Den of Stars

by Christopher Byford

  ‘If speed is all you want, speed is what you shall get,’ he conceded, setting himself back to the task in hand.

  ‘Good. See that it’s done,’ Misu demanded.

  Chapter 10

  Her agenda

  Money passed through Maou Port, rather than staying to be invested. Streets remained broken and buildings peppered with abandonment, with only cathouses and hotels standing out from the desolation. It wasn’t the kind of place an individual willingly stopped at, despite the Morning Star’s purpose of appealing to these exact people.

  Ferry had objected to this stop multiple times. What use was there of him providing part-time security if they rode into a den of dangers such as this. He insisted that if they would be venturing to such places as these then at least they should enlist someone else to help in proving protection. These were dismissed with a pompous wave and the insistence that Ferry forgot his concern to focus on the show at hand.

  With typical extravagance, Misu strolled along the carriage roofs of the Morning Star, her cane in hand and engaging with the crowd. They were a well-behaved sort, unusual for a settlement this far from the capital. More often than not, the locals carried scars and tattoos. One particularly decorated resident almost caused Colette to flinch when serving a drink from the carriage bar. Katerina meandered between the gaming tables, keeping check of every patron who raised their voice in excitement to ensure that tempers, or successes, didn’t escalate to unintentional trouble.

  At the bar, Elizabeth drew long pours of alcohol into accompanying glasses, dotting each with rough-cut blocks of ice. She watched the tables for any irregularities, the expression being the best way she could put it as she was unaware what she was on the lookout for. Occasionally Katerina glanced back and they nodded to each other through the crowd, waiting for a previously discussed opportunity to arise. They did not have to wait long.

  * * *

  Corinne had engaged with a small group who had just arrived at the platform’s edge. They seemed uninterested in the entertainment and instead their leader pointed his finger in the direction of Misu who mingled up near the blackjack tables. After insisting on an audience, the individuals were led in line by Corinne in compliance. Upon sighting this, Misu asked to be excused by her current company.

  The one who led them gave a wave when he had been noticed. Misu didn’t know this person but the way he sauntered, moving his hips in a cocky swagger told her everything she needed to know before a word was spoken. This was her contact. This was who was going to broker the deal here.

  What the hell kind of game was he playing? Misu thought. This whole affair is supposed to be unseen and these people, these damn people see fit just to stroll alongside folks while the Morning Star is entertaining? There they are, in plain sight, talking to my staff even!

  Corinne led the man and his small entourage between tables and on approaching the carriage, Misu saw each one was just as grimy and detestable. Worn suits, rough shirts and waistcoats. Each carried iron judging from the misshapen lines of their jackets. If a single one was recognized, especially by the Bluecoats who were mercifully distracted by the showgirls, then this whole affair was going to tumble down. Stupid, stupid bastards.

  The first of them dropped the well-scuffed brown derby from his head on approach. His sneer was that of a satisfied cat, as if the game being played was hilariously invisible to everyone else in attendance.

  It wasn’t.

  ‘Malfont Monsoon. Miss, it’s an absolute pleasure to be making your acquaintance.’ He grinned, revealing a prominent gold tooth to replace one that had no doubt been removed in a brawl. ‘Can I coax a minute of your time? I have a business proposition to discuss.’

  Misu tipped her head in agreement, keeping her temper restrained. ‘More than a minute. My dear Owl, can you look after things here while I converse with the gentleman?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Corinne replied.

  * * *

  Katerina slipped past the bar, giving the signal. This was the chance they were waiting for. When Elizabeth arranged for hastily made cover, they both slipped into the bowels of the dining carriage and executed their plan.

  * * *

  From the opposite side of the tracks, deep within the security of shadows, Misu ensured she was free to tell her contact exactly what she thought, accompanied with sharp finger jabs to the chest. Car Six was unlocked and its outer-facing door slid open, casting light on its ominous cargo. Red bundled bales were tightly stacked, from floor to ceiling in some places. Misu waved Malfont’s men to action, watching them pass their agreed load to one another and through the back door of a nearby squalid dwelling. Boots pounded the car floor, despite being told to be wary of noise. All the while Misu continued her scathing.

