Read Skyjackers: Episode 1: A Proper Nuisance (Skyjackers: Season One) for Free Online Page A

first thought Vivian Caine had tricked him. He kept
calm, cocked his head inquiringly, and waited for Jonathan to speak.
    “I apologize if I’m interrupting something,” Jonathan said,
eyeing the lenses. “Do you, by any chance, have a bluewave radio I could use to
make a call?”
    “Come in.”
    The floor sloped beneath Jonathan’s feet as Gilbert led him
through cramped rooms packed with antique furniture and dead houseplants. The
house smelled of old wood, and every surface Jonathan passed was layered in
dust. Hill pointed to the radio, which was sitting on a round pedestal table in
the parlor. He stood in the doorway with his arms clasped behind his back while
Jonathan sat down and dialed.
    “Hello. Yes, Harlow? Harlow, it’s Jon—Captain Thorpe. Where
in the blue blazes are you? Oh. He did, did he? Is that right? Well, tell him
I’m in—” He put a hand over the receiver and asked Gilbert, “What town is
this?”
    “Dower.”
    “I’m in Dower. I’m at the home of a nice gentleman who’s
allowed me to use his radio. Tell Manchester to come pick me up at once. I’ll
meet you in the town square. I don’t know. I’m assuming this town has a square.
What was that? Yes, I was there. It was very frightening. I know. Yes, I know.
We should. We’ll see, Harlow. Make sure Manchester gets my message. Thank you.”
Jonathan hung up.
    “Was there anything else, officer?” Gilbert asked.
    “No. Thank you. I apologize if I’ve put you out.”
    Gilbert Hill said nothing.
    Jonathan stood. “I’ll just see myself out, then.”
    When Jonathan walked past him, Hill followed. He took a wrong
turn and ended up in a sitting room, across the back half of which was drawn a
heavy curtain. Something sparkled from within the cordoned area as it caught
the sun. Jonathan turned to find Gilbert eyeing him.
    “Say, you wouldn’t happen to—”
    “Wrong way, officer,” said Gilbert. “This way to the door.”
    Suddenly, things began to register for Jonathan. “Now wait a
minute. What have you got back there? You’re a tradesman of some sort, aren’t
you?”
    “I collect rocks,” Gilbert said. “And I’m very private about
my rock collection. I’ll warn you to step away from there, officer.”
    Jonathan flung the curtain aside. There on Gilbert’s
workbench, spilling from a plain canvas sack, were the Finustrian crown jewels.
“What in the name of heaven—”
    When Jonathan turned around, Gilbert Hill was pointing a
flintlock pistol at him.
    “I did warn you.”
    “What do you mean to do with that?” Jonathan asked.
    “Whatever I have to, officer.”
    Jonathan could see he was serious. “Now, we’ve no need to go
to extremes, my good man. And you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong end
of a murder charge that could’ve been avoided.”
    “I paid good money for those,” Hill said. “They’re mine.”
    “They belong to the Archduchess of Finustria,” Jonathan
corrected him. “Trafficking in stolen goods like these will get you in more
trouble than you could ever ask for. So I’ll make you an offer. Lower your
weapon and let me walk out of here with the jewels, and I’ll forget we ever
met. No charges.”
    Hill tightened his grip. “How do I know that’s not a lie?”
    “I don’t even know your name,” Jonathan said. “Nor do you
know mine, for that matter. We can part ways anonymously and forget this ever
happened.”
    “You said your name on the radio earlier, Captain Thorpe,”
Hill pointed out.
    “Ah, yes… but I still don’t know yours. If you kill me,
plenty of people will learn it.”
    Hill thought for a moment, then lowered his weapon. “I spent
nearly everything I had on those jewels.”
    Jonathan took a step toward them. When Hill didn’t object, he
scooped the jewels into the bag and picked it up. “You can be sure the Regency
would’ve confiscated that and more if you were found guilty. I have no say over
what you do from now on, but I would advise you to cut ties