Time of Fog and Fire: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Molly Murphy Mysteries) (7 page)

I just wished Daniel’s message had been clearer. If he had written to say, “My dear wife, I miss you. Please take the next train out to be with me,” I would have known what was expected of me. Now I worried that I’d arrive in California only to have Daniel say, “What in God’s name possessed you to come out here when I’m in the middle of an assignment? You could be putting my work in jeopardy. Please take the next train home.”

I was relieved when Gus tapped on my front door to say she’d just returned from the bakery and I should come to have coffee with them. I picked up Liam and carried him across the street, noticing how heavy he had become lately. How would I manage with such a lively youngster on a train and in a strange city?

Sid was sitting propped up on the sofa again. She looked rather hollow-eyed and held out a languid hand to me. “Molly, how are you? You look about as tired as I feel. I hardly slept a wink all night with the pain in this wretched leg, and I’m sure you didn’t sleep much either.”

“You’re right,” I replied. “I was awake and worrying most of the night. But I think I might have discovered something that confirms everything you said, Sid.”

I came over to her and handed her the letter. Gus came over to join us, peering over Sid’s shoulder. “Notice there are four words that are heavily written and even underlined?”

“I see that ‘Caruso’ is emphasized,” Sid said. “Well, that makes sense. Obviously Daniel is impressed that Caruso is to visit San Francisco. Oh, and the word ‘opera’ is also stressed. And ‘myself’. And ‘embroidery.’”

“Look at their first letters,” I said.

“They spell ‘come,’” Sid said, her voice no louder than a whisper. She looked up first at Gus and then at me. “How clever of you, Molly. And now you know that I was right. He does want you with him.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree now,” I said. “But what a huge undertaking. Obviously I can’t leave Liam behind.”

“We would look after him for you,” Sid said.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask that of you,” I replied. “He’s into everything these days as you know very well. A real handful. And you need looking after yourself.”

“How stupidly inconsiderate of me,” Sid said. “If I hadn’t had that ridiculous fall, then we could have taken the train to California with you. You heard us say that we were longing to visit the West Coast. We would have had a wonderful adventure together. But as it is…”

“As it is you can’t travel,” I finished for her. “But you know, I was wondering whether Bridie could stay with you? I would hate to take her out of school when she’s doing so well and enjoying it so much, even though I’m sure she’d be a big help to me on the train. And you know she’s no trouble. She can help around the house and run errands for you.”

“Of course she can stay with us,” Gus said. “And you’re quite right. You should not interrupt her schooling. I’ve been so impressed at how quickly she’s making progress.”

“Like a little sponge,” Sid agreed. “Loves to read. She can work her way through our library.”

I sighed. It seemed that every obstacle was being removed from my path. I was going to have to go to California whether I liked it or not.

*   *   *

It was only when I had taken down my valise from the top of the wardrobe and was thinking about what to pack that I remembered Mrs. Endicott. If I was now really going to San Francisco, perhaps I could undertake to find her husband and report back on him. Perhaps I could even persuade her to come with me. I would dearly appreciate company on that long train journey. I bundled Liam into his buggy and set off for her house. I was shown into her back parlor, where she was lying on the chaise longue, a rug over her, and clearly still in her night attire.

She held out a hand to me. “My dear Mrs. Sullivan. How good of you to call. And dear little Liam too.”

“You are unwell?” I asked as I pulled up a chair to sit beside her, holding Liam firmly on my lap as he squirmed to be put down.

“Just a little tired,” she said. “I have been overdoing it recently and with my delicate constitution I have to recuperate from time to time. I am thinking of going up to Saratoga to take the waters. That always seems to revive me. Have you visited that delightful town? The waters are truly curative and there is such a variety of wonderful entertainment too. Concerts and plays and all kinds of soirees.”

“I haven’t had the chance to go there yet,” I said.

“Then you must come with me. I’d welcome the company and I will pay your way. We shall take the waters together.”

“I’m sorry, but I came to tell you that I am about to undertake quite another journey,” I said. “I am going to California. My husband has written to say that he wants me to come out to him.”

