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Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 12
A Narrow Escape.Eleanor's raspy breath was muffled by Silas's hard palm over her mouth as he slammed her against the warehouse's chilly steel wall. In the dim light of a single hanging bulb, shadows danced beneath them. The two men's voices were piercing and suspicious as they prowled like wolves."You also heard it," someone whispered.The other gave a grunt. "They might have been rats."Sensing the tremble in Eleanor's veins, Silas tightened his hold on her wrist. His breath warmed her ear as he drew closer. "Remain motionless."She nodded, small gulps rising and falling in her chest.Eleanor felt her pulse thumping with a sudden collision. The contents of a crate spilled into the concrete after one of the men kicked it over. The air was filled with the strong smell of whiskey as glass broke.The first man growled, "Damn it." "If anything is missing, Hartwell is going to kill us."The second guy moved toward the containers. "Then, let's confirm that nobody else is present."Silas's
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 13
The Speakeasy Connection.Only a flickering lantern above a rusting steel door indicated the speakeasy's entrance, which was concealed behind a boarded-up storefront. A mingling of sensuous jazz and murmured discussions filled the air inside. In between the faint light of low-hanging chandeliers, smoke curled from cigarettes and cigars.Eleanor clung to his side while Silas rearranged his coat and looked around the room. "Remain vigilant," he whispered to himself. "Violet Prescott is more than just a bar owner. She is the head of an empire.Eleanor's gaze strayed to the bar, where a woman swirling a glass of whiskey was leaning against the counter wearing a sleek, dark-red dress. Violet Prescott's blond locks framed her piercing, perceptive eyes.Violet smirked and tipped her drink as if she could sense their eyes, then slid toward them with a smooth, deliberate gait.She purred, her voice as soft as ancient bourbon, "Well, well." Hawthorne, Silas. I didn't believe you were stupid eno
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 14
An Ally in Shadows.As if to stabilize herself, Violet's fingertips traced across the polished mahogany bar as she stepped behind it. Except for the bartender cleaning glasses and the occasional chuckle from the back rooms, the speakeasy was mostly deserted now. With a deep exhale, she raised her gaze to Silas and Eleanor, her keen eyes sweeping their faces.At last, she stated in a measured, low voice, "There's a shipment." "Hartwell has a significant arrival at the docks. Something more than whiskey. Something more substantial.With his elbows resting on the counter, Silas leaned forward. "How are you aware?"Violet grinned, but it was a fake smile. "Because I set it up."Eleanor tensed. "You're involved in his scheme?"Violet gave an eye roll. Don't be naïve, my love. In this city, you can't operate a speakeasy without closing deals. Additionally, for men like Hartwell, survival comes before wants.Silas scowled. "When will it be shipped?""Tonight, tomorrow. Midnight. Pier 17. Wit
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 15
A Betrayal Close to Home.When Silas and Eleanor arrived, the office was dark. They were still burdened by the disclosures of the night. Eleanor's determination was weakened by a nagging uncertainty as Crowe's comments replayed in her head. They had been deceived by someone close to her.She refused to accept it.Silas was the first to stir, igniting the oil lamp on his desk with a match. Long shadows were created against the walls by the illumination, which illuminated the strewn documents and open ledgers, the remains of their frantic search.Then she noticed it.On the desk, a piece of parchment, carefully folded. It had only her name, written in Margaret Hollow's curled calligraphy, and no seal or marks.Silas saw that she hesitated. "Eleanor?"She didn't respond. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the lines written in hastily drawn pen, and her fingers shook as she unfolded the paper.This is not what I intended to occur. There was nothing I could do.Her veins became ic
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 1
Ashes of the Beginning.When Eleanor Wickham woke up, her nose were filled with an overpowering odor. Her mind was cloudy as her eyelids fluttered open, but she was startled awake by the stinging, bitter flavor of smoke. She bolted upright, panic rushing through her veins. Unsettling shadows that danced to a macabre beat were cast by an odd orange glow that flickered across the walls of her bedroom.There was a lot of heat and fear in the air. Her heart thumping like a drum, she staggered to her feet. Every second the muted crackle of flames became louder as it reverberated throughout the home. She opened the door to her hallway and was met by a blast of intense heat, which made her skin wet with sweat.The walls' borders were kissed by flames, their flaming tendrils devouring everything in their path. Eleanor was unable to pause and ponder as the smoke gnawed at her lungs, making her breath catch. Her shaky hands were reaching for the little wooden box that had been her husband's las
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 2
