The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2)

by Madison Kent

  She asked the child, "Is someone here with you?"

  "No, I am alone."

  "Would you like us to stay with you until your parents return?"

  "Would you?"

  She didn't feel it appropriate to enter the girl's home, but they could stay on the porch with her and try as best they could to calm the child.

  "I am Alice, her younger sister. I am just twelve―my birthday was last month. It was the last time I saw my sister," said Alice.

  "I am so sorry.

  They all tried to comfort her, reassuring her of how things would get better, but she was too young to appreciate those words and continued to weep in intermittent intervals.

  She seemed cautious about being around men and stayed close to her while Phillip and Hugh walked down into the street area, Phillip taking the opportunity to smoke.

  "Your family will find a way to help you get through this. They will need you now more than ever. If you ever need someone to take you out for an ice cream or just a walk, please ask your parents to contact me."

  She continued to speak to her while Alice nodded her head and held onto her hand. A short time later her mother and father arrived.

  At first, they were startled to see their daughter with strangers. Then the mother recognized Madeline.

  "You're the lady who is looking for the missing girls. Why are you here?" asked Mrs. Gapinski.

  "I was in the area and wanted to check to see you if you had any news. Alice told me the rest. We volunteered to stay with her. She seemed in such a state."

  "Thank you for that. We did not wish her with us. It was an ordeal even for me. I would ask you in for coffee, but I do not feel well."

  "We would not dream of imposing any further. I am still trying to find out all I can, and if you do wish to contact me, I have my contact information here."

  "When the funeral is over, I am sure I will need someone to talk to, and I would like to know what progress you have made. She didn't just fall into the river as the police have assumed, that much I am sure of," continued Mrs. Gapinski.

  "Come, Mother, that is enough for now. Let us get our Alice inside. My wife told me of your inquiry. I hope we may speak again in the future, but for now, I believe we need to be alone," said Mr. Gapinski.

  Hugh and Phillip had been listening and looked somber.

  "I didn't mean to involve you both in something that should darken you spirit right upon your arrival. We will talk of other things―we certainly can make a plan to see the Auditorium Building."

  They smiled at her, and Phillip said, "It is all right. It is just that it reminds me of what happened in Whitechapel. That is a chapter in our history I'm sure we all wish never occurred, as I am sure this will be for your lovely neighborhood. We can do both, try to assist you and discover the sights of Chicago."

  "Mrs. O'Malley will be awaiting our return for lunch," said Madeline, linking her arms with both men as they walked toward home.

  Upon their arrival, Mrs. O'Malley informed her that Marilyn had come by. She had left a message that she would be at the Harrison Hotel at six and that she had the results Madeline was looking for.

  "Now we know where we will dine tonight. You are invited, Mrs. O'Malley. Will you attend with us?" asked Hugh.

  "I have been planning to do some mending of clothes, but perhaps I will go," she replied.

  The evening brought them together at the Harrison. This time instead of the French cafe, they met at Michael's Italian Bistro.

  After they had all been seated and ordered, Madeline said, "Marilyn, you are an indispensable ally. Thank you for doing this. I know I am anxious to hear your results. Is it drugs as I suspected?"

  No one at the table spoke, waiting to hear what Marilyn had to say.

  "I think you will all be surprised to hear that it is nothing more than sugar and salt. Most likely particles falling onto the garment from the eating of a bakery item."

  Madeline was the first to speak, "It is more than a surprise―it has completely upended my theory that the girls were given drugs."

  "If I can be of further service, let me know," said Marilyn.

  As they continued in conversation, Madeline did not see Alfred approaching them until Hugh touched her hand and nodded in his direction.

  "Mrs. Donovan, I am happy to see you here. I thought I would see you tomorrow, but I already have the news you wished. The brothers have relented and apologize for their rather coarse behavior. They will see you next week on Tuesday if you are available," said Alfred.

  "Of course, I will be there," said Madeline.

  "Fine. If you could meet me in the lobby around two in the afternoon, I will take you up to their conference room."

  "As for Lady Mary, she has agreed to be more hospitable."

  "Thank you for everything, Alfred. Your efforts are appreciated."

  "It is nothing, and I have taken the liberty to absorb the payment for your dinner."

  "That is not..." said Madeline.

  "Nonsense. Please do not protest. That is the least we could do for treating you so shabbily. I will leave you now and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday."

  "How curious!" Madeline said when he left. "That is the last thing I expected to hear, besides, of course, that the powder was sugar. Life is unpredictable."

  "There is Lady Mary, looking as exotic as ever. Look at the plume coming from her hat, it looks like it extends into the air a good foot," Hugh laughed.

  "Is that the woman you were all talking about? Why...she's my age. Let me have a go at her. I'll find out what's going on with her," said Mrs. O'Malley.

  Madeline felt if anyone could wheedle some information from Lady Mary, it just might be Mrs. O'Malley. She could disarm the most grudging soul with her frankness and her sincerity.

  What a contrast, Madeline thought. Mrs. O'Malley, as plain as she could be, with her solid brown dress and sturdy shoes, and Lady Mary, dressed in scarlet red, with sprinkles of purple and white flowers in her oversized hat.

