Maggie chuckles. “Yup, that’s Philly all right. Joe’s quite fond of you, Mrs. Kelly. He told me stories of visiting you when he was a boy.”
“Ah, wee Joe. He was a buachaill álainn. A beautiful, wee boy. He’d follow me everywhere: the garden, the barn, the kitchen. Some might think he was underfoot, mind,” with a significant look at Joe’s mother who is chatting with the young flapper sitting on the other side of her, “but I never thought he was a bother. Yes, Joe was certainly a buachaill álainn.”
Maggie glances away from Mrs. Kelly and sees the Inspector in the doorway, waving to get her attention.
“Do you think you should go and see what he wants? It looks like it might be important,” old Mrs. Kelly says.
Startled, Maggie turns back to her. “Mrs. Kelly?”
“The old gent. There in the doorway. It looks urgent.”
Maggie turns to look at Frank, who is now staring at Mrs. Kelly.
“He looks like he’s seen a ghost,” Mrs. Kelly chuckles.
“I… umm… excuse me, Mrs. Kelly. I’ll go see what he wants.”
“She saw me, Maggie. She saw me.”
“She certainly did. We’ll get that sorted in a minute. What did you want to tell me?’
“I wanted to tell you something?” Frank is trying to peer around Maggie.
Exasperated, she opens the front door. “Out to the veranda, Inspector. That’s an order.”
Maggie follows Frank outside to the veranda. “Did you learn something about the leak, Inspector?”
Frank whirls around to face her. “No,” he shouts. The force of his raw emotion pushes her back against the door.
Frank gives her an intense glare, his face hard. “No,” he shouts again. “No, I will not accept being diverted from this matter.” His hands are fists at his side, his face flushed. “I am not some phantom mirage, Maggie, or a spectral genie bound by servitude. I am Franklin P. Geyer. I am a man and that woman in there saw me. Me,” Frank says emphatically. He stops, his chest heaving.
“Inspector?” Maggie raises her hands as if to ward off a blow. She takes a step toward him. He abruptly turns away; his fists remain clenched, his back rigid. “Inspector, you’re right. Of course you’re right. I forget sometimes.” She can see his shoulders relax slightly. “Forgive me.”
Frank gathers himself and turns. “I am a man. A good man. I don’t deserve this. Maggie, Mrs. Kelly saw me. That is a phenomenon that is almost unprecedented in my world. Do you understand? Do you?” His eyes search her face for understanding.
“Inspector. I am so sorry. For all of this.” Her gesture takes in their reality.
Responding to her compassion, Frank relaxes a bit more, moving to sit on the chair on the veranda. “The investigation into the leak can wait.” He struggles to regain his composure, hands clasped in front of him. “This is important to me. To me, Maggie. I have few attachments to your world. What drives me is trying to comprehend my existence in this between-world that I exist in. Our investigations are diversions, important and useful, but diversions none the less. I have such an intense yearning to understand and, frankly, to escape. I do not belong here. Mrs. Kelly could be a key to finishing the journey to where I belong.”
The silence between them is immense. “Inspector. Oh, Frank. I’ll go back inside and speak with Mrs. Kelly right now.”
Frank shakes his head, now appalled by his outburst. “Don’t drag her out of the party. I don’t want to make a scene. I’ve said my piece.”
“I don’t know what you want, Inspector. Shall I go in and fetch Mrs. Kelly or not?”
Frank takes a breath to focus his thoughts. “I may only have one or two opportunities to talk with her before she returns to Ireland. Let me gather my thoughts and think of what I need to ask. It’s critical that I make full use of the opportunity; I don’t want to be impetuous.”
“All right. I’ll go back inside and arrange to meet with her again. Will a few days be enough time?”
“Thank you, my dear. For understanding. And I apologize for my outburst.”
“Inspector, you have endured plenty of my own. I think you’re due.”
Maggie, still shaken by his raw emotion, turns to go inside. Frank reaches toward her. “Wait. I would be remiss if I did not report back on what I learned today about the leak.”
The corners of Maggie’s mouth turn up in the barest of smiles, glad to see the familiar façade of Inspector drop back into place.
Frank collects himself, once more in control of his emotions. “I came to tell you that I’ve found the leak. And you won’t believe it.”
“Who? Someone in Unit One?”
“Indirectly. It’s Colonel Butler himself.”
“What? Explain, Inspector.”
“Butler reports all raids to the mayor. Then Mayor Kendrick alerts Copeland or other precinct coppers who he has arrangements with, and then they call the speakeasies with details of the raids.”
“Kendrick? You mean the mayor?”
“Incredible, isn’t it?”
“Inspector, we need to talk about this further, but I have a house full of ladies, including one who can see ghosts.” Maggie takes a deep breath. “This is not a good time, Inspector. I can’t focus on this right now. Let’s meet later out here on the veranda. Say, after supper?”
“Won’t it be too cold? Perhaps your bedroom would be better. At least there’s privacy.”