The Disillusioned Investigator.Silas Granger moaned as a slit of sunlight slashed across his desk like an unwanted intruder, piercing the filthy blinds of his office window. As unkempt as he was, the room was littered with paperwork, a stack of unpaid invoices stained darkly by an overturned coffee cup.With one hand gripping his pounding forehead and the other reaching for the half-empty whiskey bottle balanced precariously on the edge of the desk, he sat slouched in his chair. He looked like a ghost of his old self in the broken mirror across the room, with deep-set eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights, a disheveled beard that hadn't been shaved in weeks, and a once-proud jawline that had been softened by regret and apathy.He raised the bottle in a fictitious salute to his reflection and mumbled dryly, "Granger Investigations." It felt like a cruel joke, the title inscribed on the door behind him in faded gold letters.His eyes strayed to the worn-out typewriter on the desk, its k
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 3
The Reluctant Ally.Leaning back in his chair, Silas Granger lit another cigarette. Like a wire overextended, the tension in the room crackled. Across from him, Eleanor Wickham sat with her hands gripping the box as if it contained the answers to all of the questions she had ever been afraid to ask."I am unable to assist you," Silas replied, releasing a cloud of smoke. He spoke in a flat, uncompromising tone.Eleanor's expression became stern. "The entire story hasn't even been told to you."He responded, "I've heard enough," and stabbed the cigarette into a broken ashtray. "You don't realize how huge of a problem you're facing. Caleb Hartwell is one of those people that doesn't just light fires for fun."That's precisely why I came to you," she retorted, raising her voice. "You are aware of their potential. You have personally witnessed it.With his chair scuffing the weathered hardwood floor, Silas stood up. And for that reason, I'm refusing. The pursuit of men like Hartwell has al
Cinders of the Conspiracy Chapter 4
Clues in the Ashes.With the light haze of ash clinging stubbornly to the morning air, the charred remnants of Eleanor's home loomed ahead. With his boots crunching on the gravel, Silas Granger exited his vehicle and looked around the devastation. His countenance was opaque, the glint of curiosity behind his keen eyes barely hidden by a façade of indifference.Beside him, Eleanor Wickham stood with her arms about her body and her eyes fixed on the remains of the house she had once called home. There was still a hint of smoke in her hair, drawn back into a loose ponytail.She caught the corner of Silas's grin and whispered, "Don't say it.""Say what?" he asked in a purposefully informal tone."That there is no hope."With a shrug, he moved toward the burned-out front porch. “I don’t use the word hopeless. Let's examine the situation at hand.The air was heavy with the pungent smell of melted plastic and burned wood as the two cautiously made their way through the rubble. When Eleanor's
Latest Chapter
Chapter 15
A Betrayal Close to Home.When Silas and Eleanor arrived, the office was dark. They were still burdened by the disclosures of the night. Eleanor's determination was weakened by a nagging uncertainty as Crowe's comments replayed in her head. They had been deceived by someone close to her.She refused to accept it.Silas was the first to stir, igniting the oil lamp on his desk with a match. Long shadows were created against the walls by the illumination, which illuminated the strewn documents and open ledgers, the remains of their frantic search.Then she noticed it.On the desk, a piece of parchment, carefully folded. It had only her name, written in Margaret Hollow's curled calligraphy, and no seal or marks.Silas saw that she hesitated. "Eleanor?"She didn't respond. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the lines written in hastily drawn pen, and her fingers shook as she unfolded the paper.This is not what I intended to occur. There was nothing I could do.Her veins became ic
Chapter 14
An Ally in Shadows.As if to stabilize herself, Violet's fingertips traced across the polished mahogany bar as she stepped behind it. Except for the bartender cleaning glasses and the occasional chuckle from the back rooms, the speakeasy was mostly deserted now. With a deep exhale, she raised her gaze to Silas and Eleanor, her keen eyes sweeping their faces.At last, she stated in a measured, low voice, "There's a shipment." "Hartwell has a significant arrival at the docks. Something more than whiskey. Something more substantial.With his elbows resting on the counter, Silas leaned forward. "How are you aware?"Violet grinned, but it was a fake smile. "Because I set it up."Eleanor tensed. "You're involved in his scheme?"Violet gave an eye roll. Don't be naïve, my love. In this city, you can't operate a speakeasy without closing deals. Additionally, for men like Hartwell, survival comes before wants.Silas scowled. "When will it be shipped?""Tonight, tomorrow. Midnight. Pier 17. Wit
Chapter 13
The Speakeasy Connection.Only a flickering lantern above a rusting steel door indicated the speakeasy's entrance, which was concealed behind a boarded-up storefront. A mingling of sensuous jazz and murmured discussions filled the air inside. In between the faint light of low-hanging chandeliers, smoke curled from cigarettes and cigars.Eleanor clung to his side while Silas rearranged his coat and looked around the room. "Remain vigilant," he whispered to himself. "Violet Prescott is more than just a bar owner. She is the head of an empire.Eleanor's gaze strayed to the bar, where a woman swirling a glass of whiskey was leaning against the counter wearing a sleek, dark-red dress. Violet Prescott's blond locks framed her piercing, perceptive eyes.Violet smirked and tipped her drink as if she could sense their eyes, then slid toward them with a smooth, deliberate gait.She purred, her voice as soft as ancient bourbon, "Well, well." Hawthorne, Silas. I didn't believe you were stupid eno
Chapter 12
