Red Dog Conspiracy: A Noir Future Steampunk Crime Family Saga

"So now we are eight," I told Tony over breakfast. We sat beside our round white table, the garden shrouded in mist outside the large windows around us.

Tony shook his head. "I feared as much, when I heard the news and saw Miss Kerr's distress." He shrugged. "No matter. Eight is an auspicious number. I'm sure the party will go well."

"I hired a quartet for entertainment. I chose several pieces of art to play tableaux after dinner. Even with only eight, we should have enough combinations to please everyone. Plus I've ordered a red Bordeaux to go with our roasted beef."

He smiled at me. "I'm proud of how you've progressed in this matter. You arranged everything yourself this time. The staff tells me all is ordered in sufficient amounts."

I smiled back, feeling pleased.

At the time, what I really wanted was to find a few moments of peace. To be happy. To feel safe. To be of help to someone, anyone. I had lived with Tony six years, and in many ways looked to him to know how to live in Bridges society. And now, Tony was proud of me, and that meant a great deal.

***

I spent the rest of the week alongside Jane and the staff scrubbing, polishing, and decorating. But at last, Queen's Night was at hand, and all was in readiness. The musicians arrived with their instruments as good smells wafted up from the kitchens.

I went to my study, taking the name cards from my dark cherry-wood desk. Roy let me keep it even though it didn't match the gray-white trimmed in palest blue decor.

The desk was mine, and I loved it.

I folded each name card so that they made little tents upon my desk top. Then I brought the folded cards to the dining room.

Candles gave the room a soft yellow glow atop the electric lights of the chandelier. The veranda was lit, giving our guests a place to take in the air after dinner if they wished.

The musicians had set up in the breakfast room, and tuned their instruments as I went round the table placing the cards as so:

Tony at the head of the table and I at the foot, as was the custom in Bridges. To Tony's right, I placed Dame Anastasia Louis; to his left, Gardena Diamond. Next to Anastasia, Major Blackwood, then Kitty Clubb would sit next to me. On my right would be Jonathan Diamond, then Lance Clubb would sit next to Gardena. Being eight made for an awkward table, two men and two women sitting beside each other, but there was no help for it. I was to have Joe beside me, and Josie between Jonathan and Lance, which would have made a perfect scene.

Rosemary and holly sprigs graced the center, gathered around short fat beeswax candles. The tablecloth was white damask; the plates, silverware, and crystal, our best.

Tony came round the corner. "Ah, there you are!" He held a bouquet of roses such a dark red as to be almost black: the roses of Spadros. He handed them to me.

"For me? I'm no matriarch." The eldest mother of the family received flowers on Queen's Day, not a young childless wife.

Tony cupped my face in his hands. "In this house, you're all I see." He kissed my lips, lingering, then touched his forehead to mine, the scent of roses filling the air. "We'll soon have children, never fear."

This felt odd. "What of your mother? Is she well?"

"My father will tend to her. I believe he will become the most pleasant of husbands."

This was mystifying, to be sure. Roy Spadros was a violent, brutal, sadistic man, who caused injury to Tony's mother as often as he could. What changed?

Tony put his arms around my waist. "I never thought when I first saw you that we would be speaking such things."

"Well, we were only twelve years old."

"But you were such a wild thing, cursing and shouting like a zeppelin pilot. Frankly, you frightened me." He paused, gazing to one side as he smiled to himself. Then his shoulders straightened. "But your passionate defiance of my father at every turn made me see I could be bold as well. Become separate from his dominance."

Tony relied on me? Used me as his guide, his inspiration? It felt humbling.

He caressed my cheek, slid his hand behind my neck. "I love you so much." Then he gave me a peck on my lips and chuckled. "I suppose I should see who I'm hosting for dinner."

I giggled, rubbing my hands together, wishing everyone would arrive soon so they might see the scene I created.

Tony ambled around the table surveying the names, then stopped, his face going white. "What's this?"

I laid the flowers on the sideboard. "What's wrong?"

