The cost of repairs would be significant but necessary; the weapon was the primary deterrent for any outlaws, punctuated by last night’s display. Without it, the benefit of superior firepower would be absent leaving them an even more lucrative target. It was a miracle nobody was hurt in the misfire, Misu reminded herself. A bloody miracle.
It seemed that this whole affair was in the hands of the Holy Sorceress.
Appropriately, that night in Franco’s bed, when she did attempt sleep, she prayed.
* * *
Ferry slumped into a seat in the dining carriage come the rising dawn, taking a well-deserved rest. As the showgirls passed, they patted him on the shoulder and praised his efforts. Katerina spent her time cooking up a decent-sized breakfast as a reward, sliding the plate on the table before him. He gave thanks, scooping the food slowly and devouring it in slow, tired bites.
Katerina looked at the flare of light that climbed over the desolate landscape, a magnificence of yellows and blue that would be spellbinding if it wasn’t so damned intense. She shielded her eyes with a hand.
‘How’s the head?’ Ferry asked.
‘Hurts like you wouldn’t believe.’
‘It was a hell of a bang, missy. I’ve witnessed stronger men fall to something like that. You’re a credit – don’t be told otherwise. I’ve always said you women were the strongest sort I’ve ever seen.’
‘That’s probably why I’m still on the stove. Everybody needs to keep on eating.’ Katerina weakly grinned, hiding the ample pain that throbbed behind her eyes. ‘How are we looking?’
‘You can tell the boss that we’re at full pressure. We should be good to push off in around three hours. Some of the girls have already gone on ahead to send word on the wire that we’ll be late. Our route is, for the most part, downhill which suits us fine. We’ll be late for sure, but if we go through the next trading post, which was only for a rest stop anyway, we’ll only be off by a few hours. Six at the most.’ He grinned through his beard after withdrawing a forkful of cured bacon. ‘Ain’t I just a miracle worker?’
Katerina was unable to hide her enthusiasm. ‘I never doubted you for a second.’ She laughed in relief.
‘Yeah well …’ He snorted, chasing a scoop of eggs with strong tea. ‘Someone did.’
Katerina strolled away with a smile but before she left she spied Elizabeth who sat by her lonesome in a corner booth, staring out of a window whilst resting her head on a hand. Normally this wouldn’t be anything of interest – Elizabeth had a tendency to alienate herself from the others with some of the more immature things to come from her mouth, but her breakfast remained untouched. The eggs were uneaten, the oats almost swallowing a protruding spoon, and judging by how the coffee looked, it had long gone cold.
‘Everything okay?’ Katerina asked. Elizabeth suddenly jerked upright in surprise, brought out of her own personal fantasy. She fiddled with her hands and went to eat her food, reaching for the drink first before thinking better of it.
‘Yeah, I’m just fine thanks,’ she lied unconvincingly.
Katerina upturned her bottom lip in suspicion. ‘Are you?’
Elizabeth folded her hands into her lap. ‘It’s just a lot of … I hadn’t been in a situation like that before.’ Her eyes glazed over. ‘I’m just not sure how I feel about it all.’
‘I thought you lived on a farm? There must have been predators running around, rustlers too and all that.’
‘Animals are different. They don’t talk when you drop them. As for the other, sure we had people trying to muscle the farm …’ Her voice drifted momentarily in reminiscence. ‘We scared them off, plenty … but I never once put a bullet in them. Never. A lot of folks died last night …’
‘Yeah they did.’ Katerina rested a hand upon the table, quite unmoved though sympathetic. ‘But it was us or them and I’m sure glad it wasn’t us.’
The pair nodded in unison.
‘I’m going to tell them,’ Elizabeth conceded, finally revealing her thoughts. ‘I can’t keep dancing around with what we found. It’s too big. If Misu won’t fess up then I’m going to make her.’
Katerina gave a hollow shrug in response.
‘Are you at least going to back me up on this? You were there.’
Katerina looked away, struggling with her conscience. She wanted to say that she had the courage to do so but whenever she attempted to announce it, the words failed to form and any attempt at enthusiasm dissolved away.
