Miss Thorne Blossoms

by Jordan Bollinger

  "How is all this possible?" Gus asked. "Brumbell is an abrasive ass, but he doesn't seem all that smart."

  "We've no proof that it is Brumbell," Meg said. "We have no proof of anything."

  "This Brumbell," Jake began, "he's the one who's running the saloon now, right?"

  "That's right. He's a blowhard and a bully," Gus answered, "but he seems as thickheaded as a bull. And, definitely not savvy enough to run a secret brothel, staffed by under-aged girls he's procured from orphanages and controlling by keeping them drugged."

  "What?" Jake exclaimed. "I knew we were investigating a well-hidden brothel, but I didn't know about under-age girls being drugged."

  "Yes, well, I'm not at all sure how much Judge Preston actually told your agency," Frank replied. "But, since you're here, and there's been another murder, you might as well know everything. I suppose we'll have to find a way to let your co-workers know everything as well."

  "What do you mean everything?" Jake asked.

  "Let's see," Victoria began, "first we found a girl beaten to death, and she'd also taken a good quantity of morphine. Then we found a girl who'd bled to death from a self-induced abortion. We believe the two girls were sisters. There's we found an extra body after an epidemic of scarlet fever—another young woman, who had been strangled, in the early stages of syphilis. And one of Gus' men had a very advanced case of syphilis, died during the epidemic. Only, he'd been poisoned with arsenic." The doctor looked around, and said, "have I forgotten anything?"

  "Let's see, the first load of lumber for the new surgery was destroyed by fire. And, someone tried to set fire to the second one," Neil said.

  "We also believe there are two more under-aged orphans being held. One of them is only twelve."

  "Good Lord!" Jake exclaimed. "Our instructions were to try to locate a hidden brothel, but the boss didn't say anything about all this. Sounds more like the plot of some penny dreadful than an actual case. And, certainly something more likely to occur in a big city like Chicago, not a nice town like Manchester."

  "Well we have been living in this 'penny dreadful,' as you called it, for six months now. We've only found out about the third sister before we decided we needed professional help—the one that is only twelve or so," Gus explained.

  "My deputies have kept a very close watch on the saloon. But, they've discovered nothing," Frank said. "However," he added, "they only know Brumbell's suspected of some criminal activities. They don't know about any of these other incidents. Except, the first girl's death of course. Everyone in town knows about that one."

  Jake seemed to give the situation thought, before he let out a deep sigh, and frowning, announced, "Well, the first thing we need to do is somehow manage to get all of the information to my co-workers. I also don't think that I'll find out anything more from Gunderson's hands. If any of them have any information, they probably won't tell me now. Since you all are my employers, you need to decide to send me away, for another man to replace me, or move me somehow. I doubt anyone will let anything slip to a new hand -—so it might be a waste. Or, figure out a way to move me to another job in town."

  "Well, that isn't a problem at all," Neil said. "I can always use another hand on the building site."

  "True," Gus agreed. "So, first thing in the morning, I'll send you into town to report to Mr. Stratton."

  "Good. Now," Jake continued, looking to Frank, "you said your deputies have kept a strict watch on the saloon. Is there anywhere else someone might set up a brothel? A deserted ranch or farm near town. Perhaps?"

  Frank shook his head with vehemence. "No, nothing. Oh, there are a few abandoned properties. But, they are not only quite a distance from town, but they're either soddies or tumbling down shacks. I can't imagine such places could be used for such an establishment," the sheriff insisted.

  "They wouldn't be large enough for more than one girl—at best, two. And that's without a boss and his muscle. No, it has to be in town."

  "Perhaps," Victoria said, as she leaned in closer to the table where the men congregated around, "you being in town will be a good thing if, as we think, the brothel is in town, it's right under our noses, and yet we still can't see it. Perhaps, what we need is a set of fresh eyes—to see whatever it is we're missing—whatever we've continually been missing."

