The Lightning Lord

by Anthony Faircloth

  “She?” Persi said without removing her eye from the eyepiece.

  “Mon amie, I could not have you, so I had to move on. My tears have nearly stopped flowing,” he said.

  Persi jerked her head away from the lens, her cheeks a soft pink. “What?” She saw his face and the wry grin spread across it. “Oh for heaven’s sake, away with you, you incorrigible Frenchman.”

  Grimm bowed deeply and left the deck.

  Persi returned to her observation of the city. It seemed peaceful, with few residual indications of the violent revolutionary element of the previous years before Antonio Guzmán Blanco became president, however she had witnessed two muggings and something she knew must be illegal centered around the moving of two coffin shaped boxes. Several men loaded them onto a large velocitor, while others watched the alley. She moved the scope slightly and refocused on a figure standing on top of the velocitor. When the telescope had focused she saw what appeared to be a woman dressed scandalously in black pants, a red corset, and a long black coat. She had a spyglass and seemed to be ...

  “Oh dear,” she said as she realized the woman was looking at her, or at least at their ship. The woman dropped the glass and Persi jerked her head away from the lens. “Holy H. Methuselah,” she exclaimed, stepping back and off the box, Joseph had placed there. Her balance lost, she stumbled backwards until she fell against someone. She looked up to see Captain Grimm. When she had regained her balance, she turned at looked at Grimm and apologize, then she noticed the grave expression on his face.

  “What is wrong, I can tell something is wrong,” she said.

  “Yes, very wrong, madam. A young street urchin delivered this a few minutes ago.” He raised her back to her feet and she took the envelope he offered.

  She immediately scanning it for clues. It was nice quality stationary and was addressed, To Horace Beacon and Mrs. She turned it over and looked at the seal of black wax. Stamped into the wax were two parallel lightning bolts beneath a skull. She opened the envelope and removed the paper, also of good quality. Unfolding it, she read aloud,

  Dear Mr. & Ms. Beacon,

  I am sorry I had to leave without giving notice but my master had need of me. He is a great man and a visionary and has tremendous plans for this world. To that end, he has no further need of your interference, and though he is sure he can deal with you himself, he is busy and sent me.

  To that point, I have both Misters Morris and Nicholas and if you want to see them again, you will sell the Daedalus and book passage on the next ship leaving port for North America. I will take both of these actions as compliance. Once the ship has lifted anchor, I will release them. Leave them travel fare with the Landing Field Superintendent if you wish.

  If you attempt to gain their freedom by force, or I see you anywhere near our location, I will understand you have rejected my proposal and I will have them killed in the most painful way possible.

  Hoping we shall not meet again,

  Lady Regina Westbury

  Persi dropped her hand, the letter slipping from it as Boots stepped on deck. When he saw her face he nearly ran to her. “What is it, dear heart? You look forlorn.”

  “I am afraid, Monsieur Boots,” Grimm said, “our old cook, that femme malfaisante, is still alive and has captured Morris and Nicholas.”

  He looked at Persi who nodded. “And we must leave by boat for North America,” she said, “and if we try to rescue them they will be killed.”

  Boots picked up the fallen letter and read it. When he finished, he looked into the sky, his eyes shifting back and forth in the way both Persi and Grimm knew were signs his intelligence was working full speed. After a full minute, he looked at Grimm, it was a look developed after hours of service together during the war. It was a look proposing a solution.

  “Nightwalkers?” Grimm asked.

  Boots shrugged, as if that were a logical answer. “Genevieve?” Boots countered.

  Grimm’s lips tightened and he rocked his head back and forth in consideration.

  “Right,” Boots said after another minute, “we have a plan. Tell her we will sell her the ship,” he said to Grimm. “She will begin all the necessary paperwork.” He turned to Persi. “Use Joseph and ready our bags, use every steamer trunk and empty crate. Hire porters and a wagon, tell them we will be moving all our belongings to the pier in La Guaira by way of ... what’s that mountain town slightly to the south of halfway?