"How could you invite Gardena Diamond?"

"Tony, she's here all the time. She and Jonathan call at least once a month. They were here just a few weeks ago. You spoke with them." He stood motionless, staring. I moved towards Tony, becoming concerned for his health. "You don't remember?"

Tony didn't speak for several seconds as the color returned to his face. When he next spoke, he sounded furious. "This is different. Inviting the Diamonds for dinner is completely different from them calling on us. Did Julius Diamond approve this?"

Julius Diamond was Jon and Gardena's father. He hated Tony so much that he wouldn't even shake my husband's hand. "I assume so. They accepted our invitation. Why? What's wrong?"

Tony said nothing.

"Jon's our friend. You spent much of the Grand Ball sitting with him in front of half the city. Why shouldn't we invite them?"

"You don't understand anything! Having them here for dinner? It just can't be." He paused. "We've never invited them here. A formal invitation sends a message to the whole city. Did you clear this with my father?"

"I never thought I needed to." Was that why Roy wrote us? I began to feel afraid of what I might have done. And worse yet, that I didn't understand why. "What message? Was I wrong to invite the Clubbs?"

"No," Tony said. "That's different."

"Why is it different? I want to understand why you're so upset."

"We're not at war with the Clubbs. We are at war with the Diamonds. We've been at war with the Diamonds since ... for ten years now —"

I wondered at that. "Aren't we at peace? I thought the war only lasted a year —"

"We're only at cease-fire. There's never been an alliance between their Family and ours from the time of the Coup. The whole city will wonder: is this a prelude to peace? Are these younger Diamonds emissaries? If anything — anything! — should happen to Jon and Gardena while they're in Spadros quadrant, so much as a hair on their heads harmed, the cease-fire could be broken. And we're not ready." Tony turned away, his hand to his forehead. "We're nowhere near ready. My father will be furious."

"Should I cancel the dinner?"

Tony shook his head. "It's much too late for that now." He stared at Gardena's place at the table. The color drained from his face, and he almost sounded afraid. "I will not sit beside Gardena Diamond tonight. I — I can't. You must move her at once."

What the hell was wrong with him? "Well, I wanted her to sit beside Lance Clubb. But if it'll make things better, I can switch her with Kitty." I paused, and took a breath. The fault was mine; neither anger nor sarcasm would solve this. "Dame Anastasia may take offense if I seat her away from the host."

Tony gave a weak smile. "That she might." He looked as if he might be sick. "I must contact my father."

As he left, I took a deep breath and let it out. This was not going as I expected.

As I switched the name cards, I realized the musicians witnessed all this. At my glance, they began fiddling with their papers as if they heard nothing.

I almost laughed.

The doorbell rang, and I heard Pearson open it. I hurried past the quartet, slowing to a walk as the door came into view.

Kitty and Lance Clubb were blond with blue eyes and a sprinkling of freckles across their noses. Their hair was heavy and straight with a golden hue. Kitty's gown was dandelion gold, while Lance's suit was saffron, with a cream-white cravat.

Lance Clubb seemed younger than I, even though he was a year my elder. But he won the approval of Gardena Diamond's father Julius, and I planned to introduce them tonight.

Kitty, a rather plain woman, was two years older than Lance and lacked his shy demeanor: she strode up to me at once.

I held out my hand to her. "What a pleasure to see you both!"

Kitty was unmarried, yet older. Should I curtsy to her, or she to me? Fortunately, Kitty solved the problem by curtsying to me.

Lance kissed my hand. "I hope Mr. Spadros is well?"

Music wafted into the room. I felt relieved that the musicians had finally begun to play. "Mr. Spadros is quite well; a matter arose which needed his attention. He'll be here shortly. Come, I've arranged rooms for your refreshment."

Pearson brought Lance to Tony's study, while I brought Kitty to mine. Attendants waited to help them with their coats and hats, and mirrors were set up. A screen was placed inside each door to prevent guests from being displayed to those in the hallway.

