She crawled over to where Charlie lay. He groaned. “Charlie…wake up. Please wake up.”
She heard the whistles getting nearer. The police were on their way. She held Charlie’s hand, he had a pulse so he wasn’t dead. She kept talking to him, willing him to wake up.
The door into the room burst opened. She looked up as policemen crowded in, their guns drawn. They checked each body in turn.
“All dead, sir. That one’s Paulie, or at least that’s the name he goes by. The woman is Mrs. Clark, a local madam. The other one is Ned Duffy. All shot.”
“What happened here Miss?”
“My name is Lily Green. Please call Officer Griffin and tell him what happened. He can explain everything to you. I need to get my friend to Doc Erin. She’ll help him.”
She turned her back to the police and shook Charlie again. He groaned. “Charlie, are you alright? Charlie, talk to me.”
“Out of the way Miss, we best get him to the hospital,” one of the officers said.
“There’s a doctor back in the hotel I live in. It’s just up that street,” Lily said, pointing.
“Right lads, get those two off to the cells. The other three need the morgue. Miss, you best come with us. We got questions need answering.”
“Can you call Officer Griffin please? He knows me and the reason those men came after us.” Lily asked, trying to keep her tone respectful. She didn’t like the way the officer was looking at her.
“Come along now Miss, all will be straightened up.”
Lily wasn’t at all sure it would be. At least they were being pleasant to her. If she had been wearing the clothes she was wearing when she had grabbed Birdie, they would have sent her to the cells with Duffy’s men.
She closed her eyes, seeing the whole thing again as if in slow motion. The small, fat man had held her arm as the tall thin one with the dead eyes had hit Charlie over the head with the brick. Blood had poured from the wound but luckily Erin had explained to her how scalp wounds always bled a lot.
She explained what had happened to the police. Yes, she’d bitten the hand of the man holding her and then, reaching into the concealed skirt in her dress, had drawn her gun and pointed it at Ned Duffy. But she hadn’t shot him. She couldn’t… He had grabbed her around the neck and tried to strangle her. She’d passed out just as a gun went off. When she woke, Duffy, two of the men who had kidnapped her and a woman were all dead.
“So you didn’t see anything else?”
“No, I told you what happened. That tall thin guy you took to the cells, he was the one who hit Charlie in the park. But I don’t know why he didn’t come into the building. It was just us, the one they called Paulie and Ned Duffy. There was a scuffle and Ned tore my dress. Charlie didn’t regain consciousness the whole time.”
“Lily, Charlie, oh my goodness!” Erin rushed toward them. “Are you alright Lily?”
“I’m fine, but Charlie needs doctoring. They hit him over the head with a brick.”
Erin flew into action, much to the surprise of the coppers who had brought them back to the hotel. They obviously hadn’t met a lady doctor before. Mr. Prentice came out of his office summoned by the noise. He was closely followed by Robbie and Paul Headford, the boy who she’d met with Michael Bryne. He was Charlie’s cousin. What was he doing here?
Robbie whispered to Lily he had phoned for Officer Griffin.
“Now, Miss Green, why are you carrying a gun? Seems an unusual accessory for a lady such as yourself,” one of the policemen asked her.
A lady. Her! Amazing what a fine dress, a hotel like this and the man’s preconceived ideas did.
“I...”
“I gave it to her,” Robbie spoke up. “She needed protection.”
“And you are?”
“Robert Fenton. You should be speaking to Officer Griffin. He knows the full story. Lily, Miss Green, helped two of Duffy’s ladies to safety the other day. We feared she may become a target.”
Lily kept her mouth shut and didn’t look at Robbie. In her experience, it was best not to tell the law too much. Nobody ever knew which side they were on. Well, apart from Officer Griffin, but this policeman didn’t seem too keen on calling him in. Though he should be, as Griffin was a rank higher than he was. It was all a bit suspicious.
“I think it would be best if you were to come with us Miss Green. We will bring you back later this evening,” Officer Halton, as he’d called himself, said.
