*****
“So they were distraught over the death of their son?” Fortune McCall said as Obarr poured more brandy for him. Obarr went around the chair to likewise refill the snifter of Reginald Morris Kelly.
Kelly nodded. “Bill and Maisie Roberts had a five year old boy who died. Dr. Farr tells me that if they’d brought the child in for proper medical treatment he probably could have saved him. But they didn’t.”
“Because of their fanatical religious faith?” Fortune asked.
“Because of despair and ignorance, Mr. McCall. Because of poverty and hopelessness.” Kelly said harshly. Then he raised a hand, shrugged. “My apologies. I was raised Baptist.”
“I meant no offense to your faith, sir. I merely wished to point out that faith when misplaced can do just as much harm as no faith at all.”
“Agreed. And certainly Mr. and Mrs. Roberts had that misplaced faith. Once their child died they went on what can only be called a holy crusade. They were going to burn down Marcy Village to purge it of all disease. They burned down buildings completely at random. If Miss Scott hadn’t caught them, there’s no telling how many more buildings they would have burned down and how many more people would have died. Where is Miss Scott, by the way?”
Hearing a knock at the door, Fortune sat up a little straighter in his chair. “If I’m not mistaken, that would be her. Come in, Tracy!”
Tracy entered the study. As always, she was dressed beautifully and impeccably. She was not alone and Kelly’s eyes opened wide in surprise as he recognized the young lady following Tracy, writing down notes on a stenographer’s pad as Tracy finished up giving instructions. “-I’ll also want an inventory of the medications at Dr. Farr’s clinic in order to know what is to be ordered. I’m counting on you to work closely with Dr. Farr on that. But not too closely! I saw him first after all!” Tracy and the young woman giggled like naughty schoolgirls.
Kelly cleared his throat for attention. “I must say I’m surprised to see you here, Miss Simpson. If I may be so bold as to ask-?”
“Oh, Miss Simpson works for me now, Mr. Kelly,” Tracy said sweetly. “After you discharged her from her position with your organization I offered her one that she was good enough to accept. She’ll be my liaison with Dr. Farr as I intend to assist his clinic with whatever resources I can provide.”
“Really? I would really prefer if you coordinated your activities with me, Miss Scott. This way we don’t end up working at cross purposes.”
“But I fully intend to coordinate with you, Mr. Kelly. Through Miss Simpson. She’ll be my liaison with you as well. Anything you require from me or any communication you need to have with me will first go through Miss Simpson.”
“I see.” Kelly shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “That will…be most satisfactory.”
“I thought it would,” Tracy said. She turned to Miss Simpson. “Be about your business, my dear. And check in on little Georgie for me, would you?”
“Yes, Miss Scott.” Miss Simpson gave Kelly a last triumphant look before she left the study, closing the door after her. Tracy sat down and accepted a glass of champagne from Obarr.
“Mr. Kelly was just telling me what is being done with the Roberts, Tracy.”
“Indeed,” Kelly said, obviously relieved to be talking about something else. “Once the police had them they confessed to the arson. They maintain that they were doing the right thing and that they will be rewarded in heaven.”
“They will be jailed?”
“They will serve out their time in a mental ward. But they will be where they can do no more harm. And maybe get the help they need.” Kelly finished his drink and stood up. “The citizens of Marcy Village are in your debt, Miss Scott. As I am in yours.”
Tracy nodded, extended her deceptively delicate looking hand for him to kiss it. Obarr helped him on with his coat and escorted him out.
Fortune smiled at Tracy. “Is it safe to say that you have somewhat modified your way of thinking on certain aspects of life in Sovereign City?”
“Now don’t you go thinking I’ve gone soft! I still feel the same way I did before. But you were right about a few things. There are many good people in Marcy Village. People who only want a decent life for themselves and their children. They want to work. They want to be useful citizens of this city. They’re the people I’d like to help. If I can.” Tracy sipped her champagne. “And if we’re going to stay in this misbegotten city then I’ll need a hobby to keep me occupied.”
“What are you going to do with the boy?”
“Little Georgie? Eddie hasn’t found any family yet. So I suppose he’ll have to stay here on board with me. I don’t think he’ll mind. Some of Mado’s men have already taking a liking to the boy. They say they’re going to train him to be a warrior like them.”
Fortune smile increased. “I think he will have a good influence on you, Tracy.”
“And don’t sit there looking so smug! I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work! I’m never going to like it here!”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But you’re giving Sovereign City a chance. And more importantly, you are giving our people a chance. And yes, Tracy…they are our people.”
Tracy finished her champagne and stood up. “Anything else?”
Fortune stood up as well. “Well…there is something I have been saving for you when you finished with that business. I have a lead on The Scarlet Courtesan.”
“That Amazonian hussy? You know where she is?” Tracy’s eyes shone with excitement.
“Just a rumor. It may not be anything. But I would like to investigate it. With you.”
“Just the two of us?”
Fortune nodded. “Just the two of us. I think you’ve earned this caper. Go get changed and we’ll sneak off the boat before the others get a whiff of what we’re doing.” Fortune opened wide his arms to accept her rib cracking hug.
“At last! Some real excitement! Oh, thank you, Fortune!”
Fortune McCall hugged Tracy Scott back and kissed her on the forehead. “On the contrary. Thank you, dear cousin.”
THE END
You have just finished reading
FOR VIOLENT FIRES THAT SOON BURN OUT
by Derrick Ferguson
This story is part of the Single Shots Signature Series.
Edited by Tommy Hancock
Editor in Chief, Pro Se Productions-Tommy Hancock
Director of Corporate Operations-Morgan McKay
Publisher & Pro Se Productions, LLC-Chief Executive Officer-Fuller Bumpers
Cover Art by Jeff Hayes
E-book Design by Russ Anderson
Pro Se Productions, LLC
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