Red Dog Conspiracy: A Noir Future Steampunk Crime Family Saga

Nothing during the visit seemed wrong to me. Could Tony's lack of sleep and worry about the issue with Gardena — whatever it was — be making him paranoid?

I turned to Tony, hoping he might speak further on what troubled him about the visit, but he stared out of the window.

Tony's brother was poisoned by an assassin. Perhaps this made Tony wary of anyone who had cause to hate him.

We approached the bridge to Market Center and crossed it. After a while, my thoughts drifted to how I might get Ma out of the city.

If I had money for a zeppelin ticket, the matter would be simple. But I didn't, so the alternative was smuggling her out. And the only way to smuggle someone out would be to appeal to the Clubbs, who would want to know why I wanted a Pot rag smuggled out of the city.

Gardena seemed to like Lance, and the Clubbs seemed to want to be our allies. That didn't mean I would automatically trust them with my mother's life.

Whatever I did, it had to be something that Roy never learned of. He had never expressly forbidden me from contacting Ma, but I had never dared to before. I always feared he would kill us both.

Why did I not go to Tony? My mother wasn't at my wedding because Roy led Tony to believe Peedro Sluff was my only family. To reveal she was alive would mean I had lied to Tony for the past ten years. What else might I have lied about? He would begin asking questions about a great many things. He'd at least want to know why I lied, and I couldn't tell him his father had threatened me every step of the way to the altar. Roy made it very clear he would kill me if I did so. Could Tony really protect me from Roy?

I couldn't take that chance. Tony must never learn that Roy blackmailed me into marrying him until I was somewhere Roy could never find me.

***

The next day, I went to luncheon with Gardena, uneasy about what she might have to say. I wished that she and Tony had never had their conversation, or rather, had taken it out of my presence.

We passed through the side bridge to Diamond at once; evidently, she had sent word in advance.

Light gray cobblestones paved the streets and the curbs were painted white. Many of the buildings were either black brick mortared in gray, painted white, or of silver wood with silver fittings. The lamp posts were delicately spiraled wrought iron painted white with faceted crystal lamp covers which I imagined looked lovely when lit.

Thousands of gentlemen and ladies, many as dark as the Diamond Family, pushed prams, promenaded, or entered shops. The Diamond quadrant ladies seemed to prefer bright colors; the streets looked festive just from their clothes.

The streets teemed with traffic. The Diamond Family's horses and carriages were white, with silver and white tackle. Our black carriage and horses stood in stark contrast to theirs.

My carriage stopped in front of the Diamond Women's Club, and my outriders halted beside us as Honor helped me out to the street. An attendant in Diamond livery, white with silver buttons, came up. "Mrs. Spadros, you're expected. Welcome."

I smiled. "Thank you." I went to the stairs of silver wood with silver banisters and a silver-gray carpet. An attendant opened the silver wood door.

The entry was carpeted in the same silver-gray. An attendant stood behind a white podium. "Ah, Mrs. Spadros, right this way."

I didn't expect to be greeted so warmly.

The luncheon room was large and white, with picture windows covering the far wall. Tables with white tablecloths were set up throughout the room, but the room was empty. Gardena sat at a table in the center of the room, her mother Rachel beside her. Gardena's attendant pulled out her chair as she rose to greet me. Rachel Diamond seemed intent upon the napkin in her lap.

"Gardena, what is this? Do we have the entire room today?"

"I thought it would make your men feel more comfortable if the Club were closed for today, rather than being full of people."

I smiled. "Thank you for thinking of my men."

"You hold your servants in high regard." She took my hand. "And care for their comfort. It is something I love about you."

She wore a cream-colored gown trimmed in tan. It made her skin seem even darker than it was, and the shade gave her face a rosy glow. "You look gorgeous," I said. "Is this your Spring dress?"

She blushed. "Thank you. It is."

"Mine is still being displayed." I laughed. "My dressmaker is quite the entrepreneur."

"Come, sit." She patted the table next to her.