“No, Lily stays here,” Mr. Prentice said firmly.
“Now Mr…”
“Prentice.”
“Mr. Prentice, this is a police matter. Kindly step aside. Miss Green, if you don’t mind.”
“I will wait here for Officer Griffin.”
“He will talk to you down at the station. Now come along,” Halton said, grabbing Lily by the arm and leading her to the door.
Lily dragged her heels. Her instincts screamed that this man was not what he appeared. The other police officer seemed to be looking everywhere but at her. As if he didn’t wish to be involved.
“Halton, let that lady go. Get your dirty hands off her,” Officer Griffin said, arriving just in the nick of time.
“Sir—”
“Don’t you ‘sir’ me, you sorry excuse for a human being,” Griffin snarled at Halton, then turned to the other policeman. “Put him in cuffs and get him out of here. He’s working for Duffy’s crew and has been for a long time.”
Lily screamed as Halton reached for his gun, but Robbie had already moved into action tackling the crooked policeman to the floor. Soon Halton was all cuffed up and ready for off.
“You wait Griffin. Duffy may be dead but his gang aren’t gone. Rory will see to you,” he said as he was led off.
“Be more worried about yourself, Halton. Sing Sing is no place for an ex copper.”
Griffin’s words must have hit home as Halton turned paler than a cotton sheet. Lily had no pity for him. If it hadn’t been for Robbie and Mr. Prentice she would have been on her way to this guy Rory now. God only knew what he had in mind for her.
“Miss Green, we meet again. Only this time I heard you had a gun,” Griffin said, his composure restored.
“Yes Officer, I did. But I’m afraid it’s rather pointless me carrying it. I learned today that I would never be able to shoot another human being. No matter who they were.”
“Not even Duffy?”
“Not even him. Sorry.”
Griffin smiled at her. “I respect you a lot Miss Green. If more people had your nature, maybe my job would be easier. How is Charlie?”
“He’ll live, which is more than can be said for Mattie. I’m sorry to say, she’s dying,” Doc Erin replied.
“Thank you Paul. I believe you were the reason my men found Charlie and Lily?”
The boy moved forward, his face flushed red.
“Yes Sir. I saw Duffy’s man hit Charlie and then Paulie hit Lily. Then they bundled them into a cab. I ran for help.”
“Good boy. That was quick thinking.”
“Thank you Paul for acting so quickly. Charlie was lucky you happened to be nearby,” Lily said. He seemed to grow redder when she spoke but she guessed he was embarrassed. Most boys his age were when spoken to directly. She turned her attention back to Officer Griffin.
“The woman from the house shot Duffy. Why? I thought she worked for him,” Lily said. She’d met the lady briefly when Mattie had introduced her as Sandra.
“She did, but it seems she had been planning it for a long time. Duffy killed her child a few months back. He didn’t know the girl was hers. Neither did she, until after. She gave the child up a few years back before she went back on the game. Anyway, she’d planned something more gruesome but in the end, time was running out for her so she followed him out there and…well, you know about the rest.”
“Is he really dead?”
“Yes, Miss Green. I checked to be sure. I’ve spent many years trying to put him in Sing Sing but the ground will do just
as well. Maybe better. At least he can’t get parole. She shot herself too. Had enough, I reckon.”
Lily sighed. She was glad Duffy was gone and couldn’t hurt any more people, but his death lacked finality. She had hoped by putting him on trial the city might find other people who fed his dens of iniquity with victims. But now he was dead, his mouth was firmly closed.
“Floyd is dead too, his body turned up this morning. Halton signed his release papers. That was how we knew for certain he was on Duffy’s payroll. What Halton doesn’t know is we caught Rory too. Duffy’s heir apparent.”
“That won’t stop them,” Lily mused aloud.
“Why do you think that?” Officer Griffin asked her.
“Because men like him are rats. You get rid of one, there is always a bigger one coming along behind.”