The doorbell rang. Major Blackwood was a round, vigorous old man, brown of skin and white of hair. As always, in uniform, several small badges of rank on his left chest. "Splendid to see you again, my dear," he said, bowing deeply. "Always a pleasure."

Major Blackwood was well known on the party circuit but had never visited Spadros Manor. He was neither of the aristocracy nor aligned with any Family. But he helped me two weeks ago, and this invitation was his reward.

Tony walked up just then, looking much improved. "Major Blackwood!" They shook hands. "Welcome. It's so good to see you. Pearson, would you show the Major to the dressing room?"

"Certainly, sir."

Tony turned to me. "Who's here so far?"

"Lance and Kitty." I hesitated. "I hope you're well?"

Tony nodded. "I never imagined my father would leave the situation with the Diamonds out of your training."

I shrugged. Roy Spadros had neglected more than that. I had no idea how the illegal drug Party Time — a major source of our income — was even made until Tony tried to explain it to me a few weeks ago. "Who knows why your father does what he does?" I patted his arm. "I'm sorry I made such a mess of things."

Tony kissed my forehead. "We'll have to muddle through."

Pearson walked past us just as the doorbell rang.

With a sleek bouffant of white-blonde hair, an erect carriage, and gray eyes, Dame Anastasia Louis swept in, bedecked with jewels, furs trailing behind her. She was well past seventy, with a heritage running back to the kings of England, pre-Catastrophe. But age had only improved her, giving her a stature that made younger women look like foolish girls beside her.

"My dear friends." She gave her hand to Tony to kiss, and I curtsied when she took mine. "I'm so glad to see you."

"And I you," said Tony. "I hear your business is doing well."

"I could say the same."

Tony laughed. "That you could."

The casino brought in over $3000 this past quarter. The shipments of Party Time we distributed were lucrative as well. This in a city where a penny could get you many things. I had never even seen a dollar before I was sold to the Spadros Family.

Dame Anastasia was rich, beautiful, and fond of us. Plus, she was our next door neighbor (although she lived a mile away). I took her arm. "Let me show you to the dressing room."

"I've missed seeing you," she said, as we strolled down the hall. "It's been weeks since you've visited. I hope all is well?"

"Yes, very," I said. "I apologize for not calling; we've been quite busy. Did you know Mr. Spadros is renovating the casino?"

She patted my hand. "Come visit me for tea sometime this week. I have something to speak with you about that I think you'll find most interesting."

At the time, I thought she had advice about investing in her "miracle" gems. "I would be happy to." A maid opened the door for us, and I escorted Dame Anastasia around the screen. Kitty sat with a cup of tea, but set it down and rose when we entered. "Dame Anastasia Louis, may I present to you Miss Kitty Clubb."

Kitty came forward and curtsied low. "It's an honor."

Dame Anastasia took Kitty's hand. "The pleasure is all mine." The doorbell rang and she turned to me. "Thank you, my dear, I'll allow you to greet your guests."

I left my study, closing the door. Tony stood in the entryway, shaking Jonathan Diamond's hand, then hesitated for several seconds. His back was towards me, but Gardena stared up at him, lips slightly parted. Then Jon jostled her elbow; she glanced at me. Tony glanced back, startled.

What was this all about? I walked over to greet them.

Jonathan Diamond was a tall, handsome man of six and twenty. His younger sister Gardena, poised and beautiful. Like most in the Diamond Family, their skin was so dark as to almost be black. Jon's black hair was tight-coiled and cut short. Gardena's raven curls cascaded down one side of her neck, elegantly displayed beneath a royal blue hat which matched her gown. Jonathan wore a black suit with a cravat matching Gardena's gown, pinned with the symbol of their Family in white.

Jon and his sister came past Tony to greet me, Jon kissing my hand. "How lovely you look!"

I gave him a mischievous grin. "I could say the same of you."

He laughed.

"I'm so sorry we're late." Gardena sounded embarrassed. "Father was being difficult."

I could only imagine.

