The pudgy man waved. “Not a problem.”
Cassidy turned and she and Jebediah walked out of the jail. Outside, Cassidy waved to Sheng who waved back and set about removing some feeding bags from the two horses pulling the carriage. Cassidy leaned into Jebediah. “I expect everything that you find. Every detail,” she said quietly.
“Of course,” he replied.
“No, not of course. You're in the business of lying, and if you think that you can benefit from lying to me, you will. Gideon thinks very highly of you, but I don't. Not yet. If you lie to me, I will find out, and I will make your life very difficult for it.”
Jebediah stared off in thought for a moment. “Miss. St. Claire, there has been one betrayal thus far. I would not wish to be the genesis of another.” Their eyes met and they stared at each other for a moment.
Cassidy nodded. “Alright. Tomorrow, then,” she said. Jebediah nodded.
Gideon came walking over, annoyed. “Cassidy, I know it's out of your way, but could you give us a ride. The only carriage I can find is being driven by a man who is stinking drunk and being very rude.” In the distance, the sound of a drunken Scotsman hollering slurred obscenities echoed along the street. The three all looked down the street to the man who was swaying wildly back and forth in his seat yelling. Finally he dropped his bottle, it smashed on the ground, and he tipped head-over-heels right off the carriage and onto the pavement. After a moment of silence, the sound of mournful wailing filled the street.
“Yeah. Get in,” she said.
---
Cassidy sat quietly at the dining table. Around the room was a bustle of activity and commotion as brunch was being prepared. William sat at the head of table, reading a book and finishing a plate full of food, while Margie was tasting a stew simmering in a large pot. There was an unease in the activity, as though there would be a much greater chatter if not for the pall of sorrow sitting on top of it. Light poured in from the skylight above, bathing the room in an ironically cheerful light. At the end of table with Cassidy were Joseph, Levi, and Jacob.
“Cassidy, you need to eat,” said Joseph. “I know that you didn't eat after coming back last night and you have yet to eat today. There's nothing else to do, and when there is something to do, if you're weak and hungry, you won't be able to do it.”
Cassidy poked at her plate with her fork. “I can't... My stomach just won't let me. I failed them.”
“Stop that,” said Joseph sternly. “Beating yourself up will achieve nothing. You didn't fail them. You did precisely what you thought you should. And at the time, it was a good idea!”
“What are they doing to Anna?” Cassidy mumbled.
“Don't even say that,” said Joseph, putting his fork down. “They took the two for a reason. I seriously doubt they are going to hurt them.”
Cassidy looked at Joseph. “I hope you're right... I hope you're right.”
---
George and Anna sat on the floor of the airship. The main corridor, made of metal and wood, ran up and down the body of the ship, about seventy feet in length and seven feet wide. Seats and compartments were pressed up against either side of the corridor. Straps and belts dangled from the walls and lifted away from the walls as the ship bobbed about in the air. Ahead, the cockpit housed a single seat and pilot with bright morning sunlight piercing in through the front windows. The entire cabin was filled with the omnipresent vibration of the engines driving the fans. Sitting in two of the seats were the mechanical man and Roger, who was again reading his book. George stared at the grated floor, looking at the various tubes and cables running underneath, while Anna stared at the mechanical man.
“I saw your arm,” said Anna. “The one you lost. It was impressive.” The mechanical man turned to look at her, silent. “Who made it for you?”
“Quiet,” said Roger.
Anna continued to stare at the mechanical man who stared right back. “Is your mask also attached?” she asked.
“I said be quiet,” said Roger.
“Are there others like you?” asked Anna.
“Either be quiet or I will quiet you,” said Roger.
“You won't hurt us,” said Anna. “You wanted us. For whatever reason, we are important to you.”
“I may forget my better judgment,” said Roger.
“You won't,” she replied.
With that, the mechanical man stood and walked the few steps over to Anna and stood over her, looking down. Anna looked up, unafraid. George, on the other hand, was visibly worried. They stared at one another for a moment before the mechanical man produced a canteen and handed it to Anna, then turned and sat back down. Anna opened it and sniffed.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a sip. The mechanical man then turned to face the wall again. Anna looked to George, he nodded, and she handed the canteen to him.
