Free Strong Mystery: Murder, Mystery and Magic Books 1-3 (Steampunk Magica) by Raven Bond

In
horror and agony. But it would not do to continue to think of that time now,
and best to avoid thinking of that time at all in the presence of Sir Stephen
Partridge.
    He shook himself mentally,
pushing aside the memories, and reached for his tea cup. In that moment he
wished the tea was something much stronger, but he would show no possible
weakness before Partridge.
    “Surely even the Austrians
aren’t that mad,” Owen protested.
    Sir Stephen gave an elegant
shrug.
    “Our intelligence tells us that
if they succeed in assassinating the British Head of Trade, The Duke of
Claremore, when he arrives for these talks, they will declare Hong Kong an
ungoverned city, and march in to restore order.” Sir Stephen harrumphed at this.
    “Order for the Austrians would
look like total devastation. I doubt even the Dragon could survive contact with
a Disintegrator.”
    “The help …” the old man
emphasized the word, “I would ask of you, is to find this assassin before they
can kill the Duke of Claremore and start a war. I fear such a war, a world war,
would be the end of us all.” His face looked to Owen for a moment to be grey
and haggard, before he composed himself and restored his glamour again. After a
few breaths, he appeared once more, the hale, yet elder gentleman.
    “Will you help us all, Owen?”
    Owen took his time lighting
another cigarette. As the smoke blew out his nose he finally spoke.
    “Why me?” He turned his head to
look out at the city that now appeared to have come under threat from the same
horror that haunted him from the past.
    “You have only yourself to blame
for that,” Partridge said dryly. “We did have a reasonably competent, permanent,
field agent here. However, that was before you killed him last night.”
    Owen’s head whipped around,
“Renton? Renton was a member of the Order?”
    “Don’t go all righteous on me,”
he demanded. Partridge’s voice sharpened. “Yes, we knew what his hobby was. If
we had any idea that he had fallen so far…” Again, the elegant shrug, “That’s
what we get for not having enough senior agents.” That Owen had been one of
those senior agents went unspoken.
    Owen looked out at the city
below him. The thought of it ravaged by the unholy arts of the Austrians was
not to be borne.
    “Alright, I’ll look into it.”
    Partridge smiled at him. “Good
show.” He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a hand-sized piece of white,
polished stone. “You may find this useful.”
    Owen carefully took it from him.
The writing on one side caught his breath: “Be it know that the bearer of this
does the work of the Crown. All aid and assistance shall be given unto them.
Regina Elizabeth, the Third of that Name.” He stared at it, willing his eyes to
focus, but the words didn’t change.
    “ Carte blanche, my boy,”
Partridge said. “For the Wooded One’s sake, use it well.” He stood up. “Now if
you don’t mind, I have a sky ship to take.” He held up his empty hand. “May I
pick up my cane?”
    “Provided you tuck it under your
arm,” Owen ordered. The old man did as he was asked, making a show of it.
    “Barton will show you out,” Owen
stated blandly.
    Partridge looked at Owen in
surprise. Courtesy demanded that Owen show Partridge out, if they were allies.
    “If that’s how you want it,”
Partridge said gruffly, “So be it.”
    “Do not make the mistake of thinking
that this changes anything, Partridge,” Owen replied coldly.
    Barton shortly appeared at Sir
Stephen’s side to escort him out.
    “Just don’t fail at this,” he
snapped at Owen. He followed Barton out without another word.
    Owen poured himself a fresh cup
of tea, wrapping his silk robe more firmly about him. Suddenly he felt chilled,
despite the warmth of the day. He gazed off into the distance at the mountains
and the bay, and then moved his gaze over the city. Finally, he spoke to
Jinhao, his gaze still on the view before him.
    “Well, I apologize for having