by Madison Kent
"All right, you and Madeline go together, and I will see if I can discover anything elsewhere. Let's see if the skeleton key still fits," said Hugh.
"If it does, it means they don't believe anything is amiss or they would have changed the lock," said Madeline.
"It's almost ten, I think we have waited long enough. If we see there are lights under any of the doors, we will return...agreed?" asked Jonathan.
They nodded and made their way down the two corridors till they came to the forbidden stairwell. She held her breath as she turned the key, hoping it still worked.
It did. They smiled at each other in silence as they crept back into the darkened staircase and up to the third floor.
It was still, with only a few kerosene lamps dimly lit. Hugh motioned that he would go the other way as Madeline led Jonathan to the library. As they approached the door, she thought she could hear voices in the distance. Jonathan apparently heard the same thing as he motioned his hand toward the hall. She hoped they would be safe within the library for now.
They had a torch with them but were reluctant to use it now that they had heard the voices. The moonlight once again was a friend and guided their steps. Jonathan could see the elevator now and walked toward it. She motioned to the hanging skeleton. He continued on to the elevator, and she followed.
"It's no good. It needs a key," whispered Jonathan.
"It would be nice to know where it goes to, but I believe the noise from us using it would alert anyone who was awake."
"You're right. I might try to find the closet with the stairwell, and see if that might be an alternative way to get to the basement floor."
They both grabbed several books from the shelves around them. Seating themselves on the floor, they browsed through as many as they could reach from their position.
"Did you see the skeleton?" asked Madeline.
"Briefly. With their obsession with collecting things, I suppose it might not be that odd."
"Do you see these books? Almost all are about famous collections of different things. "
"With the exception of the ones stashed behind the chemistry books, there are about adoption. They must be Patrick's."
She turned each of the three books over in her hand. The titles depicted the internal struggle dealing with being an adopted child. The made sure they put these back exactly as they had found them.
"I'd like to see if we can get to the staircase. Are you ready?" asked Jonathan.
She nodded her head yes, but as they walked toward the door she accidentally touched the skeleton with her shoulder, so she reached up to steady it. She was about to move on, when she grabbed Jonathan's hand to stop him and signaled that she wanted a moment. Although it was dark in the room, the light was strong enough from the moon that she was able to see the skeleton quite well. Suddenly, she clasped her gloved hand over her mouth. She gently touched the skeleton again and walked around it. She felt dizzy and leaned against Jonathan.
"Madeline, what is it? Are you faint?"
"We must go. I will speak to you when we are clear of here."
"This way," he said.
They walked quietly, looking for lights under the door, but no one was seen. Entering into the narrow opening of the stairwell Jonathan had previously found, they began their descent. The torch they brought could be used now without fear of discovery. But even with the torch, the darkness was pervasive. They knew they had passed the level of the second floor and were now going into what they believed must be the lower level of the hotel.
What they saw upon arrival in the basement shocked them both.
Chapter Sixteen
Barrels of Death
The first thing they were aware of was the noxious odor coming from the area. It looked like nothing she had ever seen. There were several dead rats caught in traps that lay scattered around the room. She supposed that was not unusual that a hotel would have a problem with rodents, most of the residents in the city had the same problem.
Several barrels of what she believed to be lye.
"It does appear they are making their own soap for the hotel," said Madeline.
"Be careful, don't get too close. Look over at that barrel, there are animal skeletons."
"Do you think they put the dead rodents in there?"
"I suppose they might use that method of disposal. It appears like a macabre dungeon down here."
"I know the brothers are involved in taxidermy, and I do believe the procedure involves the use of lye to clean the skeleton. It may be that."
"I think you might be right. The skeletons are small, bird-like."
"It also may be used for murder," she stated, clenching her fist as she spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's leave this desolate place. I will speak to you back in your suite."
Hugh was there, sitting by the fire and partaking of a glass of wine.
"This is a strange place, and I am happy you are both back safely. I don't know why, but I had the strangest feeling as if you were in danger."
"It felt like the very hand of death was on my shoulder," said Madeline.
"I have a bottle of absinthe, if you would rather have that then the wine," said Jonathan.
"Yes, that would be lovely."
She had returned to partaking of a little more alcoholic beverages than she had promised herself to have, but believed the nature of what she was doing would probably prompt her to do so. For now, she felt she had it under control.
"Did you find anything useful, Hugh?" asked Jonathan.
"That can wait. I want to know what happened to you too. Madeline looks as if she has been accosted by the underworld. Your face is ghostly white."
"I kept thinking I was mistaken, but I know I wasn't. When we were in the library, and looking to see if we could access the elevator, I brushed passed the skeleton. Of course, I had seen it before and would mean nothing except," she hesitated, "Except it's not the same skeleton."
"What?" they both said in unison.
