The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2) (8 page)

Their conversation focused on Hugh and the news he brought from London, speaking about the aunts and their adjustment to the death of Polly, a Ripper victim and the general conditions of Whitechapel and other political talk. They did not speak about the recent deaths of the young women, believing it to be too difficult a subject to breach over dinner―especially a welcoming dinner―but she would speak to him about it later.

She showed him upstairs to his room where he lingered by the flowers, commenting on the lovely aroma. She was pleased to hear this. It was nothing grand, but it did have a good, clean kitchen and tiny dining area beside the main living room.

"This is wonderful. It is somewhat larger than the quarters Phillip and I share. I'm certain he will like it also."

"Then you have decided to accept my invitation to stay."

"Yes, for a while."

"Please get comfortable. Change into your casual wear, and I will have tea ready for us by the seating area at the window seat. It is my favorite place to muse and put the day's events to rest. You will join me?"

"I would be delighted. Phillip should be here soon. I am sure he will be hungry and in need of a hot bath also."

"I will look for him and see you back downstairs in a while."

She sat near the window seat peering out, watching for her friend Phillip. He had been her first contact with the
SS City of New York
on her way to London. He attended to her as if she were family, and she would never forget that.

She heard the noise of a carriage and looked out to see Phillip bound from it, dragging a large trunk.

"Father, Phillip is here. Could you come and help with the luggage?"

The doctor came out in his smoking jack, partaking of his one vice, a pipe of tobacco that he had on limited occasion. He put it down and said, "I'll be right there."

Madeline held the door for them as they lifted the trunks inside.

"Phillip, my dear friend. How good it is to see you? Welcome to our home," said Madeline.

Hugh had heard the commotion and had come down. "Here, I will give a hand with those. They will go upstairs where we are staying."

"Come down quickly when you are through so that we may have a visit," said Madeline.

"If you don't mind, Miss, I would like a hot bath and to rest a bit, but I am hungry," said Phillip.

"We'll have something to eat waiting for you," said Madeline.

"After I get Phillip settled in, I will be down for tea," said Hugh.

Madeline brought the serving table and tray with tea and biscuits over to the window seat. Hugh came down momentarily and joined her.

"I can see you sitting here with the moonlight cascading in, throwing light over your Sherlock Holmes novel," said Hugh.

"The Mystery of Cloomber, to be specific," she said as she laughed. "It is a new novel by Doyle, although it does not feature Sherlock, it is as provocative a read as Sherlock, and I am enjoying it. Perhaps we will have our own reading circle of two sometime."

"Before Phillip comes down, please tell me what happened to your Miss Maria, the girl you were looking for?"

She went on to describe the recent events including the most recent finding of the unidentified girl in the river.

"Perhaps you would like to go with me when I deliver Maria's dress to Marilyn, the girl who has agreed to try analyzing the cloth."

"I would like that and a chance to see some of this new city."

"There he is!"

"It's been a long day, and I would be most grateful for a cup of hot tea," said Phillip.

"Come. Sit in the dining area. We have some Irish stew, freshly cooked bread, and some cakes. If you are still hungry after that, I'll find something else for you," said Madeline laughing.

"The tea is excellent," said Phillip. "It is Earl Grey, not your Darjeeling."

"I confess I began to drink it in remembrance of you and your cousin, and now I have taken a liking to it," said Madeline.

Father and Mrs. O'Malley joined them.

"Son, you must have a hundred stories of your adventures at sea, and I insist on hearing some of them," said father.

"More like a thousand, sir, and I would be happy to accommodate you."

Phillip held their attention, especially Mrs. O'Malley's, who had never ventured from Chicago, with his tales of the sea and the quirky people he encountered. It was a lovely two hours of light banter and laughter, and now it was nearing midnight.

"Well, I haven't stayed up this late―except for duties from my medical practice―in a very long time. In fact, I don't think since our New Year's dinner aboard the
New
York
. I look forward to dinner tomorrow with everyone," said Father as he bid his good-nights.

Phillip went to the upstairs flat, but Hugh remained with her returning to the window seat.

"Now you must tell me all about your inheritance and your plans while you are staying in Chicago," said Madeline.

"I will, but tonight, may I be allowed the luxury of your company for a short while before we retire and reminisce about our time in London."

She smiled and said, "Oh...of course, that would be most pleasant. We have many tomorrows ahead to speak of many things. Today is the first of what I hope will be many moonlight talks."

Chapter Seven

A Pinch of Sugar

Madeline had a good night's
sleep―something rare for her―not waking once with any dark visions.

"Good morning, Mrs. O'Malley. The clouds have dispersed, and the sun is peeking through. I feel it will be a good day."

"I can see that. I'm sure you will have many good days now that your friends are here."

"I believe you are right. I hope you do not mind cooking for the additional people."

"Not all all, it will be good to have the company."

She heard them both coming down the stairs and welcomed them inside.

"Good morning, gentlemen," said Madeline.

"I meant to tell you yesterday, Miss, that you seem to be quite recovered and look the picture of health," said Phillip.

