Cloud City (Anna Strong Chronicles #9)

Cloud City (Anna Strong Chronicles #9) Page 9

At first I think she's joking. But that's not a "gotcha" smile, but a triumphant one.

"You can't do that."

She raises an eyebrow. "Of course I can. Jonathan made me his heir. I figure this solves all our problems. Prendergast will go away satisfied and I will go back to living the way I did before Jonathan took over."

"You don't think Jonathan will have something to say about giving his fortune to this stranger?"

"Jonathan won't have anything to say. Now that I know how to silence him temporarily, it's only a matter of time before I learn how to do it permanently."

"Think this through, Sophie. What if banishing Jonathan banishes you as well?"

"Then I will still have accomplished my goal. I'll be free."

The unconcerned way she says it makes me think there's more to her plan than she's willing to share. The cagey look in her eyes, though, says grilling her about it is useless.

"What do we do now?"

"I think Prendergast should learn about his grandmother where it all happened. Do you know The Matchless is in the same building where Leticia had her brothel? She had the whole building then, of course, but the dining room was actually the saloon."

It doesn't hit me until I hear Sophie talking about The Matchless. Then a light goes on and I stare at her in disbelief. "You knew the truth about Jonathan's story?"

The look she shoots me is full of contempt. "Jonathan thinks I can't read his thoughts or shield mine from him. I learned early on how to do it."

"Then why did you go along with the book idea?"

She waves a hand. "Because this has got to stop. I can't live like this anymore." She draws a breath. "The idea didn't come to me until I met the editor and learned who he was. Until then, I thought if I placated Jonathan, maybe he'd leave me in peace. I'd help him publish his damned book and make a deal with him. I'd give him the book tour and travel he craved and in return, he'd promise to remove himself from my life for the same number of months."

"It changed when you met Prendergast."

Excitement lights her face. "It got better. I wasn't crazy about his shooting at me. But the rest...I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect plan. If all goes well, tonight will be the end of it."

"Tonight?"

"It's all arranged. I did it before you arrived this morning. After Jonathan finished threatening me with all sorts of dire consequences should I try to get rid of him again." A triumphant gleam brightens her eyes. "He tired himself out, I guess, because he left me alone. That's when I did it. Called the manager over at The Matchless. We're taking over the place at eleven tonight. For a private party. Then I called Prendergast. He sounded nervous." She laughs, nodding in my direction. "Now I know why. Anyway, he agreed to come, too."

"And what about Jonathan? Will he be there?"

"If he behaves himself."

I should have given Sophie more credit. Jonathan should have given her more space. I don't know what's going to happen tonight but vampire will be on the alert.

Whatever Sophie's grand plan, she's made her feeling about vampires crystal clear.

I don't intend to become a sacrificial lamb.

There isn't a lot to do in Leadville. The day drags with leaden boots. The hotel does have a library, though, so I ensconce myself on a big, upholstered chair by a window and do a little research of my own.

Leadville's history is reminiscent of so many boom and bust towns in the west. Originally called Cloud City (fitting considering the elevation,) first gold, then silver were mined until economies change and the silver bust of 1893 sent miners scrambling for greener pastures. But the town lived on, becoming known as a tourist destination because of quaint celebrations like Burro Days and earlier, the spectacular Ice Palace once the jewel of the ongoing Crystal Carnival.

I also learned who Horace and Baby Doe Tabor were and their sad but romantic ties to Leadville.

I scoured the books for pictures, particularly pictures taken around the time Leticia opened her brothel. I paged through two books before I found one.

A daguerreotype, yellow and brittle with age, taken from a museum collection. There were three girls in the picture, but only Leticia is named. The three are dressed in frilly white gowns, looking as virginal and innocent as the snow capped peaks behind them. I can't help but wonder if the photographer brought the gowns with him, romanticizing a life that was anything but.

The caption names Leticia as owner of the building, mentioning the saloon but little else. When I study her face, I can see why Jonathan would have been attracted to the petite, blonde with an hourglass figure and long curls. She had a hat on with a floppy brim and she was twirling a parasol and grinning right at the camera. Evidently the old form of photography captured vampire images just as digital cameras do now.

I wonder if she's still alive.

I wonder what Jonathan would feel if he saw this picture.

I wonder if Jonathan will be around much longer to feel anything at all.