“You’re right. I’ll claim exhaustion, which won’t be a stretch, and meet you upstairs after I’ve had a chance to tidy the kitchen.”
“What about Joe? Won’t he be coming by later to pick up Fanny and the gifts?”
Maggie scrunches her face. The beginnings of a headache starting to form. “I’d forgotten. Of course he will be. But he’ll want to talk, and I don’t have the information, nor the privacy to get into it with him. Waiting one or two more days until things are clearer won’t matter. I will let him know that I hope to have news very shortly, and not to plan any raids in the meantime.”
Maggie closes her eyes and rubs her forehead. “Being kidnapped I can handle, but a house full of women, Grandmother Kelly’s revelation, and now this. I really need to get out of this house for a bit and clear my head.”
“Well then, after dishes, grab your coat and we can walk to the park and back. We can talk and you can get some fresh air.”
“A much better idea. I’d prefer to try and keep my bedroom a sanctuary. Everyone needs one and, in a house full of men, sometimes the walls feel like they’re closing in. And I include you in that number, Inspector.”
“Understood, my dear. Until after supper then.” The Inspector doffs his bowler. At the bottom step he turns to her. “And you’ll find out more from Mrs. Kelly?”
“Yes, Inspector. I’ll make arrangements to talk with her again.”
The front door opens and Edith sticks out her head. “There you are, Mags. What are you doing out here? I need to know about when you want to do those gifts. Guests are getting restless.”
“I’m coming. I was just getting a bit of air. Let’s go open presents.”
Maggie settles Fanny in an arm chair; Tommy acts as valet. There are lots of oohs and ahhs as the opened gifts are passed around the group of ladies: Irish lace, pieces of china, things any new bride setting up her first home would covet. With everything moving smoothly, Maggie looks for a place to sit.
“I saved you your spot, a leanbh,” old Mrs. Kelly says, patting the cushion beside her. “Is everything all right with your friend?” she asks quietly.
“He just needed to pass along some information I needed,” says Maggie. “I’d like to talk with you about him, though. Sometime when there aren’t so many people around. He’d like to be there as well, if that’s all right?”
“Of course, a leanbh. As long as it’s convenient for the family. They’ve been kind enough to chauffeur me around. Would you like me to bring Joe?”
“I’d prefer if Joe didn’t know. I hope that is
n’t a problem.”
Mrs. Kelly gives her a level gaze. “That’s fine. We have plenty of secrets in my family. One more won’t hurt.”
Edith, leaning against the dining room entranceway, catches her eye and gestures toward the kitchen.
“You run along, a leanbh. It looks like you’re needed in the kitchen. I’ll be fine. And we’ll talk soon.”
* * * *
The next thing, Maggie is saying goodbye to her mother, breathing a sigh of relief, laughing with Fanny, smiling at Edith, and standing on the veranda waving goodbye to the extended Kelly clan. What a day.
Joe takes the last load of gifts to his friend’s truck. Maggie follows him down the sidewalk while Fanny says goodbye to Edith, Hilda, and Tommy.
“Thank you, Maggie. You are so good to Fanny.”
“My pleasure, Joe. I’m so happy about the wedding. Before Fanny gets here, I want you to know that I’m going to have information for you about your internal informant very shortly.”
“Really? What have you learned?”
“I can’t say more right now. I haven’t got all the details yet myself. But maybe we could get together in the next few days?”
“Of course. I’m dead curious about who it is. You’re sure you can’t tell me more?”
“No, I want to wait until I have all the information. We’ll talk very soon. In the next day or two, I promise. Until then, Joe, it might be better not to plan any more raids.”
“No, we’ve been putting a hold on them until we heard back from you.”
“What are you two scheming about?” Fanny slips her arm around Joe.
“Joe was just pumping me for information about your dress, Fanny. I told him I didn’t know a thing.”
Fanny giggles. “Now, Joe, you know its bad luck for the groom to know about the dress? Naughty boy. There will be lots of time to tell me how beautiful I look on our wedding day.”
“Oh, I don’t need to wait until then. I can do that right now, sweetheart. You are gorgeous. So, are you ready to help your future husband take these back to your new home?”
“Oh, Maggie,” says Fanny. “Thank you so much. You’ve been so amazing. Edith, too. I just gave her an enormous hug, and I’m about to give you one, too.”
“Make sure you get some rest, Fanny. You have a busy few days ahead of you. Goodbye you two. I’ll see you at the wedding.” Maggie and Joe exchange a glance as Fanny climbs into the truck. “Or sooner.”
* * * *
“Oh, it feels good to be outside. What a lovely evening.” Maggie, bundled in a warm coat and a wool hat pulled down over her ears, strolls along the sidewalk. Frank is beside her.
“It looked like everything went well today.” Frank swings his cane as he walks, also enjoying the bracing evening air.
“I think so. I’m quite out of practice being the hostess. All the people. All the preparation. Thank goodness for Edith.”
