Strong Mystery: Murder, Mystery and Magic Books 1-3 (Steampunk Magica)

by Raven Bond

  Jinhao frowned at this. “And you will not tell me more about what you are talking about?”

  “I promise you, Jinhao…” he began.

  “It is not safe for me to know,” Jinhao finished for him disgustedly. “I will accept that you have secrets, Owen Strong, but if you are inviting powerful Demons into my dwelling, I believe that I have a right to know, and to know what it is.”

  Owen opened his mouth slowly. “You are absolutely right, and I apologize,” he said finally.

  Her eyebrows shot up at this.

  “Almost this possession I could believe. Did you just apologize and agree with me?” She held up her hand before he could speak. “We can talk of this later. Roberet had something interesting to say about the little metal shard, and Lady Hastings has sent word that she will call on us.”

  Owen almost groaned.

  “Why ever is she calling on us?”

  “She claims to have gathered a clue using her Truth Sense.” Jinhao cocked her head at Owen. “You look terrible. Did you at least find the answers you were seeking?”

  Owen preceded to tell Jinhao what the Spirit had said, without going into the Spirit’s origins.

  Jinhao frowned. “The one who should already be there.” She shook her head. “That makes no sense whatsoever. Are you sure this is not a prank?”

  Owen drained the coffee mug, handing it to Barton.

  “I am not sure. They do not think like we do, you know. It could have been legitimate, or he could have simply wished to torment me with the hint that he knows more than he does.” He shakily sat up.

  “What did Roberet have to say?”

  Jinhao replied excitedly.

  “He examined it and pronounced that it was the casing of a round from a magnetic gun. Not only that, but that there were traces of frozen Tesarine oil as well.”

  “Magnetic gun…” Owen asked.

  Jinhao nodded.

  “Yes. It works by using magnets to propel a bullet to unheard-of speeds. The frozen Tesarine would liquefy as soon as it pierced the skin.” She smiled.

  “Yes,” Owen mused. “Now we know how they were murdered. Did Roberet say how big the weapon had to be? Or who could make such a thing?”

  “That he was not sure of, but from the shard, he would guess a tube no wider than a cigar.” She shrugged. “As for who, he told me that he could make such a thing in a year now that he knows about it. It would take a very smart Alchemist indeed.”

  “Which still points to our friends the Austrians,” Owen said. “But why kill their own man?” He thought aloud. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. “Tube. Concealed so along the arm. You aim it as if you’re going to shake hands with the target.”

  Jinhao brightened visibly.

  “Yes, it would take practice to aim but could work. But if it is the Austrians, how will we find the killer?”

  Owen shook his head.

  “We shall not if it is. But I am inclined to think that it is someone the Austrians have hired or suborned in some manner. ‘The one you expect to be there’ is not some nameless assassin.” He struggled to stand up straight. “You should be careful,” Jinhao said, offering her hand for assistance. “I thought you dead not that long ago.”

  “Nonsense,” Owen said heartily, “Nothing that won’t pass. Barton, give me an arm will you?” The clank man extended an arm. “That’s a good clockwork gear,” Owen said approvingly. “Now get me to my room, get a basin of hot water, and see to some food for me immediately, and tea for company.” He turned to Jinhao, “When is Lady Hastings expected?”

  “Her note said eleven o’clock,” Jinhao answered.

  Owen glanced through the doorway into the front parlor.

  “And it is now just after half ten,” he said with satisfaction, “Plenty of time.” He looked at her diaphanous night-gown pointedly. “While that may indeed be charming, would you also like to change into something more appropriate for tea with a guest?”

  With that, he had Barton assist him up the main stairs. Jinhao frowned again as there was a scratching at the front door, a sound that, fortunately, only she heard. When she opened the door, there stood one of the street urchins that roamed the city freely.

  Often times they were mixed children that no one wanted, or orphans thrown on the streets by bad luck. The dirty child’s fingers quickly flashed in an intricate pattern. Jinhao gestured for him to come inside, and quickly. “You should not be here,” she said to him. His response was to make the finger patterns as before.