  The captain thought, “Galipan.”

  “Yes, Galipan. This late in the day we will not be able to leave until tomorrow morning. It’s a seven-hour trek by wagon to the port at La Guaira so tell the driver that due to your condition, we will stop at Galipan for the night. His and his porter’s food and lodging is taken care of.

  “Begin this immediately, let them see our compliance. We implement our true plan after sunset.”

  Chapter 40 – Retrieving the Crew

  “Yes, after sunset,” Grimm said, “but, ehh, could we go back to this, how you said, ‘condition’ of madams? Pray, what condition?”

  Boots smiled and Persi, international, tough as nails super-agent, Persi Shuttleworth, blushed. “Well, Captain, I find myself with child, children actually. It looks as if we will need to convert the auxiliary locker room, next to our stateroom, into a nursery.

  Oh, mes amis, but this is magnifique. Congratulations.” Grimm took Boots hand and shook it hardily, then placed a kiss on each of Persi’s cheeks. “But of course, this must end any possibility of our … how is it said?” He looked at Boots, “Implication emotionnelle.”

  Persi squinted, as she accessed her boarding school French lessons, then gasped, looking back and forth between the two men. “Our what? Our – affair?”

  Grimm stepped back, barely avoiding Persi’s swing. He laughed and turned to leave. “It is nothing personal, my belle, but Masseur Boots obviously cares for you and I will not break up la famille.”

  When she looked like she would pursue him, Boots grabbed her around the waste, while unsuccessfully stifling a laugh. “My, love, don’t harm the crew, at least not until we get the others back.”

  “Husband,” she said, still pulling against his arm, “did you not hear what that black hearted man said about me?”

  Boots turned her around and held her tight against him. He looked into her eyes, still filled with fire, though the upturned edges of her mouth told him she was playing her part in Grimm’s jest. “My love, I have no doubt that if I hadn’t hooked you before you met our esteemed and dashing captain, you would reside in his stateroom.”

  Persi’s eyes sprang wide, “Cads, both of you,” she managed to say as she half- heartedly struggled against his grip.

  “But,” he said with emphasis, “I got you, and now he can only lament his loss. This is how I bear it, knowing he will pine for you for years to come.”

  Persi stopped struggling and laughed, unable to carry the role further. “Pining for me, really, a little over the top don’t you think?”

  “Well, I would if the roles were reversed.”

  “Pff,” she said, pushing gently against him as he released her. “You, dear sir, would be married to a Bostonian debutante and have three children, and probably practicing medicine. You would have no knowledge of a lowly Kansas City meat seller’s daughter.”

  “But we did, and I do, and we are well on our way to our own three children, and if you like, I can grant you your wish of becoming a Bostonian.”

  “Pah, the manure is piling up around your feet, it would be best if you changed topics before you drown in the stuff.”

  Boots moved to her, lightly took her chin and kissed her. “You are correct, of course. Let us proceed with the plan.” He pulled away. “You must do as I asked, in truth -- no acting, they must believe we are complying. They must have connections here so hiring locals help may substantiate our motives, as word travels through the backstreet grapevine.”

  “I understand,” Persi said, “And the other side of the plan,
the adventurous part out of which you intend to leave me?”

  Boots saw that look of ‘I’m on to you’ and smiled. “My love, you will need to come to terms with both the physical limitations you must quickly answer to, and my emotional ones. If you think I will allow you to jeopardize both yourself and our child, err, children, for the fun of adventure then you do not know me as well as you should. Now, hold on,” he said as she began to protest. “I did not say I was going to sit you in a corner and make you mend my socks, but dear heart,” he took her hands, “you must, must, learn to take on this new role, and I with you.”

  Persi dropped her head and nodded. “I know, but I still have several months before I must start sock mending. I can still be useful.”

  “Indeed, and you must do as I asked earlier and get us ready for our trek to the coast. This Lady, whatever she calls herself, must believe we are complying, it is integral to our plan.”

