The Stone Unturned: A Steam Novel, Book 1

By Ashlee Hart

Murders have been committed within the walls of the Citadel. Senior clergy of the Spirit Guild are in a panic. With a stalled police investigation and no time to spare, there’s only one woman to call. Remy Stone.

Once a darling and rising star of the Watcher Guild, Remy is known for her grit and determination. But now, after being stripped of all she knows and exiled from the guild system, she’s hunting for redemption.

After a young Archbishop pays Remy a visit, Remy finds an opportunity to both exercise her private eye skills and learn more about the mysterious circumstances of her exile. That is, if she’s not in over her head.

With Remy’s untouchable status, will she be able to keep an arm’s length from the law enough to see her investigation through? And will she have enough time to put together the clues before it’s too late?

Taking place in the beautiful, steam-driven city of Magna, join Remy Stone on her break-neck quest to absolve the Spirit Guild from its plague of darkness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashlee Hart
• Release date: Jan 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463521724

Ashlee Hart

As a writer, my philosophy revolves around love and how it plays part in our relationships. From family and friends to lovers and the like, somewhere buried deep beneath these complex and often inextricable connections, love has its place. Sometimes it stares us in the face while other times we truly have to dig. But in every case, when we form bonds that matter, love finds its way inside.When I tell stories, I try to reflect this idea of love intertwined. It might play out as a flirty intent, a candid whisper, or a full-on love scene. It drives action and gains weight with each characters' gesture, pushing them into ever complicated relationships. Granted, the players don't always act with good intentions, but it's usually love driving them to such heights or valleys in the first place.Thank you for taking the time to read. If you enjoyed my work, please leave a review or comment. I'm ever grateful.Love,Ashlee Hart

Book preview

The Stone Unturned

A STEAM Novel, Book 1

Ashlee Hart

Published by Ashlee Hart

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020 Ashlee Hart

Discover other titles by Ashlee Hart at Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied, and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to Smashwords.com to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

About, Discover, Connect

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Chapter 1

This is entirely unacceptable, Augustus professed.

Agreed brother, Pascal echoed, pausing. I fear dark times are upon us.

An image of two elderly men reflected off the glossy eyes of the corpse sprawled before them. The stiffness of death had locked a wild expression on the dead man's face and, like a surrealistic painting, exaggerated his unmoving features in a snarled and unsightly grimace. A knife stood vertically in his back.

That's putting it mildly. Augustus stared at Marcus's outstretched body on the floor.

It will be the third murder this month, Pascal added.

Entirely unacceptable I tell you.

In the morning hour, gentle beams of sunlight filtered through the half-opened shutters of the quiet room. The polished alabaster walls and floor basked in the glow. A single wooden desk and chair filled one corner of the small space. In another sat a solitary cot, neatly made and undisturbed. The simple furnishings spoke to a cloistered and simple hermitage.

The two men skirted the pool of blood that had formed where Marcus lay, staying close to each other as their untrained eyes scanned for clues indicating what might have befallen their brethren. They lifted their ceremonial robes as they moved, careful not to misstep and contaminate the scene.

Pascal raised his voice, Whoever’s to blame is quite persistent.

Vile heathens, Augustus spat, turning away to relieve himself of the horrific sight.

Pascal backed away from the body and turned to his equal.

What can we do? Pascal questioned, raising his shoulders.

Pascal, it’s not what we can do. It's what that damn Police Guild can do. They’re the ones responsible for figuring this mess out! The anger in Augustus's voice hissed through his words.

Pascal considered Augustus's point. For the consistent string of murders sweeping through the Spirit Guild, little progress was being shown for it on the investigatory side. Augustus, Pascal, and other senior members of the guild had been denied details to the case soon after the authorities came in to examine the first of the bodies. The police explained their reasoning for the stonewalling as it being an escalated case, an unusual series of crimes at a particularly high-profile guild. But in the police’s silence, the Spirit Guild was left questioning.

As for Pascal and the other guild leaders, they believed the police investigation simply hit a dead end. They were certain the case was stalled, covered up with the convenience of bureaucratic procedure.

I say the authority's efforts have been less than enviable, Pascal responded.

Agreed, and at this rate the entire leadership of our guild will be wiped clean. Augustus bowed his head.

Pascal looked on and raised a hand, gesturing in front of him. Perhaps our time is nigh. Worldly kingdoms are not to be envied, as the scriptures dictate. You know this Augustus. And even the mightiest must fall, if the powers will it.

Augustus snapped his head up and stared at his friend. Spare me the sermon Pascal. No amount of dogma will calm my nerves today. And, I assure you, I'll be the last to die. God or otherwise, my time has not yet arrived. I quite like being alive, thank you.

Silence filled the room as the men kept each other's gaze. With a sigh, Pascal broke away. Marcus was a good man, he said.

