is …”
    Dean slumped in his seat and let out a sigh. “I’m listening.”
    “Good. Smart boy.” Gentleman Jim took on the manner of a teacher with a lesson to impart. “You moved too fast with all of this. Your delivery had its moments, but overall it was over the top. You came to
me.
That’s no good. Better if you let the mark think he’s figuring the game out for himself. Even better if he thinks he’s figuring out something you don’t want him to know. And if you’re going to trade on this ‘lost son of Zenhala’ grift, you might as well say you’re the lost prince. You do know that part of the story, don’t you?”
    Dean nodded. “Everyone knows that story.”
    “Good.” Gentleman Jim leaned back and folded his arms. “Let’s hear it.”
    Dean looked at Gentleman Jim, who was waiting patiently for him to begin. The moment had the feel of an audition. He went along and told the tale, heavy on the theatrics:
    “Lots of ships have gone out looking for Zenhala over the years, but there’s only one whose crew ever lived to see its shores. A pirate ship with a bloodthirsty captain and a cutthroat crew. They fought their way across the Bermuda Triangle’s death-infested waters and made it all the way to the island—past sea serpents and squalls. When they got there, they stole every coin of the fabled golden harvest, but that wasn’t the most valuable treasure they took away with them. The pirate captain also took a hostage to cover his escape … the king and queen’s newborn son.”
    “And that’s you,” Gentleman Jim cut in. “From now on, you’re the lost prince, and the man who brings you home will earn himself a rich reward from your father, the king. This deckhand-on-a-trade-ship business …” He shook his head. “It doesn’t fly. Not enough there. Small bait won’t ever catch a big fish, understand?”
    Dean crumpled up his fraudulent map, unconvinced. “I always thought the lost prince con was a little hard to believe. It’s too much, don’t you think?”
    “No, I don’t. That’s a common mistake. You
want
to offer too much. Never underestimate what the promise of gold will make a man believe. Small dreams don’t have the power to move men. They have to be big. Remember that.”
    “Aye, sir.”
    “And next time, get yourself a decent map. That was terrible.”
    Dean nodded. “Aye, sir. Thank you, sir.” He stood up, dejected.
    Gentleman Jim sighed. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It wasn’t all bad. Just keep at it and you’ll get there. Better luck next time, eh?”
    Dean nodded and stood up from the table. A barmaid passed behind him, holding a tray filled with rum and grog. Dean turned to leave and walked right into the barmaid and her overloaded tray. The drinks spilled all over the pirates at the next table.
    “GAH!” A mountain of a man cried out as if he’d just been stabbed with a harpoon. He shot out of his seat, ready to do at least that much to the person responsible. “Who’s the dead man who just poured a plate of drinks down my back?”
    All eyes turned to Dean. He looked up, quivering, as the giant pirate peeled off his sopping-wet coat and stared him down, seething. The man towered over Dean. He was well over six feet tall and nearly three hundred pounds.