‘Fine then. I’ll do it all myself.’ Elizabeth stubbornly left the table, not giving a single look back.
Chapter 12
Shine a light on the things you do
Elizabeth strolled past everyone with a confident sway in her hips. Whilst everyone else was concerning themselves with their morning meals, each carrying steaming mugs and plates of grilled meats, Elizabeth instead feasted on her own smugness.
It tasted so much better.
She stopped before Corinne, flicked her hair back, and withdrew a rolled-up newspaper from under one arm. She had walked down the line to the next outpost, only some six miles away, just before the dawn, the distance insignificant for one used to traversing cattle fields back on the farm. She had brought back a few bags of provisions, treats, and also what passed for the local newspaper.
Haughtily, Elizabeth opened the conversation with utmost gall. ‘I’m going to assume that you’ve all heard the news.’
Corinne, nursing a half-mug of tea as if it supported her weight, sighed in response. It took a second draw until she could form a response. ‘Humour me and let’s pretend that I’ve been awake for more than ten minutes.’
The paper was slapped down between them. Its capitalized, bold title was accompanied with roughly printed photos showing lines of men with their wrists bound in handcuffs.
‘News on the wire states that there’s been arrests in the region.’
‘What kind of arrests and why does this affect us?’
‘Let me read it out.’ Elizabeth ran a finger over each word in turn. The others crowded around to listen.
‘A scene of gun fighting turned Maou Port into a lawless free-for-all yesterday. Trouble first started when local constabulary acted on a tip-off that the Pumpkin Gang were stockpiling illegal munitions. Their response to this was a furious rebuttal of ball and bullets, turning this pleasant town into a blood bath. It took little time to bring things back to order, though the toll was great. Eighteen identified members of the Pumpkin Gang were –’
‘Pfft – the Pumpkin Gang? Like the vegetable?’ Colette snorted in interruption. ‘What sort of name is that?’
Elizabeth continued, firmer in tone this time.
‘– were killed. Three policemen gave their lives for their service. Seven innocent members of the public were caught in the crossfire. Afterwards, a large amount of contraband was removed from targeted premises, including firearms, stolen goods, bales of Red Root, and ill-gotten monies. At the scene, reporters were told by Regional Marshal Alex Juniper that they had apprehended ten gang members including the notorious Malfont Monsoon. Sentencing will begin in three days’ time, pending any objections from the authorities.’
Elizabeth swatted the paper down.
‘It just so happened to be Malfont Monsoon. Recognize the name?’
‘Not in the slightest.’ Colette nonchalantly shrugged.
Elizabeth sighed. Was she the only one who paid notice to such things? ‘He’s high up the chain of this local gang and they’ve been arrested for selling Red Root. They’ve been dealing quantities of it.’
‘I hate that stuff. What’s even the point? You escape for a few hours and then what? You’re back to where you were, just with less money in your pocket.’
‘And wet hair from lying in your own vomit. The comedown is apparently awful. It makes some psychotic with long-term use.’
‘That too. But again, why does this concern us?’
‘Think.’ Elizabeth patronizingly tapped her temple
. ‘Where have we just been? And didn’t Misu get escorted away by someone introducing themselves as Monsoon?’
Disbelieving eyes narrowed in unison.
‘So? So?’ Corinne dismissed.
‘So,’ Elizabeth clarified, ‘it doesn’t take a genius to notice that we just so happen to be in the middle of all this. The last two raids mentioned Red Root in the papers. Forgive me, I thought we just passed through the places that conveniently had the lawmen perform raids on difficult locals. Or am I on a different train to you all?’
‘Coincidence.’
‘As well as that, Car Six is still locked up and I don’t know what’s in there. Do any of you?’
Corinne let out an impatient sigh. ‘What are you implying?’
‘I’m implying nothing – don’t get excited. But to use your word, it’s quite the coincidence, don’t you think? And you don’t want to get in the way of Alex Juniper around these parts. He’s an axe waiting over your neck if you’re up to something.’