Augustus nodded, concern still etching his brow. He whispered, slowly metering his words, If our killer is willing to put to rest a defenseless, old Elder such as this man, who's to say what might happen next.

Pascal responded in the same hushed tone. May his soul rest in peace.

From beyond the locked door, the sound of a heavy keyring rang out. Augustus and Pascal looked up from their meditation. Metal clicked against metal as a key seated into its place and turned. The bolt hissed, steam draining from its pressured housing, and the portal unlocked. In front of Augustus and Pascal a cleanly robed man opened the door inward and looked up.

The scene greeted Jacob like a punch. Here, two of the church Elders stood unrushed, looking on, while a third lay in a broad pool of blood ahead. The stillness of the whole affair emphasized its odd nature. Shouldn't everyone be thrown into a state of chaos?

My God! Jacob rushed to Marcus's side, careful not to upset the body. Wha- what happened? Someone, please, call a medic!

Augustus and Pascal stood silent, considering Jacob's words. Reaching a hand forward, Pascal started calmly, He has passed my son. It is too late.

Augustus followed, closing the door behind Jacob, And I recommend you don't touch his body lest you want to add yourself to the suspect list.

Jacob looked up, speechless. Wild spins of emotion took hold as he pieced together the recent happenings in the Spirit Guild. Another one, so soon? he asked, incredulous that death was pervading as holy a place as the Citadel.

Yes, we are as distraught as you, child. Pascal joined Augustus in his calm demeanor. There is a pox upon our house. This much is obvious. One not easily dislodged I’m afraid.

Augustus eyed Jacob. What say you young one? Your opinion about this matter?

Jacob assessed the situation. He was as aware as the other Archbishops in his ranks that murder had gripped the Spirit Guild – a place of holiness, belief, and faith – with a tight fist. The Spirit Guild’s place in the city of Magna, as in the other cities of the continent, sought to provide refuge for those seeking divine reflection and peace. To think that the flock of this massive parish should be terrorized by forces unknown wrenched at Jacob's being.

I truly have no answer. Jacob responded, desolate. Marcus wasn't a harm to anyone. He had retired from his churchly duties, mostly.

Pascal questioned, So you’re saying we should sit here and do nothing then?

That's not what I mean, Jacob retorted.

Augustus chimed in, You're the most senior of the Archbishops Jacob. You and your rank stand to succeed us Elders as we fall you realize.

We put much faith in you Jacob, Pascal added.

Jacob took a deep breath and composed himself, What has the police said about this… tragedy?

The police have not yet been alerted. Augustus shot back.

What! They must be! Jacob cried.

Must they? Augustus raised an eyebrow in rhetoric. And how effective have the so-called authorities been thus far?

Jacob narrowed his eyes. He knew just as well the difficulty his guild was having with the police in their investigation, We toe a fine line here. You understand the risk we incur every moment this goes unreported.

Pascal waved off the young Archbishop's remark. Of course, Jacob. We aren't old men of wisdom for no reason.

Augustus finished the thought, Consider our circumstances. This is the third death we've seen and without results from the Police Guild. How many more murders should we let run under our nose and stand to do nothing?

Pascal added, We face extinction at this rate young man. What would collapse of our guild look like to you?

Jacob thought again about the population the Spirit Guild served. From Jacob's initial post of Priest through his ascension to the youngest Archbishop in guild ranks, he kept a close affinity for his fellow man. Jacob’s ability to connect, whether with another priest, a follower, or a stranger was what had made him successful in his rise through the church.

Pascal finished his words with stern expression, The clergy is in a state of fear. The faith of our followers has been shaken. We can't sit idly by waiting anymore.

It was clear the two men across from Jacob cared as much as he did about the wellbeing of their guild. However, Jacob disliked the idea of going vigilante in attempt to gain traction against their problem. Settling himself, he looked to the two Elders before him.

So, what do you propose? Jacob asked.

Augustus lowered his voice, It’s not what we propose, it’s who we propose.

Of all the guilds in Magna, the Watcher Guild held the most mystique. Relatively small compared to the bevy of other disciplines found in the city, the Watcher Guild was filled with an assortment of the most talented citizens from across the continent. As a constituency, the Watchers were called upon to solve complex and nuanced tasks within the city – administrative, judicial, structural, criminal, or otherwise. Watchers often worked alongside other guilds in the need for unequivocal savants.

The Watcher Guild? Jacob asked.

Yes, Augustus hesitated. But not just anyone from the Watcher Guild.

Pascal followed, In fact, no Watcher at all.

Jacob understood.

Remy Stone. A prodigal member for the Watcher Guild, stories of Remy’s travails were something of intrigue across Magna. From the time she was inducted into the guild Remy had turned into an enigma. She often worked alone, focused and unhindered. Her unorthodox methodologies gave rise to a reputation both appreciated by those she helped and disliked by those who didn’t understand her. Remy stayed out of the spotlight as best she could, but even the careful aren’t immune to pain.

