The Case

The one woman I most needed to find. And when I most needed money, her mother willing to pay anything to get her back. "Who told you to visit Mr. Pike?"

She seemed surprised. "My neighbor across a street." She spoke as if wishing to ease my mind. "I live on the Market a Center. My husband Giovanni was - how you say? - he bought a cattle from Nitivali and sold at stockyards. We move from Milano when Maria Athena small. Giovanni, he die last year from his a heart. I have nine sons and Maria Athena." Her eyes fell. "And a now she gone." She peered at me. "Can you help? Or no?"

I took a deep breath, heart pounding. This felt like a trap.

Every time the Red Dog Gang made a play, they used a distraction to divert me from what they were really doing.

What were they really doing?

This had to be a trap, like when they took David Bryce.

Yet it wasn't just a trap for me. If I were seized, would Tony, Jonathan Diamond, and Charles Hart stand idly by? And the Clubb Family was obligated to assist if called upon because of their alliance with the Spadros Family.

So if the Red Dog Gang played their cards right, this could become a trap for the Four Families as well.

But since I knew it was a trap, perhaps I might trap them instead. "I can help."

"Oh, thank you, Signora," she said, relieved. "Thank you."

* * *

Mrs. Spade and two of her sons lived on the north end of Market Center with their families.

"We had money for a bigger, but we no like a the quadrants," Mrs. Spade explained. "No mafiosi, my Giovanni say. So we buy room both a sides and put in the doors."

"Tell me what happened when Maria left."

For an instant, she seemed confused. "Oh, Maria Athena. We say Maria Athena. She go out and a no come back. On bed was a note."

"Do you have the note with you?"

She handed over a short note, but I couldn't read it. I'd never seen this handwriting before. "What does it say?"

She glanced away. "Spadros men search for her and she no more a put us in the danger. But not a worry, she safe."

"And you're sure this is from her."

"Si, Signora."

"So why come to me? Why go to my lawyer?"

Her face filled with compassion. "Husband not a with you at a the trial. And his men attack!" She shook her head, face disbelieving. "Lawyer get a you free." Her gaze turned inward for a instant. "I no blame a you stay here." Her face turned commanding. "You not a go home to that." She straightened, gave a satisfied nod. "You good a mind. You find a my girl."

An outsider widow speaking little of our language, her only daughter missing. Yet she could look past the ways I might be unsuitable, even though for all she knew I was allied with the men who'd driven her daughter away in terror. "So you knew about my lawyer, and your neighbor told you to go to him?"

"Yes, Signora. But I not think to go until a she say." She gave me an "I don't know why I didn't think of it" smile.

"What have the Spadros men done?"

"Day and night a they come. Police no help. My sons bought a the guns."

This seemed worse than I imagined. "Are you sure these are Spadros men?"

"They wear a the - how you say it?" She reached across my desk, pinched my sleeve.

"Uniform -?" I recalled what Tony said in Spadros Manor's dining room last year. Jacqui, our men only wear livery on specific occasions. Someone's impersonating us.

Her face turned concerned. "Signora, what a happen?"

I turned to her. "These aren't Spadros men. Bad men tried to harm the Spadros Family. They stole uniforms -" this seemed quicker than to explain the matter "- and pretended to be Spadros men to ruin our name."

She stared at me, mouth open.

"Spadros men asked about her because her name was used to buy something which could help us find these men."

"What thing?"

"A brown men's jacket."

Mrs. Spade scoffed. "My sons, they no wear a brown!"

Plus the jacket was in a low-card shop well below the means of this family. "I never believed this was her. But we can't know the truth until we find her."

"What a you mean?"

"They've frightened her into leaving home. But why? Did she see or hear something she shouldn't have? The only way we can know is to find her."

Mrs. Spade cried out, "Oh, my girl! What evil chance entangled you?" She clasped my hands. "Rescue her from a the villains!"

"Where might she go? Friends, family?"

The woman shook her head. "We only family. My boys, her friends a no find."

"Please tell them if they think of anything which may help, they can send a message here." I handed her ten of my cards. "The more I know, the faster I can find her."

She rose with a determined air. "They will a write today." She held out her hand. "Thank you, Signora."

Once she left, Blitz peered in. I jumped up, squealed in glee. "We're saved!" I handed him the seven dollars. "She's rich, and I can help her."

"What are you doing up without your cane?" Then his face turned skeptical. "What exactly does she want you to do?"

