The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter Twelve

The Skeleton

"
Would you like me to
come with you and examine Jonathan?" asked father.

"I think I would like to bring him back here instead for dinner. Hugh and Phillip can join us. Mrs. O'Malley will return this afternoon, and I will leave a note that we will have guests."

"All right, if you are certain."

"You did a fine job of suturing. I don't think the additional bleeding was anything significant enough that it could not wait to have the wound looked at."

She did not tell father about what had occurred, saying only that they had a pleasant visit with Jonathan.

"Give my best to Jonathan," said father.

"I will, father, I will," she said as she left to board her awaiting carriage.

She deterred immediately from her destination of going directly to Jonathan's room when she saw Alfred.

"Mrs. Donovan, I have been awaiting your visit. I should have thought you would have come the very next day. You were so adamant about your request," said Alfred.

"I'm afraid I've had a recurrence of a malady I have. I do suffer so with headaches, and when one afflicts me, I find I must pass the day in solitary reading a good book."

"Yes, women do tend to be distressed with such things. That's why they must be treated as the fragile creatures that they are."

"You are so observant and kind."

She wasn't sure if she could fool Alfred. He seemed too bright a young man for such a simple ploy, but she wanted to appear non-threatening. She had thought better of her bold approach, believing it not to be in her favor and would now try the submissive, curious only, young sleuth.

"If you will have a seat, I have something I must do for Lady Mary, but I will return shortly."

"You must care for her very much. You seem so attentive to her."

With an indiscernible smile, he replied, "I care for everyone at The Harrison and aim to please."

He turned away, and she looked to see if Marilyn or Nancy were at the cafe. She didn't see them, but Vincenzo and Joanie were painting, appearing every bit the show people, and in their element. They were an attraction all into themselves. Her black silk dress, dotted with small roses, came high up her neck, accenting her long neckline. Joanie was adorned with black feathers across her hair and dangling, teardrop red earrings. They sparkled brilliantly in the light of the sun streaming into the lobby from the skylights. They stood dipping their brushes in bright colored oils, painting portraits and amazing everyone with their skill. Vincenzo appeared in Italian Renaissance garments,  his chiseled face glowing in the attention he received from his audience.

"Vincenzo, are these beautiful outfits as a result of your mysterious benefactor?" asked Madeline.

He stopped for a moment and looked quizzically at her, "I am certain I do not know what you are speaking about?"

She realized she might have spoken of something that was not her place to know about. She tried to fabricate an answer.

"Miss Joanie has told me you have sold many paintings to some unknown purveyor of art."

"That is not at all true. What is this silliness! I told Madeline about your secret meeting. What is the harm in that?" said Joanie, tightening her lips together.

"I'm afraid my dear, Joanie, does not always know what she is saying and embellishes many things. You know how French girls are, especially the wickedly, foolish, young ones," he laughed.

Madeline sensed by his actions, and the way he turned his back on her, continuing to paint that perhaps she had said too much about something she did not understand.

"It is true. I make up fantasies to keep myself from going completely mad. Our benefactor is a sweet old lady who has bought not two, but three paintings from my beloved," said Vincenzo.

"You both look as if you should be painted and set into a fairy tale book," said Madeline. "Could I trouble you to look at these photographs of the missing girls?"

Joanie made an attempt to browse through the photographs, but Vincenzo barely glanced at them saying, "People come to look at us, our eyes on our canvas. I'm afraid I notice little else."

Obviously her question had revealed a side of Vincenzo she had not seen before. He had always been more than amiable and true to his Italian nature, broad smiled and socially engaging.

She walked by the various shops, then returned to the French cafe where she usually sat with Marilyn and Nancy. Lady Mary was outside on the patio, playing cards with her same gentleman friend. When a half hour passed and Alfred had still not returned, she decided to see if Lady Mary might speak with her.

"You're that girl, the one who keeps showing up. I know my Alfred said you mean me no harm, but I don't know...I just don't know," said Lady Mary.

"May I sit?" asked Madeline.

"As you can see, I'm spending my time with my fine friend, Mr. Willie Lancaster. Besides Alfred, he's one of my best companions."

"She's a great lady, and I am sure did not intend to be rude, but is perhaps too forthcoming. After we finish this game, we plan a lovely stroll in the park...perhaps another time," said Willie.

She was not surprised that they put her off but wished she could find out more about her. She definitely appeared to be a woman of means, as each time she saw her she had worn expensive jewelry and wore the finest gowns.

"Alfred, come over and have a cup of tea," said Lady Mary as she saw him walk over, not caring that she had just refused Madeline the same courtesy.

"Perhaps later, I have promised to take Mrs. Donovan around to the businesses so she may question them about the poor young girls who have gone missing," said Alfred.

"Humph...I thought so. You are up to no good, young lady. You will find yourself in trouble one day...mark my words, you will," said Lady Mary.

"Now Mary," said Willie, "She seems a fine young lady. Do not fret. Let us go for our stroll."

"Where would you like to begin?" asked Alfred.

"I suppose the hat shop. If they were here, it would be an irresistible place to go."

They began their investigation with disappointing results. Most of the owners said so many people came through on a daily basis, that they would be inclined to forget if their own mother came in. The only person who thought he might have seen both Felicia and Wanda was a jewelry store owner who thought they had been in to have some jewelry appraised, but wasn't sure. She watched Alfred carefully through the interviews to see if he had any reaction at all, but could discern nothing. He was consistently charming to everyone.