Remy’s pain was exile – banishment from the guild system altogether – where she was now denied access to any guild membership and their associated services. When the news of her trial had been released months ago, a quiet murmur bubbled across the city. Accusations about corruption had been whispered and pleas for innocence had fallen on deaf ears. In Remy’s case, she had been charged with the capital crime of treason, the finality of the verdict coming when the Governance Guild specified no appeals or retrial. In addition, the details of the case had been marked confidential and kept unreleased from public record, making the ordeal all the more unusual.

For all her clout, Jacob couldn’t help but see Remy as a risk. Her recent removal from the Watcher Guild had shocked all those who believed she could do no wrong.

She's in exile, Jacob responded bluntly. She’s, untouchable.

All the better. Pascal was quick to interject. She is our best hope you understand. Possibly our only hope.

And if she doesn't want to help? Jacob asked.

Provide the offer of our resources. Augustus looked to his side and continued, Pascal and I have discussed this. Give her access to the Vault and tell her we may be of service in unraveling the mystery of her exile.

Jacob shifted, surprised. The implications of Augustus's offer were far-reaching. Only a select few of the Spirit Guild's senior clergy had authority to access the sacred space mentioned. Jacob went on, to allow her as audience to the Vault is against our order's way, you realize this Elder?

Pascal answered for Augustus, reaching an arm out and resting it on Jacob's shoulder, Considering the situation, we don’t believe we have much choice. If I were Remy, I’d stay clear of this whole matter. But we need her help. We need it desperately. For these reasons, we must make an exception and offer her an incentive she hopefully won’t refuse.

Jacob shook his head and looked again at Marcus’s corpse. The man with whom Jacob was learning to tend the guild’s most sacred objects was now the catalyst for their exposure to the outside world. Fate had a funny way of being cruel at times, Jacob thought.

Scanning Marcus’s body, Jacob noticed his simple garb. It was fitting that such great responsibilities befell such an unassuming man. Even the necklace found around Marcus’s neck belied his true ascetic nature.

The necklace. It was gone. Jacob’s heart sank as he scanned Marcus’s neckline, then the room, then Augustus and Pascal for any indication where it might have gone.

Jacob started, Marcus’s necklace. Where is it?

The two Elders glanced at Marcus, then each other, then at Jacob.

We’ll tend to it, Pascal said unalarmed, as though he and Augustus shared the same thought.

Jacob shook his head, You know as well as I that necklace must be found.

We’ll tend to it, Augustus reiterated, maintaining his stoicism. Now go.

In a final, complicit breath, Jacob prayed across Marcus’s body, ushering him into the afterlife with love and apology. Without addressing the Elders, Jacob turned on his heels and bowed his head as he exited Marcus’s chambers. There was no time to argue.

Chapter 2

The smell of eggs and coffee spilled out of the kitchen and into the front room of the small apartment. In an oversized shirt and striped panties, Remy tended breakfast. Atop the stove, bacon spat and crackled. Flicking a spatula in the pan, she moved the food around to cook.

In the bedroom, Arthur stirred from his heavy slumber. The scent of breakfast wafting through the air made its way to his nose and enticed him to get up. Propping himself on an elbow, he wiped the sleep from his eyes.

Remy could hear the man in the next room. Taking two plates from the cupboard, she placed them on the small dining table. From the drawer beside her, she fished out silverware and set them on checkered napkins beside the plating.

Arthur stumbled into the kitchen, boxer-clad, and walked up to Remy, kissing the back of her neck. She smiled and continued to stir the breakfast. Moving to the table, Arthur pulled out a chair.

Whatever it is you're doing in here, it smells delicious, he said, sitting.

Remy kept her head down, working. Didn't your mom ever teach you to cook?

Well, yes, but my cooking isn’t quite as good as when you make it.

Arthur was flattering her, Remy knew, but she took the compliment all the same. It wasn't often the two of them woke up together. It was even rarer that she cooked breakfast for her unusual guest.

I was hungry. Don't get too comfortable, Remy chided, making sure Arthur understood this wasn’t a typical treat.

Sure, sure, he said, chuckling. Last night, by the way. He trailed off.

Remy shook her head. As was often the result of meeting for a few very late drinks, Remy and Arthur’s bout of intimacy the night before had been spur of the moment and fiery. They'd stumbled out of the bar next to midnight and before the twelve o’clock hour were both naked with each other viciously making love. It was enough to distract Remy, but with Arthur there seemed to be a part of her left unfulfilled.

Neither were the image of relationship material. Both were self-indulgent in their own personalities. If they weren’t so consumed in the business of their lives, Remy thought, there might be a chance. But it wasn’t something she pursued either.

Last night was nice, Remy responded, keeping it short.

Arthur looked Remy over, "What? You don’t