Red Dog Conspiracy Sets

Chapter 11-1

The Bourbon

After drinking much of the night, the next day I felt terrible. But it wasn’t just the queasy pounding headache. I felt out of control. I should never have behaved as I did towards Jon.

Something was wrong with me.

Today will be different, I vowed. I’ll have this one drink, just to feel better, but no more.

I drew my own bath, washed and combed my hair, and tried braiding it. Ma taught me to braid, of course, long ago, but it had been years since I’d done it myself. I hadn’t so much as tied my own shoes in six years. It seemed unbelievable, yet sad.

I was lighting the stove when Amelia hurried over. “Watch your shawl, mum. I’ve seen girls light themselves afire before.”

“Oh,” I said, suddenly fearful. “Thank you.”

I let her scramble some eggs for us. We had eggs back home, but she seemed to want to do it.

Should I ask? “How is Mr. Anthony faring?”

Amelia seemed intent on cooking. “Much the same.” She shrugged, giving me a quick glance. “But at least he’s eating.”

Grief, anger, fear, and worry all mixed together. “Eating?”

The sound of stirring stopped, and she clicked the stove off. “He didn’t eat for days after you left.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching the sides of my dress. Tony never would eat when upset.

I must not take pity on him.

Too many had died to get me away from the Spadros Family. I couldn’t go back. “Is his mother with him?”

“She visits daily, for several hours, and his manservant … or his footmen … or Master Hogan … are by his side always.” The scraping resumed, and she moved to the table. “Your food, mum.”

Tea and plates were set out, and she went to a drawer to fetch silverware. I sat, no longer hungry, but I ate anyway.

* * *

Later that morning, the bourbon arrived! I had a nice long drink to celebrate — surely that wouldn’t hurt — then placed the eight bottles next to the four bottles of wine still left.

Jonathan didn’t return the rest of the week. But I didn’t blame him. I imagined he felt the way I’d felt with Mr. Hart’s advances.

I’d ruined everything, and it was my fault.

I sat in my room when I wasn’t in bed crying. I missed Joseph Kerr terribly. I missed Jonathan Diamond almost as much.

If someone had asked if I missed Tony, I would have denied it. But I know I did. The police stopped knocking after the third night’s screaming, giving me strange looks thereafter.

I didn’t blame them either. During all those years with Tony, I must have sounded a madwoman, but he never once berated me for my nightmares.

Once Amelia left each night, I walked the halls for hours, alone. One night, tornado sirens went off, but I ignored them.

How could I have been so foolish, so selfish, so stupid? Why did I put Joe into such danger? How could I ever once have thought my plan would end in anything but Joseph Kerr’s death?

I should have been stronger. I should have refused him. We would have lived in misery, but he would be alive!

Why hadn’t Roy killed me? Did Roy know of my torment, intend for me to suffer here? That must be it, I decided. Roy Spadros only ever wanted others to suffer. He thrived on it.

The only thing I could focus on was giving water to my poor injured bird, which I did every time I saw it.

What else did I have to live for?

I drank wine for breakfast, and bourbon the rest of the day.

“The eggs have gone bad,” Amelia said. “Why didn’t you eat?”

“Not hungry.” Even I could tell I slurred my words.

Amelia took hold of my arms. “You have to stop this drinking. You’ll make yourself sick. And you’re not eating nearly enough.”

I felt bitter. “Why do you care?”

you“Come on,” Amelia said, her voice kind. “It’s past luncheon, and you’re still in your nightgown. Let’s get you in your bath.”

Later, Jonathan Diamond came to call. I knew I was drunk, so I determined to act as proper as any quadrant-lady. I deliberately sat across the low coffee table from him as Amelia served us tea.

Again, he’d arrived in his white and silver carriage, dressed for the street like any other gentleman. Which puzzled me.

“I hope you’re well, Master Diamond. How may I assist you?”

He smiled. “Is it too strange for me to visit my dearest friend?”

Friend.

With the word came the sharp bitter pain of regret.

I blinked away the memory, took a deep breath. “Of course not.” What could I say to him? “But I did wonder why you had to ask permission to come here. Aren’t you Keeper of the Court?”

Jon glanced away, crossing one leg over his knee. “I removed myself from your case. My brother Cesare will take my place.”

Cesare Diamond. A man who hated me with passion simply because I was born in the Pot would oversee my future.

Jon continued, “Everyone knows of our friendship. And so,” he let out a breath, “whilst I still act as Keeper of the Court, I may not do so with you.” He swallowed, still looking away. “I approve.” He leaned forward with a fake smile, not meeting my eye. “It refutes the rumor that you’re being shown some favoritism.”

“Favoritism?”