"Do you remember, Hugh, that I had paid particular attention when looking at it? It had such a starkness about it, not like others I have seen in university or in a medical facility. It was so parchment white. I remember examining her wrist and ankle, which both had fractures in them. This skeleton did not. I looked at it several times, thinking it was because of the poor lighting, but it was a skeleton from another person."
"And what purpose could it be to change skeletons, of course, unless...could I dare say it, unless it is a skeleton of a murdered missing girl," said Jonathan.
Jonathan said what she was thinking. "I don't want to say it, but I believe it could very well be true, especially in light of our other discovery." said Madeline.
"What is that?" asked Hugh.
"We took the staircase Jonathan had found earlier and followed it to the basement. There were barrels, of what we believe to be lye. They contained floating skeletons of dead animals in one, and in another area the lye was used for soap making. I assume for the hotel," said Madeline.
"Of course, someone could easily dispose of a body in the lye, but why hang the skeleton in the library?" asked Hugh.
"Perhaps it is just a place to put it in plain sight before the skeleton is disposed of. I know there is a market for the purchase of skeletons by hospital research facilities, doctors and even learning centers such as a university," said Jonathan.
"Now there is no doubt that within The Harrison resides a murderer," said Madeline.
"Who is it that you think might be the one?" asked Hugh, directing his question to both Madeline and Jonathan.
"All of the three brothers stand out as suspects, but then there is Lady Mary and her cohort, Willie, and the assistant Alfred. There is still the possibility of a staff member that has access to the basement and third floor," said Jonathan.
"I am not certain yet, because they all seem to be hiding something. If we could discern the motive, we would be closer to the killer," said Madeline.
"I think it unlikely that it is a staff member, but still I don't completely rule it out."
"I didn't have such success as you both had, but I did come upon a room that had a light under it. When I walked by I heard what seemed to be the laughter of women. It could have been Lady Mary, or it could have just been visitors of the brothers, but I marked the location down."
"Maybe Nancy was behind that door. Imagine if she could be here right under our noses," said Madeline. "I don't know how I will sleep now that I know that sweet girl is missing and after finding the skeleton and its implications."
"With everything that has been found out, it is still not enough to go to the police with. Everything is circumstantial and the Harrison's team of lawyers would dismiss all of it," said Hugh.
"Besides, how would we reveal how we obtained the information. They would detain us for possible prosecution. We have to get something concrete," said Jonathan.
"I'd like to talk to Lady Mary again, and see if I can't implore her to be more forthcoming about anything she might know, especially in light of Nancy's disappearance," said Madeline.
"Unless, of course, she is involved," said Jonathan. "Then it would only put her on her guard and force her to cover up anything."
"I know. I had thought of that too. It is a web that all of them seem to be caught in. None of them seem innocent. We will have to tread carefully. I had an idea that we might try to steal the skeleton and bring it to the police, but then how would we prove it had been in their library?"
"There still might be an explanation for that skeleton, someone could have procured it through legitimate means," said Hugh.
"Let's meet tomorrow and see what we can come up to find the killer," said Jonathan.
Madeline and Hugh left the hotel to return home.
"A midnight glass of wine?" asked Hugh.
"Yes, how welcoming the moonlight looks coming through the window, and how beautiful the flowers look gracing the night."
Everyone was asleep. They enjoyed their privacy at the window seat talking of the days events.
"Somewhere in this city is my friend, Nancy. I am assuming she was somehow tempted to go with someone despite the threat to her life. I am not certain why she would do this unless the person was known to her and she trusted them," said Madeline.
"It does boggle one's understanding of why she went, unless she did not go willingly. However, if she did not, I cannot imagine with all the people there that someone would not have noticed a struggle, or that she would not have called out for help."
"We cannot find her in the river, like Wanda. I feel I must take greater risks in trying to find out what happened."
"What do you mean?"
"I must be bolder in my pursuing the truth, whatever that takes."
She was not certain herself what that would entail, but she felt she needed to insert herself further into the business of the Harrisons.
"You must at all costs stay safe. Soon they will break ground on my new home. You must come and see it. Your opinion is important to me, and a trip to Oak Park would be a welcome respite from this turmoil."
"You are right. Since you and Jonathan have been here, our days have been spent only pursuing leads. We will change that soon, hopefully, as soon as our Nancy is safe."
When she stood at the door to say her good-nights, he unexpectedly walked back through the door and embraced her. She responded and hugged him, grateful for his presence in her life.
Her sleep was troubled, as she thought of the skeleton, and the barrels of lye that she believed may have been the place of disposal for one or more of the missing girls. She knew that Nancy may not have fully realized what a dangerous situation she had placed herself in. She could have thought she had finally ventured out of her structured safe life and perhaps knew the perpetrator.
She kissed her children's portrait, hoping she might dream of them instead of the ghoulish scene at the hotel.
When she awoke the next day, she was anxious to tell her father of all that had happened.
"Madeline," he said, "you must go to the police with this news." said Father.
