The Lost Scribe of Justitia

The Observatory

     Although deemed safe, Petrich was not permitted to go back into the Rykindella private car, but was given another, courtesy of the Gardonia Transcontinental Railroad for the inconvenience. 
        Petrich was most grateful. Lodging with Dietfried Baugainvillea proved to be a jolly good time, yet distracting, to say the least, and Petrich very much needed to concentrate on his work.
        Dietfried took no offense, and met other passengers who had embarked at Scholeingrad, and had no pressing deadlines. Whenever Petrich had time, he would still meet Dietfried for supper, and even Susannah Wheatcroft and her young cousin, Patricia Villanova.
Petrich found it strange being among aristocrats. They were full of contradictions. They went about in all their finery, looking down their noses at all the common people, and complained of the shameful lives of all the 'riff raff' and 'gutter snipes'. All of this while you sat between them at a dinner party as the one on the right whispered enough sexual innuendo to put you off your food while another kneaded your cock over your trousers on the left. All fun and games to them, of course, but Petrich was beginning to find it ever so tiresome, and even offensive. Perhaps he was simply maturing. . .although the women he was usually placed between were almost twice his age.
        In such a mood, Petrich found himself working on the birth document design, almost non-stop throughout the rest of the journey home.  Sometimes he'd fall asleep at his desk and jolt awake, rubbing and squinting his eyes, not remembering the last time he had a proper meal.
        Dietfried brought him meals and would glare at Petrich until he ate and drank a proper amount.  Then he would glare some more until Petrich would get into his bed.  Dietfried would sometimes stay a moment just to be sure the boy remained in his bed for the much needed rest.
      "I honestly have no words to thank you enough, Dietfried." said Petrich at supper on the last evening of the journey. 
         Strangely enough, Dietfried invited no one else to their table to dine, giving them much appreciated privacy.
          "It is I who must find words of gratitude, my boy." Dietfried replied, casually sipping his brandy. "Your little journey out west and then back again with me has been most enlightening, to say the very least. And I want to repay you for the opportunity."
Petrich grinned. "And how do you propose to do that?"
"I've been giving your concern for the Lady Lydia and her son some consideration."
Petrich, raising a bite of food up to his mouth, lowered it again. "Have you?"
"Yes. It just so happens Susannah Wheatcroft's mother's brother sits on the Great Council of the greater Leidonshaftlich Northeast region."
"Oh?"
"Yes. She promised to give word to him about the possible illegality of L'enfant Oublies in the case of non consenting relations. Of course, proving it has its own issues, and there are still political borders to contend with when it comes to law."
Petrich sighed with a sense of relief. "I know, but, at least it is something."
"See there?" Dietfried pointed out, "Good things come from bringing a woman to bed. The RIGHT woman, anyway. I'd say just as helpful as your little boyish girl police inspector. What did you call him, I mean, her, as she trotted out of sight?"
"Fitz!" Petrich answered.
"Oh, yes." Dietfried rolled his eyes.
"I thought her brilliant."
"Yes. . . Well, whatever." Dietfried quipped finishing his last bit of brandy. "The line of questioning was, I suppose adequate enough."
Petrich lifted his brow. "That makes Ms. Fitzhugh all that more impressive, doesn't it? Getting such a compliment and not having to slip into your bed about it."
Dietfried frowned and tipped up his nose haughtily. "Oh, do shut it!"
Petrich laughed and continued his meal. It was the most he had eaten in days.
At the Leiden Rail Station, they parted ways, giving each other a humble bow.
"I shall miss you, my boy. Phone or wire me over any developments, and I shall do the same. Agreed?"
"Yes, agreed, Captain." Petrich replied, as a young messenger approached and presented him with a telegraphed message.
Dietfried tried not to pry, but stalled until Petrich read it. Petrich folded it up and knew Dietfried waited for the information.
"If you must know, that was a wire from Dresgorn from Fitz. She's filed the report."
        "Already??"shouted Dietfried.
"Impressive, yes?"
"If I did not know you to lust after the female form, I'd say you were rather attracted to that boyish waif."
Petrich slipped the message into the inside breast pocket of his coat. "And if I did not know better, I'd say the same for you."
Before a scowling Dietfried could retort, a cab carrying Petrich's luggage honked its horn, and Petrich climbed into the backseat. "Take care, Captain Baugainvillea. And keep in touch!"
            Dietfried raised his hand and climbed into his own awaiting chauffeured luxury sedan.