I saw Gus and Sid opening the gate and going through. I knew I had to leave but I didn’t want to abandon this treasure trove of information.
“And I’ll tell you another one,” Miss Gallinger said. “The young woman. The daughter, isn’t she? Very beautiful, but also quite devious. She used to slip out a lot. In fact the day that the girl died, I don’t believe her mother was even there.” She paused for effect. “I never did find out where she went. Do tell me if you ever learn, won’t you? I should be most interested.”
“I will,” I said. “But I really must go now.”
“Of course you must,” she said. Then she called after me, “Take care, my dear. I suspect that the Hannan clan are not the nicest of people in some ways. It’s never good when people acquire money and don’t know what to do with it.”
Twenty-nine
Sid and Gus were just closing the front gate behind them when there was a clatter of horse’s hooves and a cab came up the street toward us at a lively clip. As I watched it came to a halt outside the gate. The cabby climbed down to assist the passenger and out climbed Daniel’s mother.
“Holy Mother of God,” I muttered. That was all I needed right now. But of course I hurried across to join her like a dutiful daughter-in-law.
“Mrs. Sullivan. How good of you to come,” I said.
“As if I could stay away with my boy lying at death’s door,” she said. “Why are you not at his side?”
“He is a lot better than when I sent you the telegram,” I said. “Still not his usual self, but at least that awful fever has broken.”
Gus and Sid had come over to join us as Mrs. Sullivan paid the cabby and the cab departed.
“You remember my mother-in-law, don’t you?” I said. “Mother Sullivan, you remember my two bridesmaids, Elena Goldfarb and Augusta Walcott.”
“Of course I do. I suppose you are here because your family owns one of the cottages, Miss Walcott?” Mrs. Sullivan was all charm and politeness.
“We’re here to support Molly,” Gus said. “She was so worried about Daniel and we thought she needed company.”
“How very kind of you. Molly, you are lucky to have such considerate friends,” she said. “But don’t let’s stand here. Take me to my boy.” I opened the gates and ushered them through. “My my,” she said. “What an imposing-looking place. Not that I’d want it for myself … drafty inside, is it?”
“Rather gloomy,” I said, “but we are not staying there. We are in the little guest cottage on the property. It’s rather cramped, as you’ll see.”
I led them up the path and the thatched cottage came into view.
“Good heavens, now why would anyone build an old thing like that,” Mrs. Sullivan said. “No wonder Daniel got sick. I’m sure that thatch harbors all kinds of insects and diseases.”
“Mind how you go,” I said as I led her up the stairs, with Sid and Gus bringing up the rear.
“Look who I found on my way back from town,” I said, ushering them in to Daniel.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Ma, what are you doing here?”
“Your wife sent me a telegram that you were at death’s door. I came as soon as I could,” she said. She sat on the bed beside him and took his hand. “How are you, my dear? You don’t look well at all.”
“Certainly feeling better than I was yesterday,” Daniel said. “It was good of you to come.”
“I’ll stay and help Molly take care of you now that I’m here,” she said. “You need building up, that’s for sure. What have you been eating?”
“Very little,” I said for him. “He doesn’t want to eat.”
Mrs. Sullivan patted his hand as if he were a child. “Don’t worry, his mother knows what to tempt him with. If your wife will show me to my room, I’ll go straight down to the kitchen and make you your favorite things.”
“I’m really not up for waffles and that kind of stuff, Ma,” Daniel said.
“Then I’ll poach an egg just the way you like it, and some stewed fruit, maybe? With a vanilla sauce?” She nodded with satisfaction when he didn’t answer. “Come on then, Molly. Where am I to sleep?”
“I’m afraid there’s just one small bedroom through here,” I said. I opened the door. It did look dark and gloomy, with the window opening at the back of the house onto pine trees.
“It will have to do,” she said, the disapproval clear in her voice. “I’m surprised they didn’t invite you to come up to the castle when Daniel became ill.”
“They have their own problems at the moment,” I said. “The owner of the castle, Alderman Hannan, was found dead two days ago.”
“God rest his soul.” She crossed herself. “What a shock. Heart, was it?”