  She strode over to the writing table. She began to write angrily.

  “Alright,” she said coldly. “But this is the only time, until I can meet him face to face, you understand me?” She rolled the scrap of paper up into a tube, and held it out to him. He snatched it away from her hand as if she might bite him instead.

  “Good,” she nodded in approval. “You should fear me. And if that message goes astray, I will give you cause to. Now, go.” The urchin flew out the front door. Jinhao looked at the clock, and sighed. She just had time to don a presentable Western dress.

  She came back downstairs to find a nattily-dressed Owen seated in the front parlor. He was gulping tea and destroying a series of finger sandwiches. On seeing Jinhao’s look, he looked up defensively.

  “It takes a lot of energy to do what I did last night. This is the fastest way to replenish it.”

  Jinhao nodded her understanding.

  “It is the same after I have used my abilities. Perhaps the two disciplines are not as foreign to each other as we have been taught.” Her lips curled upwards, “Perhaps you should teach me some of your Western tricks.”

  Owen chuckled around his food.

  “And you will teach me how to spring through the air across a room? Wonderful,” he said drily. “Then we shall have two governments with a reason to hang us both.”

  The Front bell rang.

  “That would be Lady Hastings, I presume,” Owen remarked. “Let Barton get the door. It would not do, to answer it ourselves.” He put down his cup and plate. “Now that hunger is abated, let us see what Lady Hastings has to say for herself.”

  Barton announced the Lady Hastings as she swept into the room. Discreetly behind her, came the House Healer, Lady Ap Rhys. She looked for all the world as if she had eaten a sour lemon as she glanced around at the furnishings.

  “Lady Hastings,” Owen stood, bowing in an exaggerated court style. “You do my home too much honor.”

  The young woman dipped a short curtsy in response.

  “Ah no, it is you that does me honor in receiving me, Lord Strong!” She raised a fan, opening it with a snap. “I believe I have discovered the murderer of Papa,” she announced, all the while fanning herself.

  “Truly,” Owen responded lazily. “Still, I can see that this has put you all out of sorts, do sit and partake of some tea won’t you?” At a nod from Owen, Barton pulled back a chair for Lady Hastings. She looked at the chair for a moment, and then with an audible sigh sank into it. Owen gestured to the House Healer that she take the remaining chair.

  “No thank you, Milord,” the older woman replied. “It would not be proper.”

  Owen flopped down at the day table across from Lady Hastings and next to Jinhao.

  “Oh, we are anything but proper here, Lady Ap Rhys, but you must suit yourself.” Taking up the tea pot, he poured for Lady Hastings, “White, and sugar?” When her tea had been placed in her reach he refilled both Jinhao’s cup and his own. He sipped with satisfaction and leaned back in the chair.

  “Now, Lady Hastings, please tell me how you’ve come to such a conclusion. Please omit nothing.”

  “Well, last night you asked me to keep my Truth Sense open for clues, and I did just that,” the young woman said with pride. “Even though it gives me the most horrible headaches and the most depressing view of people.” She sighed, “It’s easy to forget that everyone lies when you’re not confronted with it all the time right in front of your face, so to sp
eak.”

  The young heiress took another sip of tea.

  “I believe that it has paid off however,” Lady Hastings said animatedly. “I would casually ask everyone I came into contact with if they were sad that Papa was gone.” She looked at Owen sharply over her cup, “Only one person was lying when they said they were, and that would be Terrance McDougal, our chief engineer.” She paused for dramatic impact.

  “When I questioned Master McDougal as to his latest project, construction down on the docks, he lied again, although I could not say what specifically he was lying about, the sense doesn’t work quite that well without more pointed questions that I was sure would arouse his suspicions. Instead, I went to look at the records for the project.” She set her now empty teacup on the table. ‘I am no engineer Lord Strong, but it seems to me that the project is costing much more than it should.”

  Owen sat his own cup down, straightening in his chair.