---
The table was now mostly clear. Cassidy and Joseph sat on the far end, facing one another, with Cassidy resting her chin down on her forearms. On the other end sat Abigail, who was utterly engrossed in a book.
“What are you reading, Abby?” asked Joseph.
“Jane Eyre,” she replied.
“It's a good book,” Joseph said, nodding.
“I know. It's my third time reading it.”
“Have you read Pride and Prejudice?”
“Of course!” Abigail replied, almost insulted.
Joseph smiled. “I didn't mean anything by it! I was just curious. I love the father character. He just doesn't care about anything going on. Always reminded me of my own father. Have you read much of Dickens?”
“Only Tale of Two Cities.”
“He's easily my favorite.”
“Do you like Mark Twain? I'm kind of reading Tom Sawyer now,” she asked.
“Oh, he's good. I hate all his damned dialects. Sometimes I have no idea what he's saying.”
“That's because you can't read, Joe. Stop pretending,” said Cassidy
“A joke. That's good to hear,” Joe said as he rubbed Cassidy's shoulder. Cassidy didn't respond. “We'll work through this,” Joe said comfortingly. “This isn't a book. There is no end. Something always comes next.” The sound of the front knocker in the distance caused Cassidy to sit bolt upright with a wide, alert expression on her face. Then, the sound of Amos answering the door and muffled voices. Then Amos came walking into the kitchen ahead of Jebediah and Gideon.
“Mr. Ames and Mr. Atwater,” said Amos.
“Jeb! Gideon! What do you have?” Cassidy asked, excited and impatient. Jebediah and Gideon both smiled.
“We hit paydirt,” said Gideon.
“Do you know where to go?” asked Cassidy.
“Oh yes,” replied Jebediah.
“Then tell me the details as we walk.” Cassidy got up and walked quickly around the table. “Joe, suit up. Margie, can you get in touch with Barnabas? Tell him to prepare my train car with every gun he can fit and all the provisions. He'll know who to telephone.”
“I will indeed. Don't go running off!” said Margie.
“I won't, but I will soon.” Cassidy walked past Gideon and Jebediah and faced around as she walked “Come on, come on!” Jebediah and Gideon fell in line behind Joseph as he walked past.
“Cassidy,” Joseph said. “Cassidy!” he said loudly.
Cassidy turned seemingly barely aware of his speaking. “What?”
“Cassidy, I can't go anywhere,” Joseph said apologetically.
“What? Of course you can. Is this about your age again?”
“No. It's about responsibility. You have a whole load of people helping you in your company, but the ice company needs me. We're coming into our busiest season. I'm needed.”
“What? No. You're needed alright. Right here! You're needed here!”
“Cassidy, please. I've got over four hundred people relying on me, and thousands who buy my ice. How long would I be gone?”
Cassidy looked to Jebediah for an answer who took a moment to realize
what she wanted, then shook his head. “I don't know,” he said.
“Cassidy, I can't just go for an unknown amount of time. I'm not as rich as you. I don't have that freedom.”
“Joe,” Cassidy pleaded. “It's George and Anna. They need our help.”
“What help would I be, though? What help would one, overweight ice merchant be in this situation?”
“Joe, you're always a help!” Cassidy said, becoming agitated.
“Yes, when we're just a bunch of idiots charging about breaking things. Yes. I'm very good at that! But now you have the entire government behind you.”
Cassidy stared at Joe with a sad, confused expression. “Joe... I don't want to go without you.”
“Cassy, the last time we went gallivanting about for weeks on end was eight years ago.”
“Yes, but this isn't just fun, this is for George and Anna.”
“I know! Don't you think that this decision is hard for me? If you didn't have them, I would go. Absolutely. No question. But with them, I'm just going to get in the way.
“Joe, no, you—”
“I can't go.”
Cassidy stared at Joe, her eyes jumping back and forth between his. “Fine. Stay.” Cassidy turned and walked quickly over to her book shelves, opening her hidden weapons case.