* * *

Blitz sent for Sawbuck at once. "He needs to know there are more Spadros impersonators out there."

I really didn't want to deal with Sawbuck right then. I wanted to find this woman.

Maria Athena Spade felt she was safe. So where was she?

I inspected the letter. Other than the word "Spadros," I could read none of it.

It had none of the signs of copying the handwriting expert mentioned during my trial. But I couldn't assume it was genuine.

I returned to my room, slid off my house shoes and put my foot up. Something made me think Mrs. Spade didn't tell me everything.

A knock at the front door. Blitz answered it. "Good day, mum. Come in."

Then Blitz knocked on my door. "Mrs. Eleanora Bryce of Bryce Fabrics to see you. I have her in the parlor."

"Have her come in here." I didn't want to get up again if I didn't need to. "Would you ask Mary to bring us some tea?"

"Right away."

A few minutes later, in came Eleanora Bryce. Although like Mrs. Spade, Eleanora dressed in widow's brown, Mrs. Bryce's clothes were old, much mended. Her graying straight brown hair was parted in the center and braided around her head under a lace cap.

She drew back when she saw my foot up and the cane on the wall beside my tea-table. "Are you hurt?"

I smiled warmly at her. "Almost well." I took my foot off of the chair. "Please, sit. Are you and David well?"

She dusted off the seat, then sat. "Well enough. What happened?"

Normally such a question would be indiscreet, or even nosy. But I'd known Eleanora Bryce since I was born, and we'd gone through a great deal together. "Too much walking. It was silly of me."

Eleanora gave me a fond smile. "You always were a headstrong girl." She patted my hand. "I'm glad you're almost well."

Mary came in, poured tea for us, then left.

"You didn't come all this way just to see me. What's wrong?"

She stared at her teacup, hands in her lap. "Do you recall the gentleman who helped me and my sons? Before we came here."

"I do! Is all well?"

She shook her head. "He arrived just after the New Year. But they won't let him into the city."

I blinked. "He's been held since January? Why-ever for?"

"They won't say. When David was first taken, the police placed a notice to stop him coming into Bridges." She drew back a bit. "He was a suspect! But he'd never harm anyone." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "He believes the Clubb Family seeks a bribe."

This was ridiculous. "Blitz!"

A moment later, he opened the door. "What can I help with?"

I hesitated. "Call a Memory Boy, if you please."

"The one I sent should be returning soon. I'll let you know when he arrives."

I turned to Eleanora. "You were right to come to me." My stack of papers sat beside me; I turned one over and handed her a pencil. "Write his name and anything you think might help his case."

She moved her teacup aside and began writing.

I'd never seen Eleanora write before, and from the effort she made, writing seemed something she seldom did.

But she sat up with a relieved smile. "There!"

She pushed the page to me, clearly proud of her work:

Constable Trey Highcard of Dickens Police

Helpd me & Sons

A goode man Indeed

Wishs to Marry & Settle

"Oh," I said, taken aback. "He's asked you to marry him?"

She beamed, blushing. "He has. Through the post. I've accepted."

"Oh, Eleanora." I rose and hugged her. Of all the people who deserved something good to happen, she'd be at the top of my list. "I'm so very happy for you." After a moment, I returned to my chair. "I believe I can help."

"If you could, I'd be most grateful. We'd both be in your debt."

"This reminds me," I said. "I have something I've wanted to give you for some time."

I went to where I'd hidden the change I meant to give her before I fled Spadros Manor. I pressed the envelope into her hands: twenty-six cents, most of it pennies.

But when she peered inside, she put her head on her arms and began to weep. "Thank you so very much."

I rested my hand on her shoulder. Bryce Fabrics was on 2nd Street. While her Family fees were just two cents a month, with her rent, her fabric shop barely made enough for her and her son David to survive. And I recalled Jonathan's words to me. "I want you and David to be happy and well. I want you not to be anxious of need."

She raised red eyes to mine. "I'll never forget your kindness."

And in her eyes, I saw David - no, truly I saw his older brother Air, who he looked so much like.

If only my father hadn't shot him. If only I'd trusted that Eleanora would care for him, get him the medicine he needed. If only I'd obeyed my Ma and stayed in that night. Listened to her warnings about my father and his treachery. I owed this woman much. "I'll get your Constable freed, never fear."

