"All right. So, you came into town, took a room at the hotel, and spent a lot of time playing poker at the saloon. Then what happened?"
"Well, I made sure I didn't win or lose too often. There were times I threw in great hands, just so I wasn't perceived as a card sharp.
"And, after a while, Mr. Brumbell, the man who owned and operated the saloon, approached me. He claimed to be concerned about me, since I lost money as often as I won, and I was staying in the hotel. He said that while I was a very good card player, I was only breaking even. And, I was being foolish to spend so much money for a room. He also thought I was pretty, and I'd be good for business, so he offered me a job dealing poker during the afternoons and evenings. And the offer came with an upstairs room as well."
"And did you accept his offer?"
"Yes, I did. After all, we still believed the brothel was somewhere in town, and Brumbell and his properties were involved.
"So I took the job, collected my things from the hotel, and moved into the little room he provided for me."
"And was it a pleasant place to work?"
"Well, I suppose it was. It was always warm and there was food. Even my room was fairly nice although I knew I probably wasn't the only one with access to it."
"And things went well?"
"Yes."
"But, did you find out anything about the brothel?"
"No. Nothing. It was very frustrating."
"And, why was that?"
"You mean aside from the fact that that was the whole point of me being in Manchester? I had uncovered nothing. I hadn't even heard anything that led me to think I was getting nearer to finding the brothel and those poor girls."
"Did you consider giving up, Miss Murphy?"
"Absolutely not! I was staying there until I found those children or was removed by my employers."
"Your Honor! Really, is this going anywhere? I will concede that Miss Murphy is a dedicated employee. But I don't see how this is relevant to the case."
"Mr. Lynchburg, Mr. Clarence does have a valid point," Judge Hilton acknowledged. Then in a lower voice, added, "Of course, he was bound to, eventually."
"I'm sorry, Your Honor," Mr. Clarence said, "I didn't hear that last bit."
"It wasn't important. I was thinking about something and hadn't meant to say anything out loud.
"Just go on with your questioning, Mr. Lynchburg. Please."
"So, once you were working and living at the saloon, what happened?"
"One night, very near closing time, Mr. Brumbell brought over a bottle and two glasses. He poured out two drinks, handed me a glass and toasted me, saying I was an asset to the business."
"And..."
"Well, if he'd simply brought me a drink, or even poured one just for me, I never would have drunk it. I wouldn't even have tasted it. But, he poured the two drinks from the same bottle. And, I had looked at the glasses to make sure there was nothing in either one of them. So, I lifted my glass when he did and waited until I thought he'd taken a sip."
"But, what are you saying? That he didn't drink from his glass?"
"Yes. I mean, no, he didn't. However, I didn't realize that until I woke up half-dressed on a cot in total darkness."
"I see. Can you elaborate on that?"
"Well, I woke up in the dark—absolute blackness. I was lying on a cot. My dress, shoes, and corset had been removed. It was then that I realized how careless I'd been."
"What do you mean 'careless'?"
"That I'd drunk when Mr. Brumbell didn't. He toasted me, saying how I was good for business, but thinking back on everything, I realized what had happened.
"You see, he lifted his glass up to his mouth, but just as he was about to drink, he looked over my shoulder as if he'd noticed something and slammed his glass down, causing most of the liquid to splash out on the table. However, I had already taken a drink from my glass. I can only assume it was drugged since I'd not had anything else to drink that evening and I woke up imprisoned in a closet."
"A closet?"
"Yes, sir. I sat up on the edge of the cot for a while, but after some time, I still couldn't see anything, so I felt my way around. The closet was about four-feet by six-feet; the cot took up half the space.
"However, I did discover my suitcase beneath the bed. So I searched for my slippers and a robe. And, I also made sure that the secret compartment still contained my two derringers."
"And did it?"
"Yes. So, I checked that both were loaded, replaced one in the false bottom of my suitcase, and placed the other in a special little pocket on the inside of my petticoat hem.