  “And so you surmise that Master McDougal killed your father in an attempt to hide his larceny. Who else have you told this to?”

  “No one save Ann here,” Lady Hastings indicated the House Healer. Her face bore a distinct frown.

  “Besides, who would I tell that it would do any good? The constabulary would be no help, nor would the governor. I know what I have found would not be seen as evidence, yet, I am convinced!”

  “If I might suggest, Lady Hastings,” Owen said sympathetically, “leave the entire matter in my hands. I promise you I shall see the person, or persons, responsible for your father’s death are brought to justice.”

  “Persons,” Lady Hastings said sharply. “Then you think it that more than one person is responsible?”

  “I think it entirely possible, but by no means certain,” Owen replied.

  Lady Ap Rhys, the House Healer, stirred from her relaxed guard behind Lady Hastings.

  “There is always another alternative, Milady.”

  Hastings nodded at this.

  “Yes, I have not forgotten.” Seeing Owen’s question, Lady Hastings said, “Ann has reminded me that I may invoke the right as Head of House to try and, if need be, convict Master McDougal myself, a fact that I must confess to you brings me a certain satisfaction to think on.” She shrugged.

  “Papa, though, always said that taking the law into your own hands was seldom just, and never really removed doubts.” She clenched her jaw, “I will have no doubts, Lord Strong.”

  “I’m glad that your father was such a wise man Lady Hastings,” Owen said quickly. “I shall leave you with no doubts, you have my word on it.”

  The young heiress nodded as if in relief.

  “I shall leave it in your hands then, Lord Strong,” she said and then leaned forward, “Mind you, if I am not satisfied within the fortnight, then I shall convene that special House Court.” Her smile held all the warmth of the frozen plains of the north lands.

  Owen bowed his head to her.

  “As your Ladyship wishes,” he replied. Raising it again, he held up the teapot. “More tea, My Lady?”

  Lady Hastings abruptly stood bolt upright.

  “No thank you,” she answered. “I have already taken up enough of your time, and that of Lady Jinhao, as it is. Besides, I’m sure that you wish to go about spelling or investigating or whatever you do.”

  Owen and Jinhao rose as well.

  “Of course, Lady Hastings. I shall inform you when events warrant giving you news. Let me see you out.”

  “No thank you,” the heiress said again. “I’m sure that we shall be quite well served by your clockwork man here. Wonderful conceit by the way, Papa did away with all of ours some years ago, too much trouble to upkeep.”

  “His name is Barton,” Owen said stiffly. “And he is a valued member of this household.”

  Lady Hastings face showed her surprise at this.

  “Well, of course,” she finally said. “My favorite clank man was named Samuel. I cried when Papa sent him away.” She turned towards the mechanical butler. “Please show us out, Barton,” she requested softly.

  Barton whirred, and from his speaker grill came a chirpy voice.

  “This way, Lady Hastings.”

  Owen and Jinhao watched the two Englishwomen leave. Once they had gone Jinhao turned to Owen, whose brow was creased deep in thought.

  “Do you believe that her theory is correct?”

  Owen started himself from his internal study.

  “What”? He waved a hand in dismissal. “No. I doubt it very much. There are too many unanswered questions. How did he manage to come across so sophisticated a means of killing? Why was he not remarked upon by anyone as having been there when Lord Hastings was murdered? And what about the other killings? What possible reward could the Chief Engineer of a House hope to gain by sabotaging the trade talks?”

  Jinhao stood up.

  “As to your first question, he is an engineer, yes? Among your people does that not mean that he has both Magia and the gear-making knowledge? Perhaps that is how. As to your other questions,” she shrugged. “It seems there is only one way to get the answers you seek.”

  Owen sighed, still befuddled from the events of the previous evening.

  “Yes,” he said resignedly, “Fancy a trip to the docks?”

  She moved around the table, gracefully moving her skirts out of the way.

  “I am already going to change clothes for the dockyards. However, perhaps you should stay here? You have had a difficult night.”

  Owen came to his feet at what he perceived as a challenge.