An attendant stood by with my chair, so I sat. "It's nice to see you, Mrs. Diamond."

"So nice," Rachel Diamond said, in a singsong voice. Then she raised her head. "Who are you?"

"This is Mrs. Spadros, Mama," Gardena said.

"Oh, yes, how wonderful to meet you."

We last saw each other not six weeks ago, but Gardena shook her head, so I let the matter drop.

I took a sip. "I hope your family is well?"

"Yes, as well as can be expected."

"Is something wrong?"

"Jack has taken to his rooms these past few days. Jonathan has felt rather poorly as well; the doctor prescribed a trip to the country, with fresh air, meals on the veranda, and daily walks. So I miss seeing him. My older brothers are all busy with their families, and rarely visit. My father keeps to his study, so the house seems rather empty. But I shall visit Jon this weekend."

"Gardena, why does Jon take all those vials? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing; he's always had a delicate constitution, and the city air is often foul." She patted my hand. "Jon will be pleased that you asked after him. I shall send your love when I visit."

"I wish I could visit, but I doubt Mr. Spadros would allow it."

Gardena gave a pensive sigh. "All in good time." But then she smiled. "Would you like some wine?"

"That sounds lovely."

Rachel Diamond sang, "Lovely."

Gardena gestured to the waiter, and he brought our wines. Gardena drained her glass.

I had never seen Gardena drink much before. "Did you have a chance to speak with Lance the night of the dinner?"

"I did briefly. And he called on me yesterday afternoon."

"Wonderful! I'm so pleased."

"It was nice to see him. He's caused controversy amongst my brothers, though. Cheh-zah-ray says the Clubbs are the most dangerous Family in the city, much too dangerous to ally with."

"Cheh-zah-ray?"

Gardena blinked. "Yes, my oldest brother. I saw him on the dais before you greeted my parents at the Grand Ball. Have you not been introduced?"

"No." I remembered the man who glared at Tony that night. "And I've never heard such a name. How is it spelled?"

"C-E-S-A-R-E. Cesare. It's Italian for Caesar, after my father's grandfather. Did your family not teach you Italian?"

My cheeks burned. "I was born in the Spadros Pot, Gardena. I said so at our dinner."

She blushed. "Forgive me. I meant the Spadros Family."

It seemed I hadn't been taught many things I needed to know. We sat in awkward silence, while Rachel Diamond hummed tunelessly to herself.

Gardena's manner seemed formal, almost strained. I wondered what she could possibly have to tell me that she was so nervous about. And she hadn't asked at all about Tony, even when I brought his name up. "May I ask a personal question?"

A blank, terrified stare crossed her eyes for a brief moment, then she said, "Of course."

What did she have to be afraid of? "Perhaps this isn't a good time to ask. You brought me here for a reason."

"Can't I bring you to my quadrant because we're friends?"

"Of course. I'm happy to be here. But you seem upset, and I want to be of service. How can I help you?"

She looked away. "Don't ask about Anthony. Or why we fought. Or why I struck him. Please." She turned her head toward me, and pressed her closed hand to her lips. "It would break trust, and endanger lives. In any case, it's his story to tell." She took a deep breath. "I would like very much for you to know. I begged him to tell you. But I can't speak of it. Not here. Not now. Please."

She spoke as if she knew Tony well. But she didn't know such a simple thing: he hated being called Anthony. "Then I will remain silent. It hurts, though, to see you both in such pain and not know why." I pondered whether I should I reveal how much Tony loved her. But I decided against it; whether she saw it or not, my words would only bring grief. "I only want what's best for you both."

Gardena took a deep breath and let it out. Then she smiled a fake smile. "You're right; I did have something I must share with you. I need advice, and I don't know who else to turn to."

"If there's any way I can help, I will."

She didn't speak for several minutes, her head drooping. The waiters stood aside, covered plates in hand.

Finally, she raised her head. "I'm being blackmailed."

"I don't understand," I said. "What have you done?"

She took a deep breath, and when she spoke, she sounded small and old and weary.

"I killed my grandfather."