In Absinthia by Alexandra Christian

Author:Alexandra Christian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steampunk, sci fi, victoriana, altered humans, a forced vacation to an off world planet, a future resort all inclusive vacation, a ripper copy cat, a series of murders, adventure with cage and phoe, interplanetary master spies
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Thirteen

Phoe had never felt so ill used in her life as she dragged herself up the steps of the pension. She and Cage were out all day chasing ghosts completely without reward. After examining the body of Arabella Postlethwaite, Sigerson had insisted that they all go to the police station to question Jasper Wittrock, the former lover and castmate of Arabella. Tuggingham had been resistant to let them in, but after a few calls to Maurice that involved begging, apologies, and promises not to expect any pay, Cage and Phoe managed to buy themselves a few minutes with the suspect. Though uninvited, Sigerson tagged along. At the end of their talk with Wittrock, Sigerson determined that while Wittrock was clearly mad; his only crime was being in love with a fickle harlot.

“Yes, the two of you should go inside and get some rest,” Sigerson droned to Cage. “Tomorrow, we’ll need to go through the files on the previous murders. I need data. Autopsy reports, possible suspects, associations…”

Phoe whipped around, stopping at the landing with hands on hips. “Pardon me?”

Cage, evidently sensing that she was about to explode, chuckled nervously and laid a calming hand on her wrist. “Sigerson was only suggesting—”

“I know what he was suggesting,” Phoe snapped, jerking away from him. “Over the course of the last two days, I’ve witnessed a horrific murder, had a spirited run across town where all my clothes burned off, aroused the suspicion of the police, examined a dead body, and questioned an insane murder suspect. And in case you hadn’t noticed, Macijah, I’m on vacation. Now we’re supposed to spend our day tomorrow in the basement of a grimy police station staring at autopsy photos?”

“Sounds like an excellent way to spend a holiday to me,” Sigerson mumbled.

“Shut it,” Phoe and Cage shouted in unison.

“Phoe, I know it isn’t exactly how you envisioned our getaway to Absinthia.”

Phoe laughed so loudly that it scared passersby. “No, Cage. This actually is exactly how I envisioned our getaway to Absinthia. That’s what infuriates me the most. You can’t leave the job behind for a single month.”

Sigerson cleared his throat. “I think I’ll, ah—go. Now.”

“You act like I’m doing this on purpose.”

“Aren’t you?” Phoe put her hands on her hips.

“I didn’t ask for those women to be murdered.”

“No, but you don’t have to get involved. You could let it go this once.”

Cage made a noise somewhere between a growl and a sigh of exasperation. “People are dying, Phoe. And the body count is rising. Is it not our responsibility to help?”

“It’s our responsibility to cooperate. We’ve done that. End of story.”

“Do you think you two could possibly not have a domestic in the street?” Sigerson gestured to the small crowd that had gathered to watch the two of them go at it.

“Stay out of this, Copper-top,” Phoe snarled. “This is all your fault anyway.”

“My fault?”

“You’re the one snooping around crime scenes and dragging us all over the colony.” Phoe marched down the steps, jabbing Sigerson in the chest with an angry fingertip.

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