The thought had occurred to him that it might be prudent to keep the other man around. They hadn't been bothered by the locals since they'd started talking. He was confident it was in no small part the fact that the man was holding a lantern. With Richard's current stipend he didn't feel it prudent to waste money like that.

"I wouldn't mind the company if it isn't out of your way." There was a larger part of him that hated the idea of relying on this stranger for help. It was as if he were some damsel in distress. If Alex ever heard about it (which she never would) he would never live it down. "Dr. Richard Strand."