"Is that all for today, Miss?" asked Alfred.

"I do have one favor to ask. When we were last together, and Lady Mary screamed in the room down the hall, you said the room she was in was a fine library. I was wondering if you might show me such a room."

"You mean you would like to see if there is anything amiss in the room to make her scream, as you do not believe she sprained her ankle. Actually, you would be correct, and I will show you why she reacted that way. Come with me."

She was grateful that Alfred had become so cooperative and hoped to find out as much as she could from him about the Harrisons.

When they neared the library, she could hear the brothers arguing in the same room she had been interviewed in.

"Pay no mind to that. They always quarrel, but it is about the running of the business. At the end of the day, they are bonded as all brothers are," said Alfred.

The room, like the others she had secretly seen, was elaborately decorated. The bookshelves themselves were carved and inlaid with ivory. Marble lions as well as other animals served as bookends. Stained glass windows gave the room a majestic feel, similar to walking into a grand cathedral.

"If you like, you may take a book or two with you to read. Their collection is one of the finest I have ever seen. I'm sure the brothers would not mind. Around this back area is what our Lady Mary was frightened by."

Secured on a silver pole, hung a skeleton.

"May I ask why they would have such a thing?"

"They are eccentric. They enjoy studying different things. One of the brothers had dabbled in medicine, Patrick, and he still is fascinated by such things."

Although unbeknownst to Alfred, she already knew about the skeleton, but still its dangling, white bones startled her. It was unnerving that once, this was a breathing person full of life. Now reduced to bones, its function now hanging on display, for someone's personal amusement, seemed garish. She noted that the skeleton did not look like ones she had seen while attending university. It seemed so parched white. She also observed that the deceased had linear cracks on their wrist and ankle. By the pelvic bones, she discerned that it must have been a woman.

"Tell me about them, the Harrisons. They are fascinating," said Madeline.

"They are private people. I can tell you they are generous and treat their staff properly. They take great care if someone is in trouble or needs financial assistance. But their personal life must remain so, it is not my place to speak about them."

"Yes, I understand. You have been a most gracious host, Alfred. Thank you for taking me around."

They said their good-byes and she left the hotel and strolled to the park. She did not wish to have Alfred see her with Jonathan.

While walking back to the hotel, she spotted Jonathan outside purchasing a newspaper. He was across the street conversing with Little Tony, one newsman to another. They were both laughing, and Madeline smiled to see such an innocent sight.

"Jonathan," she called out.

He looked up and waved while walking towards her.

"I wasn't well enough to go out, but certainly anxious to read the daily news. I wish I had access to the New York Times, but I will have to go to a newsstand for that. I had been watching the clock waiting for you to come by. I am glad you are here. Will you have lunch?"

"May we have it in your room? I would like it if we are not seen together if possible."

"Of course, I agree. We will order room service."

They walked together, but did not converse and tried to appear as strangers. Inside Jonathan's room, everything had been cleaned, and fresh fruit, biscuits and coffee placed on his table. The fire was crackling, the suite looking every bit the picture on a postcard.

"I want to interview you about all this, Madeline. Let me get my notebook, and you can start at the beginning. I have some general idea from your letter of what has transpired, but I need the full picture. I think our readers would appreciate a story like this rather than a piece about the sights. Although, I still will be doing that, I'd like to begin with these disappearances. Besides, for the next day or so, I think I would like to allow my back to heal somewhat."

"Oh...yes...here is the medicine from father. It is an opiate, so do be careful on how much you take."

"The pain I am in right now, I feel anything that can alleviate some of my distress will prove a blessing."

It was still difficult for her to be around the white powdery substance that could end one's suffering for a while and bring wonderful peace. She watched as Jonathan almost immediately began to sit up easier and relax his face once he had taken just a small amount. She wondered if she would ever be free of her desire for opium, and had to fight the impulse to ask Jonathan for a dose for herself.

"So tell me about all the girls who are missing. Do you have all their names?" asked Jonathan.

"The first one I had knowledge of was Maria Falco, then came Wanda Gapinski and Felicia Zugaj. Three others girls were reported a short time ago, Julianne Davis, Elizabeth Ross and Sara Anderson. All of the girls are between 20 and 28 years of age, and with the exception of Maria, are all blonde. The two that are deceased are Maria and Wanda."

She went on to fill in as many details as she knew of, including the finding of the rings, and the presumption that Maria may have been pushed in front of the carriage.

"So the police know about the rings. That is the most telling part of this mystery. Perhaps the rings are a promise of better things to come, or the perpetrator's sick mind that he loves them or some such thing."

"The police do know, but it has not even been reported in the news about it, and as far as I know, Louie has not been questioned about it. I agree it is a most significant find."

"I will try my best to see if I can learn anymore about the brothers. If there are in the building, I will try to speak with them."

"Will you return to dine with us tonight?"

"I will write up this article and send it off, and then I will see you this evening."

It was a beautiful day, and she decided to walk home, but then saw Patrick and Joseph across the street headed in the opposite direction. She quickly stepped up her pace to catch up to them. They were headed into the market area where she would be little noticed amongst the throngs of people browsing through the wares for sale.