* * *

After she left, I considered who to contact. Regina Clubb had not once responded to my messages, and I wondered if something were amiss. Sending a message to Mr. Clubb, or even his son Lance, was out of the question if his wife refused to respond.

About an hour after Eleanora left, the bell rang; Blitz answered it.

Werner Lead's piping voice came in from outside. "Master Hogan says to come to him. It's not for me to hear your message."

I chuckled and put my house shoes on. Werner was one of the Memory Boys, sent to carry messages too secret to be written. Problem was that these children remembered everything, both written and said, and who knew who they reported to?

"Very well," Blitz said. "Thank you."

I went past Blitz and outside.

My narrow street was busy, with messengers, delivery-men, and the occasional carriage trundling past. The woman across the street and two doors down was sweeping her steps until she saw me. She gave me an unfriendly glare and went inside.

Werner Lead was perhaps ten, with white-blond hair and blue eyes. He stood at the bottom of the steps, gazing up at me. "Good day, Mrs. Spadros." Two older boys with sandy hair stood beside him, watching everything but us.

Werner wouldn't enter a private home, so I went down the steps and sat before him. "I need your help."

He beamed, doubtless sensing an extra fee. "I'd be happy to."

"Mrs. Regina Clubb doesn't answer. Does she get my messages?"

He hesitated. "I tell them to her."

"Do you really? The Queen of Clubbs comes out to see you each time you call? I find that hard to believe."

The boy bit his lower lip. "Sometimes her butler takes them."

As I suspected. And who might he tell them to? "Do you know who holds outsiders who come into the city?"

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Spadros. I know that! Mr. Mikhail Bettelmann."

"I've never heard of him. How is he related to the Clubbs?"

"He's married to Mrs. Karla. She's the third grand-daughter."

"I see. So he's not too old."

Werner shrugged. "He's pretty old. At least thirty!"

"If I give you a message to Mrs. Karla Bettelmann, could you give it to her personally?"

The boy's face brightened. "For certain. She always comes out! Sometimes she gives us milk and cookies."

I felt sure these boys had been warned not to accept food from their customers. But that wasn't my affair. "Well, then, tell Mrs. Karla this: 'I wish to meet regarding Trey Highcard. Please inform me of the date and place.' That's the message. The entire message, you hear? Add nothing to it. You must tell it to her ear alone. And I must have an answer from her personally." I glanced back: Blitz still stood there. "Give him his fee."

Blitz handed the boy his fee. Then he returned up the steps, and the door squeaked a bit.

I said to Werner, "You'll get that same fee when you return with her personal answer. From her lips. You understand?"

I grinned to myself as he and his brothers hurried away. The Clubb syndicate made their real business selling secrets. Yet who would dare divert Regina Clubb's messages? The butler, for certain. And whoever paid him to do it.

If I cared - and I didn't already have a case to run - I'd sniff out that mystery. But if I could get former-Constable Trey Highcard out of a Clubb holding cell, I'd have done my duty.

Blitz had my cane in hand, and brought it to me. "I'm sure you heard what the boy told me when he arrived."

"I did."

"Fancy a trip? Best Sawbuck hear your news firsthand."

I grabbed hold of the iron banister to pull myself to my feet. "Get Amelia; I'm sure she'll want to change me again."

A plain carriage arrived a half-hour later. Dark brown, without Family symbols upon it. All the Families used them. If you happened to miss the black horses with silver tack, you might mistake it for a taxi-carriage.

My former day footman Skip Honor beamed for an instant when he saw me, quickly moving to his carefully neutral demeanor. I got in; Amelia and Blitz followed.

But I hadn't thought the matter through. Sawbuck's house was on 190th street, and the closer we got the more anxious I felt. It was too close to Spadros Manor, too easy to just bundle me over there, never to be seen again. Locked in day and night, with men watching my every move. My hands shook. The carriage felt stifling. "Stop," I said. "Stop!"

Blitz grabbed the speaking tube. "Stop the carriage!"

I got out just in time.

"Oh, mum," Amelia said, fanning me. "This was a mistake. You've had much too much excitement today."

I sat on the step panting, my heart pounding, bathed in sweat. "I can't go back there," I sobbed. "I won't. I'll die."

Blitz said, "When have you ever been to Sawbuck's house?"

Amelia glared at him. To me, she said, "Let's get you back inside." Once I was in, she closed the door, pulled the curtains, and sat beside me. "Now what's this all about?"

"I'm not going back to Spadros Manor ... I won't. I'll take my life before I go there again."