“Rumors abound, the sort depending on who speaks. Allowing you to live, allowing you to remain here rather than the Prison. Many feel this trial’s a sham, that the judge is bought, that you’ll be set free no matter what the courts find.” He gave me a quick glance. “Because you’re with a Family. People are very angry.”

I was a “Pot rag” — what else could I expect?

We sat in silence as the birds chirped outside. My little bird still lived, though it seemed weaker every day. I tried to feed it, but the morsels only lay in its mouth.

I desperately hoped my bird would recover. I only wanted you to be free. But a cat had clawed it, and now it lay dying.

I only wanted you to be free.I almost got up to get a drink, stopping myself only just in time. “Any news of Joe? Have they found him?”

Jonathan slumped forward, his forehead in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. “Jacqui … “

His demeanor surprised me. “Oh, gods, did they find his body? What did they do to him?”

Jon shook his head, which still lay in his hands. “I fear to tell you. I fear …”

“What?”

“You won’t like it.”

I peered at him, unable to make sense of what he was saying. “I beg you. Please tell me what you know. I — I don’t think I can bear not to know!” I felt like crying. “Joseph Kerr meant everything to me. I must know what happened. Who did this. Where he lies.”

Jon raised his head, and I’d never seen such an expression on his face. Concern, and yet dread. I could see the gears turn as he decided how much to tell me.

It’s bad. “What did they do to him? Did they —”

It’s bad.“He’s alive, Jacqui.”

“What?”

“He was seen yesterday at a pool hall in the Hart slums.”

I frowned, confused. “Are you sure it was him?”

Jon glanced away. “Several swore they knew him. The others all said the same thing: brown hair, tall, light brown skin, green eyes, very good looking. He arrived with a red-haired woman. The woman said he hired her to … um.” At that, Jonathan blushed. “This was very close to the Pot.”

veryA laugh burst from me. “That’s your evidence? The word of ruffians? There must be fifty men in Hart alone who fit that description.”

“There’s more.” Jon hesitated several seconds. “This was told to me in confidence, Jacqui. You must repeat it to no one.”

“Go on.”

“Being Keeper of the Court means you learn of things others might never know.”

I relaxed. “Go on.” It was obvious there were rumors, but they were only that. Would they ever find Joe’s body?

“There are five cases brought before the Court by the families of five women — from all four quadrants — who make claim against Master Joseph Kerr of Hart quadrant.”

“For what reason?”

Jon looked away. “Seduction with the promise of marriage, with a resulting child. The youngest was fifteen.”

I stared at him in horror.

“Two of the children have been born, and Jacqui, they look like him.” He grimaced, glanced away. “The fifteen-year-old took her own life — the child still inside her — in terror of being sent to the Pot.”

I shook my head. This made no sense.

Then rage filled me. “Get out.”

Jonathan rose. “If that’s what you want.” He went to the door, rested his hand upon it. “If Joseph Kerr is dead, why would Tony be searching for him?”

I hurried to him. “He’s searching for Joe?”

“Tony staked a $10,000 reward for Joseph Kerr to be brought to him alive. Why do you think his ‘friends’ tried to capture him?”

I stared at Jon’s back, astonished. Ten thousand dollars? A man’s own mother would turn him in for that amount.

Ten thousand dollars?Jon faced me, but his demeanor was sober, almost sad. “Not only that, Joseph Kerr owes a great deal of money; three loan sharks and six gambling halls that I know of have sent men after him. Charles Hart ordered Mr. Polansky Kerr and Miss Josephine seized. Alexander Clubb left instructions that anyone fitting their descriptions in any way be detained at the zeppelin station. Flights are being delayed right and left on just this order. Why would these men go to such lengths if Joe were dead?”

It was inconceivable. “Tony sent you here.”

“What? No, Jacqui, I —”

“Tony sent you and Ten here with these elaborate lies so I’d think Joe cared nothing for me and I’d return to be caged like an animal. The idea that Joe would ever abandon me! You lied about Roland and I forgave you for it, but this time ….” I shook my head, outraged. “You’ve gone too far. This is a lie I can never forgive.” I grabbed the door handle, yanked it open. “Get out.”

everJon looked stricken. “Jacqui, I swear I’m not lying.”

“Get out!”

The guards ten yards away turned to stare.

“If that’s what you want, Jacqui. But I didn’t lie.”

I slammed the front door. A picture fell, its glass shattering across the hall. I went to my room.

Amelia gasped, rushing in. “Mum, are you well?”

“Fetch me the letter-box.”

“Yes, mum.”

I wrote:

You could never allow me to be free, is that it? You hate the idea of me leaving so much that first you murder then you slander the only man I’ve ever loved just to trap me again. I won’t have it. I’ll die before I return to you.