  “Which is?” Persi asked.

  Boots smirked, “Which is to utilize our Nightwalker guests. A real trial of their abilities, the positive results ...”

  “You hope,” Persi interrupted.

  “I believe,” Boots corrected. “We can pass the results onto the Agency, thus adding to our need to collaborate with the vampires, and their inclusion into human society.”

  “I suppose if anyone can track and liberate them, it is our friends.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Boots said.

  “And what about this, Genevieve, the captain mentioned?” Persi asked. “What part does she play in the plan?”

  Boots smiled. “While I have never met Genevieve Bourdieu, Grimm has worked with her. Before I hired him, he ran guns to the Guzman forces. Miss Bourdieu was working underground, in Caracas. They apparently had several adventures during their brief association.”

  “Association?” Persi said. “If I know our captain ...”

  “Calm yourself, dear.” He paused and stiffened, “And, why would you care about any of Grimm’s, ‘associations,’ my love?”

  “Oh, I don’t, just ...”

  “Just being a busy-body. Now, is not the time to spend mental or emotional energy on Captain Grimm. As soon as the Nightwalkers wake, we need to brief them and implement our plan. You said you saw Lady Westbury loading coffin sized crates onto a velocitor?”

  “Yes.”

  “And can you find that alley again, using the telescope?”

  “Of course.” Persi said.

  “Then you will show them the location, they will go to the location and track the velocitor to its destination with orders to retrieve our cook and steward. I will deputize them into the agency and give authority to do whatever is needed to return our men.”

  Persi thought for a moment. “It’s a good plan.”

  “Why thank you dear. Now please begin your part.”

  ****

  Persi did begin her part. She hired several porters, who helped her pack and move the luggage and crates off the ship. As the rooms were empty, she directed a team of cleaners to dust, sweep and mop each space. She decided that if she were going to be forced into all this trouble, she would get a clean ship out of it.

  About three o’clock, she released the cleaning women to return to their homes and begin dinner preparations for their families. With Morris and Nicholas gone, she entered the kitchen with aspirations of creating their evening meal. After all, she knew which end of the knife had the edge, and the boarding school’s cook, Mrs. Blanton, had given her high marks for her Steak Florentine quiche. “I mean to say, how hard can it be?” she said aloud as she assessed the room and equipment for the task at hand.

  Grimm spoke from the doorway, leaning against one side, arms crossed, “Many wives, attempting this type of cooking for the first time, forget they are not cooking for a family. You must cook for ten hardworking men. It must be ... robust and a quantity of it.”

  “Yes, thank you, mon capitaine de l'évidence,” Persi said, though she admitted to herself that she hadn’t actually remembered that very thing.

  “Though I am well aware of your training and skill in this area, I imagine you are tired from your exertions, as well as from your ... situation. Permit me to relieve you of this job.”

  “Hah, you a cook too?” she threw her hands to hips, “Is there anything you cannot do, Captain Grimm?”

  He shrugged, “Well, not that I can think of at this moment, mon amie, but I had not meant for you to think I would cook. No, I have acquired the talents of others who assure me the meal they create will be, bon excellent.”

  Grimm stepped aside and three pretty, young women entered the kitchen. Persi estimated their age to be late teens. They all smiled and began chatting, or attempting to chat to Persi in English, which none, it seemed, actually knew.

  Persi grimaced. “Captain Grimm, these women, they seem a bit young, even for you, and do any of them actually know how to cook?”

  Seeing Persi’s expression and hearing her tone, the three women looked at Grimm, but before he could speak, another voice spoke from the passageway. “No, I don’t believe they can. They are all daughters of the great houses and have no skill in this.” An older woman entered the kitchen dressed in a plain black dress covered with a white apron. “But times are changing, and the rich want their daughters to be the example of this new culture, which is why their mothers have given them to me to teach.”

  “Persi,” Grimm said, “This is Fabriana Andrea Alejandra Cabrera, a grand woman, said to be the best cook in Caracas, perhaps even in all Venezuela.”