“Cassidy!” Joseph said, hurt. “You know that I—”
“Go, Joe. Just go. Get the hell out.”
Tears welled up in the corners of Joseph's eyes. He turned quickly and marched away stopping beside Jebediah, they looked at each other, Joseph nodded, and then he left.
Jebediah stepped forward as Cassidy busily readied herself. “Cassidy, I think that you should consider letting us handle this.”
“I did. Look at how well that turned out.”
“We were simply unprepared. We will not be caught that way again.”
“Perhaps, but you know who was prepared the whole time? Me. I was,” Cassidy said, facing Jebediah and pointing to herself.
“Cassidy, I understand that you are upset, but now more than any other time you must listen to reason. We can handle this situation best.”
“You know what Jeb? Fuck you. You've been trying to dissuade me from being involved from the very beginning. What's your angle with that? Steal some advanced technology for the government? Is that it?”
“I don't have an angle. I have a desire to rescue two people whom I let down,” said Jebediah, his voice becoming upset.
“By trying to push out the one person on the west coast who can be of the most help to you? Brilliant plan.”
“I'm doing it for your own safety!” Jebediah protested.
“Let me worry about my safety, alright. I've been doing a damn fine job up till this point. I've gotten pretty good at it.”
“Cassidy, please!”
“NO! No! This is my show! I'm not going to cower before you like your cowardly little minions like Gideon here!”
“You will make this more difficult, damnit!” said Jebediah, rising to a near yell.
“How?!” Cassidy yelled, facing Jebediah with her arms wide. “By showing you up? Embarrassing you? Showing the world that the powerful under-secretary of whatever-the-fuck-you-do is an incompetent piece of shit? Is that what I will do?”
“You're a bull, Cassidy! You wreck things! I've read your file! I swear to God, there are towns out there who are terrified of you showing up! Parents tell their children bedtime stories about being good else Cassidy St. Claire will come and blow up their toys!”
Cassidy was quiet. She paused in her preparations. She stared at the floor, biting her upper lip. “How many of those train cars do you have?” she asked.
“None,” Jebediah replied, calming down.
Cassidy nodded. “How long would it take you to prepare a trip of this size?”
Jebediah stared at Cassidy, analyzing her. “A week,” he said.
“So, the only way that you can get out of this city in a timely fashion is with my supplies and my trains?”
Jebediah didn't answer at first. “Yes,” he said. “Your car would be ideal.”
“Then it's my show,” Cassidy said. “I'm holding the cards.”
“You don't know where we are going yet,” said Jebediah.
“Yes I do. We're going to New Orleans. I don't need your men. Once I get there, I can dig up what I need,” she said, turning back to her supplies. “It's amazing what you can do with lots of money.”
Jebediah's expression didn't change as he looked at her.
“How did you know we were going to New Orleans?” asked Gideon. Cassidy turned and smiled at Gideon. “Shit,” Gideon said. Jebediah turned and gave him an upset look.
“Margie!” yelled Cassidy.
“One moment,” Margie yelled from off in the house. After a minute, Margie walked in. “What is it, dearie?”
“Could you get in touch with Levi and Jacob? Joe may be a... Joe may not want to come, but they will.”
“You won't need them,” said Jebediah.
“What?” asked Cassidy, turning to Jebediah.
“You won't need them. I'm sure they have been of great service to you, but before we get to New Orleans, we will be picking up a crew of highly-trained agents. Your gang of brawlers wouldn't serve much purpose.”
Cassidy stared at him. Her eyes darted around slightly in thought. “How many?”
“Really, as many as we need. There are thirty of them in Houston, with a hundred more around the border.” Cassidy continued to think in silence. Jebediah continued. “While you are obviously willing to risk your own life, perhaps I can convince you not to needlessly risk the lives of your friends.”
Margie stared at Cassidy from the doorway who eventually looked back. They looked into each other's eyes for a time, Cassidy upset and Margie almost sad. “You wouldn't be going solo,” said Margie. “You know they would follow you to the ends of the Earth. But Peter got pretty badly hurt on the train... a lot worse than he told you. He didn't want you to be upset.”