‘Hence the nickname of Axe,’ Katerina interrupted, making Elizabeth’s ears prick up.
‘Oh, that’s what it relates to?’
‘It’s a worthy title. He was sheriff when we first tangled, but this promotion of his means that he can cross borders with impunity. Someone big has noticed his good work and given him the say to carry it on where he deems fit. If good is the word for what he actually does.’
‘Difficult is he? Just throw him some coin and a smile and he’ll leave us alone.’
‘No, he won’t. Juniper isn’t just someone you can just brush aside. We’ve tangled with him before.’ Corinne slid her mug away. Her taste for many things had suddenly subsided. Disappointingly, her headache had not.
‘Oh? And what happened?’
‘I died for starters.’
* * *
Misu strolled inside, placing down a pile of retrieved messages onto the well-polished bar. She seated herself on a stool and flicked through each note with scrutiny, unaware that silence had taken dominance and all eyes were upon her. When the last of these were placed aside, she poured herself a measure from the coffee pot. Only then did she take notice of the sudden, expectant, silence. ‘What’s this about Juniper?’
They each glanced at one another to see who would be the bravest and speak up.
Katerina fumbled her words before finding her voice. ‘He’s apparently been leading arrests in this region. We’re just keeping ahead of the news, is all.’
Misu sipped from her cup and scanned the front page of the paper. ‘Good for him. And a marshal too. That gives him all the reach to carry out his business. There was me thinking that we were giving Windberg a wide berth to avoid his attention. I suppose being careful doesn’t matter now.’
Elizabeth spoke next, bolder. ‘They were caught with contraband. Red Root on all accounts.’
‘Unfortunate.’ Misu’s fingers tightened around the cup handle and she glanced away.
‘Yeah,’ Elizabeth continued. ‘Very. They’re stupid for getting mixed up in these affairs, don’t you agree? You would have to be a down-and-out idiot to concern yourself with all that.’
‘Am I mistaken, or do we have a show in six hours? You’re slacking a little, girls.’ Misu changed the subject to enforce a little discipline, though this was washed aside. They remained steadfast, watching one another. Not a foot moved. ‘All this dilly-dallying will get naught accomplished. I assume you don’t want me to shout, now.’
‘You’re not tangled up in any of this are you?’ Katerina delivered.
It was an accusation that she could have done without at this point. ‘I’m not following the question,’ Misu dismissed.
‘Yes you are.’ Elizabeth took the lead once more. ‘It’s simple. You’ve been sneaking away from us during the shows. Half the time we don’t know what’s going on. You’re meeting contacts these days whenever we pull into a station, alone may I add, which is against a rule that you impose on us. A car is locked up constantly which only you have a key for. That’s not right in anyone’s book.’
‘So owning the Morning Star I must share every inch and allow it to be trodden on? Forgive me, girl, but for a moment I thought I held its papers.’
‘Don’t bend words.’
‘It is suspicious,’ Corinne agreed, finally breaking her silence, following with an apologetic shrug. ‘I’m sorry, but it is. I’m not going to lie about it. Something just doesn’t add up.’
‘You too?’
‘Why are we racing against some imaginary clock? How come Car Six is off limits and why does it seem that trouble is following us no matter where we pull in? I feel something breathing down our necks and I’m not liking the notion. It can’t be right and this cannot all be coincidence.’
Misu finally placed her cup down onto a coaster and stared out to the Sand Sea in contemplation.
‘And you all feel like this?’
Katerina nodded, staring at the floor. She was tired of this farce. ‘Something is amiss. Has been for a long while, boss, and we can’t be ignoring it any longer. Show her.’
‘Show me what?’ Misu asked.
Katerina sighed wearily. ‘The evidence.’
Elizabeth pulled out a folded piece of paper. It was crisp in its creases and its presence almost expected at this point. The paper was held aloft and shown around to the women who stood amassed around this new evidence. The blank telegram was pristine, waiting for the next faked correspondence from Franco to be imprinted upon it.
A thunderbolt of realization drove through each of the showgirls.
It was all lies. All of it. They had been played for gullible fools.