"But as Hugh said, Father, it is all supposition. And without informing them that we were illegally trespassing, how could we explain how we came by these facts."
"Yes, I can see that. Then it will be up to you to find something to give to the police that will make them act and take a look at the skeleton before it also disappears."
"Yes. With Nancy now missing, time is of the essence. I am leaving now to see if I can beseech Lady Mary to cooperate in some way."
"If you do not find her to be congenial, I can try to see if I may find out something," said Mrs. O'Malley.
"Thank you. If she will not speak to me, there is a good chance she may trust you. I will let you know," said Madeline.
When she arrived at the Harrison, it no longer appeared to her as the beautiful palace she had once had the impression it was. Now it was the house of some unknown force that had taken away its beauty and replaced it with black death.
Lady Mary and Willie were drinking and playing cards on the patio. They did not even notice her walking up to them.
"Lady Mary, I must speak to you. It is of a very dire situation. I am imploring your help," said Madeline with an urgency in her voice that even made Willie take notice.
"What could you possibly want from me other than to pry into the brothers' lives again? And you know I won't do that."
"May we speak in private?"
"No, I hold nothing back from my Willie. Go on, if you must."
"Do you remember the two blonde girls that sit in the French cafe? They were there when we spoke once."
"Vaguely," she replied.
"Nonsense, my lady, you've taken note of them before saying they were a couple of beauties," interjected Willie.
"All right...all right, what if I have?" asked Mary.
"The slender one who wears glasses has gone missing. Her name is Nancy. Her sister is in a state of shock, and we all feel she is in great danger. If there is any possibility you know of anyone in this hotel, the brothers or any others whom you think might have a hand in this, you must come forward with the information. You simply must―her life may depend on it," said Madeline.
She looked upset, biting her lip and crumpling the cards within her hand.
"I tell you, I know nothing. Besides, they are all my boys, like my own children. I would die for them. I would do anything to protect them," said Mary.
"Including murder?" asked Madeline in a stern voice.
She held her gaze, and then said, "Yes, including murder. It's obvious you don't have a family, or anyone you love or you wouldn't be sticking your nose into other people's lives. I've shocked you, well, if you ever loved someone enough that you could say that, you might be fortunate. That's all there is in life is your family."
"Please...think about it. That lovely young girl is being held by someone right now...if she is even still alive. You may be able to save her," said Madeline.
"Willie, take me from here. Please, she is upsetting me."
Willie looked at her with some compassion, saying, "Sorry about your friend, Miss. I hope she is found."
Before leaving, she looked over to where the twins always sat. There was no one there. It made her shudder inside that Nancy might be the victim of one of the Harrisons.
She decided to return and enlist Mrs. O'Malley's help rather than stay and contact Jonathan. She knew she would see him later that day.
"I'll be happy to do it. This must stop, and if that crotchety woman has something to say, I'll get it out of her. I got a bit of the blarney in me even you've never seen me use," said Mrs. O'Malley smiling, taking off her apron and straightening her hair.
She knew that Lady Mary did not know of her relationship with Mrs. O'Malley and had already trusted her before. She hoped she would return with news.
She sat on the porch with a lemonade. It was an usually warm day. A lovely, warm breez
e blew, and the children were playing kickball in the street. It was in such contrast to what was happening just a short distance away.
She saw Hugh step out of a carriage and come toward her. It was barely noon, and she hadn't realized he had been away, but she was delighted to see him.
"I've been with my designer. I saw the first few boards go up on my new home. It fills me with joy, and I so wish to share it with you. Would you consider going with me to see it?"
"I will―soon. With this news of Nancy, I cannot bring myself to steer away from the case. I have sent Mrs. O'Malley on a quest to try to pry something out of Lady Mary. I tried this morning but failed, except to reaffirm my suspicions that she is more than just a close friend.
There is one thing of note. Her companion, Willie, his walking stick, it was in the shape of a horn. I do believe that is the type of stick that made the marks on Jonathan. I'm sure there are hundreds of walking sticks like it, but nonetheless, the path of this investigation always remains pointed at a few people."
"May I have a lemonade and join you while you wait for Mrs. O'Malley?"
"Of course," she replied as she stood to go to the kitchen to bring the pitcher of the sweetened drink back to the porch.
"Chicago has turned out to be quite the city. I'm sure you will not lack for cases here," said Hugh.
"I believe that is true, if they can bring themselves to trust a woman. I know I will have to prove myself to secure clients.
"This is lovely, just sitting in the afternoon sun, watching the children play and sharing the moment with a friend.
"Oh, there is Mrs. O'Malley. I didn't know she could move so fast," said Madeline pointed out as she waved to her friend.
"Come into the house and sit down. I have much to tell you," said Mrs. O'Malley.
"She was a sight. She gladly accepted the bourbon, and like before, did not speak much until she had three or four of them in her. Then she was like a school girl with her first beau. She couldn't get the words out fast enough.