The Two of Hearts by Patricia Loofbourrow

Author:Patricia Loofbourrow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: courthouse, missing person, corrupt police, deadly secrets, female pi, turning point, brutal murder, mafia family, marriage drama, steampunk noir
Publisher: Red Dog Press LLC

The Feelings

“Good morning,” I said. “I’m astonished to see you.”

“You didn’t get my letter then?”

“Oh. I haven’t yet opened my mail.”

For an instant, our eyes met, and I felt flustered. But then I remembered my manners. “I’m sorry. Would you like to come in?”

He hung his coat upon the stand by the door. Then he gave me an amused smile. “There’s ink upon your face,” he pointed at my cheek, “just there.”

“Oh.” I’d laid upon the newspaper! “Please excuse me.” I went to wash my face; letters from Anna’s article lay upon it, reversed.

Somewhat embarrassed, I returned to the hall, where Tony stood, top hat in hand, as if I’d never left. “I hope your sister’s well?”

He shrugged. “As well as she ever is these days.” He put his top hat upon the stand. “I hope she’s learned something, at any rate.”

His little sister Katherine had almost started a war.

But some good had come of it: the accords, the restoration of bodies. And maybe her parents would talk with her for once, rather than at her.

Tony had been surveying the hallway, yet his demeanor was full of interest, not the disdain I’d feared. His voice held pleasant surprise. “I haven’t really looked at the inside of your building since before you moved here.”

Our eyes met; his gaze was kind, gentle.

I’d been so angry at him before. Why had I been so angry? I closed the front door. “Would you like a tour?”

Tony didn’t move. “I’m sorry I shouted at you.”

This surprised me. Yet he seemed sincere.

“I — oh, there was no call for it. She was your friend, and now she’s dead.” Pain lay in his voice. “I should have stood beside you as comfort, yet I only caused you grief.”

Oh, Anna.

I didn’t want to cry in front of him. So I went to the parlor, and he followed. I tried to keep my tone light. “Any news about Jon?”

“None, sorry to say. I wish there were.”

We moved to the kitchen. “Would you care for some tea?”

“No, thank you.”

Not knowing what else to do, I went through the kitchen door into the back hall. I showed Tony the piano Jonathan had given me, that I had sanded and stained. “I’m finally learning how to play properly. Blitz is a good teacher.”

“Is the arrangement working well?”

“It is. He and Mary take such good care of everything — I hardly have to direct them. And it’s good to have them around, so I’m not alone here.”

I faced him, back to the piano, and with my left hand, pointed towards Blitz and Mary’s rooms. “They stay there. They’re at the river today.” I felt foolish: of course, Tony knew that. “It’s been difficult with the new baby, but she’s beginning to sleep more.”

Tony smiled to himself.

Then I gestured to my right. “This is Master Rainbow’s room. And upstairs is where our temporary housekeeper is.” I led him down the hall, past the little closet under the stair and towards the staircase.

“Where is Master Rainbow today?”

A hint of something lay in Tony’s voice.

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