She was grateful for his words and said, "I hope that is true. There were times of great stress during our attempts to look for the infamous Ripper, but that is all behind us now."

"I hear not completely, for you have ventured into the investigation business," continued Phillip.

"You are quite right, but I cannot imagine ever being involved with anything so dangerous or heinous as what happened in Whitechapel. Now I am searching for what appears to be at least three or four missing girls. I hope to engage your cousin, Hugh, to assist me," said Madeline.

"I see. I plan to take a tour of the city. Some of the lads from the ship and I are interested in taking a walking tour of the downtown area."

"I will join you on another day, Phillip, but today I promised Madeline I will go with her," said Hugh.

"I contacted Marilyn, and she will meet us at the Harrison. The hotel seems to be at the forefront of these disappearances in some way. Some of the girls were known to have frequented there before they disappeared. It may mean nothing, after all, everyone in the area has visited this hotel. It's luxurious motifs, the cafes, and the shops bring everyone there," said Madeline.

She waved to Marilyn and Nancy as they entered the palatial Harrison Hotel. Madeline marveled at the beautiful decor each time she visited. She supposed it was only natural that no one suspected anything could be amiss in such grandeur. Sometimes she wondered herself if her suspicions were misplaced.

"We have many beautiful hotels in London, but this...this is more modern. I don't believe we have any that have shops like these on their ground floor," said Hugh.

"Ladies, may I introduce my good friend from London, Hugh Scott."

Madeline was proud to be on his arm. He was such a distinguished-looking man and displayed impeccable manners. She reminded him of what little girls would imagine a prince would be like.

After a few minutes of polite conversation, Madeline opened her satchel and pulled out just a part of Maria's dress, the sleeve.

"This is the white substance I found in several places on this dress, and I would like to have it analyzed," said Madeline.

"Do you think someone drugged her?" asked Nancy.

"I think it must be considered," said Madeline. "I appreciate your doing this."

"Anything that we may do to be able to help, we will gladly do so. It is the concern of all of us to find these girls," continued Nancy.

"There is Vincenzo again happily painting, and now he has a young girl with him. Would anyone like to walk over and view his latest work?" asked Madeline.

"I will stay here and watch over the parcel, but you go ahead," said Marilyn.

The three of them sauntered over to where the artists had drawn a small crowd to watch them paint.

Vincenzo painted in a more traditional sense, but his companion's work was brighter in color and had an almost illusion-like quality as if the characters she painted were nymphs.

"Miss, I have seen you here before. Would you like to sit for me and have a portrait done? Or perhaps by my assistant, Miss Sobon―Joanie Sobon from Paris," said Vincenzo.

"I greatly admire your work, Mr. DeFrancesco, and Miss Sobon's is also unique, but we are here as observers. It is a credit to you that you have created such a stir. Your audience has grown," said Madeline.

"We survive, that is all. Between us, we can afford a place to stay in this hotel, and we both feel fortunate for that. The Harrison is a magnificent addition to this great city," said Vincenzo.

"For you, perhaps, poor Vincenzo. He was not born in a unique place as I, and still does not understand culture, I'm afraid. I cannot say that I think this is a great city after where I was born. After Paris, I cannot say that any city can compare to it," said Miss Sobon with a teasing nod to Vincenzo.

"I am from London, and I do agree as far as art is concerned that Paris draws all the great painters but do not most of them hail from Italy? Isn't that where you are from, Vincenzo? " asked Hugh.

Vincenzo laughed and said, "Yes, of course. See, Joanie, London or America, everyone knows where excellence comes from where artists are concerned."

"I think Miss Sobon's work is quite original and beautiful," said Nancy.

"
Merci, mon ami
," said Joanie.

"Perhaps another day we will return to sit for a portrait," said Madeline.

They were about to leave when three well-dressed men appeared in the lobby. By the way everyone scurried around and began straightening themselves, she surmised it might be the elusive owners of the Harrison.
At last
, she thought, after a glance at them.

"Excuse me," she said to her companions as she hurried across the room to the concierge.
"Sir, are those men the Harrison brothers?"

"Indeed, they are, Miss."

Without thinking, she walked quickly toward them and caught them as they were about to enter the elevator.

"Pardon me, gentlemen, but I have sought an interview with one of the owner's for several weeks now, and the staff tells me they are not available. I feel I must press my case and ask if you are aware that several missing girls have been known to have frequented your establishment."

"What importance is that to us?" asked the shortest, whose pudgy body and thin, tight smile made him the least attractive of the three.

"I was curious if you might have done your own internal investigation to see if perhaps a hotel guest might have had something to do with their disappearance?" asked Madeline.

"Nonsense! What impertinence. If I hear you even implying such a thing about our hotel, I will thwart your actions. That is preposterous and scandalous," said the lanky, handsome brother with the silver-streaked hair. He looked at her with hatred, even though they had just met minutes before.

"I do not wish to be insulting in any way. I am trying to find some answers, and I believe people connected with this hotel may have seen the girls and may shed some light if questioned," said Madeline.

