Curiouser and Curiouser

by Melanie Karsak

  My heart froze.

  Bess.

  “William?” I called back.

  “I heard. I’m getting up.”

  “Thank you. And sorry about the eye.”

  The boy grinned, nodded, then ran off.

  “Help me dress?” William called after I shut the door.

  “Let me check the bandage first.” I gently looked over the wound. “It’s not bleeding anymore, but we’ll need to change this wrapping soon.”

  “After,” he said.

  I nodded then pulled a fresh shirt from his wardrobe.

  My emotions tumbled over themselves. Something was wrong. Bess was crying. A man was dead. And I’d spent the past hours lying in William’s bed. I didn’t think it was possible for a person to feel fear, rage, despair, anxiety, and deep love all in one moment. It was a dreadful sensation.

  I grabbed the parcel with the stolen papers, slipped it inside my jacket, then helped William button his coat.

  “We won’t say anything,” William said, motioning to his shoulder, “until we see what’s going on.”

  I nodded. If something had gone wrong with the job, if Jabberwocky had been arrested, William’s wound would give him away.

  We headed back outside. It was very early morning. The sun was just about to tip over the horizon. The sky had an odd haze of light yellow and gray. Anxiety racked my stomach. Something was terribly wrong. The feeling, married to my despair over what I had done, made my heart hurt.

  “I’ll never forgive myself,” William said as we walked. I could tell by the look on his face that he was about to attempt to lighten the mood. I took the bait.

  “Why not?”

  “Because I lay beside you half the night and didn’t even try for a kiss.”

  “You don’t have to try,” I said, leaning in to give him a peck on the cheek.

  William grinned. “Well, it wasn’t exactly a kiss that came to mind,” he said. His eyes met mine. William and I had been friends since we were children. Somewhere along the way, we’d fallen in love. But the transition had been smooth. As of yet, we’d never quite crossed the line into a more physical relationship. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him. It was just that the timing had never felt quite right.

  “Well, the next time you get shot, make sure you take a chance,” I said, leaning in to kiss him on the lips. I lingered there for several moments, kissing him gently, tasting his sweet lips. The lingering taste of the tart herbal concoction spiced his kiss.

  After the moment passed, William took my hand. “Next time. For certain,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. He took my hand and we made our way back. When we exited the alley that led to the big house, we were surprised to see a number of carriages parked outside. Two of Jabberwocky’s guards stood outside the door.

  We approached cautiously.

  I cast a glance at the windows. Guards milled around everywhere, but in the third-floor window, I spotted Bess.

  She must have raced downstairs because, by the time we reached the front door, she was there. She flung the door wide open.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” she exclaimed.

  The guards nodded to William and me as we passed.

  Once the door was closed, I set my hands on Bess’s arms and looked into her eyes. “What’s happened?”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Jabberwocky is dead.”

  “Dead?” William whispered. “How? Who?”

  “No one. Well, doesn’t look suspicious. Late last night I noticed his lamp was still lit. You know I usually check on him. I thought maybe he’d fallen asleep with it on. I found him on the floor. Oh, Alice, he’s dead,” she wailed then wrapped her arms around my neck, burying her face in my neck. She wept softly. “We’re finally free,” she whispered so only I could hear.

  “Alice,” a voice called from behind me then.

  I turned to see Jack exit the parlor, closing the wooden doors behind him. For just a moment, I spotted several other people collected inside. All were heavy hitters in Jabberwocky’s establishment.

  “We were waiting for you and William,” Jack said.

  I looked deep into William’s eyes. I shook my head.

  William stared at me.

  “Alice…” Jack said, reading between the lines. “The others were waiting for you, in particular.”

  As Jabberwocky had wanted, they would turn to me next.

  No.

  I couldn’t.

  I wouldn’t.

  “Give us a minute,” I told Jack. He nodded and went back inside.

  “Alice?” Bess whispered.

  I turned to William. “I can’t, especially not after tonight.”

  “That was Jabberwocky’s mistake. It won’t be like that going forward. You’ll make new and better choices.”

  “Yes,” I said, then took Bess’s hand. “I’m choosing to not go through that door.”

  “Alice,” William whispered. “Don’t do anything rash.”

  “I’m not. And you shouldn’t either. Bess and I have money saved. I know you do too. We could strike out on our own, the three of us. We’re all free now. All three of us. We owe no one anything. Jabberwocky saved all three of us, taught us, protected us, and turned us into his creatures. But we don’t have to live this life anymore,” I said, turning toward my sister who was looking at me with hope in her eyes.

  “Alice, are you mad?” William whispered. “You stand to inherit everything. His house. His wealth—“

  “His problems.”

  “We’ll turn the business around. Make something different out of it.”

  “And how will that go with those gathered in there, those with an investment in what Jabberwocky created? There will be even greater bloodshed. Now is the time. Now we must decide. If we walk through that door, more lives will be in our hands, more souls like Anna. Have you forgotten?”

  “I haven’t. You’re right. It will take some time to change things, but we can change things. It doesn’t have to be forever. Just for a time until we fashion our affairs the way we want them.”