"Shh," Amelia said. "We're not taking you there."

I felt like a small child. "You're not? I'm not to be locked in?"

"No, mum." Amelia pulled me to her chest. "My poor girl ..."

I began weeping again.

"If you'll bite like a dog, Pot rag, you'll be treated like one."

Footsteps, grating on gravel, going away, leaving me alone. Bars, a locked gate. The space was small, smelled of animals. The lock was too high to grab properly. I rattled the gate in the dim humid air, feeling trapped, frantic. "Let me out!"

It was getting dark. Did they mean to leave me here forever? I screamed, "Let me out!"

With a shock, I realized where I sat.

Amelia peered at me, face concerned.

I got my handkerchief. "I'm sorry."

"I wish I might burn Mr. Roy's cards a thousand times," Amelia murmured, "for what he's done to you."

Roy Spadros had done so much worse to her than he'd ever done to me. But even so, I felt better.

Amelia said, "Do you want to go to Master Hogan's house? Or just go home?"

"If it's really just Sawbuck's house - I'll go."

* * *

Sawbuck had a smallish house on 190th in the middle of the block, three blocks from Spadros Manor. The house had a small courtyard inside a high wrought iron fence, just as the rest did. But three men stood guard on the sidewalk, armed, tipping their hats as I emerged from the carriage. The middle one opened the gate for us.

Sawbuck's butler escorted us into a parlor not much larger than my own. Four chairs sat around a round wooden table. A long sofa lay along one wall. Several small portraits - one of my mother-in-law Molly - sat upon a mantel above the fireplace. Other than that, the room was bare.

It seemed Master Ten Hogan didn't do much entertaining.

"Took you long -" Sawbuck said, then stopped, staring. "What's happened? Why did you bring her here?"

Blitz and Amelia stared back, cheeks pale. I slumped into a chair, my cane clattering to the floor, and put my face in my hands. "Maria Athena Spade's mother was just at my house. Men wearing Spadros livery threatened them."

Sawbuck sat across from me. "Mrs. Spadros, you look sick."

Amelia spoke in Sawbuck's ear. He stood, held out his hand to me. "I'm taking you back to your apartments."

I rose, taking his arm. We got into the carriage and were silent the entire trip.

Mary answered the door, glancing back and forth between us all. "What happened?"

Once we were inside, I don't know why, but I began to cry.

Amelia opened the parlor door. "Come sit, mum."

I sat on the sofa. "I - I'm s-sorryyy." I felt ashamed that Sawbuck saw me like this. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Sawbuck snapped, "All of you, out."

He sat across from me. Once they left, he said, "There's nothing wrong with you." He gazed off to one side. "For a while after the first time I killed a man, whenever I saw a gun I would set to shaking. I'd get sick as well."

I wiped under my eyes, my handkerchief stained with makeup, and recalled the men I'd killed. The men who had me, Morton, and little David trapped in Jack Diamond's Party Time factory. The man who tried to violate me the night I left Tony. I wasn't sure they'd affected me at all.

"But I had to keep going," Sawbuck said, "for Mr. Anthony's sake. He doesn't know the half of what I've done for him. I was the only one I knew could protect him - from his father, most of all."

So Sawbuck didn't know that Roy wasn't Tony's real father. What might he do if he learned the truth?

"One day you may have to walk in there again. I don't know why. You certainly don't have to go there now. But whether you return or not, you have to keep going. Do what you have to do to survive. I don't know for who or what, but -" he leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees "- you have to find your reason. There's something only you can do." He looked down. "That's all."

This was the longest speech I'd ever heard from him.

I didn't know why I kept going. It certainly wasn't for Tony, not then. Was it for David Bryce?

Looking back, I think not. I think it was really for the hope of finding Joseph Kerr. Learning what happened to him. Hoping that he might be alive. At that point, I would have forgiven anything, if I might only see Joe again. I nodded.

Sawbuck smiled to himself. "You may come through this yet."

"May I ask something?"

"Of course."

I'd made Tony's life miserable. "Why are you helping me?"

Sawbuck blinked. "You're one of us."

I glanced away. I wasn't one of them. I never wanted to be one of them. The Spadros Family had about destroyed me.

But if it gained Sawbuck's help, I'd let him think whatever he wanted to.

The bell rang; Blitz rushed to answer it. "I'm sorry, Inventor Call, Mrs. Spadros isn't -"

I said, "It's all right, Blitz, you can let him in."

