Two weeks later, Tony held a press conference at the statue of the first Acevedo Spadros. This time, I stood by his side. "Many rumors and lies have swirled about these past months," he said. His words boomed over the crowd. "We stand here today to set the matter straight once and for all.
"The dastardly slander that sent my wife to stand before a jury on Market Center not only wounded her, but this entire quadrant. It made us distrust each other. It caused cowards to rise up against their own Family, spurred on by evil men who wish nothing more than to take our land from us.
"Each of us has had times of darkness that challenge who we thought we were," he tapped his chest, "inside. My wife and I travel through such times. But we are still here. We still keep you safe. We are still strong.
"My wife wishes to live as one of you to heal the many wounds this trial has given the Spadros quadrant. As my ancestor, the first Acevedo Spadros, fought for women to be educated, so I support my wife's desire to improve this city in her own way. Do not fear to take her help, should you need it."
My eyes filled with tears. What that must have cost him!
"This quadrant shall be not only a strong, secure quadrant, but an enlightened one as well." He raised his arms as if to embrace the crowd. "You are my Family! Take pride in your place beside me. Do your good work to better your children's lives, our quadrant, and our future. Remember, Family is everything."
He took my hand, helping me to his carriage through the shouted questions, and we drove away.
Yet his public mask never slipped. He never showed how he felt. I could no longer read him. The cold, hollow Spadros Heir sat in the carriage; my gentle, sweet Tony was gone.
Our trip to my apartments was silent, and he never looked at me.
When we stopped at my home, I said, "Thank you."
He never spoke, nor did he even move, so I went inside.
It was a year before I saw him again.
* * *
The day after Tony's speech, my cast was removed. So I went for a walk. Blitz wanted to go with me, but I wanted to be alone.
In a way, it was a comfort that Tony had men watching me. Now that the rogue Ten of Spades were dead, I doubted I'd have further trouble. But if this let him feel safe enough to let me live free, then it was worth the scrutiny.
As I walked, the names went through my mind of those who'd died because of me. Over and over they went: Air, Daniel, Herbert, Stephen, Marja, Anastasia, Major Blackwood, Madame Biltcliffe, Maria Athena.
The names cut me, they comforted me, they tormented me. And try as I might, I couldn't help feeling that Jonathan Diamond would die because of me as well.
I walked this way and that until I came across a bar. Its front had beveled glass and oak-stained wood that reminded me of Madame's dress shop.
It was even nicer inside, and the bartender was a rather good-looking fellow. "What'll you have, miss?"
I smiled, remembering the drink I'd had at the racetrack with Joseph Kerr. "Can you make a chocolate martini?"
"Never heard of it."
So I left.
Now, I never actually believed I would die if I had one drink.
But if I were going to die from one drink, as the doctor claimed, I should have some dignity about it. I'd not go to my grave clutching after a bottle of cheap swill like some pathetic sot. I'd choose a special time to have one last, very special drink, to toast the man who ruined my life.
So I walked until I found another bar.
And another.
No one knew of this drink. So I took a taxi-carriage home.
* * *
When I walked in the front door. Blitz stood in the hallway, face horrified, letter in hand.
While they slept, Cesare Diamond had seized his parents Julius and Rachel Diamond, as well as Jonathan, Jack, Gardena, and her son Roland. Then he took them by force to the Diamond Country House, where they now remained under guard.
Overnight, the bridges to Diamond had been fortified: those approaching from Spadros quadrant had been fired upon. The five older Diamond brothers now held Diamond Manor. The Clubb-Diamond alliance was suspended, and a second Diamond Purge had begun.
For all purposes, Cesare Diamond - a man who hated me simply for where I was born - was now Patriarch of the Diamond Family.
~~ This ends Chapter 5 of the Red Dog Conspiracy ~~
The Five of Diamonds
Part 6 of the Red Dog Conspiracy
Coming October 2020