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As the mayor and sheriff pulled at the wailing Lizzy, she tapped on Grace’s foot. Confused, Grace did the only thing she could think. She lifted the toe of her shoe. Lizzy slid something under it and then let the officials pass her to a patrolman. She kicked and howled as they carried her away.

Grace tried not to show the flare of anxious excitement racing through her. She stood stoic, making sure no one came to investigate where Lizzy had been. Finally, when she believed enough time had passed and no one seemed to be watching, she lifted her toe and placed it to the side, glancing down as unobtrusively as she could manage.

On the platform was a piece of parchment with three numbers and a word written on it.

1 2 3 duck.

Grace slowly placed her foot back over the note.

1 2 3 duck. What did that mean? She scanned the crowd but didn’t see anything.

Whatever it meant, though, it was important. Lizzy had taken a risk getting her that note. But Grace wasn’t the only one in danger. She looked over at Garrick until she got his attention. None of the mayor’s supporters were watching. Grace took a chance. She flicked her eyes at her hand. Garrick looked down. She signed 1, then 2, then 3.

He looked at her and mouthed “Now?”

She shook her head the barest amount, then looked out at the crowd and back at Garrick, flicked her eyes down again, and pointed at her foot. She moved her toe and hoped he could see the message.

He looked down and nodded. She covered the note.

Garrick smiled at her, and slowly, as imperceptibly as he could, looked to his right, where Russell stood.

Grace didn’t know how he’d pass on the message without the note, but she didn’t dare try to pass the parchment.

She strained to think of something she could do, but in the end, she decided to trust Lizzy and continue watching the crowd.

The volume in town square rose. People stared at them, some with horror, others with vicious glee. Many parents held their children close, trying to shield them from the sight, but the children, unclear why their parents were concerned, fought them.

Out the corner of her eye, Grace saw Willa standing near the front, but far enough back that she wasn’t immediately noticeable, especially with her height. Her parents weren’t with her. A bit more searching revealed them to be in similar positions, one near the right of the platform, the other in the middle.

Next, Grace saw the Tuckers. All five of the brothers stood with massive arms crossed and matching scowls, each near the porch of the closest homes, removed from the majority of the gathered crowd.

Lizzy was now near Frank. Still crying, though softly. Her mother held her.

The mayor climbed to the platform, standing between Garrick and Russell, between the two nooses. James took up a position on the ground just in front of the mayor—Sheriff Clairmont’susual spot. The sheriff paced near the corner of the platform, glowering.

“Citizens!” Mayor Nautin’s voice boomed from the stage. “Today I have quite the reveal for you. For years I’ve tried to warn against the dangerous Rogue. Rumors of defiance have swarmed during the last month. But I knew better. He wasn’t here to help you, but to destroy everything you love.”

As the mayor spoke, he stepped to Garrick and yanked him forward.

Murmurs and cries of surprise sounded from the crowd.

“Your leader has been none other than Garrick Clairmont, son of my most devoted follower. Or so I thought.”

The mayor motioned and patrolmen seized Sheriff Clairmont, who cursed and spluttered in fury.

More cries of surprise sounded.

“Clearly, the Clairmonts have been deceiving us all. As you will remember, Gustav Clairmont rose to his position because he showed his loyalty by catching and turning in the Rogue of the past. Yet now, it seems clear that he simply framed a peasant for his own traitorous behavior. This Rogue claims to want good for the people, but really, all he wants is something for himself.”

People were getting angry, and even calling for Garrick’s death.

“No!” The cry came from Grace’s mouth before she realized she’d said it.

The guard poked her with the knife. “Quiet.” But what really kept her still and silent was the serious, tearless glare Lizzy leveled at her before resuming her soft sobs once again.

The mayor continued his rant. “And Grace Robbins was his accomplice!”

A mix of anger and confusion met this declaration. Grace heard a number of people muttering about the mayor’s claim that he’d seen her battling the men masquerading as the Rogue.