The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2) (21 page)

"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.

The nanny that the boys were raised by was―none other than―her. Her mother, sister and later her daughter all lived with the Harrisons after her father died―her father had been employed as the family butler before he passed away. They took pity on the girls and allowed them all to stay. Apparently the father, like his sons, had an eye for the ladies. Remember when I told you that her sister became pregnant out of wedlock? Well, it wasn't so magnanimous a gesture after all that they took the baby in because the father was the elder Harrison. She was sent away to live with an aunt, and tragically died in childbirth. The son she gave birth to was Patrick Harrison. The father arranged the adoption of the boy―and I don't think that Mrs. Harrison ever knew, but either way, she died soon after from pneumonia. She said she wasn't sure to this day if the brothers or Patrick are aware that he is actually their half brother."

Hugh and Madeline listened with great interest as she went on.

"There's more. Her daughter, Patricia, also was the victim of a Harrison. She conceived a child by Joseph. She ran away after the birth―left on a ship to Europe―and Lady Mary has never seen her again. She left on a ship to Europe, and she doesn't even know if her daughter is alive or dead. But like Patrick, the father once again arranged an adoption of sorts."

"No...you don't mean, Alfred?" asked Madeline.

"Yes, Alfred is her daughter's child, and Lady Mary is his grandmother. She has so much grief in her heart, and even though she resents them for what they did, she is loyal and devoted to them for having cared for the two boys. Alfred, of course, is not as well positioned as Patrick, but still he had his education taken care of by them and is guaranteed a position for life at the Harrison."

"Does Alfred know?" asked Hugh.

"She says she has never had the heart to tell him. She thinks he might be ashamed of her because of her lack of breeding or education. She doesn't know how he would take knowing that Joseph is his father and the others his uncles."

"What a web of deceit! It seems it just adds further suspicions," said Hugh.

"As far as the missing girls, even the alcohol did not make her forthcoming about that. She kept saying she would protect them no matter what they had done," said Mrs. O'Malley.

"I'm going back there and see if Alfred will speak to me. If not, I will see Jonathan," said Madeline. "I will see you later for dinner."

Chapter Seventeen

The Twins

While waiting in the lobby
for Alfred, Madeline once again looked over at the area where the twin sisters were seen so often working on their papers and sipping their tea. She had attempted to see Marilyn, but her aunt said she was unwell and was resting. The aunt said Marilyn had not been able to eat anything and was in such an agitated state that she was unable to stop crying.

When Alfred did come forward, smiling as always, he said, "Mrs. Donovan, what is it? You look as if you are troubled."

She spoke to him of Nancy and her sudden disappearance.

"Do you know which girl I am speaking about? Surely, you have seen her. She is all but a fixture at the French cafe."

"Yes, I believe I know the girl. This is quite a serious matter. I agree with you that it has gone beyond a reasonable doubt that the disappearances are not connected in some way. I can see now also your point about their presence in the hotel. I will do all I can to assist you. I promise you I will make a greater effort to convey your concerns to the brothers," Alfred said.

"There is Christopher and Joseph. Wait here. I will see if they will come over to speak with you," he continued.

She waited, watching the way they interacted. They looked at her several times, then finally approached her.

Christopher spoke first, "I'm sorry about your friend―the hotel will do all it can to help. Bring her picture in. We will show it to our employees. Perhaps someone will have seen her."

"There are so many girls who frequent our establishment, I do not see how anyone will remember just one. But like my brother said, we will endeavor to assist. Alfred can help you now. We are late for an appointment," said Joseph.

"Mrs...I'm sorry I have forgotten your last name," said Christopher.

"Donovan."

"Mrs. Donovan, although I sympathize with this situation, I would like to point out that you, and you alone seem to be preoccupied with thinking that there is a criminal who resides in our hotel. The police have not been at our door, but you remain a constant thorn. I hope you will tread lightly."

She wasn't surprised by his comments, as she knew she was an unwelcome burden to them.

"Thank you just the same for your assistance," she said.