A Narrow Escape.Eleanor's raspy breath was muffled by Silas's hard palm over her mouth as he slammed her against the warehouse's chilly steel wall. In the dim light of a single hanging bulb, shadows danced beneath them. The two men's voices were piercing and suspicious as they prowled like wolves."You also heard it," someone whispered.The other gave a grunt. "They might have been rats."Sensing the tremble in Eleanor's veins, Silas tightened his hold on her wrist. His breath warmed her ear as he drew closer. "Remain motionless."She nodded, small gulps rising and falling in her chest.Eleanor felt her pulse thumping with a sudden collision. The contents of a crate spilled into the concrete after one of the men kicked it over. The air was filled with the strong smell of whiskey as glass broke.The first man growled, "Damn it." "If anything is missing, Hartwell is going to kill us."The second guy moved toward the containers. "Then, let's confirm that nobody else is present."Silas's
Chapter 11
Shadows in the Warehouse.The warehouse stood out in front of them, skeleton in the moonlight. Silas guided Eleanor to the entrance, his movements slow and methodical, and the air was heavy with the smell of iron and saltwater.He checked the address against the coded message and said, "This is the place."Eleanor rubbed her arms against the chill and let out a breath. "It appears to be deserted."Silas remarked, "Looks lie."They walked up to the rusty metal door, which was scuffed from years of uselessness. When Silas tested the handle, it groaned and swung inward into a void of darkness.Through the darkness, a flashlight sparked to life in Silas's grasp. In the stuffy air, dust particles swirled and settled on top of the crates that were heaped carelessly along the walls.Beside him, Eleanor moved in, her gaze sweeping the room. "Where is everyone if this was Hartwell's operation?"Silas looked around the floor. In the dust, footprints. new. It had been visited recently.As he mov
Chapter 10
Chapter 10: A Warning in Blood.Silas realized there was a problem as soon as he pulled open his office door. The air had an unwelcome presence and seemed heavy and oppressive. Behind him, Eleanor paused, gasping for air as she looked over the ruins.His desk was toppled, the drawers were torn off their hinges, and papers were all over the floor. Broken fragments of the light were strewn all over the hardwood table after it had been knocked from its stand. It had been looted, deliberately and with violence.With strained muscles and eyes that darted to every dark nook, Silas entered. He said, "Stay close," as he felt an invisible weight pushing against his chest.Eleanor clutched the hem of his garment with her fingers. "They had a search in mind."Grimly, Silas nodded. "They were also in a terrible rush."He looked about the devastation, looking for something that didn't belong. Then he felt his stomach knot. The contents of the safe, which was concealed under a pile of old books, w
Chapter 8
Beneath the Surface.Tension and cigarette smoke filled the air in Silas's office. His desk was cluttered with newspapers and empty whiskey bottles, which were illuminated by the dull glow of a desk lamp that created flickering shadows on the peeling wallpaper. With her arms encircling her, Eleanor stepped close to the window and looked out at the street below."Any chance we're not being followed?" Muttering, Silas tossed his coat onto the chair and then sank down on the edge of his desk.Eleanor let out a loud sigh. "They wouldn't be in a rush if they were pursuing us. However, I can't get rid of the sensation that someone is observing."Silas gave his temple a massage. He was troubled by the night's events—the brawl, the chase, and the key they narrowly kept. He opened his desk drawer and took out the ledger, turning the battered pages. A persistent reminder of what they had left behind at the motel, the smoke clung to the paper.Looking out the window, Eleanor turned. "We must hav
Chapter 8
Room of Secrets.With careful but methodical movements, Silas inserted the key into the lock. The slight scratches surrounding the lock were a quiet tribute to its past, and the tarnished brass doorplate read 214. Standing right behind him, Eleanor's eyes darted to the dark hallway and her breath was shallow.Silas pushed the door open as the latch snapped, revealing a dimly lit room. The slight mustiness of inactivity blended with the subtle scent of stale cigar smoke. The room itself was simple, consisting of a desk with one chair pulled out, a dresser, and a bed that was well made. It was simple, but it exuded a sense of secrecy."Are we sure this is the right place?" Eleanor murmured.With a nod, Silas entered. A minor scuff mark on the floor near the window, an ashtray full of lipstick-stained cigarette butts, and a small stack of papers on the desk were among the features he saw as he looked around the room. Shutting out the unpredictable world outside, he locked the door behind
Chapter 7
Ambushed in the Dark.The passageway was chilly, and the stifling silence was drowned out by the distant buzz of cars. With their backs to the brick wall, Silas and Eleanor breathed in unison and shallowly. The footsteps that had previously followed them ceased, and a dense silence took their place.A man with an intimidating silhouette in the low light stepped out of the shadows. He took a step closer, a stray gleam of moonlight striking the shine of a sword. His eyes were calculating and his face was keen, like a predator evaluating its prey.The man's voice sounded like gravel scraping metal when he muttered, "I'll say this once." "Close the case. Leave. Or I'll make sure you two don't go anywhere ever again.Beside Silas, Eleanor stiffened, her fingers clenching his arm. Unfazed, Silas straightened, his features etched in stone. "Threats don't work on me," he said in a tone that was surprisingly composed. "You've wasted your evening if you came to frighten us away."The man gave a