  "All I can do is keep my eyes and ears open and try not draw attention to myself."

  Later that morning, all the information was passed to the rest of the detectives. Kit took a note to the livery stable and left it tucked in Will's bedroll. The doctor dropped notes by both Messrs. Raveneau and Gillis's tables in the restaurant.

  And Jake came riding into town to proclaim, "Mr. Gunderson sent me in to help with the building. Should I take my horse to the livery stables, or just tie it up somewhere?"

  Neil, looked up, and shielding his eyes, answered, "Take it over to the livery stable. No sense for him to stay saddled for no reason. Just tell Jack—he owns the stable—Gus sent you."

  "Yes, sir. I'll be right back."

  Good to his word, Jake returned. As he grabbed a hammer and some nails, he gestured at the large, two-storied building beside the lot, and asked, "What's that?"

  "It's eventually going to be a new newspaper office. Although," Neil said, "Harding doesn't seem to be in very much of a hurry."

  "Oh..."

  "Yes. He arrived in town about the same time as the doctor and I did. While I've managed to damned near cripple myself, recuperated, and begun a new career, and Dr. Thorne has set up her practice, handled the day to day ailments of the town folk, and dealt with an epidemic, he's done nothing." In a contemptuous tone, he ended with, "Says he's waiting for some very special equipment from Germany."

  "What is it you aren't saying?" Jake asked, in a low voice.

  Neil scowled and answered, "Nothing. I suppose it's just I think he's a lazy blowhard. That's all."

  Jake was a good worker, but Neil managed to send him on several errands throughout the day. They gave him a chance to see more of the town without drawing attention to himself.

  Not that he noticed anything.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Victoria came out of the post office in late afternoon and collided with Brent Harding, so hard the small wooden crate he was carrying rattled.

  "Oh, I'm so sorry, doctor. I hope I didn't hurt you," he said, as he tried to pass by her.

  "No, it was completely my fault, sir. I was too interested in reading my letters. I hope your package hasn't been damaged," she said, nodding at the parcel.

  "Hardly," he assured her. "It's only my regular shipment of books from Chicago. I get one every week or so."

  "Well, enjoy your reading," Victoria told him.

  He only grunted some inaudible response and scurried down the street.

  The doctor was still standing outside the post office, watching him, when Meg came up beside her and asked, "What are you staring at so?"

  "Mr. Harding. We smashed into each other, and he practically ran away. I'll have to remember to tell Neil over dinner."

  "What?" Meg asked, "What do you mean? Tell Neil what? That you ran each other down in the street?" she said, smiling.

  A low giggle escaped Victoria, as she answered, "No. It's just that Neil is always teasing me about Harding. He insists the man wants to court me. But, just now, he couldn't get away from me fast enough."

  "Well, there might be other reasons why a man needs to get home quickly, other than running to escape from you."

  "I suppose. Still..." the doctor said, still watching the back of Mr. Harding.

  Meg asked, "Who did you get a letter from that captured your attention?"

  "Hmmm..."

  "I asked, what letter requires so much of your attention?" Meg grinned and ended with, "A love letter, perhaps?"

  "Hardly," Victoria told her, giggling. "It's a letter from one of my many aunts, telling me all about all my friends back in Philadelphia and how they are all happily married, and as she delicat
ely puts it, increasing. She thinks it will make me see the error of my ways. Although, why she still holds out such dreams, I have no idea."

  "Well, my father and brother tried to bully me into returning to North Brookfield last December. I believe my father's letter said that only he and my brother's guidance could regain my reputation and honor."

  "Oh, my..." Victoria said. In a soft voice, she asked, "Meg, have you...ah...have you written your family about your approaching marriage?"

  Margaret flushed and turned away. "Oh, no," Victoria cried out, "Don't tell me you haven't."

  "Well," Meg admitted, "as a matter of fact, I haven't. I haven't heard from them since I answered my father's letter, when he demanded that I return immediately. I'm very much afraid I responded rather curtly. So, I took the silence as a sign I was no longer considered a part of the family."