Blitz came into view. While he looked nothing like Tony, at this moment he had his face in a mask remarkably like his cousin's. "Inventor Maxim Call, mum."

Blitz never called me "mum".

I went to him, angled so the Inventor might not see me. "I'm sorry, Blitz," I whispered, "but he came to me. I should see him."

His face turned resigned. And for an instant, I glimpsed how difficult the life of a butler must be, especially to a man as spirited as he. I patted his arm as I passed, hoping that might help. "Inventor Call!" I curtsied low. "To what do I owe this tremendous honor?"

Indeed, I was astonished to see him here He'd refused to even write, let alone grant me audience, the last time I'd offered him help. At the time, I presumed that he must need my help so much that he came here himself to beg my forgiveness.

Which in itself was inconceivable. What had changed?

Inventor Maxim Call was an ancient, wiry man with brown skin and the piercing blue eyes of his distant cousin, Roy Spadros. Completely ignoring my cane, he came past without a word.

I gestured into the room; Sawbuck had risen, moved around to the sofa, bowed low. "I'm sure you know Master Ten Hogan."

Inventor Call eyed Sawbuck, but didn't offer his hand. "I do."

Sawbuck didn't seem put out by this at all.

"Please sit, sirs." I turned to Blitz. "Tea, if you will."

Inventor Call sat on the sofa at least two feet from Sawbuck. I sat across from Inventor Call, intrigued as to what he might have to say. Yet he seemed hesitant to speak.

Etiquette dictated that Sawbuck stay at least ten minutes after the arrival of another guest so as not to give the impression of dislike or hurry. As hostess, I must make the time a comfort rather than a duty. "I hope you and your men are well, sir."

"We're well busy. Just added a new Apprentice."

"Congratulations," I said.

This seemed to surprise the Inventor. "Why, thank you."

I gestured to Sawbuck. "Master Hogan has my husband's full confidence, so you may speak without fear."

Inventor Call gave a soft snort, glancing over at Sawbuck, then back to me. "I seldom fear to speak, young lady, even to one so impertinent as yourself."

Well. "I meant no offense, sir. I simply wanted no waste of your time. Since you're so busy."

Sawbuck gave a slight bemused smile.

Mary came in with a tea tray, set it down, and began to pour.

Inventor Call glanced up at her. "I've seen you before." In her clothes fit for the street, I'm sure he wondered why she was pouring tea, instead of some maid.

I said, "This is my housekeeper, Mrs. Mary Spadros."

She set the teapot down and curtsied low.

"She's been promoted from the Manor," I continued. "You likely saw her there. We have no house maid as yet, so she's been kind enough to assist me."

Mary smiled, cheeks pink, as she passed a full cup to Inventor Call. It was rather impertinent of him to even speak of my servants in their presence - much less to them.

Sawbuck took his cup from Mary, blew upon it, then sipped it. "How goes your work, sir?"

"We're making progress," Inventor Call said. This line of questioning seemed to relax him. And I wondered if he felt ill at ease speaking to me, my position in the social hierarchy unclear as it was. "We've found several more Magma Steam Generators here in Spadros quadrant. Yet it takes time and men to search each one. But the power outages -"

There'd been one here in Spadros quadrant just the week before.

"- have become a distraction most unwelcome."

"I imagine." I took my cup from Mary, who curtsied and left. "Are these caused by the Generators, the pipes, or wires, or what?"

"Some of all." Inventor Call seemed surprised at me asking the question. "Each case differs. It takes hours, sometimes days, to find the problem." He let out a sigh. "These lines are ancient, built five hundred years past. Maps of their routes through the city were often lost in the Coup. Burnt, or rendered unreadable." He sipped his tea. "We're having to redraw the city one disaster at a time."

The Coup caused this. I felt a smug sense of pride. You thought to destroy my people, but you've only caused your own downfall.

Sawbuck leaned forward. "What are your plans?" He set his teacup and saucer upon the table. "The Heir will wish to know."

"Yes, of course." Inventor Call glanced quickly at me, then back at Sawbuck. "We wish to hire two more Apprentices at least -"

This surprised me: I'd never heard of there being more than eight, due to the time needed to train and oversee them all.

"- and put out word for more tradesman's and tinkerer's apprentices. Those working with metal are the most in need, but glass-men, carpenters, and miners are needed as well."