  I turned at looked at Bess. While Jabberwocky had been good to us, we’d both lived in a sort of lull, a strange indentured servitude. And now, we could be free.

  “Have they taken his body away yet?” I asked Bess.

  She shook her head. “No, but they’ll be here soon.”

  I turned back to William. I pulled the packet of papers from inside my coat and handed it to him. “I won’t go in there.”

  “Alice, you aren’t leaving me any choice,” William replied.

  I shook my head. “I’m giving you every choice. Come upstairs with us and say goodbye, then we begin anew.”

  “And do what?”

  I shrugged. “Craft watches? Start a school? Go into shipping? Anything but that,” I said, pointing toward the door.

  I could see the struggle on William’s face. “Right, you’re right,” he finally said with a nod. “Jabberwocky was like a father to me, but you’re right. I just…I can’t let his affairs end in disarray. I’ll set things to right, and then we’ll do just as you suggest. We’ll create a new world. A new life,” he said, smiling brightly.

  And in that moment, his eyes were so full of love and life that I believed every word he said.

  Until it turned out to be a lie.

  * * *

  I looked into my empty mug of ginger ale.

  “Miss?” a man said then, shaking my shoulder. “Miss? Terribly sorry, but the exhibition is closing for the day.” I looked up to see one of the security guards standing there.

  I cast a glance up at the clock. It was already seven o’clock. He hadn’t come. Just another lie.

  “Oh my! I guess I lost track of time,” I said with a smile. “Is it too late to see the Koh-i-Noor?” I asked, rising.

  The guard looked toward the exhibit. “Afraid they’re tucking her in for the night.”

  I followed his glance, then watched as a guard worked a heavy lever that lower
ed the closed steel box, in which I presumed the diamond resided, into the display case.

  “Alas, I waited all day for the line to go down. I can’t stand so long on account of my health,” I lied. “Don’t tell, but I’m afraid I dozed off,” I said with a whisper, trying to look as delicate as I could possibly muster, but mostly I was trying to bide my time.

  Once the steel case was lowered into safe, a heavy metal lid slid over it. I could hear the sound of locks rolling into place. Once the diamond was secure, the guard dropped a heavy velvet drape over the display cage.

  “Lunch time. Everyone scatters for something to eat. Try then,” the man advised.

  I nodded. “Thank you. Again, my apologies. Terribly embarrassing,” I said then turned and headed toward the exit.

  There was no sign of William anywhere.

  It was then that I made up my mind. I’d have nothing more to do with stealing Victoria’s gem until I had some answers. And since William wasn’t talking, I’d have to find them myself.

  Chapter 12: Beware of Airship Pirates

  I slid into a seat in the corner of Rose’s Hopper, a popular spot for airship jockeys, and waited. It had only cost me a few of the coins William had given me for an expensive lunch to buy the nod I needed from the barmaid when the crew of the Siren entered. They looked like just another motley crew of pirates. But their attire—cavalry boots and cowboy hats—bespoke their origin even before they opened their mouths. The captain was American. Some of his crew had accents common to the southern states. They were a rough crew, all of them wearing fresh bruises. They drank quickly and talked loud. Typical Yanks. I rolled my eyes, dropped a coin on the table, and exited. I went to one of the benches below the airship platforms and sat amongst the crowd of travelers gathered there. And then, I waited.

  It was just after dark when the Siren’s crew exited the pub and headed toward the tower lift. The captain was still inside drinking. I kept one eye on the tavern and another on the ships overhead. Not half an hour later, the burner on the Siren, a mermaid ensign on her balloon, came to life. The airship’s balloon filled with orange light.

  I rose and headed slowly toward the lift, spinning my parasol as I walked.

  A few minutes later, the airship captain exited the tavern and headed toward the platform. I matched my step so I’d be able to ride up with him.

  As he neared the lift, the tower guards eyed him warily and said nothing. They usually conducted passengers upward. This one, however, they let pass by.

  “Miss. Next lift. We’ll take you up,” one of the guards called when they saw me.

  I ignored him and walked forward.

  “Miss,” the guard called again. It was clear that he was watching out for the welfare of a poor lady about to trap herself in the lift with an airship pirate.

  I gave the man a quick, knowing glance then inclined my head.

  Understanding, he turned away. I entered the lift behind the inebriated pirate.

  “Hey, where did you come from?” he asked, scowling at me.

  “Sussex,” I replied, pulling the lift door closed behind us.

  Confused, he looked at me like I was mad.

  “Well, are you going to take us up or not?” I asked.

  “English girls,” he said with a laugh then worked the levers.

  The large gears overhead turned. We headed upward.

  “English girls. What about us?”

  The man turned and looked at me. He had dark hair that stuck to his forehead. He reeked of alcohol and sweat. His white shirt was stained at the armpits. His cowboy hat sat low on his forehead. He grinned at me. “Nice parasol.”

  “Do you like it? It has a special feature. Shall I show you?”

  He rolled his eyes.

  Moving quickly, I pulled the White Queen from the parasol’s handle and set it on his throat.

