The King of Hearts

The Situation-1

The SituationAfter the arraignment was over, I stood; Jonathan Diamond and Mr. Charles Hart focused on me at once. Today, Jon had no cane with him, which was always a good sign.

Mr. Hart, a portly man of seventy, took my hand in both of his and kissed it. “My dear girl, are you well?”

My head was pounding. I needed a drink. “As well as one might be, given the circumstances.” Retrieving my hand took a bit longer than normal. “And you?”

Jon grinned as I offered my hand for him to kiss.

Mr. Hart seemed flustered. “Of course, my dear. I’m perfectly well. I wished to offer my sincerest wishes for your success.”

He wished to offer wishes? I had to restrain myself to keep from laughing. “That’s kind of you.”

“Mr. Hart would like the honor of calling on you,” Jon said.

I shrugged. Mr. Hart couldn’t be serious. “If you can get into Spadros quadrant unmolested, by all means.”

At this, Mr. Hart chuckled. “While I appreciate your concern, I don’t believe that to be a problem.”

Why? Roy Spadros hated Charles Hart with passion. Would Roy really allow Mr. Hart to come into his quadrant?

The two guards and Mr. Pike stood waiting. The room was otherwise empty. “I’d hate to make these men wait. So if you’ll excuse me.” I winked at Jon when Mr. Hart wasn’t looking.

The guards brought me out to the steps, Mr. Pike following. Tony stood next to Mr. Trevisane, who spoke to a huge crowd of reporters. When the reporters saw us, they descended, notepads and pencils in hand.

Mr. Pike hurried up behind me. “Don’t say a word.”

I nodded, alarmed at this horde of men rushing towards me.

“Mrs. Spadros! Why haven’t you been at Spadros Manor?”

Mr. Pike said, “Mrs. Spadros was in the midst of remodeling her property when beset by these baseless accusations, and will remain there until this matter is settled, to oversee the work.”

I smiled, amused at his quick thinking.

“So you’re saying the allegations are false?”

“Entirely. One charge has already been dropped! The District Attorney should feel ashamed for wasting the city’s funds.”

I felt impressed. The man was a master at playing the truth.

“What about reports that Mrs. Spadros tried to flee the city?”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Pike said. “Mrs. Clubb hosted Mrs. Spadros at her hotel for a few days. If you’ll excuse us —” He led me away; the reporters scattered, scribbling on their notepads as they went.

Tony stepped in front of us. “I must speak with my wife.”

“By all means, sir.” Mr. Pike bowed, moving a few steps away.

Tony whispered, “I’m sorry for what I said back there.”

I shrugged: I wasn’t in the least bit sorry for what I said to him.

“You must come home, Jacqui. It’s urgent. You don’t know what’s happened since you left.” He seemed to struggle with himself. “Our quadrant is in turmoil. The men look to us for guidance. We can’t afford to look divided right now.”

“You mean you can’t afford that.” I pointed at his face. The blood spot had spread to the size of a nickel. “What happened?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Don’t tell me, then.”

“No one leaves the Family, Jacqui. No one. And you can’t stay at the apartments, no matter what story you’ve concocted.”

“Why not? I can do what I like with my property.”

Tony glanced to one side. A large group of people watched our exchange. His jaw tightened; his tone became laced with sarcasm. “Is it now? Is it really your property?”

“The deed’s in my name.”

“I paid the taxes. If not for me, you wouldn’t have it at all.”

“Fine.” I grabbed the money Amelia put in my pocket and threw it in his face. “I’ve repaid you in full and then some.”

Tony made no attempt to bat the coins away or collect the bills as they wafted along, although the bystanders scrambled after them. “I’ve decided to follow my father’s advice in this matter.”

I stared at him in shock. Tony had said many times he wanted nothing to do with Roy Spadros. What changed?

“My father may be many things, but he’s never betrayed me.”

That stung; I turned away. Roy Spadros had lied to Tony about a great many things, including letting Tony think he was his father. But saying that would only make matters worse.

Mr. Pike chuckled, taking my arm as we walked towards the carriage. “You do have a way about you.” The tone of his voice reminded me of what he said in his office the first time we met: where were you when I was thirty?

I shook my arm from his grasp, revolted. “f**k you.”

He stood silent, face amused, as the Court men escorted me to my carriage.

* * *

Amelia let me inside without a word, not meeting my eye. She moved stiffly as she served luncheon. “That’s the last of the food. I suppose you want me to do your shopping.”

I felt in my pocket — only a few coins remained. I handed them to her. “See what you can get with this. And get a newspaper.”

Once she left, I wandered my apartments. Little remained to show I once had tenants — a bit of trash, a doll under a bed.

I’d get new tenants, better ones. In the meantime, I had to learn to live …

… without Joe.

I leaned against a wall, overcome.

Running through fields in the golden sun, laughing, rolling in the grass together … planning how we’d make the Pot good again.

All that was gone.

A bottle of wine still sat on my dresser. I drank half, then went to the window. Ten yards from each side of my apartment, barricades were set; police manned them.

Grief dropped me to my knees there at the window. I leaned my elbows on the windowsill, my face in my hands.

Joe was dead!

Joe had to be dead. He would have come for me.

By now the whole city knew where I was. Crowds gathered outside, yelling behind the Prison guards, the police. The hay bales and sawhorses didn’t stop the curses.

Joe was dead — because of me.

I lay my face on the windowsill. I deserved every curse. I deserved them all.