"I should probably explain. My petticoat hem is faced in heavy buckram, so the pocket doesn't show through and the gun is small and fairly light, so it doesn't even pull the skirt, really."
"So, even though you were being held somewhere, you weren't completely helpless?"
"No, sir. Although, I won't lie to you all. I was scared when I woke up. But, after a while Lynn brought me a bucket which was greatly appreciated," she admitted, without a blush. "She also brought me a cup of hot tea. However, as she stood in the doorway which provided the only illumination in the room, she mouthed for me to not drink it.
"In fact, she held on to the cup, even as she was handing it to me, until I nodded that I understood not to drink any of it."
"So, she brought a bucket and a cup of tea, which she warned you not to drink. Then what happened?"
"After some time, Lynn returned with a tin pitcher and basin and said I could drink the water. She’d also brought a wash cloth and towel with her and set the folded linen on the end of the bed and left.
"I drank as much water as I could and used the rest to wash with. And, when I picked up the towel, a key fell from the folds."
"So, you had been made 'reasonably comfortable,' and now possessed a key to your closet. Did you use it right away?"
"No, sir. I didn't know how long I'd been asleep. So, I was trying to figure out what time it was. I was also working out when would be the best time to use the key."
"And, what happened? When did you decide to use the key?"
"It wasn't very much later. I was still considering what would be the best plan when I heard a lot of banging and yelling. It sounded like it was downstairs. I used the key, unlocked the door, and peeped out.
"It was then I saw Mr. Harding, although, to be fair, I'm not sure if I'd actually seen him before. So, let me amend that, I saw a man I have come to know was Brent Harding. He was stuffing his shirt into the back of his trousers as he opened a door on one side of the hall, passed through it, and then closed it behind him. However, from the noise, I could tell he was hurrying downstairs."
"And did you hear anything after that?"
"Yes, it sounded as if he'd answered the door, and someone was carrying on. Then the downstairs door, the outside one, from the sound of the noise, closed, and it grew quiet. That was when I made my move. But first, I went back and got the other derringer. Then I slipped out of my closet, closed the door behind me, and went to the far end of the corridor, and began opening the doors and peeked into the rooms."
"And did you find anything?"
"Yes, sir. When I opened the last door, a heavy, fancy door, I found Lynn lying naked in a huge bed."
"And, had she been dressed before?"
"Yes. She'd been wearing a dress. It wasn't new, and I couldn't say what she was wearing beneath it. But, she'd definitely been wearing a dress."
"So, what did you do?" Mr. Lynchburg asked.
"I handed her the second derringer, whispered for her to get something on and come with me, while Harding was away."
"And, so then what?"
"We left the bedroom, quietly closed the door behind us, and worked our way down the hallway. About halfway down, we had to sneak past the open door to the kitchen. The Chinaman, Mr. Lee, was sitting at the table, with his head on his hands.
"Lynn whispered how we could slip past, because he drank h
is own tea. So, we continued down the hallway, moving towards the far end where she said there was a door that led to a gallery and a flight of stairs to the ground.
"We were nearly to the door, when she stopped me and said that we needed to get Kathy. I thought we should get out of there and send people back for Kathy. But she was adamant we needed to take her with us. I think she was afraid they'd kill Kathy, if they realized we had escaped."
"So, what did you do?"
"I yielded. I was afraid if I didn't give in to Lynn, she'd protest and we'd be caught. So, she knocked on Kathy's door, and told her 'Sir' wanted her immediately.
"She wasn't alone, but told the man that she had to do what 'Sir' said. Then she came out, and I think I locked the door. I was still carrying the key."
"Excuse me, but you just said 'Sir' several times. Could you explain that for us?"
"Yes, sir. Apparently, the girls had been instructed to call Mr. Harding 'Sir'. After all, he controlled their world."
"Your Honor."
"Yes, Mr. Clarence. The jury will ignore that last statement."