“But that is wonderful.” Her face broke into a smile, making her look much younger. “I’m sure you will love it. They say the scenery is incredibly beautiful and San Francisco has become such a fashionable city. And Caruso. You will be there for the arrival of Caruso.”

“I came to see if you would not come with me,” I said. “Would you not like to surprise your husband with a visit? I would be on the train with you to help you with baggage and things. You could get a sleeper car. It would not be too strenuous.”

She held up her hands. “How you do tempt me, Mrs. Sullivan. I would dearly love to see Mr. Endicott again, but I fear I have to reject your kind offer. I know my limitations. You see for yourself that after a few small excursions in the city I am thoroughly exhausted. And I travel so poorly. I should be prostrate with travel sickness within half an hour of leaving New York. And in addition Mr. Endicott might not be glad to see me.”

“What husband would not be glad to see his wife?” I asked, mindful that the same doubt had entered my own head.

“You do not know Mr. Endicott. He is a very masterful man. He likes to arrange everything, to be in control of everything. He might well be furious that I had undertaken such a journey without his permission at a time that might not be convenient for him.”

She sat up and leaned toward me, resting her hand on my sleeve. “But you, Mrs. Sullivan. You can go on my behalf. You can seek out my husband for me. You can report back on him. I will naturally pay you for your time and effort. I will make it worth your while to find Mr. Endicott for me.”

“I’m not sure how much free time I will have, but I will certainly do my best for you,” I said. “I am only sad that you will not come yourself.”

“So am I, my dear. So am I. But I do know my limitations. I hope you understand them.”

“Of course,” I said. “Let’s hope I can report back to you with good news in a week or so.”

She rang the bell and had her maid bring down albums with various photographs of Mr. Endicott in them. I could see from the expression in his photographs that he was indeed a masterful man; one rather pleased with himself. In any pictures of them together she appeared a mere shadow beside him, looking out fearfully at the world. I selected a couple of pictures to take with me and promised I would send a telegram as soon as I had any news.

I took my leave then, turning down her invitation to stay for luncheon. I had much to do and wanted to be under way as soon as possible. I had once been as far as Albany by train and I knew that the route continued on to Chicago. I wasn’t quite sure how one proceeded from there. My mother-in-law had taken the train to Minneapolis and had complained how wild and primitive it was. Even Sid and Gus had not made the trip across the whole continent. And yet I, Molly Murphy from a peasant’s cottage in Ireland, was expected to undertake the trip with my young son. I felt sympathy with Mrs. Endicott when she said that travel was too much for her. At this moment it seemed an enormous undertaking for me. It was true I had crossed the Atlantic, but Liam had been a small baby then, easier to handle than a rambunctious toddler. And several days on several trains would undoubtedly be more of a challenge than a pleasant cabin on a boat.

As I pushed the buggy back home worrying thoughts were flying around inside my head. Why did Daniel want me to come? He was not an impulsive man. Presumably he needed me for a very good reason. And that reason could only be that he was in danger. But if a trained police captain was in danger, what could I, a mere woman hampered by a small child, do to help him? And how exactly did he expect me to help him? It was extremely puzzling. If he needed help, surely there were other policemen he could call upon in a big city like San Francisco. Or he could telegraph Mr. Wilkie and have another agent sent to him. The more these worried thoughts flew around inside my head, the more I questioned whether I had misinterpreted the letter and would be making a stupid mistake by going out West. There had been upheavals in my life. I had been in danger myself and undertaken great journeys, but I don’t think I had ever felt as sick or as scared as at that moment.

Eight

There was no sense in putting it off. I started to pack the valise. I had no idea what the weather was like in San Francisco. If Daniel was in a sea of fog, it could well be cold. So I made sure I included a shawl for myself and a warm jacket and hat for Liam. Daniel’s letter said he was staying in a mansion. I stood with my wardrobe door open, staring at the dresses hanging there. Two of them were evening gowns. Would I need such a dress if I were to fit in with fashionable San Francisco society? But that would necessitate bringing a bigger suitcase with me. Maybe even my cabin trunk. And if I was only there a few days, that that would seem to be superfluous. Then I reasoned that Daniel had written that letter from a mansion. If he were staying there, then I too would be invited to stay. And I didn’t want to let my husband down by appearing dowdy and poorly dressed. And small children needed frequent changes of clothes.

