Arcadia Snips and the Steamwork Consortium Read Free Page A

title. It read: STEAMWORK UNDER INVESTIGATION.
    "Oh, that," Orwick said. "It should be of little concern to such law-abiding men as yourselves."
    "My associates and I brought our business to this fair city under the assurances of non-interference at the hands of the government."
    "And so you have received it. And so you will continue to receive it. Her Majesty has made clear her desire for your sovereignty over personal affairs," Count Orwick said.
    "Then what is this talk of an investigation? Why were we not informed?"
    "I planned on scheduling a meeting with you this afternoon to discuss the matter," Orwick said. "Her Majesty has requested your full compliance in a government investigation of your facilities. She is concerned about the recent rash of attacks against our banks, and what it might mean should your inventions at the Steamwork fall into the wrong hands."
    "Our security is second-to-none," Mr. Eddington said. "I will not have your men interfering with my work, blundering about in my workshops and disturbing my machines. We can carry out our own investigation, thank you very much."
    "And what have you unearthed concerning the recent demise of your research assistant, Mr. Copper?"
    "A tragedy, to be certain, but a wholly inevitable one," Mr. Eddington said. "Mr. Copper's research was highly dangerous. He ignored safety protocols time and time again."
    "Her Majesty has reason to believe it may be part of an anarchist plot," Orwick said. "She wishes for the case to be re-opened and investigated."
    Mr. Eddington's scowl deepened. "I have no desire to see your 'agents' in my house of business, Orwick."
    "Please, Mr. Eddington. Agents? In my employ?" Orwick brought a narrow hand to his chest, as if fending off violence. "I have no such thing. I am merely a humble instrument of the Queen's will."
    "In that case," Mr. Eddington said, stepping backward and folding his arms over his chest. "I demand the investigation be carried out by a third party, unrelated to you or your government."
    "Such a strange request," Orwick said. "Do you think us as little more than a motley collection of spies and thieves?"
    "I think that history speaks for itself, Count Orwick."
    "Very well. Hire any investigative agency you would like, so long as it is clear that they are impartial to the matter. I only ask that a government consultant be allowed to join the investigation, to ensure that our concerns are addressed."
    Mr. Eddington's eyes narrowed into a stare that could slit open stone. "One consultant," he said.
    "Only one," Orwick agreed, and then he smiled. Both Eddington and Tweedle instinctively recoiled; Orwick's smile was a vicious thing, full of malice and sharp edges. Nary a friendly flat-topped tooth lay in sight.
    ~*~
    Beneath Arcadia Snips' derby hat and short black curls was the face of a silver-fanged cherub—a mocha-toned angel with enough charm to sell a pack of matches to a man doused in lamp-oil. But whenever she grinned, the very tip of that silver fang would tuck over the edge of her bottom tooth. It gave her a savage, frightful look.
    Snips squirmed in the grip of the prison's complimentary straitjacket and accompanying chains, left hanging by her feet from the musty cell's ceiling. The nearby locksmith rattled off items from his list, scoring checkmarks as he went.
    "Straitjacket, check."
    Beside the locksmith stood Morgrim Prison's warden. The man resembled an old goat with all the mental flexibility of a chalk brick. Recent months had taken their toll on him; his once proud uniform fit him like a glove fitted a foot, and his eyes had sunk into deep craters.
    "You see, Miss Snips," the warden began, "I want you to be extra comfortable. I've realized why you keep escaping. It's because we just haven't taken that extra step for you. We haven't been giving you the special attention you deserve."
    "Manacles, check. Padlock on manacles, check."
    "Really, I feel this whole sordid affair has been my own fault. But don't