  ‘I have no idea what you’re playing at, but this is not the way to go about our business! You stupid oaf, you could have ruined everything!’

  Instantly Malfont withdrew, hands raised in surprise. ‘Hold on there, missy, that’s an awful lot of heat you’re spitting.’

  ‘You’ve not seen me spit fire, little man, I assure you,’ she threatened.

  ‘Whoa, now relax some – we’re all friends here, right? We’re all amicable folks in an undertaking of repute. No need to be all fire-some. I came for business but it’s worth saying I have concerns of a sort as to this arrangement.’

  Misu gave a grunt in disgust. ‘What sort of concerns?’

  ‘I’ve been told that the quality of the product is questionable.’

  ‘And who is spreading such lies?’

  ‘Folks.’

  ‘Their names?’

  The demand was ignored.

  ‘Names don’t matter, surely? I ain’t in the profession of dropping identities to someone I just met. All that matters is the validity of the rumour.’

  ‘I don’t have time for accusations and I’m sure this is done just to rouse me,’ she scoffed.

  ‘Now now, let’s not be angry. It wasn’t my intention to rile you up. All I’m asking for is proof.’

  ‘In what form?’

  ‘Well, I was thinking that a sample may do the trick.’

  Misu was begrudgingly offered a flick knife. Reluctantly she bared its blade and sliced a length of Red Root from the closest bundle to the door. She offered the sprig forward, though Malfont was far too sensible to indulge in such a thing, especially whilst working. With the last bale unloaded, the criminal’s associate stepped out between them, work boots crunching on the track ballast. He instead took up the mantle and let the plant sit on his tongue before chewed it. They both waited for the drug to take its course.

  ‘The verdict?’ Malfont asked.

  There was no response. Instead the man visibly struggled to suppress the reaction, his pale brow now flush and beaded in sweat. His fists were tightly clenched, nails biting into flesh as deep as they could go.

  ‘The verdict?’ Malfont repeated, firmer this time.

  ‘Oh yes,’ the man muttered, his eyes alarmingly bugged. ‘It’ll do. Wow.’

  Misu narrowed her eyes in disgust. This was no way to do business. Thankfully, even in these extraordinary circumstances she maintained her façade with utmost professionalism. If these men sniffed a trace of doubt, they would set upon her like wolves on injured prey.

  ‘I’m glad it meets the standard of approval.’ Instinctively she glanced over her shoulder, slowly as if not to incur a panic. Time was a great oppressor, among other factors in this transaction. The boxcar was drawn to a close and its lock refastened. ‘Our deal is over, Monsoon. Stand aside.’

  Malfont drummed his fingers on the car side, summing up the woeful lack of protection that Misu entertained. Surely, when carrying out a business such as this, protection would be paramount. Instead, muscle was clearly lacking and any threats would come to naught – if she had the courage to issue them herself.

  It was because of this that Malfont Monsoon took it upon himself to change the conditions of this deal, and put them very
much in his favour.

  ‘I don’t think it is. I counted plenty more stacked up in there and I’m thinking, or should I say, that I’m insisting we deserve some more.’

  ‘More,’ Misu repeated with a hiss, her eyes narrowing within the mask. ‘I’m guessing you mean all of it.’

  ‘Well ain’t you clever.’ He chuckled. It was monotone and disgusting.

  ‘Need I remind you of the perils of doing something so foolhardy? I doubt our mutual acquaintance would allow that to go unpunished.’

  ‘You can slip a lie to the man. Say you lost it. Keep things quiet, like. It’ll be preferable to the alternative where people shout and pretty skirts are filled with holes.’

  ‘As much as I would love to oblige, it isn’t happening.’

  ‘I don’t think you heard me’

  Misu took a sharp inhalation. Malfont’s safe house was uncomfortably close and any noise would be quickly acted upon. There were already shapes passing the windows, grunts no doubt keeping an eye on the offloading. It didn’t have to come to this. This was supposed to be easy, a simple drop and run. Why did these fools have to be difficult? Were they so stupid that they had to jeopardize the entire operation for an extra cut?

