Devon Monk - Cold Copper

“No surprise there,” Bryn Madder muttered. “Bought off half the government. Funded both sides of the war. Can’t see a downside in profits from that.”

Vosbrough took another drink of coffee. “Now, now, Mr. Madder,” he said with a smile. “Accusations do not always equal the truth. Besides, all men have interests. Mine and my family’s happen to fall toward the good of people. Such as the good of this little town. Made sure Des Moines wasn’t left behind by the railroad. Made sure we are all part of the iron hub and spokes between the great Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Which in turn allows us all to do our part to bring this country into the position of greatest wealth and power in the world. Feeding the gears of progress feeds the good for all.”

“Yes, Killian,” Alun said. “The Vosbroughs are humanitarians to the marrow. Nothing but the heart and country on your docket.”

“Just so,” he agreed, stabbing a chunk of beef and chewing away.

Miss Daffin glanced at each one of them in turn. “Well, I sense there may be a disagreement between these two gentlemen. How exciting. I wish you’d have invited a reporter or two for breakfast, Mayor Vosbrough. Think of the gossip.”

“Won’t have to,” Mr. Lowry said. “If I know you, Miss Daffin, there’ll be a letter to the editor in time for the evening edition.”

She patted her mouth with her napkin and gave him a coy look. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Lowry. However,” she said, turning her full attention to Alun Madder, “I am very interested in what started this feud.”

“Guns and glim and gold,” Cadoc said, “a price he puts on every man’s soul.”

Vosbrough pointed his potato-filled fork toward Cadoc. “I’ve always liked your poetry, Mr. Madder.”

“It isn’t poetry,” Cadoc said, his hands on either side of his plate as if waiting to be excused. “It is the truth of you.”

“Well, you got the truth of me wrong, then. Here we mine coal.” He nodded toward Miss Daffin. “Good rich veins to power trains, airships, water-going vessels and, of course, warm the family home. Here we lay lines for every house to have the latest in luxury. Even the most poor has a telegraph on the corner. Why we’ve strung cables through the rivers themselves and will soon connect every corner of this country into our system.

“When the East makes a decision, the West will know it instantly. We are fuel, we are communication, we are roads and sky. That is a properly modern way to run a country. Des Moines will be the hub that holds these states united. And no false accusations on your part will change what we’ve built by the sweat of our brow and spark of our genius.”

“I never accuse,” Cadoc said, unimpressed with Vosbrough’s speech. “I see the what of things. And the why. It is the truth of me.”

“Delightful,” the mayor said. “Incorrect, but still, a whimsical addition to the meal. What did I tell you, Mr. Lowry—aren’t they a treat?”

Alun had finished with his breakfast and was picking at his teeth with his pinky. “What do you want, Vosbrough?”

“Pardon me?”

“What do you want? You drag us in here, feed us like pigs to the slaughter, and baste us in compliments. What do you want?”

Vosbrough laughed. “Where are your manners, Mr. Madder? After all these years. All these long ”—he practically snarled the word before affixing his smile back into place and pleasantly continuing—“years, you need me to remind you of what I want?”

Cedar didn’t move, but from the corners of his eyes he saw shadows crossing the light coming in beneath closed doors, and heard the creak of many quiet footsteps.

They were surrounded. And he didn’t think it was the serving staff.

“Let me refresh your memory of what I want, then, Mr. Alun Madder,” Vosbrough said. “I want peace in the world, I want America to become a civilized shining example of progress, and I want you and your brothers dead.”

Miss Daffin gasped.

Vosbrough snapped his fingers and dozens of gunmen flooded through the four doors of the room.

“Alun, Bryn, and Cadoc Madder,” Vosbrough said in the steady voice of a judge. “For crimes upon my family, for crimes upon this country, you are hereby sentenced to the gallows, where you will be hung by the neck until dead.”

Alun laughed. “Hanging? That seems so beneath you, Vosbrough, so common .”

“I’ve acquired a taste for a much simpler life. Sometimes it is best to rely on tried-and-true methods.”

Cedar’s mouth went dry. He had heard those words before. Heard that tone before. His heart picked up a hard beat and every instinct told him to run.

Or kill.

“They are due a trial,” Miss Dupuis said.

“Excuse me?” Vosbrough said.

“A trial. As citizens of this United States, and beneath the employ of the government, they are due a trial.”

Vosbrough’s eyebrows went up when he heard that. “Government? Is that what you’re playing at now?”

“That’s only fair and square, Mayor Vosbrough,” Mr. Lowry said. “A trial for their crimes. Justice. That’s what this civilization is built upon. And, as you say, Des Moines is a civilized city.”

“It is so exciting,” Miss Daffin added. “A notorious case here in Des Moines. Stop the presses and tap the wires. This will turn more than a few eyes toward our town.”

“Well.” Vosbrough looked between Miss Dupuis to Mr. Lowry and Miss Daffin. “Well, well. I suppose this might attract some attention.”

“Wouldn’t hurt for folks to know just how safe it is around these parts,” Mr. Lowry said.

“But they’ll need representation,” Miss Daffin said. “You don’t happen to have a lawyer you could call for, do you?” she asked Alun.

“Yes.” Miss Dupuis stood. “He does. Miss Sophie Dupuis, Esquire. I will be defending the Madder brothers.”

“You’ll let a woman speak for you?” Mr. Lowry asked.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Alun replied calmly. As a matter of fact, all of the Madders were taking this turn of events with something almost akin to boredom.

Vosbrough lifted the fine cotton napkin from his lap and wiped at the edges of his mouth. “Esquire,” he repeated. “Government servants and the law. Isn’t this a pleasant divergence. Well, for me, anyway.”

“As always,” Alun said, “you talk like a man and act like a fool. Killian, you have always been such a chore.” He sighed heavily while Vosbrough’s color rose.

“The papers will pick up our trial and all the eyes will be on the wire,” Alun said. “Miss Dupuis will make sure the whole country knows you put innocent men on trial over trumped-up charges. Mighty big risk. Might lose your standing, lose your power with those you court, and those you are indebted to.”

Alun sucked on his teeth, trying to dislodge a bit of breakfast. “What will your brother say? How do you think that sister of yours will survive your disgrace? Your family business and name aren’t without fault. I suppose there’s a reason your brother and sister sent you all this way west to get you out of their sight, out of their hair.”

Cedar didn’t think shaming a man would turn him away from the chance at revenge, especially when he had all the cards on his side.

He also knew they were outgunned ten to one. He glanced at Mae.

She was looking at the Madders. Maybe waiting for a signal, though he didn’t know what spell she could cast to keep them safe from bullets. Her magic was mostly bindings, curses, and vows.

Vosbrough turned a shade darker red, staring at Alun Madder like a bull ready to kill.

“What do you have to lose?” Cadoc said into the stagnant silence of the room. “Time,” he answered just as quietly, then, “What do you have to gain? Our abject humiliation.”