Free Leaden Skies by Ann Parker

the most interesting incident while taking my morning constitutional—”
    Inez was treated to a view of a purple hat in which a bird with beady black eyes nested. The bird was quite dead and stuffed in the bargain. Then, the hat tipped back, and a pair of brilliant eyes, a startling blue verging on amethyst, speared Inez.
    The woman stepped back into the entryway. From her height, Inez would have thought the woman was perhaps a child. Except, her lower limbs were enveloped not in long skirts, but in a reform outfit, complete with purple bloomers and short purple skirt.
    “Excuse me,” she said with her crisp no-nonsense elocution. “I had no idea. Isn’t it early to be having visitors, Mr. Casey?” She then reached past him to Inez, held out a hand, and said briskly, “Allow me to introduce myself. Mrs. Serena Clatchworthy.”
    Responding automatically to the strange woman’s forthright manner, Inez reached for the hand, saying, “Mrs. Stannert.”
    After a single hearty shake, Mrs. Clatchworthy withdrew her hand adding, as if an afterthought, “Editor, publisher, reporter, and hawker of the Cloud City Columbia .”
    Casey moved between them, blocking Inez from Mrs. Clatchworthy’s intent gaze. “Mrs. Stannert is here on a legal matter.” There was a firm current of warning in his explanation, as if he’d raised a cane within the sight of a child who was pushing the limits of misbehavior.
    Serena raised her hands, as if in protest. “Mrs. Stannert, I am the soul of discretion. My business and Mr. Casey’s run on separate tracks. Much like our philosophies regarding—”
    “Mrs. Stannert was just leaving. Perhaps you might deliver your thoughts on women’s suffrage another time,” said Casey, not unkindly.
    “Well, then. Perhaps I will,” Mrs. Clatchworthy said. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stannert. My brother is the best in the business. You’ve come to the right man.” She retreated across the foyer to a parlor opposite the law office.
    Casey ushered Inez over to a walnut hallstand holding Inez’s overcoat and umbrella. These items were now balanced on the other side of the center mirror by a furled purple umbrella rimmed with gold fringe, dripping into the umbrella pan. Purple kid gloves were thrown carelessly on the marble inset shelf beneath the mirror.
    Inez caught a glimpse of the parlor’s interior. Mrs. Clatchworthy, ostensibly warming herself by the painted firescreen, gazed at Inez with intense curiosity. A rocking chair held an open book, face down. Inez imagined the book whining at the mistreatment of its spine, cracked and in distress.
    “I’ll be back momentarily, Serena.” Casey hastily hung Inez’s coat over her shoulders, shoved her umbrella into her hand, and walked her out the door. He let himself out as well and closed the door behind them both.
    “My apologies, Mrs. Stannert,” he began. “Usually my sister’s morning constitutional lasts quite a bit longer. It must have been something truly unusual to bring her back so soon.” He stopped, his brown eyes taking in Inez’s stiff demeanor. “In any case, although we share an abode, I can assure you that Serena—Mrs. Clatchworthy—and my occupations do not intersect. She is completely dedicated to her printing press and her muses and chatters endlessly about work. I do not. She understands and respects the legal code of conduct that I adhere to.” He allowed a small smile to crease his face. “All in all, she’s quite harmless in her enthusiasms. Most likely, you’ll not cross paths again. I just wanted to reassure you that your story and our business remain confidential, as I assured you at the start.”
    “I’ll hold you to that, Mr. Casey,” said Inez, recovering her voice.
    “Your trust is well placed. Now, I’d better return to the office and prepare the paperwork I spoke of. Good day, Mrs. Stannert.”

Chapter Nine
    “So, Mrs. Stannert, let’s drink to our partnership.” Frisco Flo held up a glass