The streetlights begin to come on. Maggie draws peace and serenity from the quiet. Comforted by houses that look much like hers: lamps turned on, curtains pulled shut, families settling in for the evening. Frank’s earlier outburst is weighing on her mind. His anguish, his longing for resolution; she is ashamed that she was so blind to these emotions that have been churning beneath his normally calm exterior. I will do better.
“Did you have a chance to talk with Joe’s grandmother again?”
“We’re going to get together Monday, after the wedding. And I told her that you would be there, too.”
“Can you imagine, Maggie? Getting to talk to someone else about this peculiar situation I find myself in. Someone with information and experience.”
The sounds of a busier street thrums in the distance. “Yes, I’m quite curious myself about what she has to say. Now, tell me more about the mayor.”
“Kendrick is definitely the leak. Did you mention anything to Joe?”
“Only that we needed to talk soon. He’s chomping at the bit to hear who it is. And when he finds out…”
The park is beginning to fill with shadows, the flower beds empty, the trees bare. Maggie and the Inspector find a bench, and sit. A solitary pedestrian walks quickly past on his way home, newspaper tucked under his arm.
“There’s not too much more to add. Butler gives him the heads up about raids and then Kendrick alerts various personnel on the take within the force who then contact the speakeasy or bootlegger.” Frank takes the time to light his cigar and savor the evening. “On a lovely evening like this, it’s hard to believe what’s going on out there,” he says, gesturing with his cigar to the city beyond the park.
Maggie’s eyes follow the tip of the Inspector’s cigar. “I mourn Philadelphia. The city is bloated and infested with fraud and deceit, with abuse of power.”
“From the top down, apparently. But our fight isn’t just to restore good governance. It’s about self-defence and survival.” Frank takes a slow draw from the cigar, leans on his cane, and then stands. “And on that cheery note, I think it’s time to head back. Come, my dear, let’s get you home.”
Chapter 42
T he day after the wedding tea, Maggie heads to the Inquirer to check her Classified Ad slot. From far down the hallway she can see that there are three envelopes tucked inside. Tempted to run, no actually, to skip and jump like a young girl, she gathers herself and walks calmly to the cubby. Holding the envelopes in her hand, she savors the moment. Someone wants me. Someone thinks I can do a good job. And with the revenue I’ll be able to make that darn payment. Tearing open the envelopes right there in the hallway, she scans the enclosed letters. The first one is from a glass bottle manufacturer, the second is from a barber shop, and the third is from a restaurant downtown.
She smiles and tucks them into her handbag. Edith’s rewording of the advertisement seems to have done the trick. Maggie’s also planning to visit with the businesses she patronizes along Marshall Street, in her local neighborhood, on the way home. People who know her. She’s got her resume, as brief as it is, and a reference letter from Professor Galway.
Now, he’s an interesting man. Surely the arrangement with his mother isn’t a permanent thing? Maggie proceeds, full of confidence inspired by those three envelopes. Life is looking up.
* * * *
At supper, she’s bursting to share the exciting news. “You remember I told you I was going to call on the stores and other businesses along Marshall? Well, I got two new clients signed up for my bookkeeping services.”
“That’s great, Mother,” Tommy says between mouthfuls.
“Marvelous news, Maggie. Who are they?” Archie asks.
“Well, the grocery store you knew about before. Today I signed up a shop that sells the most beautiful hats. Then I was able to recruit a shoe store. The millenary is owned by a woman, which helps. She was so easy to talk to, and understood everything I was telling her about what I could do for her business. And Millie Malsbury, she’s the millenaress, is going to give me a discount on her hats. So that’s three clients all together. And the news gets even better. I also received three replies to my advertisement in the Inquirer. So I could double the client list by the end of the week.”
“Wahl, I’m as tickled as a pig in a peach orchard for ya, ma’am. Three clients in the net and three on the hook. Well done. Congratulations,” Clive says in his slow, southern drawl.
Maggie smiles and looks out over her table. They’ve already moved on to talk about baseball, her triumphant news left behind in the excitement of pitching and earned runs. She misses Joe. He’d be interested.
I’ll tell the Inspector all about it after the dishes are done.
“I’ve managed to get two more bookkeeping clients, Inspector.” The two sit on the veranda enjoying a late-fall evening. Maggie’s wrapped in a heavy sweater and holds a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. The Inspector is pacing back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the house.
“Please come closer, Inspector. I can hardly be yelling into thin air.” Frank
reluctantly climbs the steps.
“My apologies, Maggie, but thinking about Mrs. Kelly and what she might have to say has got me stirred up. She saw me, Maggie. Joe’s grandmother saw me. Heard me.”
“Yes, I know. You told me all about it last night when we met about the mayor. Did you hear what I said? Two more clients and I have inquiries for a few more.”
“And Joe’s grandmother. When are we getting together? Is she coming over soon? Perhaps we should go to her?”
“I told you last night. She’s coming over for tea the Monday after the wedding.”
Frank nods. “Yes. That’s right. I remember now.”
Tasting the Apple Page 18