Madeline had been there several times, and now the people she spoke with displayed a sense of alarm that perhaps something untoward was truly taking place at the hotel. Alfred took umbrage at this and said, "You see, Miss, this is why the brothers are against you doing this. It may start a panic or have dire effects on business. I think that is enough for today."

In the evening, she told Hugh what had occurred.

Hugh asked, "Are you game to go back tonight? I would like to see the basement and these cauldron's of lye."

"Yes, let's go see Jonathan," Madeline replied.

Jonathan was working on his article about the Hull House and other Chicago attractions, but readily agreed to return to the basement.

"One of these days, we will find that the lock has been changed. I can't believe our luck so far that we have not gotten caught," Jonathan said.

At ten, they made their way to the staircase that took them to the basement. The smell once again overwhelming them all.

"The odor of decay is enough to make one ill. This is bizarre," said Hugh.

The rats in the corner were gone, and additional animal skeletons―which they assumed were from the rodents―were floating in one of the barrels.

They each went to different areas, looking for something, for anything that might provide a clue as to what had occurred in that terrible place.

Madeline strode around the three large vats of lye, looking around and under each one. She was about to move to another area when she spotted something gleaming on the floor. Kneeling down, she reached into a small crack in the floor, juxtaposed to the bottom of the barrel. Reaching down and picking up the small treasure, she almost yelled out in joy.

She walked as quickly as she could to Jonathan, who was closest to her.

"Jonathan, look, it is the link we have been waiting for. Now the police must investigate this place."

She handed Jonathan the platinum ring that matched the ones Maria and Wanda were in possession of. Hugh now joined them and whispered, "I think we have all we need now. Let's get out of here."

When they were safely in Jonathan's room, she said, "I don't like to say it aloud, but what if the body of one of the girls was placed in there, and during the boiling process, her ring fell off to the ground?"

"It is a gruesome thought. A few weeks ago, I would have said that was completely a fantastical notion. But now, I think it may have some validity," said Hugh.

"How will we say we found the ring without admitting what we were doing here?" asked Madeline.

"It is not as good as finding it in the basement, but I can say I found it in the hall near my room. It may not be the truth, but it will serve two purposes. The police will finally investigate The Harrison, and whoever left it there will act. One of the brothers may respond to the finding of the ring," said Jonathan.

"Madeline, take the ring with you. I don't trust it being in this room. You never know if they have been searching my room to see what we have uncovered. I am always careful to keep my notes with me," he continued.

"We will return tomorrow afternoon, and we can go to the station together," said Madeline.

Hugh and Madeline enjoyed their nightly beverage by the window seat. The air was crisp, and the wind had cooled the night, although still warm, they opted for steaming cups of Earl Grey.

"I enjoy our time together, Madeline, despite all that is happening. The ring is the most revealing of all things we have discovered because it points to a direct connection now to the hotel. Whether it's the brothers or someone who resides at the hotel, we know it can be traced back to there," said Hugh.

"I feel we are the closest we have ever been to catching a killer. I hope that we will find Nancy in time," said Madeline.

They laid the ring on the ledge of the window seat. "It is a thing of beauty. Who would think that such a token of love and commitment would now be a symbol for murder?," said Hugh.

Then unexpectedly, he took her hand and said, "Madeline, have you ever thought there might come a time when you would consider marrying again?"

Looking at him now, at that late hour, with the moonlight shining upon his face and highlighting his lovely black hair, she thought it might be but only said, "It is something I have not given much thought to since Russell passed. I'm afraid it might not be in the alignment of my stars. Something has changed in me that I cannot touch or put a name to, but it is a feeling that the door of love might be closed to me forever."

With those words, Hugh removed his hand from hers and said, "I hope one day that might not be true.

"Well, tomorrow will be a day of note. The police will surely have to act now."

They spoke of their childhood days, and other memories before bidding each other good-night. Somehow this calmed her, and she had a peaceful sleep.

The next day, in the early morning hour of seven, their telephone rang. It was not unusual to get telephone calls because of her father's work. They were one of a very few families that had the luxury of a telephone, but for a doctor, it was a necessity. However, they received very few calls other than from the hospital. This morning it was from Marilyn.

