Devil by the Tail by Jeanne Matthews

Author:Jeanne Matthews [Matthews, Jeanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Murder mystery, hard boiled, Victorian Era, detective book
Publisher: D X Varos, Ltd
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The street in front of the Opera House was a hive of activity. A dozen carriages disgorged fresh arrivals, but a steady stream of people was leaving as Quinn was and she had to vie for a free hack. The day’s twists and turns had sapped the last drop of energy. She looked forward to spreading a quilt across her desk and giving in to sleep. With all the wine she’d drunk, she wouldn’t miss Mrs. Mills’ feather bed and goose-down pillow.

When eventually she caught a ride, she closed her eyes and drowsed against the back seat. Micah would be fit to be tied when he returned to the dining room after his chat with Geneva and discovered that his disgraceful client had done a bunk. She envisioned his shock, his red blotches, his plaints of offended respectability. The picture made her giggle.

A jangle of bells and clamorous shouts brought her back to attention. The hack pulled to the curb and she stuck her head out the window as a steamer fire wagon thundered past, horses galloping headlong. They were on Pine headed east. She watched the steamer swerve right onto State. A hose cart raced close behind. When they had passed, Quinn’s driver pulled into the street and followed the hose cart. The fire was in the same general direction as the office. It was after nine o’clock but still light enough to see a plume of brownish smoke boiling into the sky.

The hack gained speed and jounced Quinn all over the seat. She braced herself with both hands. Thoughts of Rolf and Delphine Kadinger sprang to mind and she crossed her fingers no one was trapped. She peered out the window again. In the distance flames shot skyward. The acrid smell of burning wood filled the air. Some poor soul was having a worse day than her. The fire wagon had veered out of sight, but the hose cart was just careening onto Adams.

The fire was on the same street as her office. She tensed. What were the chances of a coincidence? By the time the hack made the turn, there was no doubt. The fire wagons had stopped directly in front of Garnick & Paschal.

“I don’t want to get no closer,” said her driver. “My horse ain’t trustable around fire.”

“Then let me out.” The carriage was still moving as she jumped out.

Heat gusted against her face and she brushed in vain at ashes and cinders that rained all around. The little one-room building was enveloped in flames. Where was Garnick? She began to run. She drew up at the hose cart, panting, and a man reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Stay back. You’ll get yourself burnt up.”

“Is there anyone inside?”

“Can’t say. It’s too hot to send a man in.”

“But you have to. That’s my office. My partner may be inside.”

“If you don’t let us work, somebody’s for sure gonna die. Now move back and keep out of the way.”

The hose men unrolled their leather hoses and lugged them to the steam pump.

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