  Morons, Misu determined. There was no turning back now. The die was cast and its numbers plain to see.

  ‘I heard you plenty, so I’ll repeat myself so it sinks into your thick heads. It’s not happening. Now get the hell out of my way. This is already regrettable.’

  Malfont flinched his fingers and while the movement was slight, Misu picked it up all too clearly.

  ‘At least we agree on something.’

  Immediately Malfont went for his weapon. Maybe he intended just to wave iron as a threat. Maybe he intended to take the entire load on this disagreement. Whatever the case, Misu was quicker in retrieving her revolver bound to its holster.

  If you had to resort to violence out here, it wasn’t just a matter of skill but also of finance. Coin encouraged gunsmiths to part with weaponry that was quicker to load, smoother to fire and handle, matched to the contours of an individual’s grip. These were the advantages that Misu had depended on should difficulty arise. Her revolver was one of these customized double-action types, requiring only a single trigger pull to fire. It was a clear advantage over those who needed to cock the weapon’s hammer before firing, a crutch on cheaper weaponry.

  The likes of which Malfont Monsoon grasped.

  In a second, three cracks of thunder split the night in two. Flashes of lightning spat from a barrel. A red rain began its horrid downpour. Franco had taught her well.

  Misu staggered her breath and holstered the weapon as the pair slumped before her. They made no noises, no groans, as life simply exuded from their lips. This was bad. There was no turning back from this.

  * * *

  Katerina kept watch, overly cautious that someone should discover the pair of them, her and Elizabeth, violating their position of trust. A set of lock knives were hurriedly twisted and jabbed into the keyhole to Misu’s private carriage as one broke inside and the other acted as lookout. This was already taking too long and making one of the pair decidedly nervous. Whilst Elizabeth convinced herself that she encouraged Katerina to see reason, her accomplice would object and say it was almost outright harassment dragging her along.

  ‘Will you hurry up with this please?’ Katerina begged, jumping for the umpteenth time at another stray cat in the darkness that crossed the tracks opposite. Her mind told her it was something else, something worse. ‘Do you know what would happen if we were found?’

  ‘I’m sure you’re imagining more than just being sacked,’ Elizabeth replied. Her tongue lolled with every twist and clunk.

  ‘Much more. So get a move on.’

  ‘It’s not an immediate process, dear. It takes skill and more importantly …’ the latch snapped back and with a gentle nudge, opened a crack ‘… patience.’

  Their steps were careful and soft, as if they had stepped onto hallowed ground. They may well have done so for all the damnation this act could cause if they were caught. The door was gently clicked to a close and the pair scanned the room. Red velvet curtains were pulled shut, blocking out the revelry from outside. Pressed against the opposite wall was a grand redwood poster bed with hanging cotton drapes. A brass bath and basin squatted in the opposite corner with multiple furnishing dotted around. Paintings from decades before hung on the walls, of green locations, unknown faces, and iconic religious imagery. Tables were polished and ornate, storage all aligned flush, the only exception being the slight offset of a tall wardrobe.

  Elizabeth paced over to it, looking up to its height. Without hesitating she ventured to the bed and slipped her hand under one of the pillows and rummaged, withdrawing a single brass key.

  ‘Nothing to hide, huh?’

  ‘How did you …?’

  Elizabeth inserted the key into the wardrobe and twisted it until the latch gave way. There, fastened securely to the inner of the door, was the map exactly as Elizabeth had insisted existed. Katerina could hardly believe her own eyes.

  ‘See,’ Elizabeth hissed in persuasion. ‘See?’

  The map loomed over them, crossed with red markings conjoined with well thought out calculations. Passed-through locales bore red crosses, astride a thick red trail that ended in the northern territory. The region out west bore a large question mark with small circles in seemingly random patterns. Katerina took a moment to study the trails but inevitably was stumped.

  ‘I don’t get it. What does it mean?’

  ‘It’s a route.’