  "And," the doctor asked, frowning, "have you said as much to Gus?"

  "Ah...well...ah...no, not exactly."

  "Don't you think you should?"

  Meg looked at her friend, guilty, and asked, "You think I need to, don't you?"

  "Yes, Margaret, I do. And, you know it."

  "All right. I'll write my father." She grinned at her friend, and asked, "Happy?"

  "I suppose. Let's go back to the surgery, just in case I have a patient. And, if I don't, we can have some tea, and I'll help you write it." Taking Meg's arm, the doctor walked across the street to her office.

  *****

  "You're a good worker, Jake," Neil said, as the men began to leave for the day. "I hope you're back here in the morning."

  "Mr. Gunderson said I'm at your disposal. So, I'm going to get something to eat, and then look for somewhere to sleep."

  "You can sleep in the surgery, as long as the bed isn't needed for a patient."

  "Are you sure? I mean, you aren't the doctor, after all."

  "No, but I sleep above the surgery. The doctor stays at the hotel. At least, she does now. But just until we finish her new surgery and residence. If there's nothing to eat, I'll bring you something from the hotel restaurant. It won't be fancy, but it will be filling."

  "Thank you. I think I'll stop at the livery stable and make sure my horse is taken care of...and get my saddle bag. But, I won't be long."

  "That's all right," Neil said. "I have to clean up before I can go to the restaurant." Then laughing, he said, "I only hope the doctor hasn't thought of more modifications."

  "Does she do that often?" Jake asked.

  "I'm very much afraid she does," Neil answered. He faced the other man and admitted, "The real problem is that most of time she comes up with good ideas." He leaned in, and in a lower voice, added, "But don't tell her I said that."

  *****

  "Is it true you've found it necessary to kill another man?" The larger, older man asked, in a low, hoarse whisper.

  "As a matter of fact, I did. However, you'd be wise to remember that I don't answer to you."

  "The sheriff and his deputies are constantly watching the saloon. So why did you find it crucial to kill another man—and a patron at that?"

  "Did I not just tell you not to question me? But, since you cannot refrain from being so nosey, the fool was about to bring a stranger into our fold."

  "I would think new customers are a good thing," the older said. Then scowling, added, "Especially, if you insist on killing the old ones."

  "The problem is you don't think. I've told you before," the younger man hissed, "our continuing success has been due to my discretion. You've never been connected to any of past enterprises, because of that one concept—discretion. I know you've often complained that I'm...over scrupulous, but it has kept us both safe. And rich."

  "Yes, yes, but for how much longer? There's a man in town—two in fact—that could prove problematic."

  "So I've heard. The first is just asking about properties that might be for sale or rent. But the other man, the one called Raveneau, I've heard he's speaking of establishing a new saloon—one with gambling, as well. And, if he's so willing to provide drink and games of chance to his patrons, can we seriously doubt his willingness to provide other, more earthly pleasures? And, of course, we cannot allow that."

  "Then, let me find another town for us. I think I, at least, should move on. Find another town ripe for the picking, and then send word back to you."

  "No, I'll tell you when you are to move. Until then, you'll just keep doing what you do—be abrasive, and annoying, and keep the constabulary wrongly focused on you."

  *****

  "So," Victoria asked, "how's the construction coming along?" She leaned back, and allowed Ann to place the plate of chicken dumplings before her. "I saw you had a new worker today."

  "Yes, Jake is very good. I mean, he is very knowledgeable about construction. I wish I was in a position to offer him a permanent job."

  "Well...you know I'd—"

  "Please, Rose, don't even finish that sentence. You have done enough for me. I know you're a modern woman, but you can't continue to take care of me. You are a genuine lady—with a fine education and a professional career. You've been nothing but caring, supportive, and considerate, Rose. But, I'm still a man. And as a man, I have my pride."