  “Nice, isn’t it? I’m not sure all English girls have a parasol like this one, but you might want to be careful in the future, just in case. Now, be a good lad, and stop the lift.”

  He looked at me side-eyed. His expression was low and mean.

  “I know you’re considering tossing me off the lift. Reasonable idea but a bit extreme. You’ve nothing to fear from this English girl. I just have a couple of questions then I’ll be on my way.”

  “And why should I tell you anything?” he growled, but he slowed the lift to a stop anyway.

  “Well, there is the dagger. And mainly because it won’t cost you anything to answer.”

  “Who sent you?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  “No one. I sent myself.”

  “Why?”

  “I already told you. Just have a quick question then we’ll part ways.”

  “I saw you in the tavern. If you wanted to talk, why didn’t you just buy me a drink?” he asked with a smirk.

  “Too crowded, and I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “Well, now you’ve piqued my interest. Lower the dagger. I won’t toss you over today,” he replied. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was telling the truth.

  I lowered the White Queen. “I want to know what cargo you carried on the twentieth of April.”

  He raised an eyebrow at me then smirked. Rummy pirate, that smirk was more charming than it should have been. “It was for an associate.”

  “I know it was for Caterpillar. I just want to know what kind of cargo it was.”

  “You’re asking the wrong question,” he replied with a grin.

  “I am?”

  “The last person who put a blade to my neck wanted to know where that cargo went, not what it was.”

  It was my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “And where did that cargo go?”

  “I didn’t answer him. Why should I answer you?”

  “Because I’m sure I’m much prettier. And because I’ll say please.”

  “You are much prettier, so I’ll play along. But I’ll only answer one question. Push the subject further, and I’m afraid we’ll have to come to a disagreement, no matter how pretty you are.”

  I considered my options. “All right. Where did the cargo go?”

  “Well, I didn’t haul it. But word gets around. From what I hear, it went back where it came from.”

  “Which was?”

  “That’s two questions.”

  “Well, your answer was less than specific.”

  He laughed. “Fine. San Francisco.”

  “Who transported it there?”

  “Now that, clearly, is the second question.”

  “Yes. You’re right.”

  “Someone who doesn’t work cheap but works fast and quiet.”

  I frowned. “Why did Caterpillar return it?”

  “That’s three questions,” the airship captain replied then leaned back, folded his arms, and looked closely at me. “You’re right, you sure are prettier than that grumpy gent with the silk turban.”

  I grinned then slid the White Queen back into the handle of the parasol. I pushed open the door to the lift. We were between platforms three and four.

  I turned to the pirate. “Thank you,” I said, curtseying politely.

  The pirate tipped his hat to me. “Ma’am.”

  Without waiting further, I jumped from the lift to the third-floor platform and headed back downstairs. I didn’t look back to see if the pirate had his pistol on me or not. Something told me I’d given him something better than another victim to shoot…another tall tale to share at the pub. I opened the parasol and worked my way back downstairs.

  So, the Queen of Hearts had wanted something, something William had procured then returned? Very odd. No wonder she was furious. That kind of woman always gets what she wants. And that kind of woman was the most dangerous.

  Now I just had to figure out what the cargo had been.

  * * *

  I headed away from the airship towers toward home. It was already dark. As I made my way home along the cobblestone London streets, I twirled my parasol in my
hand. The sun had set, so there was no need for the parasol, but it was still fun to twist it around and around as I played everything over in my mind.

  Already I could see a way to take the diamond. I would need to visit the exhibition at night and get some supplies, but it could be done. I could do it, but should I? Why was William bargaining with the Queen of Hearts? Bargaining and then changing his mind.

  I turned down a side street where I knew boys looking for work were known to linger. The group of grubby little guttersnipes stood huddled under a streetlamp. They eyed me curiously as I made my way toward them.

  “You lost, lady?” one them asked as I approached.

  I grinned. “No. I need someone to run a message.”

  They looked at one another and then back at me and my fine red gown.

  “Do you?” the eldest of them asked, eyeing me over.

  “Yes,” I said with a sigh. The shakedown was, of course, inevitable. “Don’t get ideas. Appearances are often deceiving. Now, before I have to stab one of you to make my point, who can run to Twickenham?”

  The boys laughed.

  “Me,” one of them said. “I know the barge master. I’ll get a lift.”

  I pulled a small notepad from the reticule dangling from my wrist and wrote a quick note, sealing it inside a small envelope.

  “Lady Frances Waldegrave, Strawberry Hill House.”

  “The Countess?” the boy asked, his eyes wide. Apparently, her reputation preceded her.

  I nodded then handed the boy some coins and the note. He stuck them in his pocket, nodded to me, then turned and headed in the direction of the river.

  “Good night, lads,” I said.

  “The Countess?” I heard one of the boys whisper to the others.

  “You idiots. Don’t you know who that was?” another asked.

  “Who? The lady in red?”

  “Yes, you dolt. That was Alice.”

  “Alice?”

  “Alice…the Bandersnatch.”

  The other boys were struck silent.

  Grinning, I turned the corner and headed home.