  “No, but give me a tot of brandy, and I’m good to go,” he avowed.

  Chapter 15

  Owen carefully counted out the gold coin that was the agreed-upon payment to the Wizard.

  They had wanted to get to the docks as quickly as possible, and were, therefore, obliged to take more expensive transport than usual. The large golem stood impassively under the yoke, while his Master, clad in a long, blue robe, threaded through with Cabbalistic runes, counted the coin with Owen.

  The Wizard nodded, beard wagging.

  “That will do,” he said, satisfied. The old Wizard sniffed the air, looking at Owen. “Sure that you don’t want me to wait, Sir? The spirits smell very restless today.”

  Owen raised his eyebrow in skepticism.

  “Spirits,” he echoed. “Why it’s barely past noon. You shouldn’t have to worry about spirits when there are hours of sunlight left.”

  The Wizard shook his head.

  “This is the Hong Kong docks, Sir. Lots of old Magia and death down there.” The Wizard made a warding gesture with his left hand. “I wouldn’t charge you more than half a royal to wait. You could be assured, then, that your way out of the docks was safe and un-haunted.” He nodded towards Owen’s electrum cane. “I can see that you have some knowledge yourself, but it never hurts to have an extra at your back.”

  Owen pursed his lips in thought.

  “I thank you Master, but I’m sure we’ll be all right.” He didn’t add that he was curious if this worked on all the tourists, which Owen was sure the old Wizard had taken them for.

  The Wizard nodded agreement.

  “Well, just remember that I’ll be back down this road in an hour or so.”

  Owen grinned, a little wildly, his curiosity aroused.

  “We’ll remember and we might even be ready to engage you again, Master Wizard.”

  “Well you’re a good spoken one, I must give you that. Beware the spirits, now!” With that, he took up a staff and directed the Golem forward. The large man-like being huffed, then the cart began slowly moving, picking up speed as it went.

  “What was that all about,” Jinhao asked, as Owen watched the cab go up the road.

  “Oh, I suspect that he was seeking a larger fare from us,” Owen replied dryly. “Warned me about spirits on the docks.”

  “Oh is that all,” Jinhao remarked. “But it is still daylight. It is true that there are haunts at night, but I have never
heard of one during the day.”

  “Exactly,” Owen agreed. “And you won’t either; that is because the sun’s rays destroy unbound ectoplasm.”

  “That,” Jinhao pointed disgustedly, “I presume, is the Hastings’ new construction.” Her finger pointed out a large, tall building, with a crane hauling steel girders up into the sky. All around the base of the building scurried people, who vanished and re-appeared out of the fog of exhaust generated by the building.

  “Yes,” Owen said. Jinhao could hear the hint of pride in his voice. “It will be the tallest structure on the waterfront. Able to take the cargoes from sky ships coming in from above, and from merchant ships coming in from the water, and storing both cargoes in the warehouses in between. McDougal has taken the principles of blending steam powered engines with Magia to a whole new level.” He began walking towards the immense construction, Jinhao gliding along beside him.

  “Thus do you English spread your smokes and stinks throughout the city.”

  Owen smiled at her disapproval.

  “Oh come now Jinhao, you can’t stop progress. Between the safety wards, levitation spells, and using elemental power, it has made building safer than ever before” he said cheerily.

  Whatever else he was going to say was cut off by the sight of the side of the crane buckling, its load of heavy girders falling with shocking speed onto a group of workers below. It all happened with such speed that the only thing the pair could do was throw up their hands up to protect their sight.

  As they uncovered their faces in the aftermath, they could see workers rushing towards the crash.

  “Come on,” Owen cried springing to join them. One of the tall better dressed figures who was clearly pointing and shouting orders saw them coming and turned to run away from the crash.

  “McDougal, stop!” Owen cried after him. The man looked over his shoulder and ran faster.

  “I have him,” Jinhao cried, running even faster. Owen already winded, let her continue the pursuit. Bending over to catch his breath, he straightened to find himself surrounded by surly construction workers. “Can I help you,” he gasped out.