Hell's Ten

Kace went down the road towards home. There were two things weighing heavily on his mind. The first was Gall’s warning, the second the shipment of explosives he now had on his hands. When he’d bought them he’d thought to sell them again right away, for a good profit, but the coppers patrolling around the docks had quickly changed his mind. What had caused the sudden tightening of security? Would there be more raids? He passed a hand through his hair, blowing out a heavy breath. His body ached and he wanted nothing more than to get home, maybe have a hot bath, sleep for an hour or two before business called again.

“Lowry!” His head turned smoothly, no movement betraying the jolt of alarm that shot through him. As the son of the richest man in the city, he was keenly aware of the target on his back. But he relaxed when he saw Tripp, the old family servant, hurrying towards him.

He straightened, smoothing his coat with a quick gesture. “Yes?”

“Someone came to give you this.” Breathlessly, Tripp handed him a folded piece of paper. “A boy came by and said it was urgent. He wouldn’t give a name. I’ve been looking over half the city for you.”

Kace unfolded the paper and quickly scanned the few lines. I have an offer to make you. Load of gats I’m looking to sell. Meet me at the Duchess at seven. Rafi.

Kace checked his watch. Quarter to the hour. He could still make it if he hurried. He handed the note back to Tripp. “Burn it. And tell Clothilde I’ll be home late.”

Without waiting for a reply he hurried off toward the Duchess. People scurried out of his way as he went. In these streets everyone knew Kace Lowry, and everyone knew that he could make you a rich man or put a bullet through your head with a flick of his wrist if he chose. But he had business tonight.

The cream-colored front of the Duchess was brightly lit, welcoming anyone who had money to spend. It was the best hotel in the city, its windows curtained in white lace and the candlesticks on its tables blinking gold. Kace went up the steps. The butler at the door only bowed deeply and ushered him past, no one here would dream of asking him to pay.

He entered the white and gold dining room, and scanned the crowd for Rafi. He found him sitting alone, toying with a small glass without drinking from it. He must be doing well for himself if he could afford the Duchess, Kace thought shrewdly as he clapped him on the back and took the seat offered to him. Rafi had put on a suit for the occasion, but his tie was askew and there was still dirt under his fingernails as he moved his glass restlessly from hand to hand.

“How much are you asking?” Kace asked, when they’d exchanged the usual pleasantries.

“Three thousand dollars,” Rafi said quickly. “For about a hundred rifles. And I’m open to bargain.”

“You have a load of a hundred rifles?”

Rafi nodded.

“They faulty or what?” Kace knew that asking three thousand dollars for a hundred rifles was ridiculously low. Usually they went for at least fifty apiece.

Rafi shifted slightly in his seat. “The coppers are rustling about my docks again,” he said in a low voice. “I had a buyer already, a commie. I meant to sell to him for a higher price. But with the cops around he won’t take the goods, and I can’t have them resting on my hands any longer. You’ll be doing me a favor if you take them, Lowry. I’m making you a good offer.”

Kace nodded thoughtfully. It was a good offer, and besides, he liked Rafi enough to want to give him a hand if he could. “I’ll take them. I’ll send my men around tonight at ten to pick them up. You’ll get your money when I have the guns.”

Rafi nodded eagerly. “The boat’s at berth twelve. I’ll be there.”

They shook hands and Kace got up. He left a generous tip on the table for whoever came to clear it and left the hotel. He was halfway across the street before he realized someone was behind him. Someone who had waited in the shadows by the entrance for him to come out.

The stranger swung out a cudgel before Kace could jump aside. Wood slammed into his gut, crushing the breath from his lungs. He didn’t realize he had fallen, but he felt the hard pavement of the road under his hands as he scrabbled at the ground, trying to breathe. Through the buzzing in his ears he vaguely heard shouting and running feet. He glimpsed the face of his attacker, and saw a look of shock frozen on its features. It was a young face, clean-shaven and boyish. Someone Kace didn’t recognize. Whoever he was, he was either very foolish or very brave to make a go at a Lowry.

The face disappeared and hands reached out to help Kace to his feet. He pushed them away. “I’m fine,” he rasped, trying to straighten his body. He couldn’t get to his feet. “Get me into the Duchess,” he ordered. The Duchess’s servants, in black and white livery, were eager to comply, but Kace felt a wave of nausea as they tried to help him up. He hissed in pain, clenching his teeth and trying to fight off the blackness that threatened to engulf him. The lights of the Duchess seemed strangely bright as he was plunged into darkness.

This is part 1 of a series, stay tuned for part 2! In the meantime, if you enjoyed this story, you might also like Home Turf, written by yours truly.