Shadows in Chinatown by Jolie Tunnell

Author:Jolie Tunnell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781966593331
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2025-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Dawn brought the palest excuse for light as the rising sun dueled with a thick fog that writhed and shifted as Fergus urged the horse and wagon onto the long bridge for town.

Fergus had helped me with my baggage and taken a firm grip on the reins as I settled in place beside him, back in my travel clothes. My wedding clothes. The jaunty feather in my hat wilted in the early fog like all of my expectations.

Brigid hadn’t left her room. We rode off in silence alone.

It was an irritating justice. Whether it had been Lin or Rory who killed Pat, Lin had killed Rory and Fergus had killed Lin. And though Pat’s family had their revenge without realizing it, I was still disgusted and disillusioned with the police, the city, and the fact that Aunt Mary had been right.

Even if the police and all the hounds of hell took Lin down last night, she was wounded or dead and her mission a failure. Although I was certain that others would continue her search, none would suspect me of having the jade. It had been lost in the shadows of Dogpatch, and that was where they would concentrate.

At least long enough for me to board the SS Idaho.

I pushed both Detective Fisher and Brigid from my mind. I owed them nothing. Neither wanted my allegiance. Detective Fisher wanted an arrest, and Brigid wanted to keep her head down and move on.

But I did owe myself something. The truth. There was one last errand to do before I left.

“Fergus, the steamer has a schedule. It leaves at two. It doesn’t have to wait for the tide.”

“It’s just there.” He pointed to a distant steeple at the far end of Market Street. “No use frettin’.” He guided the horse around the hotel to the back entry. “They load cargo and passengers up to the last minute. We’ll get you there as soon as these rib roasts and steaks are laid away and paid for.”

Once we arrived, I let myself down from the wagon, left Fergus to his delivery, and went looking for Pearl. I wandered as far as the kitchen staircase but didn’t touch the first step. Utter chaos reigned above.

Dodging a man carrying a load of cabbages, I slipped around the corner and pondered the service elevator instead. One would never know it was the portal to a palace. Even in my wedding clothes, I couldn’t bring myself to take it. A set of iron stairs beside the elevator shaft was my third option.

As I climbed, a growing melody kept time with my huffing and puffing. Then it gained momentum and passed me by, a capricious tune, heavy on the brass.

Knowing better than to linger anywhere near the kitchen, I made a sharp left, avoided a dining room, and stepped into the Grand Court.

Porters, maids, and deliverymen moved through the area, intent on their tasks. Pearl was here, somewhere.

Morning sunshine flooded the building. Bunting and shamrocks exploded from every balcony.

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