Tony walked up to us and spoke to Jon. "May I show you to your dressing room?"

Jon turned to us. "Until next we meet."

I waved at him then took Gardena's arm. "You survived your father's wrath, I take it?"

She giggled. "He is a bear. But Jon persuaded him to relent."

I squeezed her arm in mine. "I'm so glad. I have a young man who eagerly awaits your introduction."

Gardena let go of my arm and stepped back. "Truly?"

"Yes. I saw him and your father shake hands on it at the Grand Ball."

Gardena's face filled with joy as she put her hands to her mouth. Then she threw her arms round my neck, kissing my cheek. "I'm so grateful." Then she straightened. "Oh, dear. Who?"

"None other than Master Lancelot Clubb."

She put her hand to her chest. "Oh, my." I didn't think Lance was handsome, but Gardena appeared flustered. "How do I look?"

"You look gorgeous." I ushered her into my study. Kitty and Anastasia rose when we entered. "Dame Anastasia Louis, Miss Kitty Clubb, may I present Miss Gardena Diamond."

Gardena stared at Anastasia, her voice dripping with venom. "You. You dare come here, tonight of all nights?"

Anastasia appeared unperturbed. "My dear, I was invited."

Gardena pointed at Anastasia, and her hand shook. "How dare you claim Queen of Diamonds while my mother still lives? How dare you mock my family's grief? You should feel ashamed of yourself!" She fled to the corner and stood facing away.

Gardena's mother Rachel never recovered from the death of her father-in-law, and required tending. It never occurred to me how Gardena might feel to meet Anastasia on Queen's Day.

"Excuse me." I said to the other ladies, and followed Gardena. She stood stiffly staring at the wall. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Are you well?"

Gardena's eyes flashed angrily. "It's not right for her to use my mother's name this way!"

I came round, held her hands. "This is my fault. I didn't consider how it might upset you to see her here."

"I worry so for her, Jacqui. I should never have come. I should be home with her now."

"Nonsense. She would want you to be happy. Am I right?"

Gardena smiled at that, wiping her face with her handkerchief. "I don't wish to spoil your party."

I glanced at Kitty, who watched us, and nodded at her. She came over with some hesitation, and I took Kitty's hand and placed Gardena's in it. "This is Lance's sister. It would please me if you became friends."

I closed the door before heading to the dining room. The musicians were taking a break now that all the guests had arrived and were preparing for dinner.

Jane stood in the dining room directing placement of the serving platters on the long tables by the wall. I approached her. "Is all well?"

"Ten minutes, mum, and all will be ready."

"Thank you. I'll alert our guests."

I went to the sideboard. Tony's roses stood in a vase; beside them stood the dinner bell. I walked past the musicians, then into the hall, ringing the bell three times. I placed it on a small table there in the hall and waited for our guests to emerge.

Tony came out of his library: face pale, collar damp, his hair moist around his forehead. Tony's father Roy Spadros was a fearsome man; I hoped Tony didn't regret his decision to loosen ties with him. I did not want things to go back to the way they were, Roy appearing at any moment to do with our household as he wished.

Our guests began appearing in the hallway, one by one. Once they were all in the hall, I went to Gardena, who appeared much improved, and I led her to Lance. "Gardena Diamond, may I present Lance Clubb."

Lance and Gardena both blushed. Lance took her hand and kissed it. "I'm most honored to meet you."

For once, Gardena was speechless. I jostled her arm. "And I you," she said.

Tony offered his arm to Dame Anastasia, and I took Major Blackwood's arm. Jon gave his arm to Kitty Clubb. I glanced back. Lance offered his arm to Gardena, passing in front of Jon and Kitty, as was proper for a Family heir to do.

At least that went well.

Then I remembered poor Joe, alone and injured. I sighed.

Major Blackwood peered at me. "I hope everything is well?"

"We're two short. A friend suffered serious injury and couldn't attend. His sister cares for him now. I would've liked to have seen them tonight."