  The doctor flushed, and then changed subjects. "I crashed into Mr. Harding—quite literally—this afternoon."

  "How did you manage that? He almost never leaves that building of his. His manservant...Lee, is it... comes and goes all the live long day. But Harding is practically a hermit."

  "As it happened, rather than paying attention to where I was or what I was doing as I left the post office, I was concentrating on a letter and ran right into him. I bumped him so hard, I very nearly knocked his parcel from his hands."

  "Well," Neil began with a smile, "at least, if you'd injured him, you were right there to administer to his wounds."

  "Very true," the doctor giggled, "how very true, indeed."

  They ate in silence for several minutes, before she said, "Neil, what if we became partners?"

  Neil's head snapped up, he choked, before coloring. Eventually, he asked, "What? What was that?"

  "I was asking about becoming your partner..."

  "But, Rose...this is just what I was speaking about...isn't it? I might not have a college education or a 'profession,' but I'm a man, with all the male vanity that embraces. And I'd appreciate being allowed to decide when I ask you to—"

  Now it was the doctor's turn to blush. "Neil, I...I wasn't suggesting...I only meant...what I should have asked if you would consider becoming business partners. That way, you would have some working capital and I'd be earning money. Which should eliminate your protests of me giving you money. It would be a formal business arrangement."

  "Yes, I suppose it would," Neil answered. "My apologies for presuming you might have meant more." But his color didn't return to normal until they were nearly finished with dinner.

  As they sat over their coffee, he finally responded, "I would like to take you up on the offer to form a business partnership. I can see that I do need to have more than my own physical efforts. To build up a flourishing construction company, I need not only supplies and equipment, but men. And, while I can live on very little, anyone I hired cannot. They must be paid a fair wage—regularly. Perhaps, I'll approach Gus about it. He might also be willing to enter into a business venture with me."

  "Are you saying you don't want to be my partner?" Victoria asked, in a soft voice.

  "Don't you see," Neil began, "that's exactly the trouble? I want to be a partner to you—but not in business. Or, at least not only as a business partner. And, until I can earn regular wages...make a good income—equal to yours—I can't pursue you."

  "Neil..." she said even softer, as she covered his hand with hers, "you do know that I care for you, don't you?"

  "Care for me...is that a nice way of saying—"

  "It means I have feelings for you. I know we've never really spoken of them before, but..."

&nb
sp; "What?"

  "The truth is, that ever since you promised me you would leave Manchester with me, and that we would find another town to begin over, I've...sort of...assumed...that you...that we...would eventually..." her words trailed off to an inaudible silence. She blushed and looked away. "I'm so very sorry, if I've been mistaken."

  Now, Neil covered her hand with his other, and said, "But you haven't been mistaken. However, I need to be able to take care of you before we can move forward."

  Victoria turned back and smiled at him. "Perhaps Gus would consider going into partnership with the both of us. And, we'll say no more about...things...until you are ready. But, Neil," she added, "you do realize that I will always be a working doctor. No matter what...what might happen in the future?"

  "Yes, I've always known that. And, I came to terms with that a long time ago. I'll approach Gus the next time I see him. And, we'll just leave things as they are for now. All right?"

  "Yes," she agreed. "But, this..." she said, flushing again, "this...understanding...remains between us."

  Neil looked like he was about to argue, when someone bumped into their table. He looked up to discover Mr. Raveneau hovering over him.

  "I'm so sorry. I tripped. I hope I didn't upset anything, causing it to spill on you," he said, in a slick voice. He swooped down and retrieved the doctor's napkin, handed it to her, bowed to them both, and then left the restaurant.

  Victoria looked at Neil, and said, "I didn't even realize I'd dropped my napkin..." But she'd gone quiet, and stuffed something in her reticule.

  "What?" Neil asked her.

  "Nothing," she insisted. "Let's finish our supper and then go for a walk."

  "All right," he conceded.

  A short time later, they were walking along the street, in silence, heading towards the workroom and Meg's back door.