original writing - NY Steam

[cornerofmadness]

All four of these are just snippets of my NY steampunk story written for multiple prompts (see cut headers) for origfic_bingo just enough to give the flavor of the prompt


Victor tasted the tea Bertie had prepared for him. Strong and sweet, it definitely not his mother's tea. “So far the evidence makes them unlikely killers. In fact, Abraham Westbrook suggested I speak with you, ma'am. He said you witnessed a fight between Mrs. Westbrook, Mrs. Crawley and Mrs. Williams among others.”

“Oh yes. That was something else. It started with Prudence Williams calling Myrtle Crawley a jumped up maid who ran down the quality of the entire party. Before long they were all into it along with Coral Mitchell and Hannah Reichenburger, name calling and threats. Women get like that some times but this was a bit different, especially after Permelia slapped Prudence in the face saying General Williams disgraced himself during the war and Prudence did say Permelia would get what was coming to her. I left just then along with Coral and Hannah. It just far too disreputable for me. I will say this, little Vivian and Lizzie were watching us from around the door frame. You know how little girls are, wanting to be part of the party and none of the adults paying the least bit of attention to anything other than themselves. I hate to think of what they heard once I left. We shooed them away from the door but as sure as I'm sitting here, they went back.”


“How did you talk me into this?” Victor throttled back on the personal airship's engine.

“Cause and effect. You need a bit of a break. I can't remember when I've seen such tired eyes. Exhaustion requires a bit of rest. Besides.” Abraham flashed a smile as tired as he claimed Victor's eyes were. “You were an airman and I thought you would enjoy flying my baby. I thought it would wait until after the case ended but now seemed better.”

“I still can't believe this little airship exists even though you showed it to me before. “ Victor looked down on the Hudson River. The view was beautiful.

“I wanted to wear one of Mother's necklaces tomorrow when we have to bury Aunt Permelia but Miss Wedderburn says I can't.”

He squeezed her tightly, lifting his head. He hated such innocence had to be tarnished. Miss Wedderburn had hurriedly found a black dress for his daughter to wear. Nothing could prepare them for the funeral tomorrow. He wasn't sure how much his children remembered of their mother's funeral and he didn't want to ask. They were old enough to understand fully what was happening with their aunt. “I'll find you a piece and talk to Miss Wedderburn.”


Lies and secrets, every investigation began and ended with them. If one looked closely enough, patterns to them might emerge. It was the reason Victor’s bosses liked him so well. He could see the patterns where others couldn’t. He was beginning to see patterns now. He’d been working on the Westbrook case for three days – regrettably rarely spotting either brother – as he gathered more information.

Dr. Barrowman had precious little to add, other than it seemed Permelia Westbrook had been killed no more than an hour or two after Miss Nash had taken the children to the park. His friend in the city hadn’t found any signs that Benjamin had a mistress hidden away down there.