Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #1)

"He's a good guy, salt of the earth, and I won't say anything against him," the man at the bar declared into his almost empty pint mug.

"I'm not connected to Mr. Boyle in any way, except that I was on Ellis Island when a friend of mine got mixed up in a crime," I said. "Mr. Boyle might be able to set things straight for us, that's all."

"Then you best go ask him yourself," Paddy said. "West Twenty-ninth. It's only a few blocks from here."

I was glad to be outside again in the cold,

crisp air. I set off again in the direction of Boyle's street, but I was getting cold and tired and hungry by now. I wished I'd been able to slip away an extra slice of Nuala's bread from under her eagle eye. It was awful knowing that I had no money and no way of earning any. Those thoughts were going through my mind at the very moment that a man approached me.

"Pardon me, miss." I turned to look at him. He was smartly dressed, wearing a derby hat and white spats, and he was carrying a silver-tipped cane. "Are you looking for work by any chance?"

I stared at him, wondering if he was an angel in disguise, been sent to rescue me. "Yes, I am, actually. Do you know someone who's hiring?"

"Me," he said. "I'm looking for a smart, pretty young lady like yourself. In fact you'd do very nicely, I think. You're Irish, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

"Just arrived off the boat?"

"A couple of days ago."

"Living with your family here, are you?" "No, sir. Living with acquaintances at the moment. As soon as I find a job, I'll be getting a place of my own."

"Perfect." He smiled, revealing an impressive gold tooth, "if you'd be so good as to follow me then."

He led me down one backstreet after another. I wondered what kind of work he was offering. None of these buildings looked big enough to be factories. At last he knocked on a dark green door. It was opened a few inches and he muttered something, looking back once at me, then beckoned me inside.

I was unprepared for what was inside the door-- thick carpet, plush sofas, and chairs, a crystal chandelier hanging from a painted ceiling. These were the sort of furnishings they had at the Hartley's mansion, not behind a plain door in a poor part of the city.

"Holy Mother of God," I exclaimed. "Whose house is this?"

He smiled. "Nice, isn't it? Madame Angelique likes to live well. Wait there and I'll fetch her to meet you."

A maid? I wondered. Being a maid wouldn't be all bad. I might get room and board, and

I'd certainly get enough to eat. I looked up as a door opened and a large woman came in. The first thing I noticed was that she was wearing makeup. Her lips were bright red and her cheeks had circles of rouge on them, too. She paused in the doorway and looked at me through a lorgnette. "Ah, yes. Nice cheekbones. A little too skinny for my taste, but she might do quite nicely."

She glided into the room. I noticed the tiny feet. It was amazing how her fat body disappeared into tiny silk slippers. I smiled at her shyly. "I'm a good worker," I said. "I'm used to hard work. I'm not sure what you're wanting, but I'm a fair cook, too. Would there be room and board with the job?"

Her small, piggy eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh yes. Room and board would definitely be provided." She came very close to me, took my chin in her pudgy hand, and peered into my face. "You have just left your home, child? You are all alone here now?"

"I have some acquaintances, that's all." "But you need a job and a place to stay? Then I think this might suit you very well." Her accent was slightly foreign--French, maybe?

"What sort of work would I be expected to do?" "The work isn't hard," she said. "You would be instructed in your duties by some of my other girls."

"When could I start?" This was indeed a miracle. I couldn't wait to see Nuala's face when I told her I was moving to a place that had real crystal chandeliers.

"Why not now?" She looked at the man who had brought me.

"Then I should go and get my things right away." "Your things?" She looked amused again. "After today I do not think you will be needing your things. I am sure that you own nothing worth retrieving when I am going to supply you with a whole new wardrobe of the finest fabrics." Another glance at the man, who wasn't looking entirely happy. "The dressmaker was coming this afternoon, anyway, wasn't she? We could have her measured up."

"If you say so. You really think she'll do?" The hand grasped my chin again, squeezing it almost until it hurt. "She has the air of freshness, of innocence, don't you think? It could be most appealing."

"Yes, but--"

"No buts, Jimmy. I make the decisions around here, and don't you forget it. Do I or do I not have a feel for selecting girls?"

There was a strange undercurrent going on. I felt a jolt of uneasiness. "Excuse me, but exactly what are you hiring me for? Is it a maid you're wanting?"