“No, a fall from the cliffs.”
“I thought I overheard someone in the train talking about the alderman’s death, but I didn’t realize it was the man who owned this estate. They were saying what a good thing it was for Tammany Hall. Apparently he was supporting one candidate to head up Tammany but the rank and file wanted another man—silent Charlie Murphy, I believe they called him. Alderman Hannan was dead set against this Murphy and everyone feared a rift. The two men opposite me said that his death was a godsend. I thought that was a funny way to put it, don’t you?”
I nodded. “Strange. But then Tammany politics have always been strange, haven’t they?”
“They’ve done plenty for the Irish, so we can’t say too much against them.” She looked up as Sid put her bag on the chair beside the bed. “Thank you, my dear. Now show me where the kitchen is and I’ll get started.”
“We have a local girl who’s been cooking for us,” I said.
“Splendid. Then she can help me.” With that Mrs. Sullivan marched down the stairs and into the kitchen. I pitied Martha. I went back upstairs to find Sid and Gus standing talking to Daniel.
“Don’t worry, Captain Sullivan, we are not about to tire you with idle girlish chitchat,” Sid said. “But do let us know if there’s anything we can do, other than keep dear Molly company.”
“You’re most kind,” Daniel said, “and frankly there’s nothing I do need at the moment. I confess to feeling as weak as a kitten.”
“Well, isn’t this turning into a merry party,” I said, joining them.
“Why on earth did you have to send a telegram to my mother?” he asked with a resigned sigh.
“The doctor told me to prepare for the worst and to notify your loved ones. I thought she ought to know,” I said. “I didn’t expect her to show up here.”
“You obviously don’t know my mother well enough yet.” He managed a tired smile.
“Anyway, I’ve seen the doctor’s wife and he will include you in his daily round,” I said. “Maybe he can make you up a suitable tonic. But in the meantime, what about some fresh air? Could we assist you downstairs, between us, or at least put you beside the open window?”
“I don’t think I could tackle the stairs yet,” he said. “But I could sit in the window if it would make you happy.”
We moved the little armchair and then helped him across to it, surrounding him with pillows and rugs. When we’d finished he had to laugh. “Look at me, I look like a ninety-year-old.”
“I brought you a copy of the Times when I was in town,” I said. “And some grapes and oranges.”
He took the newspaper. “I might manage a grape,” he said.
“And you remember the portrait of the little girl,” I said. I wondered why I found it so hard to use her name.
“In the gallery? You didn’t buy it, did you?”
“No. It had gone. The man at the gallery said that the painter had taken it back. He thought maybe he had found his own buyer. I thought it might be interesting to find who had wanted to buy the picture at this exact moment.”
Daniel wagged a finger at me. “Molly, what are you up to? Remember I warned you about getting involved in a case that doesn’t concern us. The local police are handling it and we should leave it to them, however annoyingly slow they seem to be. Now you women please leave me to enjoy my newspaper.”
As we went down the stairs Gus whispered to me, “He’s not looking well yet, is he, Molly? I hope sitting in the chair is not too much for him.”
“I am concerned about him,” I agreed. “That’s why I asked the doctor to visit again today, although I think I agree with Daniel that he’s an old quack.”
“At least you’ll be free to come and go as you please with his mother watching him like a hawk,” Gus whispered to me.
I shook my head. “I rather think my job will be to give him enough rest and keep her occupied. I wonder how long she’ll stay?”
“We can help too, if you want to go back to New York first thing tomorrow,” Sid said. “Much as I dislike rising before eight, we can make the sacrifice and come here in time for you to catch the six o’clock train.”
“You’re very kind, but you heard what Daniel just said. I really don’t want to upset him now.”
“You want to find out the truth, don’t you?” Sid asked.
“Of course I do, but Daniel is my husband, and he has been very ill. I must think this through and see what the doctor says when he comes.”
A few minutes later a harried-looking Martha came to tell me that Daniel’s mother had taken over the cooking and was there anything else I’d like her to do?
“I think it’s better if we let her keep busy,” I whispered and she grinned. Then she looked up. “Doctor’s here,” she said and went to answer the front door.
“Now what are you doing out of bed?” the doctor asked when he came into the bedroom and saw Daniel in the armchair by the window.