Airship City

Chapter 23

“Is there something wrong, Joseph?”

Ione’s concerned face swam into focus across the breakfast table in the apartment’s kitchen. He had been a million miles away, but he brought himself back with an effort. “No, not really.” He tried to smile. “Just a bit tired. I didn’t sleep very well.”

She nodded. “Ok, then.” 

He poured more coffee for himself. “So what are we doing today?”

She smiled. “Oh, there’s lots we can do. Just depends on what you like.” Her smile turned conspiratorial, and her voice went quiet. “Maybe we can spy on Thornton together.”

Oh no! How can I spend the whole day pretending I think Thornton is the traitor? He hadn’t managed to work out how to tell Ione about his discovery without incriminating himself. He thought desperately for something else to suggest. 

“Actually, I was thinking about a trip down to the lower levels. I wouldn’t mind seeing my friend Harry again.”

Ione frowned. “Do you mean that apprentice boy I saw you with last time?”

“Yes, that’s right, you did meet him. Perhaps we can see if he’s free, and do something together.”

Ione was looking at him with a strange expression on her face. “You really want to do that?”

Joseph nodded. “Yes. I think it would be fun.” He smiled.

Ione did not return his smile. “I see.” She stood up from the table, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin. “Maybe you should go by yourself,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I’ve got such a lot to do today.” She turned and stalked out of the kitchen.

Joseph stared at her retreating back, belatedly realising that he might have been able to handle the situation better. Obviously Ione would not want to go traipsing around the lower levels of Aeropolis with a grimy apprentice. But he hadn’t been able to think of anything else to suggest. The strange thing was that he actually quite liked the idea of seeing Harry again, which was possibly why his mind had popped it up as a suggestion. But there was no doubt that, attractive as the option was, it would be better to try to make it up with Ione instead.

He sighed and got up from the table, steeling himself to go and knock on her door and agree to spend the day tailing Thornton. He had just reached the hallway when he saw her march out of the front door of the apartment, coat tails flying, slamming the door behind her. 

He rolled his eyes. So much for that idea. He trudged off to his bedroom, and got washed and dressed. He had a vague idea of trying to find Ione, but the more he thought about it, the more he realised that he was going to have to decide what to do about Monmouth and his spy.

At first the knowledge that the agent was Vanross and not Thornton hadn’t seemed to change anything, but the fact that Vanross was Hughes’s right-hand man now made Joseph wonder how much more information Monmouth could possibly require on Hughes. If Vanross didn’t know something, how on earth could Joseph be expected to stumble across it?

So Monmouth must want Joseph for something else. The question was what.

The answer was certainly not obvious to him. After much thought, he decided that he probably needed more information, and that the best way to get it was still to act as if he knew nothing about Vanross and to pretend to go along with Monmouth’s plans. Perhaps the next time he would be entrusted with a delivery of real significance, some form of incontrovertible evidence, and he could take it to Hughes, saying he had spotted it lying behind the statue, and in that way unmask Vanross without incriminating himself.

He felt much happier after reaching that decision. The only question that remained was what to do for the day, now that he had managed to once again mess things up with Ione, and he was effectively alone on Aeropolis once more. His original plan to visit Harry still seemed attractive, and he was fairly sure that he could make his way back to the lower levels without getting lost.

Ten minutes later he was in the Core and heading down one of the access passages. This time, he felt quite the expert as he consulted the location markers painted on the corridor walls, but he still made a few wrong turnings and ended up in some unexpected places before he finally found his way to the apprentice common room. Unfortunately, it was deserted, apart from a morose-looking Mo, who rolled his eyes as Joseph walked in.

“Cor blimey, if it ain’t the toff again. What are you doin’ here?”

Joseph’s heart sank, but he was determined not to let Mo intimidate him. “I’m looking for Harry, actually. Have you seen him?”

Mo grinned unpleasantly. “He ain’t here.”

“I can see that. I was wondering if you knew where he was.”

“Why the hell should I help you?”

Joseph began to get annoyed. “Maybe to say sorry for the way you treated me the last time we met!”

Mo looked defensive. “Ah, come on. We’ve all been through the initiation. Ain’t my fault if you can’t handle it.”

Joseph put his hands on his hips, leaning forward. “In the first place, I did handle it, if you remember. And secondly, the initiation you went through didn’t involve being thrown off the balcony after being beaten up, did it?”

Mo looked away, refusing to meet his eye. But Joseph was insistent.

“You treated me differently, didn’t you?”

Mo jumped up, and made as if to walk past him. Joseph moved to block his path. In place of the usual rage he was feeling a quiet but implacable determination. Mo looked up into his eyes, face starting to twist into a snarl, but it sort of melted away in the face of Joseph’s glare, and he dropped his gaze and turned away, shoulders slumping.

“Yes! All right, I shouldn’t have done that.” Mo glanced at him, biting his thumbnail. “I don’t know why I did it to you. Sometimes I just get so angry, you know?”

Joseph nodded, surprised by a sudden feeling of understanding. “Yes,” he said softly. “I think I do know. When I lost my father, I was very angry a lot of the time. To tell you the truth, I still get angry more often than I like to.”

Mo nodded. “I ain’t never really known me dad. Me mum says he left when I was small. Sometimes I think I remember him, but then I’m not sure.” He shrugged. “Dunno why I should care though. But I do.”

He stood up straight, and walked over to Joseph, a slight swagger in his stride. Joseph swallowed, and took a step back. But Mo put out his hand, his expression intent. “I apologise for what I done, Samson. You’re a good egg.”

Joseph took his hand and shook it, trying to match Mo’s firm grip. “That’s all right.”

Mo nodded, releasing his hand. “Anyway, you’re out of luck as far as Harry’s concerned. He’s on a double shift, doesn’t knock off till midnight.”

Joseph nodded, disappointed. He turned to go, wondering what he would do for the rest of the day. Maybe he could try to get a ride home earlier than planned.

“Hey, Samson. Ever been flying in a aeroplane before?”