Zhang’s news had not been good.
Arthur took a long cab from Chinatown to Harlem, and now the previous night’s snow crunched beneath his boots as he made his way down 135th. The sun was warm on the back of his neck, a short delight to savor before it disappeared into clouds or winter’s early dark.
If asked where he was going, he would have patiently explained that he was on that particular street corner to patronize the small, green-awninged deli for a pastrami on rye. Of course he wasn’t here to visit the abandoned tobacco shop in the basement below; one could clearly see the shop was out of business, the sidewalk-level windows obscured by velvet curtains, and certainly if the tobacco shop was actually the infamous jazz club and speakeasy known as the Magnolia, well, Arthur was sure he didn’t know anything about that.
He picked up several sandwiches from the deli, then went back out to the cold and down the half-flight of stairs to an iron-barred door. The door’s peeling letters still spelled outTobacconist, despite the hand-letteredOut Of Businesssign taped above.
Benson was the one to open it, a tall man who was wildly handsome and happily married, not that Arthur would have risked his friendship with Jade to neck with her brother in any case. At the sight of Arthur waiting patiently on the step, his yawn became a smile.
“Ace! Come in, come in.” He twisted his burly shoulders out of the way to let Arthur inside. “Jade said she was expecting you.” Benson led Arthur through the empty shop, which still smelled of hand-rolled cigarettes and cheap cigars. At the back, Benson opened another heavy door, and then they were in the Magnolia, a spacious dark-paneled room of round tables packed tight around a small stage. “She’s with Stella by the bar.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Not indulging, surely?”
Benson snorted. “Only if mineral water has gotten more interesting.”
The Magnoliawasn’t officially open for business for the night yet, but even at barely two o’clock, a handful of the tables were occupied and cigarette smoke hung hazy in the air. Arthur had no trouble spotting the sisters as he gave the bartender his order. Stella favored dresses over Jade’s trousers, but they had the same captivating brown eyes and perfect smile as Benson.
Arthur joined them, setting his paper bag on the table next to a folded copy of theTimes. “A man could drown in this much beauty.”
It earned him a smile from Stella and a long-suffering look from Jade, who said, “You know we’re immune to your charm.”
“Speak for yourself.” Stella took his hand with a squeeze, not a handshake. “What brings your handsome face around?”
He gestured to the paper bag. “News for your sister, sandwiches for the staff and the band.”
“There’s a reason you’re so popular here.” Stella tapped theTimeson the table. “Is this your news?”
Arthur glanced at the headline beneath her finger.Congressman Kenzie Faces Fresh Criticism on Immigration Act. “What now?”
“Another interview with Luther Mansfield.” Jade looked unimpressed. “He doesn’t like your father’s politics.”
“That’s notnews,” Arthur said. “News would be us telling theTimesthat business mogul and prominent lobbyist Luther Mansfield secretly trades in dangerous magical artifacts straight out of his Fifth Avenue mansion.”
“Fair enough.” Jade sighed. “I suppose we could be grateful he’s not an actual paranormal.”
“He’s worse, thinking he’s entitled to a hidden stockpile of magic to sell to the highest bidder. He has some nerve to turn around and call Father a threat. We’d be doing a public service if we stole everything enchanted straight out of Mansfield’s home.”
Jade made a considering face. “Not a bad idea, actually. I’m sure the Zhangs would help.”
Stella huffed with amusement and got to her feet. “As much fun as Fifth Avenue grand larceny sounds, I should take the food to the band.” She waved off Arthur’s protest that they weren’t trying to drive her off. “I’m on tonight. Benson’s got us a new bassist and we want to run some extra sets. You two try not to bring down the government while I’m gone.”
“You wound me,” said Arthur, as a waiter approached. “I am the very model of a law-abiding citizen.”
The waiter set the drink down with a flourish. “Your gin rickey, sir.”
The sisters exchanged smirks. “Oh, shut up,” said Arthur. “Half this country’s laws are travesties and Prohibition’s not even the worst. I should be drinking this with a naked—” His gaze darted to the retreating waiter’s back. “Someone naked, at any rate.”
Stella lifted her cocktail from the table and raised it. “I’ll drink to that.” She and Arthur clinked glasses, then she disappeared in the direction of the stage and the dressing rooms.
“Where’s the ring?” Jade asked, as Arthur took Stella’s seat.
“Don’t be mad.”
“Ace, youdidn’t—we don’t even know what it does—”
“Mrs. Brodigan was going to leave, I had to give her collateral,” he said. “She passed my test.”
Jade’s eyes widened. “She found the genuine letter?”
