20 Hours to Charles Town by Charlotte Henley Babb

Author:Charlotte Henley Babb [Babb, Charlotte Henley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steampunk, alternate timeline, lesbian couple, airship brothel, british america
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Cabin Deck

Zulie stared at the Irishman she had assigned to surveillance, headed the wrong direction, and not supposed to be here in any case. "Get back to your post. You have a job. It's not busywork."

"I'm doing it," he said. "One of the clients, Golden, is a man I know as Coontz. He killed an escort and is roaming the ship." The man looked away, hung his head, and sighed before looking back at her. "I assume you know that Velvet worked for the Mauvertons."

"Coontz...the name is familiar, but I don't know him. Are you certain?" She studied his face for clues that he was lying.

"I used to work with him building the sky port." Jonas shook his head. "He's either come into a lot of money since then to build himself a new identity, or someone is bankrolling him."

"I will find him. You go back surveillance."

He nodded, not happy but not arguing or walking away.

"If I need your services, I'll send for you." She pointed down the hall with her chin.

He nodded again. "How do I call you?"

"You don't. I call you." She stared at him, waiting for a response.

He strode back the way he came, headed for the surveillance room. At least he obeyed direct orders when she could see him. She entered Cabin 22. The Irishman had been right about Golden-smart, devious, and mean. She saw the severed wires. One of many details to deal with later.

Zulie rang the service bell, answered in the kitchen. "Send two dock workers up to Cabin 22." She left the doctor to her work and strode out to catch Jonas before he returned to surveillance.

"C'mon, Irish." She said when she caught up to him.

"The name's Jonas." He turned and stared into her face, defiantly. "If you call me, call my name."

"You coming?" She passed him and headed to the Gallery. He would follow or not.

When they got to the Gallery, he was at her heel. She stood where she could be seen by the escorts. She made a sign, jerking her thumb towards her chest. Each of the escorts signed a reply, as if brushing something off her cheek.

Now to get to the ambassadors, make sure they were safe, then Elvira, and if she was safe, slap her. Zulie headed back towards the kitchen level. "Tell me more about this Coontz."

"Banker's bastard, educated but not acknowledged, no money. Knows construction, demolition, some artificery, good shot, and a mean fighter. I've heard that he's killed a few people. I've never seen him kick a dog, but plenty of men." Jonas paused. "Ten years ago we were friends, but we went different ways."

"Would he know you now?"

"Up close, maybe." He shrugged.

"Yeah, you Irish all look alike." Zulie did not smile. She stopped halfway down a stairway to slide a panel aside. "Another surveillance room. Be silent."

After he entered the small passage, she shut the door, and then opened another. They moved slowly into the viewing room for the conference room. Golden was not in the meeting, a good sign.

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