Cassidy's face changed from furrowed frustration to near sorrow. “You're right... I... You're right.” Cassidy tightened a belt around her waist. She was fully prepared with multiple layers of leather and suede, and bristling with guns. “Alright. My toys. Your guys. Will we be bringing anyone from San Francisco?”
“No. No one here is really prepared for violent field work. Gideon will come along simply because he is immersed in the facts of the case,” said Jebediah.
“But a bureaucrat like you is prepared for violent field work?” asked Cassidy.
Jebediah paused. “I have experience.” Cassidy stared back at him, squinting slightly.
“Well here's hoping it's enough,” she said.
“Indeed,” he replied.
---
Three carriages sat by the train station. The din of activity filled the air: whistles, bells, yelling, horses, and the rolling thunder of steam engines coming into load and unload cargo and passengers. The tall masts of ships in the docks near the station and in the San Francisco Channel clustered into a forest of wood and sails while the pillars of steam from passing steam ships made it appear as though the forest were on fire.
Cassidy's train was outside the station proper, with people boarding directly from the ground. Standing by the dark brown train car were Sheng, Margie, William, Levi, and Jacob. Cassidy, Gideon, and Amos were loading the last luggage from the carriages onto the car. Cassidy stood by the door, her foot up on the step. She looked up toward the station platform and saw the conductor waving. He held up three fingers. Cassidy waved and replied with a thumbs up. She then put both feet on the ground and inspected the carriage, then looked to her friends.
“You be careful,” said Margie. “I understand that you've got guns and stupidity, but sometimes that isn't enough.”
Cassidy smiled. “Don't forget poor manners,” she said. She then gave Margie a big hug. She next turned to William. “Will...”
“Don't worry. I understa
nd,” he said with a loving smile. “Just bring them back.” Cassidy then hugged him, too.
“Sheng,” Cassidy said. “You seem to have issues with physical contact so I'll just shake your hand.” Sheng smiled widely.
Cassidy turned to Levi and Jacob. Her mouth hung open for a moment as she searched for words. “Could you two do me a favor. After you leave, go tell Joe that... I'm...” Cassidy looked past the two to the carriages by the front of the station. Joseph appeared, walking out from behind one of the horses. He made eye contact with Cassidy and stopped in his tracks, looking at her. They simply stared for a moment before walking quickly and into each other's embrace.
“I'm sorry,” said Cassidy.
“I know,” he replied.
“I'm glad you were a better person than me about this. I wouldn't have shown up,” said Cassidy.
“Oh, I know. I'm not about to let that happen.”
They pulled apart and held onto each other's shoulders. “Stay safe,” said Joseph.
Cassidy smiled and then gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder. “Never!” she yelled before turning and running up to the train step. Jebediah was waiting and as he saw her arrive, he gave a smile and nod to Margie and then entered the car. Cassidy jumped up on the step with both feet, hanging onto the handrails and leaning out. She waved to the conductor.
“I'll be back soon!” she pronounced to her group. “I'll have the kids with me and the head of that son-of-a-bitch Roger on a goddamn pike.” Margie rolled her eyes and sighed. Everyone else smiled and waved. The train sounded its steam whistle as Cassidy looked ahead with hope and determination, squinting as the sun beamed down upon her face. She then turned and looked at Joseph, who was standing a bit behind the others. They smiled, and then gave each other one last nod. Cassidy then entered the train as the whistle signaled its departure.
---
Rain was starting to fall, undetectable save for the audible pat pat pat of drops on the ground. The dim lights of the buildings almost floated in the night. The sound of a player piano in the saloon danced in the wind and rain. A pair of lights, bouncing along the ground, illuminated the muddy road and rain drops in the air. The rumble of an engine grew louder as the vehicle slowed. Then, silent darkness. The sound of a heavy, metal door opening and closing was followed by footsteps in mud, walking toward the sounds of gaiety in the saloon.
Cassidy St. Claire and The Fountain of Youth Parts I, II, & III Page 23