Major Blackwood nodded. "Injury is a terrible thing." I thought for a moment he was going to start into one of his bawdy party stories about the Army, but his manner seemed grave. "I will light a candle for your friend. May he play this difficult round with dignity and honor."

This surprised me. "Why thank you, Major."

He patted my hand in a fatherly manner. "It is of no consequence."

We entered the dining room, everyone sitting as they found their places. The waiters began handing out bowls of soup and filling wine glasses. Everyone sat, hands in their laps, until Tony began to eat, then they ate as well.

Jon placed his hand over his glass. "Just water for me, please."

"And I," said Kitty Clubb.

My surprise must have shown, because Lance said, "Kitty has been accepted by the Dealers."

Murmurs of congratulations went round the table.

The Dealers: a female-only religious group which formed soon after the Catastrophe. Dealers took no intoxicating substances in order to play their hands to the best of their ability. In that way, they were like the Grand Order. But the Dealers handled copies of the Cards themselves, so it was a great honor to be asked to join.

Major Blackwood said, "I remember my father telling me of how his family took him to the Cathedral as a boy to receive the Dealers' blessings." He spoke as if the memory of his father's story was a pleasant one.

"It's a pity the Cathedral was destroyed," Kitty said. "I hear it was beautiful."

Destroyed? Why in the world would she say that?

Lance said to me, "What is it?"

"Forgive me," I said, "I don't mean to offend, but the Cathedral's not destroyed. I grew up there."

Everyone stared at me except Kitty, whose face lit up. "Really? What's it like?"

The high ceiling glowed in the candlelight. The setting sun crossed the one unbroken stained glass window. Lovely ladies in flowing gowns walked that window, flowers and Card symbols arrayed around them.

"Quite beautiful." I sighed, missing my home, my Ma. "But it's been a long time since I lived there."

"How is it that you grew up there?" Kitty said.

"I suppose it sounds scandalous, but my Ma owned it. She bought it shortly before I was born. But she grew up there, too, and her mother before her."

Kitty gazed at one of the candles. "I never realized that it still stood, or that anyone remained."

"We never left," I said.

Jon shook himself. "What do you mean, we?"

Without thinking, I said, "The elders call us the Dealers' Daughters, the ones who survived." I realized this might not be the best subject to discuss over dinner. "I'm sorry, I'm hoarding the conversation. How is the weather there in Diamond?"

Jon smiled. "Quite nice, for this time of year."

"It's lovely and warm," Gardena said, "and the sun came out this afternoon." She glanced at Tony. "Quite unlike here."

Tony bristled. Jon frowned at Gardena.

Was Gardena angry at Tony for inviting Anastasia?

Kitty said, "Why do they call you the Dealers' Daughters?"

"I wondered that myself," Tony said.

Anastasia said to Kitty, "My dear, are you familiar with the history of Bridges?"

"I suppose so," Kitty said.

"Then you might understand that not all that went on during that time was pleasant," Major Blackwood said, "or suitable for dinner conversation."

I felt relieved he had spoken. "Kitty, perhaps I can answer your questions later."

The waiters began taking away the bowls and replacing them with plates filled with roast beef, roasted parsnips and carrots, and three small grilled fishes.

I began searching for a topic which might be uncontroversial.

Why was Tony saying nothing? He knew this wasn't a strong area for me. He gazed downward, off to his right, as if in a reverie.

I turned to Lance and Kitty. "I hear your parents are launching another yacht." Surely that subject might not cause distress. "What's it to be named?"

Lance leaned towards me with a wry smile. "They haven't decided yet. We're considering the Asking Bid."

Laughter around the table. Last month, I spoke with our Inventor about the failing Magma Steam Generator. At the time, I thought the Clubbs might be interested in gaining us as allies.

An asking bid was a question: where are you strong?

The only possible answer would be who our Family trusted the most: which Family, gang, or faction might be willing to work with both us and the Clubbs. I could answer, but I didn't want to. After Tony's outburst, I felt afraid of what else I didn't know about politics in the city.

