Mourningbird by Brock Deskins

Author:Brock Deskins [Deskins, Brock]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dingo Dog Publishing
Published: 2017-10-10T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

“Back so soon, Inquisitor?” Cleary asked as he opened the door wide.

“Mr. Cleary, you appear to be healing well,” Bertram replied.

“Sah Conner has spared no expense in relieving himself of the awesome burden of opening his own door and fetching his drinks.”

“It’s good to have a purpose.”

“No matter how menial it might be,” Cleary concurred. “Sah Conner, Sah Bertram to see you,” he announced as he led his guest to the parlor.

“Bertram, another unexpected surprise,” Conner said.

“I apologize for once again stopping by without an invitation and bringing my work with me.”

“Not at all. I enjoy our discussions. I was just about to have a nightcap. Care for one?”

“More than you can imagine, thank you.”

Both men looked at Cleary, who started under their scrutiny. “Oh, of course. My mind drifted. My apologies,” he said, and hastened to fetch their drinks.

Bertram sat down, removed his soot-stained mask, and grinned at Cleary’s back. “He seems a bit out of sorts today.”

“He overextended himself earlier and is likely feeling the effects. I have tried to convince him to take more time off, but he despises idleness.”

“That’s a good quality in an employee.”

“It is unless they push themselves too hard and the pain causes them to become petulant.”

Cleary set the men’s drinks onto the table. “Do not let him fool you, sah. I was petulant long before my injury.”

“Not a trait one usually finds in a servant,” Bertram said.

“Only the best of us possess and openly display it.”

Conner added, “And only the best of employers appreciate it.”

“Then I expect you’ll be appreciating me a great deal over the coming days and weeks.”

Bertram drained his glass in a single gulp and held it up for Cleary to refill. He grimaced at the sooty fingerprints he left all over the crystal vessel. “I hope you aren’t responsible for doing the dishes as well, Mr. Cleary. I fear I am making a mess of your fine crystal.”

“Fortunately, that duty falls to another, but she is a far more frightening character than I, so perhaps this would be a good job for Felicity.”

“Speaking of appreciating petulance, how is your niece faring in the big city, Conner?” Bertram asked.

“She is adapting.” Conner leveled his gaze on the inquisitor. “Is that why you’ve come by?”

Bertram chuckled. “No, it’s purely professional, I assure you. Did you hear of the explosion in the naval mooring yard last night?”

“I did. An airship if I heard right.”

“Not just an airship but our flagship, along with Commander Thibault and twenty-six airshipmen.”

“Tragic news.”

“It is disturbing to say the least, and not just because of the loss of life and property.”

Conner nodded. “You have another who and why situation.”

“Precisely, and this time I have no idea as to either of them.”

“Do you think this and the attack on you are related?”

“The timing and egregiousness of the act make it difficult to discount the theory. However, there is something that makes me think they are not. I have a witness who claims to have seen a man and a woman board the airship and attack the crew.

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