"Miners?" Sawbuck seemed surprised. "You wish to expand your work outside the dome?"

"We need more material if we're to repair these mechanisms. Some use rare ancient metals seldom found here. We could purchase them from Azimoff, but the cost -"

Sawbuck rose. "Make a list of what you need and send it to me." He reached into a breast pocket and produced a card. "I'll present the necessary details to our Heir."

Inventor Call looked up at Sawbuck with new respect. He took the card. "Thank you."

My injured foot twinged as I rose. "Will you be off, then?"

"I'll return tomorrow so we may finish our work."

Not sure what Sawbuck referred to, I sat and picked up my teacup, which had gone cool.

The second reason for my astonishment at Inventor Maxim Call's visit was the way he declined to see me the first time. It was, shall we say, most rude. "How may I assist you?"

"Mrs. Spadros, we need your help."

Do you now? "In what way?"

At least he had the grace to blush. "You have connections in the Cathedral, do you not?"

What should I say? Very few people knew my mother was still alive. "It's been many years since I lived there. And my mother is no longer -" I stopped then. Ma owned the Cathedral. If she was thought dead, in whose name was it owned now?

"I'm sorry," the Inventor said. "I don't wish to remind you of a painful time. Yet if you had some connections there, some way to -"

I frowned. "Some way to what?"

He glanced away. "There's something important about the Cathedral. It's on the map you gave me -"

Yeah, then you kicked me in the teeth when I asked to help you again.

"- but we're not allowed in." He glanced away, color high in his cheeks. "Even our agents were detected and thrown out."

I felt outraged. "You dared to spy upon the Cathedral of the Blessed Dealer?" For a moment, I couldn't speak. "I trusted you. I gave up my map." I felt ashamed now that I'd done so. "And now you want me to spy upon them, too?"

The Inventor said nothing, chin held high.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I gave you my map freely, out of good will. And whilst I fought for my life, I offered my help freely once more. Yet you dismissed the Lady of Spadros like some bastard servant girl!" Worse, he did so in the presence of a Memory Boy. I felt dismayed: by now, half of Clubb quadrant knew of his insult. "And now you ask for even more?" I stood. "I have had great respect for you, sir, but my help ends here. You may go."

He rose. "Mrs. Spadros, I -"

"The time for apology was when you came in that door." I pointed. "Go. Or I'll have you escorted out."

Inventor Call drew himself up. "Very well. But you have not heard the last of me."

Try to frighten me, will you? I gestured to the door. "You have one minute, sir. Or the manner of your removal will not be pleasant." I'd kick the scrawny old man down the steps myself.

He left.

Blitz came in. "Do you think it wise to refuse an Inventor?"

"To be perfectly honest, I don't care." What could he possibly do about it? "He forgets that at first I was the only one who helped him. But apparently that wasn't good enough. Let him report to Spadros Manor, then. Let him get his help from there."

* * *

That night after dinner, a knock came at the kitchen door to the alley, far off. Its bell rang as the door opened and shut.

This case to find Maria Athena Spade was a trap. I felt sure of it.

But what kind?

The fact that Mrs. Spade was directed to me of all people spoke of planning. The neighbor who just happened to mention Mr. Pike. Who just happened to visit when I was sure to be home. Who just happened to think of this woman. Who just happened to trust me.

It spoke of spies.

It spoke of someone who knew me quite well, or at least thought they did.

But I couldn't imagine who might set such a trap.

A soft knock. "Mum," Mary said. "May I enter?"

"Of course. Come in."

Mary had grown since she married, both in height and in demeanor. Gone was the shy playful newlywed. In her place stood a woman proud and fierce as a lioness, her light brown hair done up in an elegant bun swirling round rosy cheeks.

"I'm quite proud of your work," I said.

Her cheeks grew rosier. "Mum, we must speak."

I gestured to the chair. "Please sit, if you will."

She did so. "My husband and I are concerned for you. The Inventors are powerful allies, yet just as powerful enemies."

I smiled to myself. "Who called?"

"A Memory Boy." She hastened to add, "Not Werner Lead, mum, another. Your husband commands you to attend him." She hesitated. "I sent reply that you would not."

"Oh?"

"I hope I didn't speak wrongly, mum, but the way you reacted to even going near -"

I smiled at her fondly. "You did exactly right. But I feel surprised that you dared do so."

Her eyes and nose reddened. "Mum, I'm your housekeeper. Your housekeeper, not his. I'm sworn to protect you with my life." Her head drooped. "I never thought it would come to this."