"Madeline," she said, her voice barely audible through her tears. "Madeline, it is a miracle. The most wonderful news...Nancy is home."

The shock Madeline felt at those words was, this time, a good feeling.

"You must have much to say. I cannot imagine the story Nancy must have to tell. Will you both come for lunch? I will invite Hugh and Jonathan so we can all hear your story."

Marilyn went on to tell her how happy she was that Nancy was safe and home. Madeline could tell by the gasps while she spoke that this was a matter more easily discussed in person. The importance of it could not be understated.

She knocked on her father's door feeling that she had to tell someone what Marilyn had said. But to her disappointment, her father had already left for his office. She decided to go upstairs to Hugh's flat to tell him the news.

Hugh met her at the door, romantically disheveled, wearing the smoking jacket and silk pajamas she had seen him wear in London during her recovery at his home. Impulsively she embraced him for a long minute.

He responded asking, "What's all this?"

"You simply must come to lunch today. We will have the most blessed visitor," she said playfully waiting another moment before revealing her news.

"All right. I know Phillip is out at sea, so I know not who you could mean."

"It will be Nancy."

"Nancy! The missing twin sister?"

"Yes!"

"That is startling news. Let me dress, and I will come right down so you can tell me all about it."

Mrs. O'Malley had the tea brewing and set out some toast and jam for them.

"You must sit and hear the news, just as soon as Hugh gets here," Madeline said.

Hugh arrived, looking still somewhat tousled.

"Excuse my appearance―I could not wait to hear what you had to say."

"It is Nancy―she has returned home. All of our worries have been allayed. Truthfully, after what happened to Maria and Wanda, I did not hold out much hope that she would be found alive."

"I agree with you. That is remarkable. What happened to her?" asked Hugh.

"Marilyn and Nancy will both be here at noon for lunch and tell us all that has occurred."

"Oh my...I must go to the market. I do not have anything suitable for a luncheon," said Mrs. O'Malley.

Hugh excused himself so that he might properly put himself together, and Mrs. O'Malley left, leaving Madeline to her thoughts. She would spend the time writing notes in her journal of the progress that had been made.

She held the ring in her hand, then placed it in front of her on the table as she wrote.

The ghastly truth is that there is someone who has lured young girls, apparently preferring blondes, with some method of enticement into captivity. I don't believe the girls were frightened at the time of their meeting with the perpetrator. Of all the many girls who have gone missing, two are confirmed dead, but the rest, with the exception of Nancy, remain missing.

I believe the answer lies with the rings. It is a token of love, so perhaps the captor begins by wooing his victim, and then if she does not comply the way he wishes, then and only then, he harms her. Of the brothers, I believe all had the capability of doing such an act. Christopher is arrogant, dictatorial and bends everyone to his will. I could imagine that he might wish to enslave a beautiful woman. Joseph appears to have an inordinate desire for lovely women, and Patrick wants love, but feels inadequate and may wish to keep women by other means than love. Lady Mary, Alfred, and Willie, I could easily see would be complicit in doing whatever the brothers would want to be done and may have helped lure the girls to the hotel, or wherever they are being held. Nancy may be able to reveal much to us today.

She continued to write, explaining how she found the ring by the barrels of lye and all that had happened. Putting her pen down, she chided herself that she had just finished a glass of white wine. She had poured it without thinking, her nerves jangling from all the news. She could no longer deny that she was once again falling into the arms of addiction. She wondered if she ever again would ever be truly free of her desire to numb the pain of things too powerful for her to accept.

She thought again of her personal traumas and about what Hugh had intimated. Besides her obvious love that remained for her deceased husband, she had personal life issues that she felt were not conducive to a committed relationship with another man. She always made bargains with herself saying that tomorrow she would defeat the things that plagued her, but those promises slipped away. She did not know if she could confide in anyone―not father, Hugh, or Jonathan―about her personal failings. For now, she would give herself up to trying to become a worthy adversary for the demon she was chasing.