Read Online A Dawn Most Wicked by Susan Dennard - Free Book Online Page B

problem.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The whole purpose of this race was to publicize the Lang Company—not bring business back to the Sadie Queen . When we reach Natchez, we intend to use the momentum and energy from the race to announce that I am the new company president. Additionally we intend to announce the removal of the Sadie Queen from the river.”
    â€œYou’re dismantling her?” My voice came out high-pitched. Incredulous. “Why wouldn’t you tell the captain that?”
    â€œBecause we aren’t dismantling her,” Lang rushed to say. “We are merely moving her to a lake outside New Orleans. We hope to turn her into a tourist attraction, you see?” At my blank expression he traced his hand through the air like a newspaper headline. “‘Come see the Sadie Queen ! Ghosts to chill and thrill even the strongest man!’”
    At those words anger brewed in my chest, hot and explosive. “That’s just as bad as dismantlin’ her.”
    â€œBut we expect it to draw quite a crowd.” Lang spoke as if trying to convince himself more than me.
    â€œWhat about the crew?” I growled. “What’ll happen to us?”
    â€œMost of you will have jobs on other Lang Company steamers. You”—he nodded at me—“will be welcome as Second Engineer on any of our luxury boats.”
    â€œAnd Miss Cochran?” I pointed straight up, toward the pilothouse. “What about her?”
    â€œI have . . . plans for her as well.”
    â€œAnd Captain Cochran?”
    â€œYes, well . . .” Lang swallowed. “He is too difficult to work with, and his temper has made too many enemies for the Lang Company. After that incident with the Chief Engineer and the furnace, I fear Captain Cochran does not have a future with us.”
    â€œNo future with you?” I couldn’t believe they were going to keep me—promote me, even—and then fire Cochran. For half a breath triumph warmed my chest . . . a sense of justice and revenge.
    But then the full impact hit me. If Cochran lost his job, things for his family would only get worse. Ellis, Cass—they would be affected too, and no matter how much I hated the captain, I didn’t want his family to suffer. I didn’t want Cassidy to suffer.
    â€œDo you even know if Cochran actually burned Murry?” I demanded.
    â€œYes.” Lang’s eyes thinned. “Five years ago he shoved the Chief Engineer’s face in the boiler furnace because he thought—as our official company report states—that Murry had ‘looked inappropriately at Mrs. Cochran.’ That, Mr. Sheridan, was more than enough grounds upon which to release Cochran from the Lang Company’s service. However, we foolishly agreed to keep him, pending no further incidents. Yet there have been incidents. Many, in fact.” Lang stared meaningfully at my face, and I had the uncomfortable feeling he knew exactly how I’d come by my aging black eye.
    But still, I couldn’t let the whole Cochran family suffer because the head of the family was a monster. “What if,” I said slowly, “the ghosts disappear?”
    Lang’s eyes narrowed. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œIf the ghosts disappear,” I repeated, more firmly this time. “If the hauntings were gone, then what would you do with the Sadie Queen ?”
    â€œAh, well.” He straightened in his seat, his gaze turning distant. “I suppose, in that case, we would keep her on the river. She was our most lucrative steamer until two months ago. Plus, the appeal of traveling on a formerly haunted steamer would bring in heaps of new business.” His lips twitched up, and I could practically see the dollar signs floating behind his eyeballs. But then he shrugged and his gaze swung back to me. “Of course, that is not likely to happen. It is not as if one