Tony smiled. "A wonderful name. Pity we don't get the chance to do much yachting; perhaps we might all take an outing with the Harts sometime.

Lance leaned back. "That might be arranged."

Jonathan Diamond snorted quietly beside me, and I smiled at him. That Lance chose this time to say what he did meant the Clubbs didn't care who knew they offered us alliance.

This was getting more interesting all the time.

But Lance's request to court Gardena was in truth a Clubb offer of alliance to the Diamonds. Was Lance making a move to consolidate power under Clubb rule? What of the story in the Golden Bridges about the discussion between Regina Clubb and Judith Hart? Were the Harts being pushed out?

We were only at cease-fire with the Diamonds. Did Lance just ask us to pick sides in a new war? Did Tony just give him the wrong answer?

Gardena's plate was still full. I leaned to my left and whispered, "Are you well? You've hardly touched your food."

"I'm fine," Gardena said, spearing a piece of carrot with her fork. "Truly I am."

"Very well," I said. "If you're sure. I can have the servants make up something else for you if you prefer."

"That is kind, but unnecessary." She ate the carrot, and brought her wine to her lips but barely tasted it.

"Gardena is much like a bird in her habits," Tony said. "Points one way, then hops another."

Major Blackwood laughed. "I wasn't expecting that!"

"Nor was I," Gardena said. She was not amused. "Yet I could say the same of you."

Then I noticed Tony had hardly eaten anything either. He loved roast beef; what was wrong?

Lance peered at Gardena as if measuring her. She blushed, blurting out, "Tell us more about the Cathedral."

I stared at her. Did she not understand I didn't want to talk about that? "What would you like to know?"

Gardena seemed startled, staring back at me as if she had no idea what to do or say next.

Soft music filled the silence as we ate.

"I still don't understand what you meant about the history of Bridges," Kitty said a few moments later. "Do you mean the war?"

This woman was sheltered, to be sure. "Yes, the war."

Jon said, "I wonder why the Cathedral was never rebuilt, somewhere else. I mean, if no one intended to restore the Pot."

With a shock, I remembered Joseph Kerr's words when we were teenagers in the Pot ... "One day this place could be good .... No more cold, no more rags." Perhaps the Pot really could be restored someday. The idea inspired me. "The Dealers believe that the site of the Cathedral was holy, special, set apart for a purpose. They don't wish it rebuilt somewhere else."

Kitty nodded. At least she knew about her own religion's history. "Was holy?"

Gardena frowned. "Can't you see she doesn't want to talk about it?"

"Let the woman alone," Tony snapped. "I for one would like to know."

Tony didn't know what his own ancestor had done?

Gardena glared at him.

Anastasia leaned back in her chair.

Major Blackwood shook his head, eyes on his plate.

Lance sat perfectly still, watching everyone else. For an instant, he reminded me of Tony's masterful ability not to show emotion when he wished not to.

I let out an astonished laugh. Tony wasn't hiding how he felt tonight. "Well, Mr. Spadros, you asked, so I will tell you."

The music stopped.

I turned to Kitty. "During the Alcatraz Coup, after the Opposition dynamited the bridges, mobs ran through the Pot, burning and looting as they went —"

"My dear," Major Blackwood said, "you don't have to —"

"Yes sir, I do," I replied, "for my husband has commanded."

No one spoke.

"Now, Kitty, when the men, mostly the Hartmanns, grew tired of their sport, they converged upon the Cathedral to lay hands upon the women there. Many a child was dealt in by force that night, and borne from those who survived."

Kitty and Tony blanched, and the table grew silent.

I straightened, feeling a renewed sense of dignity. "So those of us from the Cathedral are known as the Dealers' Daughters, and the ground is no longer holy."

I looked at the pale and sober faces in the room, those at the table, the servants, some with frightened tears in their eyes, and I smiled. Joe is right. We are truly not like these people. "But it was a hundred years ago. Please, don't be distressed. Would anyone like more wine?"