The Three of Spades by Patricia Loofbourrow

Author:Patricia Loofbourrow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: betrayal, woman sleuth, vigilante, family secrets, domed city, future noir, crime families, murder coverup, steampunk noir
Publisher: Red Dog Press, LLC

The Love

I nodded slowly, trying to understand. Something was happening, something Jack couldn’t trust to the Families. Something ... “Do your parents know?”

Jon pursed his lips, shaking his head.

I remembered the funeral, how his mother wailed in anguish, the grief and despair on his father’s face. I whispered, “Good gods, Jon! Can you not tell them?”

Jon said, just as softly, “For the first time in a hundred years, Hart has threatened war against Diamond. Precisely because Jack told you the truth.” He relaxed into his chair, his eyes far away. “And there’s more. But he can no longer trust his Family. Not yet.”

So Jack had a plan. “And your other brothers?”

Jon shook his head, not meeting my eye.

His older brothers believe he’s dead. “Tony knows the truth. I told him the night of the funeral.”

An alarmed look crossed Jonathan’s face, and he leaned forward, resting his arm upon his armrest. “Then he must say nothing, by word or deed. All our lives depend on it.”

I quickly nodded, crossing over to grasp Jon’s hand. “Be at peace: I’ll persuade him.”

We sat quiet for a moment, and I wondered if I should even bring the matter up. “I’m sure you’ve heard.” I placed my right hand low on my belly.

Jon nodded, not looking at me.

“I was tricked, Jon. Mrs. Crawford switched my morning tea.”

“What?”

The butler opened the door and peered in. “Is all well, sir?”

Jon snapped, “I’m fine, Neuberg.” He sounded as if about to explode in rage, yet he gripped his armrest, speaking carefully. “I will call if I need you. Please do not intrude again.”

The man closed the door with a soft click.

I stared at Jon: I’d never seen him like this before.

Jon closed his eyes, his grip on our combined armrests leaving his knuckles white. He took several deep breaths, the vein on his neck pulsing. “With one word,” he panted, “I could have that man killed. Yet I do not, because he still sees me ... as a boy he must protect.” Jon opened his eyes and looked into mine. “Love has more force than steam, Jacqui. Remember that.” He lay back, eyes closed, panting.

I nodded, trying to understand. And I recalled what Blitz had said, before Jack captured me, about how Mrs. Crawford had sat alone, sighing, holding her back. He’d thought her to be old and tired, but there was yet another interpretation. “Don’t be angry at Mrs. Crawford, Jon. I believe she was coerced into doing this.”

He opened his eyes. “By Roy?”

“By Molly.” Melancholy went past, and anger. “Now I’ve been told I must do this whether I wish it or not.”

His face pinched in anguish, eyes squeezed shut. When he opened them, tears lay there. “I never wished this on you, Jacqui. Never! I only told you to go to Tony because I wanted your happiness and safety.” He wiped under one eye with his finger; his face hardened. “This is wrong. The Dealer’s Gift should be a blessing, not a curse.”

Would he do something rash? “I should have said nothing.

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