Free Shotgun by Courtney Joyner Page A

offend at the same time.”
    â€œOne of my many talents.”
    Kate took a jade pipe from her top desk drawer, and held the bowl over the lamp’s flame. Her concentration was total, her thick fingers now delicate instruments, as she felt the pipe’s temperature before opening a small ivory pillbox and removing a pea-sized dollop of opium to drop into the pre-heated bowl.
    â€œMy third husband was a sea captain who introduced me to the ways of the dynasties. I learned a lot from the Chinese, not the least of which was how to run this place. They know their business.”
    After a few moments, the green-yellow started to smoke, and Kate took a long draw on the pipe before leaning back in her chair and allowing the feeling to wash through her.
    Kate judged Beaudine’s dark expression and said, “The girls have no idea I allow myself this. If they did, they’d assume I condoned use for the non-injured, not understanding the discipline it takes to control your consumption. Fighting the tiger keeps me strong. Do you understand, Major?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I do, given some of my extreme hospital experiences”—Beaudine’s voice was drifting—“and the soldiers I know prefer opiates to whiskey. Miss Nellie Bly, who I had an interview with earlier, will be writing extensively about the problem for The Pittsburgh Dispatch .”
    Kate said, “That wasn’t Nellie Bly, Major. Remember where you are.”
    â€œI do—I do—but you interrupted us, while we were discussing dire issues. Some of which concerned you directly, Madame. That wasn’t appreciated.”
    â€œThere was no interruption, no Nellie Bly. Just one of my whores and, a crazy man.” Kate added after drawing on the pipe, “Maybe not all his fault.”
    Beaudine studied his boots, the ragged edge of his sewn-together tunic. He cleared the air with a wave of his hand. “I get lost sometimes, Madame, but I always find my way back. Always.”
    Kate said, “That’s why I allow you to bed here.”
    Beaudine bowed his head. “I know, truly, that I never had the chance to talk to Miss Bly, and tell her of the terrible conditions in the hospitals where I was a guest. But I should have, really. That would have been valuable.”
    â€œI agree.”
    â€œHospitals and prisons, that’s been my life. Did I say anything to that girl? Do anything unseemly?”
    Kate put another match to the pipe. “You were a gentleman in your session, and if you said anything to Thelma, she’d forget the next minute. She’s a sloppy girl. Swills laudanum like it was fresh cider and thinks I don’t know it. Doesn’t have the character to indulge and still keep her wits about her. Not like me.”
    Beaudine nodded to Kate and said, “Some are born to lead.”
    â€œAnd some are born to stay on their backs.”
    Laughter ripped Kate, flesh jiggling, before she drew deep on the pipe and closed her eyes as the feeling kissed through her. Her eyes were still closed when she said, “That gold shipment is real, not a flight of fancy, or something for you and Nellie Bly?”
    â€œReal as death.”
    â€œWhy don’t you have it yet?”
    â€œThe good doctor John Bishop wouldn’t cooperate.”
    â€œDid you kill him?”
    Beaudine’s voice lowered. “He was—destroyed.”
    â€œThat doesn’t say it, and you didn’t get the money.”
    â€œThere’s tracking to be done. My men will be joining me, and we’ll set off on our mission. That’s the last question, Madame. I’ve already given one interview today, and your tone is grating.”
    The Colt Lightning was in Kate’s hand instantly, her flabby arms steadying the gun directly at Beaudine’s head by resting on a large dragon carved from a solid piece of jade.
    Beaudine said, “Threatening an officer is a very serious