  ‘Clearly it’s a route, but why are we ending up here?’ Katerina propped herself onto her toes and tapped the map. ‘Why Eifera? What’s there? More importantly, why keep something so trivial from us?’

  ‘Didn’t Misu say that Franco was there now?’

  ‘Yeah, she sure did. For a moment I thought he could have done this, but look.’ Katerina tapped the scrawled calculations. ‘That ain’t his handwriting.’

  ‘I wonder. Have you been there before?’

  ‘Not myself, but I’ve heard plenty of stories. There’s a lot of money up north and everybody wants a share. I can’t imagine why we would be going there unless we were putting on a show but even still, why so far from the Sand Sea? Nobody said we were venturing out this far. Some of us girls have family and I doubt they would have agreed to such a long time out. Does Ferry even know about this?’

  ‘Even if he did, would he dare to object? You’ve seen how Misu is nowadays.’

  ‘I have.’ Katerina stroked her chin. ‘She’s not always been so snappy.’

  ‘You would know.’ Elizabeth tutted before taking to the desk. She yanked out the top drawer and froze in surprise.

  ‘What are you doing? Get out of there!’ Katerina lunged to pull her hand away but instead stared at the contents. Elizabeth brushed her fingers side to side, nudging the packet of Red Root to a corner and moving a manila envelope spotted with blood and spilling with hazel hair away. Something more troubling was her focus. She picked up a sheet of paper from a stack, adorned with the Post Haste Communications header. It was completely blank, as were the others. The company metal seal of authenticity lay atop an inkpad beside it.

  ‘Kat.’ Elizabeth couldn’t quite seem to comprehend what she was holding, her breath becoming shallow. ‘What is this?’

  In the distance gunfire rang out. Trouble made its terrible call.

  There was insistent yelling from the platform. More gunfire. More alarm. Screams had begun, sending the show into complete disarray. The showgirls outside looked for direction, finding only Corinne, who organized them to immediately load on the spotlights, the tables, and other paraphernalia.

  Bodies began to scatter in alarm. They clattered into one another, trickling down alleyways for protection.

  Elizabeth stuffed the paper into her dress and slammed the drawer shut in fright.

  ‘We’re done here!’ Katerina i
nsisted, banging the wardrobe doors to a close and shoving the key under its satin home before Elizabeth could object. The pair made their way out of the private carriage, then scampered to the next to hide their presence. Hunkered down, they watched Misu dash along the platform, revolver very firmly grasped in hand. As she did so, she waved at the showgirls who hauled the fixtures in a hurry.

  * * *

  ‘Leave the rest! Just start the train!’ Misu yelled as loud as she could. A trio of heads slipped from the windows of the dining cart in question.

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Tell Ferry to start the goddamn train! We’re leaving!’

  The call to the engine was made. A sudden boom of smoke erupted from the chimney of the Morning Star as the boiler pulsed in power. Its brakes were released and with an almighty wheeze, the running gear straddling its wheels began to push the vehicle slowly onward.

  Misu sprinted through carriage after carriage, yelling at those she passed to make the required preparations for push off, despite the fact that the train had already begun to move. Corinne stepped aside as her manager ran past, yelling a brief attempt at a conversation.

  ‘We’re leaving? When are we leaving?’ Corinne called.

  ‘Now!’ came the breathless reply.

  Cracks of gunfire were now growing ever louder. The foolish reaction to hollow threats caused the law to investigate. As such, a frantic gunfight had erupted between the parties, crawling ever closer. Bluecoats had now begun to shelter on the station platform, using anything sufficient for cover. Snaps echoed out, with people slumping sporadically.

  The Morning Star heaved away, though not unharmed. A pair of shots burst the windows of a lounge car, sending its occupants down to the floor. Unlike the screams of the other showgirls, Elizabeth cursed loudly as scatterings of glass multiplied on landing. It created a hundred transparent chunks that covered the deep red carpet in a minefield of glass. She scrambled beneath a table for shelter, calling for the others to do the same. Another bullet buzzed overhead, shattering the opposite window in a crescendo. Again came shrieks of shock.