Fortinbras by Cora Foerstner

Author:Cora Foerstner [Foerstner, Cora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dystopian Novella
Publisher: Wood Sorrel Press
Published: 2017-05-28T23:00:00+00:00

PART IV

In the reception room, the secretary sat straight, staring at nothing. In trying to wipe away her mascara, she'd created a black ring around each eye. A frightened raccoon caught up in events. Fortinbras ignored her and went to Sophie, who stood on her chair, her face pressed against the window. Jo, an image of boredom and indifference, sat beside her swinging her legs.

"Hello," he said to Sophie.

She turned from the window and smiled, her full lips and mahogany hair reminding him of Olivia. Once he'd thought or hoped she was his daughter, but her piercing hazel eyes were twins to Collins' eyes.

"Mr. Fort. There's a fire." She pointed toward the Palace District.

"Last night you were at Mr. Burkhart's house?"

"Uh-huh. Sally and I played monkey and trees."

"Did you stay there all night?"

She shook her head. "Sally's dad was angry. He took everyone away. He wanted me to go home, but Sally cried, so I went with them to a big house."

"What big house?"

"The one by the beach." She smiled, showing the dimples in her cheeks.

Deep inside, a desire to hug her and tell her everything would be okay surfaced. He patted the top of her head instead and signaled Jo to follow him.

At the secretary's desk, he nodded toward Collins' daughter and whispered, "Stay with her. Anything happens to her, you'll answer to me."

She sucked in her breath and nodded.

Without asking permission, he took the secretary's phone and dialed Legate headquarters. He didn't want to make the call, but he didn't have a choice.

"Greetings, Fortinbras. News?"

Akbar's deep voice grounded him.

"Three cartel leaders are left. One's leg has been amputated; he's in the hospital. Collins is well. Burkhart caused the riots and fires. I assume he's trying to take over. He hired Betrayers. I think they might still be in town. Gangs will invade any time. The sun's coming up." Fortinbras waited through several seconds of silence.

"What exactly are you asking for?" Akbar asked.

"Do I have to say it?"

"Yes."

At least three previous times, the councilman had pressured him to make this decision, but he and the other Legates chose not to ask. As far as Fortinbras knew, he and his two friends were the only Legates left. That left the town wide open to gangs and ripe for invasion and looting.

"Martial law. Corday will negotiate the deal," Fortinbras said.

"Archangel and Corday are here. We've negotiated."

"I'll take the deal."

"Sight unseen?"

"Yes. I trust Corday. We need to act fast. Send Archangel and Corday to Burkhart's building. I'm headed there now."

Knowing Akbar wanted another decision from him, he hung up.

"Tell no one about this call," he told the secretary and signaled Jo to follow him.

Outside, the sun was peeking over the mountains, its light driving away the haze of dawn. He and the kid hopped into the waiting taxi.

"Take me to Second Street."

In the distance, the sound of airships grew closer. Fortinbras glanced up. There were ten airships. Akbar must have had the Legates standing ready. He hoped they were quick enough to drive the gangs back.

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