“Tut tut my dear. Am I ever going to ease your cynical mind?” Mr. Prentice said coming up behind her.
Lily shook her head. She was relieved Duffy was dead but it wasn’t going to fix everything. There were still too many who believed in living off the mistreatment of others.
“Excuse me, I want to check on Charlie. Do you need me for anything else, Officer Griffin?”
“No, thank you Lily. I think we will be able to put Duffy’s goons away for a long time based on other evidence we have. We should be able to keep you and Charlie’s names out of the papers.” Officer Griffin turned to Paul. “Come on lad, let’s get you home to your ma.”
“Thank you again, Paul,” Lily said as she digested what Officer Griffin had said about their names being withheld from the press. It wouldn’t do Mr. Prentice’s hotel any good to have its staff member all over the pages of the gossip press.
Chapter 31
“Erin how is Charlie?”
“He’s come around Lily, but he’s likely to have a headache for a while. I’ve bandaged it up but the cut itself wasn’t too deep. He was a lucky man. And so were you. Oh Lily, imagine what could have happened? Won’t you come back with us to Clover Springs?”
“No Doc, but thank you. I feel needed here and it’s a nice feeling.”
“I love you, Lily Green.”
“I love you too, Doc.”
“Do you love me as well?”
Both women laughed as Charlie put his head to one side.
“Thank you, Charlie, for what you tried to do in the park,” Lily said, gazing down at him with a tenderness she didn’t know she had.
“I wouldn’t have been so much of a hero if I had seen the size of the yoke he hit me with.”
Lily knew he was embarrassed with her thanks. She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you all the same. Did you hear that Duffy is dead? Shot by one of his women.”
“Good riddance,” Charlie spat. “Oh my head hurts, can you nurse me?”
“Charlie Doherty you don’t need a private nurse. Now do as Doc says. I have something else to do.”
“Can’t believe you’re leaving me to lie alone.”
Lily giggled at his dramatics. “Charlie, you are not alone. You’re surrounded by half your family and friends. Now excuse me. There is someone I must see.”
Lily went up the stairs still smiling. She couldn’t believe a man had tried to rescue her. Sure, Mick Quinn had helped her get away from Dickinson but that was because he was a nice guy. Charlie had intervened because he seemed to care about her.
She walked into the suite where Mattie was sleeping. The labored breathing took Lily’s smile away, her eyes filling with tears as she rushed to the woman’s side.
“Mattie, can you hear me?”
There was no response.
“Mattie, Duffy is dead. He’ll never hurt another woman again. You helped bring him down. You did a wonderful thing. Mattie, please listen to me. You’re the reason many girls will now be safe.”
“No point talking to her miss, she can’t hear anything.”
“Get out. Now. Leave.” Lily hadn’t even noticed the maid sitting in the room, her face a mask of complete indifference to the poor victim lying in the bed.
The maid ran. Lily lay on the bed, pulling Mattie close to her and cried. “Mattie, squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”
Lily lay there for a few seconds until she felt it. It was only a flicker at first and then a little bit stronger. Mattie had heard her.
“Oh Mattie, you can hear me. Stella is going to be fine too. Doc Erin will look after her, she promised. Now we just need a miracle. You have to get better, Mattie, you just have to.”
But Mattie didn’t. With one last sigh, she was gone.
Lily cradled her in her arms for ages. She forgot all sense of time. She just held the girl who had helped, and cried for her, for herself and most of all for all those who still needed help.
Chapter 32
Charlie winced as he patted his hair down in a bid to cover the bruising. He wouldn’t do Lily any favors turning up at her fundraising dinner looking like the local gangster. The bruising on his face had yellowed some and Nora had done her best to cover it with some sort of powder. Despite his protests that he wasn’t a sissy, he had to admit the stuff she used hid the worst of it.
Having seen her and Robbie together, he realized Nora had been right all along. Robbie was the man for her regardless of his background. He decided although they would never be close, his future brother-in-law was a good man and would look after Nora.
“What are you smiling about?” his sister asked.