Colette slumped down and cradled her head in her hands in astonishment.
‘Where did you get that?’ Misu demanded, snatching it away.
‘That’s not important.’ Elizabeth sneered to Corinne. ‘Is it all in my head now?’
‘This is a terrible accusation to make. It truly is.’ Misu sighed and rested her weight on her arms. ‘And the worst part of it is that you’re completely right.’
‘What about?’ Corinne queried.
‘Everything?’ Elizabeth squeaked in surprise. She could hardly believe the admission. As inappropriate it was, a smile began to form.
‘Literally everything,’ Misu conceded, taking to her feet.
‘The ones chasing us?’
‘Bad people who want nothing more than our blood and cargo.’
‘The telegrams from Franco?’
‘Fabricated. Every one of them was my own doing. He’s not sent us a single word.’
This caused a cry of equal parts outrage and shock from everybody in her presence. Somebody tossed a cup to the floor in anger. The sheer scale of betrayal was bewildering. They each considered themselves family. What sort of family was this if one of their own was conspiring so deviously? Before things had the chance to get out of hand, Misu decided to offer the answers each craved.
‘Rather than feed further rumour, I would like to invite you all to follow me. I’ll explain it all.’
They each ventured in single file, through the car exit, down the steps onto the sand, and walked the length of the train, still very much immobile though not for much longer. Nobody said a word until they reached Car Six, looking inconspicuous and perfectly painted black and red, identical to the others in the entourage. Misu paused, ensuring that those at the end of the line made their way forward so her audience had an equal view of what was about to be seen. She produced a thick iron key from around her neck, lassoed with a chain that straddled her collar, and she thrust it into the door lock. The latch snapped back into its housing and with a push, the door heaved open.
Hesitantly they each peered inside.
Car Six was a stock car. It was, like Seven and Five, kept for whatever cargo needed hauling: parts, tables, and food. They were usually organized affairs with stacked, well-labelled crates, handy for the inevitable border checks. Sometimes spare gaming tables would be s
tacked in a car such as this, furniture, bunting, and decorations too, but Car Six was currently devoid of any of this. Car Six thoroughly skewed the trend.
Instead, the sunlight cast light across stacks of bound bales of material, against every wall and sometimes reaching to the roof. The bales, though tightly bound, were frayed at the edges and their contents protruded. Dry wisps of a rusty-red plant jutted out, its tell-tale dust faintly littering the interior.
* * *
Elizabeth covered her hand with her mouth. Despite pursuing the truth, the end result was crushing. Her heart grew cold and heavy in shock.
Red Root.
Even those who had never seen it themselves knew what it was by reputation. The entire car was filled with contraband, looming over them all, its value certainly astronomical. The Morning Star was smuggling this horrid substance and they were each an accessory to the crime.
* * *
There was absolute silence. That was, until Corinne unexpectedly exploded.
A lash of Corinne’s palm snapped over Misu’s cheek. The blow was expected and weathered. Suddenly Misu fell backwards as Corinne had launched her entire weight against her, sending the pair into a spiral. Down they rolled, sending drifts of sand with them, fingers clawing out and punches thrown. As they crumpled together at the bottom of the slope, each sprung to their feet, crashing against one another like two stags would. The other women hurried down the drifts of golden sand, descending as well as they could with the poor footing provided. They each called a halt to this.
But nothing was going to stop Corinne. She heard no words of objection from her friends, felt no bruise from the rock that had caught her on the way down. She wiped the blood from her mouth and sprung forward once more. Cloth seams ripped. Nails bit into flesh, drawing blood from Misu’s cheek. They entwined, snarls and grunts a horrid crescendo heard by the onlookers.
The burning cheek fuelled Misu who weaved through nails swiping air, and as Corinne attempted to kick Misu’s feet from her, a forearm met her throat and sent her straight onto her back. Misu lashed out with fury, her eyes wide and wrath-filled. Knuckles rained down, taking the air from Corinne’s lungs, who struggled to protect herself, the pair shouting incomprehensible babble to one another.
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