  "These meetings you have are more interesting than my sight-seeing. I will be curious to hear what your Mrs. O'Malley has to say about Lady Mary," said Phillip smiling.

  They had finished dinner but ordered a bottle of red wine to partake of while waiting for Mrs. O'Malley's return.

  Nancy and Phillip were deep in conversation and seemed to take an instant liking to one another. They were close in age, Phillip being just seventeen and Nancy just having turned eighteen. Meanwhile, Hugh and Madeline talked about London and the memories they had during her stay there.

  "I remember being so worried about you when you went into Whitechapel alone, and then when ended up hurt. I felt somehow I had let you down, and I should have been there to protect you at all times," said Hugh.

  "How kind of you to say something like that, but you know I took chances that I might not today. I was in a different state of mind back then. I hope I have learned my lesson and will be more cautious in my approach to this case," said Madeline.

  "I think it is an important step, from what you have told me so far, that you have the opportunity to speak with the brothers. I wonder why they did such an about-face in their attitude," said Hugh.

  "Perhaps it is nothing more than their attempt to be rid of me and any attention I might have caused."

  "According to the paper, the police have questioned the staff and feel it is just a mere coincidence that the girls were seen here. There's something about this place...I can't say what it is exactly, but it seems there is an aura of mystery about it. I suppose it is a house of secrets, as any place would be with so many people coming and going on its premises."

  "I suppose if we knew what went on behind all those closed doors, we would both be shocked."

  "Here is Mrs. O'Malley, and she looks pleased with herself," said Madeline.

  "I can tell you this, that lady has more secrets than a peacock has feathers. She talks in riddles and almost seems to want you to think she's daft so that you can't tell w
hat's true and wasn't isn't in what she is saying," said Mrs. O'Malley.

  "She sounds rather fascinating," said Hugh laughing.

  "Were you able to get any information about her connection to the brothers?" asked Madeline.

  "Not really, but I plan to have luncheon with her this week," said Mrs. O'Malley, appearing quite satisfied with herself.

  Phillip raised his glass in toast, "Here's to a productive and busy week."

  Chapter Eight

  Hidden Clues

  Madeline and Hugh spent the next few days in relative calm, renewing their friendship and having evening talks by the window seat.

  They had spent Sunday planting the moonlight garden florae Hugh had brought from London for her.

  "Do you think they have a chance of surviving the harsh winter?" asked Madeline.

  "They are hearty, but you may have to dig them up by Christmas and keep them inside to be sure they don't die. Our winters can be equal in chill to yours so they may stand it," said Hugh.

  He had brought her different plants that thrive from moonlight, including the Night Phlox, Moonflower, and the Queen of the Night. She had been fascinated by them when she saw them in his mother's garden and having not been familiar with them beforehand.

  Now they were both seated, looking out at the flora. The light of the moon pierced through the trees and cascaded upon the plants, highlighting their beauty. The Queen of the Night's fragrance was so bold, the aroma of the flower drifted all the way to their open window some twelve feet or so above the garden. The Night Phlox smell of candy had made them both nibble on the chocolates Mrs. O'Malley had left for them.

  "How beautiful! I cannot thank you enough for such a thoughtful gift. I will spend many hours enjoying their beauty―it will give me a kind of peace."

  "I am happy they please you."

  "We have spent so much time talking of other things, and still have not spoken of your inheritance. How did it all come to be?"

  "A cousin, who had moved to Scotland, left me a substantial amount of money. We had been close as children, but for the last few years kept in contact only through correspondence. He never married and was thoroughly absorbed in business, but that's what he enjoyed. None of us ever realized his worth. I suppose he must have been a wise financial investor. He had a good size estate, but that he bequeathed to another cousin. I received his financial holdings, and I decided while I was still young and have the opportunity, that there was more to life than the law. I have some fondness for it, yet it was more my father's choice for me. I had always wished to be an architect, but that was considered a frivolous choice in my family.

  I had dreamed someday of visiting America, but knowing you are here made the choice quite easy. I had read about Frank Lloyd Wright and his unique home designs. I believe I have enough funds to purchase one of the homes designed by him."

  "You are fortunate indeed to be able to live independently and choose how to spend your time without the worry of money."

  "I will not be idle. I hope to travel and perhaps design my own home someday. I would like to attend university to acquire the knowledge to do so."

  "That sounds wonderful. My goals are to get my little business off the ground."

  "I think you are amazing. You had to overcome personal tragedy, and it is not easy for a woman in this day to be taken as serious as a man in any business. I admire your fortitude and spirit. I have never met anyone like you, Madeline."

  Madeline felt a sudden uneasiness at his comments and replied, "You are a flatterer, Hugh, but I'm sure you are exaggerating."

  Changing the subject, she added, "I just am not satisfied that I could be so completely wrong about the dress. I think I will have another look."

  Hugh lit up a cigarette and poured them each a glass of wine. It was nearly midnight; the time had escaped her without notice. When she was with Hugh, the hours passed like minutes.

