Gods of Chicago: Omnibus Edition Read Free Page B

Brand’s ear every chance they got. He had fun with it and did his best to keep their spirits up about the possibility. It made him guilty, knowing Chief wouldn’t cave anytime soon. But there was plenty of time to get his old war buddy to let the kids try the air.
    “It’s Thursday, Jenkins. So that’d put your beat. . .”
    “I’m doing La Salle today, up to Old Town and then down Division.”
    “What say we give you another beat instead. Where’s Conroy today?” Brand knew their beats like he knew his own shoe size, and the kid knew it, too. He played along though. The corners of his mouth made a grab for his big ears.
    “Aiden? He’s on Riverfront. Wacker between Lake and Adams, sir.”
    “Nice work if you can get it. And now you’ve got it. See that stack of papers? Grab a bundle and pave the streets.”
    “Yessir!” Jenkins said as he snapped to and threw Brand a clumsy salute. “Will do, Mr. Brand, sir.”
    Brand gave him one last order, his face going grim as he spoke. “Jenkins, don’t open those papers until you hit the Street. When you see the front page, you won’t take another step. Tell your pals, too.”
    “Yessir,” the kid replied, pinching his face up like he was going to ask a question, but then skipping it and turning around. He nearly tripped over his own legs as he ran down the deck.
    Brand grimaced when he saw his pilot, Archie Falco, coming up the deck then.
    “Hey boss,” Archie said as he scurried his wiry frame up the ladder. Brand noted that Archie’s face was coated in stubble and his jacket was stained with coffee. It wasn’t the worst he’d looked since he got out of the cooler and picked up this job at the Record. But it was a damn sight worse than he should look. If Chief hadn’t held a soft spot for every Ob-Corps veteran in Chicago City, Archie would still be looking for work.
    More likely back in the clink . Brand thought to himself.
    “Take her up, Archie,” he said as he climbed in. Brand sat at the broadcast desk and punched the radio set over to play back. Then he inserted an ad card from one of the outfits that helped pay the Record’s coffee bill. His own voice crackled into the cabin while Archie warmed up the motors and radioed for the mooring lines to be let go. As the ad played, Brand slipped out of his coat, feeling the warmth of the heater spread through the cabin.
    Hello, Chicago City. This is Mitchell Brand. Say, it’s been a cold winter, and I know one thing that’s helped me stay warm. My new suit and coat from Sibley’s Emporium. They’ve got everything a fella needs to look good and feel better. So do yourself a favor, and get dressed at Sibley’s.
    The speaker crackled with the Sibley’s recording, and Brand sat at his desk to roll up a cigarette.
    Gentlemen of Chicago City, are you wearing last year’s suit to the Mayor’s Gala tonight? Suspenders sagging? And what about casual wear? Is your eight panel looking like a six panel these days? Well, look no further. You’ve found the answer to all your wardrobe woes in Sibley’s Emporium.
    We carry a full line of gentleman’s wear. From hats to spats and spit-shined shoes. In a Sibley’s suit, they’ll know you’re a man who means business. Do you want to be the man to see on the street? Then find your fabric, and find your fit. Find them both at Sibley’s Emporium!
    Brand let the next ad run while he smoked and looked out the window at the automatons on the deck. They’d released the mooring lines and stood back from the edge like sentinels. A few paces from where the machines stood, the newsboys mounted their air bikes. Brand watched them drop from the trapeze and glide down to street level in the cold midday flurries. Their coats, scarves, and gloves kept them from shivering off the seats as they carried the special edition down to the people.
    He called to Archie while looking at the photo on his desk. “We finally got the story that’s gonna blow this city