JACK OF DIAMONDS

CHAPTER NINE

This is my serial piece. It’s called JACK OF DIAMONDS, but you probably already know that. It’s behind the PAYWALL at $30/year, or $5/month.

I can literally go no lower.

And who is Jack of Diamonds? His name is Artemus Spencer and this is his story. It’s the story of a cad. He’s a liar and a cheat, a veteran of the Great War with some PTSD issues. He’s a womanizer. He’s also a thief. He’s a master of what is called “Buildering”. He can scale the outside of any building and gain access through a balcony door.

When the story opens, Artie’s in the Devonshire countryside shortly after a major rainstorm and extensive flooding. He has come to visit his friend Reggie, as well as tend to some business. It seems he’s gotten himself into a little trouble with a London gangster by the name of Charlie. In order to get himself out of that trouble, he has to steal a Stradivarius violin.

He helps Reggie rescue what few of his perishables he can, and together they take them to Mandalay, one of six distinct manor houses spread about an area the locals fondly call Chumley Grove. There is a dispute with the head butler, and Reggie’s girl, Claire — who also happens to be the head cook — quits in anger. It is on the way back home that Claire tells them about the upcoming Costume Ball and the Cromwell Skull.

Later, a thief breaks into Bedloe Manor, while the occupants and working staff have gone to the local Fair, celebrating what they call the Solstice Season. Inside the Manor, our thief encounters Jenny, a member of the household. She’s the daughter of the Baron, and has opted to stay home with her child.

She confronts Artie, and offers to become his partner. In order to convince him of her sincerity, she willingly fellates him. Everything is going peaches until her husband come home. Artie hides in the bedroom. He says he need to know where her room is. He watches as her husband forces himself on her. That’s when he bursts into the room and the story moves on from there…

If you want to join in on the fun, a rollicking romp through London 1923. Sign up! Watch as he deals with London gangsters, White Russian exiles, Irish gun-runners, three over-sexed sisters, and murder.

$30/year, or $5/month.