“I was just thinking of you and Robbie. That poor man has no idea what a terrible woman he is marrying has he?”
“Aw you. Do you want another bruise to match the one you have?” Nora teased him back before linking his arm. “I heard you were very brave. Took guts to stand up to Duffy’s goons. Lily is a lucky girl.”
“Do you think so? I’m not so sure. I mean you only need to look at her and see she could have any man she wanted.”
Nora’s eyes clouded slightly but she didn’t get a chance to say whatever was on her mind as Doc Erin and her friends joined them.
“You look much better this evening Charlie. How are you feeling?”
“Better, thanks Doc. You should stay in New York. The hospitals would be clamoring to get someone with your skills.”
“Don’t let my husband hear you say that Charlie. He can’t wait to get back to Clover Springs and, to be honest, neither can I. Are you sure you won’t join us?”
“No thanks, Doc Erin. New York is my home. I can’t see myself ever leaving it.”
“Well, the offer stands if you ever change your mind.”
Charlie knew he wouldn’t. Unless Lily decided she wanted to go back, but for some reason, she didn’t hold the town in the same high esteem as her friends appeared to. He hadn’t asked her why. It never seemed to be the right time.
He hadn’t asked her to go courting either or told her he wanted to live the rest of his life with her. It was true what the lads used to say: when he finally fell in love it would be hard and fast. He couldn’t imagine feeling the way he did about any other woman the way he did about Lily. Now he just had to hope she felt the same way.
Chapter 33
Lily hit her desk in frustration. Ever since she had spoken to Mr. Prentice about her idea to help women and children caught in bad situations, he had been so supportive. He had given her reason to believe that someday she may be able to achieve her dream. But the local priest was already trying to interfere. She wished she never approached him.
“What’s wrong? What did that poor desk do to you?” Robbie asked as he walked into her office.
“I am just so frustrated. Who on earth does Father Devine think he is?”
“God?” joked Robbie.
Lily frowned at him.
“Sorry Lily, I shouldn’t joke. What’s wrong with the priest now?”
“I happened to bump into him a few days ago. I introduced myself but he had already heard of me. Seems he knew of my involvement with Ned Duffy. Anyway, I explained my idea of how I wanted to w
ork with women like Stella and the other girls, people like Duffy could exploit.”
“How did he react?”
“He seemed to think it was a good idea.”
“So what’s with the face?”
“I just read this.” Lily held up a piece of paper. “It’s a letter from the good priest telling me that he will support my endeavors.”
“And that isn’t a good thing because?” Robbie said looking confused.
“He insists we only help baptized Catholics. I mean for the love of God how on earth am I to know whether someone is catholic or not. And why would I care? I want to help people not teach them about religion.”
Robbie came toward her, took the letter and read it quickly. Then he tore it up.
She stared at him, shocked.
“That’s as much notice as I would take of that. He has no business telling you what to do. Nobody does. Mr. Prentice knows what you want to do and he supports you. He pays your wages. Nobody else matters. You are not going to set up a sanctuary in Father Devine’s church so it is none of his business who you see and what you do.”
Lily wished it was that simple. But Father Devine had a iron grip on Hell’s Kitchen. She would nearly rather face Duffy again than take on the priest.
“Lily, you can do this. Just because he wears a frock doesn’t mean he is any less of a bully than Duffy was. You have to believe in yourself. See the strong, backside kicking woman who would take on anyone if it meant saving one girl from a life of torture. That’s who you are, Lily Green. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.”
Lily just sat, staring at Robbie. Overwhelmed by what he had said, she had no reason to question his honesty. She knew he believed what he said. The only problem was did she?
“Thanks Robbie.”
“Anytime. Now what did I come in here for? Oh yeah, Mr. Prentice is looking for you.”
“I was and I sent you to find her ages ago. What have you been doing?” Mr. Prentice said as he walked into the office.
“Nothing boss. I just had to sort out some rubbish.” Robbie winked at Lily and left.
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