P163 of Peace Talks - Who Do You Think The Carpenters New Neighbour Is.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

The man in the flannel shirt getting his newspaper really doesn’t like Harry, glowering at him, and yet as far as we know this neighbour hasn’t yet met Harry (which is the normal cause).

There is a clue I believe in something he is wearing, at a strange part of the day and inside the house (no gentleman would, so that is at least established)

Thoughts please and why he his there.

[Arjan]

Might be Molly’s crew. They do not necessarily like the assignment.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

My thought, but a particular member of Molly’s retinue, given the job as a punishment, who we know is still around from later in PT and has particular hatred of Harry.

[Mira]

  Jealousy perhaps?  Or it is an act, if he seemingly knew Harry and was friends with him, Charity in particular might suspect that something was out of order.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

He wears a red ball cap.

[ClintACK]

It seems likely -- particularly since he shows up later, in Molly's official entourage at the Peace Talks.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

His punishment, to lead the security detail on the Carpenters, where he has to watch Harry Dresden the author of his misfortune come and go, indefinitely.

If I were the Redcap, and Dresden figures it out, expect a flaming fudge pie on your doorstep and all sorts of annoying little pranks courtesy of the Za Guard on a daily basis.

[ClintACK]

I'd bet not.

Harry's got a nasty sense of humor when it comes to people who scare him a bit, and ordinarily that would be right up his alley -- but not when it comes to someone who's standing guard over his little girl.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Ah, but they have to keep doing it despite any pranks. Harry would justify it to himself that he is maintaining the Redcaps state of alertness, which is good for the protection detail.