  "What do you hope to find?" asked Hugh.

  "Honestly, I don't know―something―anything, a clue of some sort."

  She laid the dress on the floor and spread the folds out. Kneeling on the floor, she touched the fabric as if it were made of glass, going over every part of it to see if she had missed something. Hugh knelt down and joined her in the search.

  "I don't suppose there is anything. It was just my imagination hoping there would be something," said Madeline.

  "Wait, what is this, shoved inside this torn area?" He pulled out two small items. "It's chocolate pieces. Why in heavens name would anyone put chocolate in the folds of their dress?"

  "Unless it was what I suspected all along. This is where the drugs are, in the chocolate. She probably hid them to make her captor or captors think she had consumed the candy and possibly she would then either sleep or be in a malleable state of mind that they could control her."

  "It does seem a likely scenario, no one would hide something like that in their clothing without an unusual reason."

  "I'll get something from the kitchen to wrap them in and bring them to Marilyn. Tomorrow is my meeting with the brothers, so I will be able to do both."

  "I hope you don't mind that I have made other plans for tomorrow. I plan to take a carriage tour through some of the neighborhoods."

  "Of course not. I will be busy also. Good-night then."

  She looked through the window one last time to admire her moonlight garden and thanked Hugh again for bringing her the plants.

  She said good night to the photograph of her family, ritualistically tracing her fingers over their smiling faces. She felt somewhat guilty for enjoying her time with Hugh but knew if she were to survive she had to move away from her grief.

  The next day found her feeling jubilant that she had secured the interview and she felt it would give her a chance to assess the brothers. She arrived early at the Harrison to see if perhaps Marilyn or Nancy were at the French cafe. She saw Nancy as she entered.

  "Good afternoon, the man we met the other day, Alfred, was here looking to see if you had arrived," said Nancy.

  "It is good to see you. Thank you for telling me. I will tell the man at the concierge that I am here. Is Marilyn with you?"

  "Not today. She had some a class to make up. Can I help you?"

  "I have some exciting news. Hugh and I combed through the dress yesterday, seeking any additional clues, and to my delight, Hugh found two pieces of chocolate in the gathering of the dress. The seam had been pulled apart to create a small pocket, and there they were. I think this time Marilyn might find there had been drugs injected somehow into the candy."

  "Amazing. Certainly if she took this action to conceal them, it sounds like the most plausible answer."

  "There is Alfred coming this way. Please do not let anyone know about this. I believe it to be prudent to keep this amongst our small group."

  "Of course. I will tell my sister about this. If you have the chocolates, I will take them to her."

  "I do."

  She turned her back so that the approaching figure of Alfred could not see what she was doing. It was an inconsequential action, still...she did not want anyone to observe her.

  "Thank you, Nancy. If you have access to a telephone, you can call with the findings. Otherwise, may we meet again tomorrow at this time?"

  "Yes. Either way, my sister or I will be here."

  "Mrs. Donovan, so good to see you," said Alfred.

  "Good afternoon."

  "I believe your interview will have to be delayed, but not by very long. They are meeting with a new business owner that plans to open a shop here soon."

  "I don't believe there is another hotel in the city that has the same atmosphere. Is it true that guests only stay on the second floor?"

  "It seems to be working to their advantage. The shops on the main floor maintain a steady flow of customers, many of which book a room for an anniversary or some such event. Because of the limited amount of rooms, they are almost always full to capacity, and this creates a rather wanton lust for th
e rooms. There is currently a waiting list to reserve a room. The third floor is for business and also has private areas such as a billiards and exercise room. It also has a grand dining area, where they have private parties for associates and family."

  "How interesting. I am sure I would like to stay the weekend sometimes."

  "I am certain the experience would meet with your approval. Will you join me for a beverage while you wait?"

  Normally, she would have declined such an invitation. She was amused at the words he used "wanton lust" when referencing the hotel―not the typical talk a man would use in polite company. It was obvious his grandiose style conveyed that he thought he was the most handsome man in the room, or for that matter, the city. However, she could not fault him for that, because he just might have been. She thought he probably was accustomed to being treated well. Still, there was something charming about him that drew one in. However, the reason she said "yes" was to see if he might inadvertently tell her something of importance.

  He obviously had a presence there, for when he waved over the waiter to their table, the man practically flew over in haste, seemingly out of breath when he asked for their order.

  "May I take the liberty of ordering you an absinthe, it is the most popular cordial at the moment. Many of the ladies have a fondness for it."

  She almost said no, but then reassured herself that an absinthe once in a while could certainly not hurt her. Her addiction to its sweet nectar was something she had to fight against while in London, but now she felt she had that part of her life back in control.

  "Yes, I have tasted it and it is a most pleasing flavor. Thank you, I will have one."

  "So tell me, what is it you do that you should be so concerned with these girls?"

  "I developed an interest in becoming a female detective after having some experience at it in London last year. As I am a widow, I was searching for a career path for myself, and this presented itself to me. I find it quite stimulating, and feel it is a worthy way to spend one's time, in the assistance of others."