"I'm sorry to put you in such a position."

She shrugged. "I've known Mr. Anthony since I was born. I was never allowed to play with him, of course - none of us were. But I looked up to him. I admired him, as I did my older brothers." She sighed. "I hoped better for him. I hoped better of him. That he would command you go there, after -"

I swallowed a lump in my throat. "His men are in open revolt; perhaps he believes I am as well. He's terribly afraid, Mary, and men who are afraid do things outside their natures." I forced myself to smile. "Don't judge him too harshly."

Tony had to play Anthony Spadros, the Heir, or we would all die. And I knew he hated it with every bit of his soul.

But I couldn't take care of Tony any longer. I couldn't comfort him, hold him, pretend to desire him, tell him what to do, let him have my body whilst screaming inside. I'd had enough. I'd done enough. He had to find a way through this on his own. "I'm not going back, not even on his command." I reached over to pat her hand. "You did exactly right."

She took out a handkerchief, wiped her nose. "Thank you, mum."

"And tell your husband I'm sorry about what happened with the Inventor." I don't know why I hadn't spoken to him earlier - with my anger at Inventor Call, it never crossed my mind.

Mary smiled. "He understands, mum. He spoke without consulting you." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "He only wants the best for you."

"I know that." I leaned back. "When I first came to Spadros Manor, I never expected to be here, with the two of you." I giggled at that. "Of all people."

Her eyes widened. "I remember! I was just turned ten. You looked a sight." Then her face fell. "No one was ever kind to you. My mother whipped me with her belt when I said so. She told me it wasn't my place to go against Mr. Roy's wishes. It was the only time she ever did." She took a deep breath, let it out. "Now, of course, I understand how afraid she was for me. A few months later, what happened to Mrs. Dewey -"

Amelia. Roy Spadros had violated her, forced her to give birth to Pip, and terrorized her and her husband ever since. "You must have all felt horribly afraid."

She gave several quick nods, face pale. "No one knew what Mrs. Dewey did to provoke him. We feared the same, or worse, should we defy his commands."

Indeed. Roy Spadros was well known for torturing his victims to death. "That's why I had to get away. Why I can't go back. Just one reason of many."

She leaned her elbows on the table, hands clasped under her chin. "I know we can make this work, mum. Especially now that you've secured a case. How can we help?"

I sent Mary off with a list of things to do in the morning. Purchase more writing-paper. Break Mrs. Spade's large bills into money we might use, especially pennies for the taxi. Of course, we must set aside ten percent for our Family fees.

Ironic, that Mrs. Spade's money should go to the Spadros Family. But aside from moving out of the quadrant entirely, there was nothing else we could do. The ability of these men to sniff out extra cash was uncanny, and I dared not defy them.

Then I wrote to my contacts. Who was Mrs. Spade's neighbor? What were her connections? Did she have any family or friends in the group of rogue Spadros men? I needed to know everything I could about her.

I also wrote to Mrs. Clubb. Had she any further information about Maria Athena Spade? To the point, when I might meet with her informant? This informant was the only one who might put it to rest whether this young spinster was Black Maria or not.

Then I hesitated. This shouldn't be sent to the Clubbs in writing, I thought. Putting the page aside, I made a notation to contact a Memory Boy in the morning.

* * *

The next morning, I got a copy of the Golden Bridges and a letter:

Mrs. Spadros -

I was given your name by my mother in regards to Miss Maria Athena Spade.

During the past eight months, we have searched the entire island, going door to door. Fliers have been posted over the Plaza, with a reward offered for information. All of her friends were interviewed, both by us and the police. So far, we have learned nothing. To the best of my knowledge, she is not on Market Center.

In deepest gratitude,

Mr. Giovanni Spade, Jr.

This had to be Maria Athena's oldest brother.

I heard Mary move about the kitchen, the familiar clank of pans, and I shuddered, suddenly grateful she was safe.

Nothing good could come from a young woman gone missing. How afraid Mr. Spade's family must be!

Blitz said something far off, and while I couldn't hear his words, I got a feeling of dread. I put on my robe and went to the kitchen. Blitz and Mary stood in the middle of the kitchen, turning towards me in surprise, faces pale.

I said, "What's happened? What's wrong?"

Blitz held an opened letter, the Holy Symbol of Spadros Manor upon it. "Major Blackwood has been murdered."