* * *

A white and silver carriage pulled up to the barricade on my left, flanked by very dark-skinned men on white horses wearing white and silver livery. After some discussion, the sawhorses were moved and the carriage waved through to stop in front of my apartments. A footman a bit darker-skinned than myself came round to open the door.

Out came Jonathan! I wiped my face, grabbed the bottle, and rushed to the door as he came up the walkway. The sun broke through the clouds, his smile bright against his dark, dark skin.

“Come in!” I opened the door wide. The breeze smelled of rain.

Jon looked around. “Where’s your maid?”

“She’s at the grocery.”

He didn’t enter. “We’ll speak here, then.”

I laughed. “If that’s how you’d like it.” I brandished the bottle. “Would you like some?” Then I giggled at my mistake. “I forgot the glasses! I’ll go get —”

Then I remembered he didn’t drink.

He glanced at the bottle then said carefully, “No, thank you.”

I set the bottle on the small table beside the door and took his hands. “I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you’re well?”

He gave me a small smile. “I’m well, thank you. And you?”

I shrugged. “As well as I might be, under the circumstances.”

“You gave us all quite a fright, Jacqui. If the doctor hadn’t said you needed that,” he gestured at the bottle as if it might bite him, “to avoid another attack, I’d have you toss it away at once.”

“So fierce,” I murmured.

His cheeks colored, and he shifted, seeming uncomfortable. “I care for your welfare, that’s all.”

I gazed up into his eyes and felt quite warm. “I wanted to thank you for retrieving me from the station last week.”

Jon smiled fondly. “It’s of no consequence. I’m just glad we could get you somewhere safe before any reporters arrived.”

I moved towards him. “I’m always safe with you.” I touched his cheek, his hair. Jonathan’s hair felt as soft as Joe’s. “Kiss me.”

Jon drew back instantly, hands on my shoulders, elbows locked. “You’re drunk.”

My eyes stung. “No, I’m not.”

Jonathan would never kiss me. Why? Was I not good enough?

A darkened room. It was night; the only light was an oil lamp. We sat on my bed. In the Cathedral. My mother’s patron the Masked Man had brought Jonathan Diamond to my room.

I liked Jon at once, but after a glance on meeting, he never looked at me. A sadness lay behind his eyes even then. “If you see someone who looks just like me, it’s my brother Jack. He likes to wear white and shave his head, but he looks just like me.” Jon smiled fondly to himself.

“Okay.”

An awkward silence fell. I hadn’t been allowed to practice the things Ma had taught me. Was this my test?

I became excited about this idea. If I passed my test, I would finally get real training to be a w***e like all the other girls. I put my hand on Jon’s cheek, turned his face towards mine, moved to kiss his lips …

“Hey!” Jon drew back in alarm. “What the hell? I just got here.”

The bitter pain of humiliation stabbed my heart. My eyes burned.

“Can we not be friends? I didn’t come here to buy you,” Jon said. “I just want to talk to you.”

Why was I recalling all these things? First my wedding, then my poor doomed Nina, now this … what was happening to me?

Jonathan cupped my cheek with one hand, barely touching, hand trembling. “You’re not thinking clearly, that much is plain. You’re not safe here, Jacqui. You must return home.”

I felt annoyed. “Why would I ever want to go back?”

Jon dropped his hand to my shoulder. “It’s your home. You have a husband who cares for you.” His hands fell to his sides; he glanced away. “It’s wrong to live apart from your husband.” He focused on me. “I don’t know what happened, but —”

“Tony saw me and Joe together.” To this day, the look on Tony’s face that night is seared into my mind.

But then, at the door with Jonathan, I said, “I’ve never loved Tony; you know that.”

Jon put his hand on my shoulder. “Jacqui —”

“Did Master Rainbow give you my message?”

Jon turned away, facing the street. “He did.” Jon stood silent for a moment, then faced me. “When we went to the Kerrs’ home, only the maid and her brother were there. He had a shotgun.” He glanced away. “I suppose I don’t blame them; Tony’s men were there earlier. They feared Master Rainbow and I were with them.”

“And no sign of Joe.”

Jon shook his head, not meeting my eye.

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“I don’t know anything.” Jon’s eyes flashed to mine, then away. “But there’ve been rumors.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“People claim to have seen him, Jacqui. Since we last met.”

“Who claims to have seen him?”

Jon’s face changed, as if he came to some decision. “Let me find out what this is about.”

I took Jon’s hands, relieved. “Thank you.” I gazed at the crowd milling around down the street to my right. “I’m sorry. I just want to know what happened to him. If they find his body.” Grief flooded through me, but I pushed it aside. “I need to know.”

Jon reached into his pocket. A blue-edged zeppelin ticket stub came loose, fluttering away in the breeze as he handed his handkerchief to me. “You honestly believe Tony had him killed?”

I wiped my eyes. “What else could he do? If not him, then his men. Roy. His men.” I shrugged. “I’m next. I can feel it. Even though Tony claims Roy said no.”

“My gods,” Jon leaned his hand high on the door-post, eyes wide. “Roy Spadros forbade his own men to kill you?”

I nodded. The Spadros Family Patriarch had one motivation, it seemed: to torture others. Who did he torture now?

Jon’s hand dropped to his side, and he sounded humbled. “I’m grateful beyond words. But I can’t fathom what’s going on.”

“Why was Charles Hart at court today?”