  “Pah,” Fabriana said, “you French are so full of words.”

  Persi smiled. “I believe I like you already.”

  Chapter 41 – Persi Implements the Plan

  Grimm smiled and bowed. “And on that, I will continue with my duties, ladies.”

  The young women giggled and waved.

  “Shhh,” the old woman said and cut her hand across the air. “They are very excitable, but they listen and are learning.” She turned to the door. “Luis, bring my bag.”

  From behind her, a young man of sixteen or so entered the room carrying a large carpetbag. The burden was apparently heavy since he carried it with both hands, slung over one shoulder. He let the bag fall and it thunked loudly as it hit the deck. The items inside clicked and clanged as they shifted against each other.

  The old woman smacked the teen across the shoulder. “Careful, some of that is breakable.”

  “Sorry, grandmother,” he said, then bowed to Persi.

  “Oh, well thank you very much,” Persi said, returning a quick curtsy.

  “You may call me Fabriana, or Nanna Fabriana,” the old woman said, “whichever is fine.” She turned and gestured to the teen, “And this is my grandson Luis. His parents died in the war and he lives with me. He is a fine cook on his own and assists me in teaching the girls, though I suspect his time with me is nearly up, if I am reading the behavior of these girls correctly.” A wry smile brightened the old woman’s face and an eyebrow rose. “In another year he will be too distracting.”

  Persi nodded knowingly. “Well, I guess I will leave you to it,” she said and turned to leave, then stopped. “Oh, I believe you will find a jar of dried meat treats in the pantry, please include three bowls of these with the meal. We have several guests who find them utterly delicious.”

  Fabriana nodded, as did Luis.

  Persi walked aft to the rooms, now empty. Her footsteps sounding overly loud in the now open spaces. Even her bed was gone and she wondered how they would sleep tonight and at once realized there would be no sleep.

  The ships hold looked different too. The velocitor and other gear normally stored there had been moved beneath the airship and many of the newly packed crates and boxes were stacked in their place. The Icarus was equipped with an alarm involving a steam-powered horn that was set to shriek it someone tried to move it, and Captain Grimm had hired three armed men to take shifts through the night to protect the other items stacked
below. He had even hired a couple of large wagons and ordered the crew to load them with household goods, telling the wagon master that by packing them now they would be ahead of schedule. He hoped this information would return to the Lady Regina Westbury and add to the stability of their ruse.

  Persi found her way to the navigator’s cabin, just aft of the bridge, her old cabin. Opening the door, she was relieved to see it had not yet been packed. Immediately she thought that perhaps they could leave much of the furnishings in it, as well as the Captain’s room, as they were two positions that were needed in an airship. Tomorrow, if things weren’t resolved tonight, she would tell her packers, just that. This would give she and Boots a place to stay and still allow the rest of the ships furnishings to be packed and moved.

  Persi locked the cabin door, removed her dress and lay on top of the coverlet. She covered herself with the quilt that lie across the bottom of the bed and fell fast asleep. She must have been as tired as the Captain had suggested for she awoke with a start, finding three faces looking down at her. Without thinking, she smoothly pulled the .38 caliber revolver from beneath the pillow, and pointed it at the first face hovering above.

  “If those are not sundowner bullets,” a man’s voice said, “you will only cause me some brief pain and an inconvenient mess for the steward to clean.”

  In the next second, she came fully awake and realized it was John speaking and the other two faces belonged to Aiyana and Jane. “You are correct, of course,” she said, lowering her pistol, “we would not want to cause our Mr. Nicholas needless cleaning.”

  John smiled.

  “Wait, how did you all get in here? I locked the door. Can you pass through walls?”

  “Not as such but Jane and Aiyana can speak to simple mechanisms like door locks, and they listen. However, this is not the case and we were quite surprised to find you stretched out on the bed when we awoke,” he said, pointing to the locker doors, one of them still open. “Remember, you asked us to adjust our sleeping locations to accommodate the ship’s operations?” John asked.