"If that were true, the police would have been here long before you," he responded. "Now, I must ask that you step aside, we are on our way to an urgent meeting," he added.

She watched them leave her, and she thought it curious that the one brother, who was equally as tall as the one with the silver hair, did not even lift his eyes to look at her or address her in anyway. Instead, he continued to read the newspaper he had in his hand, without diverting his gaze at all. This action offended her, even more than the other's coarse remarks. He was athletic in build and attractive enough to rival any theatrical star. She wondered if this, plus his obvious wealth and position, made him behave the way he did.

She returned and told them of her conversation with the Harrison brothers.

"I wish I could identify them by their first names," said Madeline.

"I can help you with that," said Marilyn. "The shorter, heavyset man is Patrick.  The tall one I saw you speaking with is Joseph, and the quiet one is Christopher. I identified them through an article in the newspaper, but there is also a bronze plaque engraved with their names on it located on the second floor, where the hotel guests reside."

Walking boldly toward them was Lady Mary, with a younger, rather dashing man following behind her.

"Oh no...," said Madeline.

"What is it?" asked Hugh.

"You'll know in a minute."

"I thought after our conversation that I might have persuaded you to curb your pursuit of the Harrisons. This is unacceptable. I will speak to the management to try having you barred from coming into our lovely home," said Lady Mary speaking with an irritatingly high-pitched tone.

"I have told you that I am not trying to cause anyone any inconvenience, but I feel I must ask the questions.  Do you not care about these girls?" asked Madeline.

"They are the worry of their families, not ours. Your continued actions can ruin the fine reputation of this hotel. You are not welcome here," continued Lady Mary.

"Lady Mary is distraught. I'm sure she does not wish to sound unkind. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Alfred O'Connor, I am the personal assistant to the Harrisons, and they have entrusted me to watch over our beloved Lady Mary. She is over protective of the brothers; that is all."

He then took Lady Mary by the hand and said, "This young lady means no harm. It is all right."

"If you think so, Alfred. I trust you. I need my coffee―where's my coffee?" said Lady Mary.

"It is waiting for you on the patio, and your friend Willie is there right now," said Alfred.

Lady Mary walked away, looking somewhat befuddled, but left without further incident.

"Thank you, Mr. O'Connor. I am Madeline Donovan, and these are my friends."

After introductions, she added, "I understand her feelings. She naturally wishes to defend anything to do with the Harrison's and the hotel. She is right, I have no authority to ask, and I depend on the good will of the hotel. I would think it in their best interest to also want to know what happened to these women seen in your hotel. I'm sure they would like to know if some unsavory character might be residing in one of their suites."

"I'm sure there was no intent to try to inhibit your search, just the hotel protecting the privacy of the people who stay here and attempting not to create any rumors that might be harmful to business," said Alfred.

"If I am unable to speak with any of the Harrisons, would you consider letting me interview you?"

"Let me see what I can do. I will endeavor to secure you an interview. If the brothers do not have an objection, I will be happy to speak with you," said Alfred.

"Thank you. That is what I have been hoping for. Will you contact me, or should I return tomorrow?"

"They are expected to be in town for the next few weeks. Tomorrow may be too soon, but the day after, on Saturday, you can return then. I will have an answer for you one way or the other. And...by the way, I will speak to Lady Mary and see if I can't smooth her feathers."

When Alfred left, everyone began speaking at once. Marilyn and Nancy both blushed when they spoke of Alfred, Madeline believing they thought him attractive. Hugh seemed to be at a loss as to what was going on, and she said she would explain everything later when they took tea together in the evening.

"What did you think of Lady Mary?" asked Madeline to all who were present.

"She is an unusual woman to be sure, but how lucky for her to have such a delightful man escorting her around," said Marilyn.

"I don't remember seeing him around before, but he is not wearing a wedding ring. I think I would like to see him again, perhaps invite him to join us for tea at the cafe?" said Nancy.

"Sister, he must have made an impression on you. You don't usually notice men at all; your eyes are hidden in some book," said Marilyn.

"You must admit that he is the most handsome man," replied Nancy.

Her comments seemed to make Hugh uncomfortable, and when Nancy realized this, she began to cough and fidget.

Madeline changed the subject to Maria's dress.

"Ladies, I am sure we have taken enough of your time. Should we meet you back here at any specific time for the results? I know it might be a few days...," said Madeline.

But Marilyn interrupted her.

"No...not at all. This is important. We will leave right now and obtain permission to be in the lab tonight. I should be able to have your answer by tomorrow. Perhaps we can all dine together."

"That is a wonderful idea, and you shall all be my guests," added Hugh.

"Hugh, would you mind going to the coroner's office with me. I'd like to see if I can find out anything about the body that turned up in the river."

"It wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I thought of seeing the sights with you, but I know you have serious work to do. I will gladly accompany you," said Hugh, touching her shoulder in a familiar friendly manner.

"I know they won't let me in to see the body, but I am hoping I may obtain some information as far as to her identity."