"Yes. Let's get back to your testimony. What happened next?"
"We were just about to reach for the doorknob to the outside door, when the door at the end of the hallway jerked open, and Mrs. Porter stopped us. I tried to tell her Harding sent me to watch her and 'learn from the best', if you will. But she wasn't having any of it. Especially, since Kathy and Lynn were behind me.
"There was a slight scuffle... well, perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration. Mrs. Porter grabbed me and held a knife to my side. And, when the girls didn't back down, she stuck the knife into me. Fortunately, she hit a rib.
"When she stabbed me, Lynn pointed the gun at her. The woman laughed, and Lynn shot her twice in the cheek. It didn't really stop her. But, it did give me a chance to get my own gun out, and I shot her twice in the hand. After that, she lost her fight.
"And, just as the girls and I opened the door, several men came stomping up both sets of stairs."
"Both sets of stairs?"
"Yes, they came up the steps leading from the alley, as well as, up through the first floor of the building. And then a young woman led us across the street to the residence behind the workshop and safety."
"And did anything else happen once you all were there?"
"No, sir. I don't believe so. At least," she said in a firm voice, "not like I think you mean. Harding was lying on the floor bleeding from a gunshot wound to his knee, whining. But some men came and carried him out. And then, the doctor took care of my cut, while the young women each dealt with one of the girls."
"Dealt with them?"
"Yes, sir. As soon as the doctor said they were all right, Kit got one bathed and into a fresh nightgown, and then into a bed. Then, Eva did the same for the other girl."
"Anything else?"
"Ah... no, I don't believe so, other than Mr. Gunderson and Mr. Stratton roused themselves, made their way to the dining table, and were drinking some coffee."
"Thank you, Miss Murphy. Your witness, Mr. Clarence."
"Thank you," Clarence said, rather insincerely. He crossed over to where Miss Murphy sat, put his hands together and he asked, "So, you passed out and woke up, in a certain degree of undress—"
"Your Honor!"
"Yes. Mr. Clarence, I suggest you reel yourself in, or be held in contempt. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir." He paced over to the jury and back to where the witness sat, and began again. "All right. So, you allege you were basically kidnapped—"
"Mr. Clarence, did I not just warn you?"
"Yes, of course." Frowning, he thought for a moment, and then asked, "How do you know you didn't go to Mr. Harding's willingly?"
"Because I didn't. I told you, I was in the saloon and woke up locked in a dark closet which turned out to be on the second floor of Mr. Harding’s building."
"But you worked in a saloon. Isn't is possible that you merely drank too much? Perhaps, you passed out, and someone carried you to Mr. Harding's until you sobered up?"
"No. I told you I hadn't had anything to drink until Mr. Brumbell brought the pair of glasses and a bottle. Besides, let me ask you something, Mr. Clarence.
"Why would anyone carry me, not only across the street, but further down the street, to another building? When they'd still need to carry me upstairs? Wouldn't it have been easier to just carry me upstairs, to my room above the bar?"
"I'm not here to answer your questions, Miss Murphy."
"Then please pay attention to what I testified to so you don't keep asking foolish questions."
"Your Honor—"
"She only said what I was about to. Just get on with it, will you please? If you don't have any legitimate questions, say so. So we can move on.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Of course, I do, Your Honor." He glowered at Miss Murphy and then asked, "Did you think it appropriate to arm a mere child?"
"Yes. What I thought was inappropriate was a man kidnapping, drugging, and selling children to men for profit."
"Your Honor..." Mr. Clarence said, in a rather pathetic voice, "could you please instruct the witness that my client is innocent until proven guilty?"
"Unfortunately, Miss Murphy, Mr. Clarence is correct. At least, for the time being."
Then glaring at Harding's lawyer, added, "Mr. Clarence, either ask reasonable questions, or be ready to take the answers you get."