So I sighed, went up to the attic, and dragged down the cabin trunk I had taken when we went to Paris. Then I packed the evening gown and the rose silk day dress in tissue paper, as well as my evening cape. For travel I would wear something more sturdy—the dark-blue two-piece costume I had had made in Paris last year, and my overcoat in case the weather was cold along the way. The trunk was then filled with Liam’s clothes and diapers. I was glad that potty training was well under way as it would mean less accidents and less laundry. But who knew whether he would go back to more babyish ways when he was far from home on a long journey?

After I closed the trunk and dragged it down the stairs I packed a carpetbag for the train. I expected the trunk would travel in the luggage van and I wouldn’t be able to get at it until we arrived in San Francisco. To our nightclothes and toiletries I added his favorite toys—some blocks, a little wooden train, as well as the stuffed bear he slept with. Then I stood looking at the pile of luggage and couldn’t bring myself to move. Should I try to catch this evening’s train, or wait one more day, just in case?

Just in case what?
I demanded of myself.
Don’t put it off. If you’re going, go.

I waited expectantly for the mailman, just in case another letter arrived saying:
Forget everything I told you yesterday. All is now well.
Or something along those lines. But the mailman passed by without putting anything into my letter box. When Bridie came home from school I told her the plan. She looked at me with big eyes, obviously scared by this sudden turn of events.

“How long will you be gone?” she asked.

“I really don’t know, my darling girl. Not long, I hope. But Miss Walcott and Miss Goldfarb will take good care of you. You know that.”

She nodded. “I know they will. But I was thinking about you. How will you manage with Liam on your own? You know he likes me to sing him to sleep. And I make him laugh when he’s in a bad mood. I could come with you if you like.”

“I know you’re a marvel with him,” I said. “But your schooling is more important right now. I don’t want you to miss your lessons. So you stay here and study hard and the ladies have said you can read the books in their library … and you know how many books they have?”

She managed a brave little smile then and I realized that it was being separated from me that worried her. She’d had enough upheavals in her young life. She’d been taken from Ireland as a small child. She’d lost a mother, then a father. No wonder she didn’t want to let go of me.

“I’ll write to you every day. I’ll send you picture postcards of the places I visit and I’ll be back before you know it,” I said, sounding a lot more cheerful than I felt.

Then I walked her across the street to my neighbors. They greeted her warmly. Gus took her up to show her the room they had prepared for her. She had even chosen a few books she thought Bridie would like and put them on the bedside table.

“And while you’re with us we’ll teach you to cook all kinds of interesting food, so that you can cook for Molly and Captain Sullivan when they come home,” she added.

We went down to the front parlor to say good-bye to Sid. She made a big fuss of Liam and then hugged me. Since Sid wasn’t normally the effusive one this made me all the more uneasy, realizing that she believed I was going into unknown perils.

“Take care of yourself, please,” she said, holding both my hands and looking up at me. “Don’t do anything too risky. Send us a telegram if you need to. Tell us to get in touch with Mr. Wilkie and we’ll have help sent to you in a jiffy.”

“Hardly a jiffy,” I said. “It takes at least four days to cross the country.”

“The government does have troops stationed out West, you know. I’m sure they could be mobilized into action on your behalf if necessary.”

I had to laugh at the thought of the army rushing to save me. I held on to her hands tightly. “Let’s hope it won’t come to that. But please do say some prayers for me. I’m not quite sure who you both pray to, but I’m sure any prayers will get to the right place.”

Gus walked with me to the front door.

“Godspeed, Molly. Come back to us safe and sound.” Then she handed me an envelope. “Just a little something to make you think of us,” she said.

It was their emotional farewell, more than anything, that made me realize how far away I was going. Bridie was wiping away tears, and Liam, sensing the heightened emotion, burst into tears himself, holding out his arms to go to Bridie, as the front door closed between us.