"Very well, Your Honor. Now, Miss Murphy, you have testified to giving a loaded weapon to a twelve-year-old. And then skirted around my question about whether you believed this was a good idea.
"Are Pinkerton agents trained at all?"
"Yes, to a certain extent."
"What exactly does that mean... 'to a certain extent'?"
"Well, during the initial interview they asked me if I was familiar with firing guns and if I would have a problem firing a gun at someone. I'd been raised with a bunch of older brothers. I knew all about guns and how to take care of them. And, certainly, how to use them."
"And what about your willingness to shoot someone?"
"While I'd never shot anyone, or even shot at someone, I believe I would be able to shoot someone to protect myself or someone else that was being threatened."
"So, you have no problem shooting another human being?"
"No... not if I was being threatened. You really don't pay attention. Is that because of a lack of focus, or do you think that by restructuring my answers and asking things again, you'll somehow make me the criminal? After all, we aren't here trying me, are we?"
"But, perhaps we should be. You and the doctor both showed blatant disregard for human life when you took justice into your own hands and willfully fired at people.
"Perhaps, after this is all over, you will be. Did you ever think about that, Miss Murphy?"
"Your Honor, Mr. Clarence is clearly badgering the witness."
"Sustained. Mr. Clarence, I mean it, this is absolutely my last warning to you. Next time, I will hold you in contempt. Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Clarence moved over closer to the jury and said, "So you gave a child a loaded weapon. Did you encourage her to shoot it or anyone?"
"Not exactly. When I handed it to her, I told her she only had two shots, so she should use them wisely. And, to be perfectly fair, when Lynn shot Mrs. Porter, the woman was holding a knife to my side. In fact, she was sticking it into me."
"So this justifies—"
"Your Honor," Mr. Lynchburg began, "I'm not at all sure Mr. Clarence is able to comprehend testimony, let alone ask competent questions."
"I have to agree. Mr. Clarence, you owe the court $50.00. And, if I have to speak to you one more time, it will double to $100.00. As a matter of fact, it will double every single time I'm forced to deal with you. And, that's from now until the end of the trial not just this witness, or even today."
Mr. Clarence gulped several times, looked at his client,
and began again. "Did it ever occur to you that perhaps Mrs. Porter attacked you, because you were a stranger, trying to leave with a child?"
"No! Because I was the one who had been drugged and brought there and was rescuing the children I'd been hired to find. And, I must say, I find it despicable that you would try to turn things around, in an attempt to make your client appear as the wronged party.
"He beat Lori to death.
"He was responsible for Lisa being sold to men, and therefore for her pregnancy. We don't know if she performed the abortion on herself because she knew what would be happen if Harding found out, or merely panicked.
"He strangled Jeannine and hid her body with the other bodies of people who succumbed to scarlet fever.
"He poisoned two men. One with morphine, and the other with arsenic.
"And, perhaps the most horrific of his deeds is that he was not only willing to sell children's bodies for profit while controlling them with opiates, but was keeping Lynn as his personal sex slave!
"How can you defend him?"
"Because he's my client, and our judicial systems says that everyone has the right to be defended, not just the ones that everyone feels is innocent. In fact, it could be argued that he deserves even more counsel.
"And, since you weren't in Manchester when any of the alleged murders occurred, you have no right to testify about them."
"You’re probably right," Colleen conceded. "However, I know Lynn was clothed when she brought me the bucket and teacup, and when she brought me the water and linens. And, a short time later, I found her naked in Harding's bed, whimpering."
"Your Honor!"
"You questioned her actual knowledge, and she told you exactly what she'd witnessed. Don't try to dismiss her answers!"
"I'm finished with this witness."
Chapter Twenty
Brent Harding was not happy. And he was not shy about telling Mr. Clarence exactly how he felt as soon as they were alone.
"What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be defending me! You've barely asked any questions, and Lynchburg and the judge are making a fool of you."
Miranda Takes a Stand Page 14