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

"Yes? Can I help you?" she asked in a

clipped English accent that may or may not have been put on. She was eyeing me up and down as if I was something that the cat had brought in. I was conscious of my travel-stained skirt that needed a good washing and ironing, and my old woolen shawl which had certainly seen better days.

"I've come about a position," I began. "Oh yes?"

"A governess position," I said firmly. Now she looked surprised. "Governess? I hardly think--"

"I have just arrived in this country," I said. "I may not be looking at my best, but I can assure you I have a high quality of education, and I'm good with children. I was just hired to escort two young children across the Atlantic." This was a flash of inspiration and I saw it register in her eyes. "I was educated with the daughters of gentlefolk," I went on. "I know Latin and French and I'm very well read in the classics."

"I really don't think--" she went on, but I didn't give her time to say what she didn't think. "And I have references," I finished triumphantly. "From the best families --from titled families."

That clinched it. "Really? Well in that case we may be able to help you. Please take a seat, Miss? ..."

"Murphy. Molly Murphy."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Murphy. I am Miss Fortescue.

May I see the references?"

I handed them to her. She read them, then nodded approvingly. "Most satisfactory," she said. Of course they were. I had a fine way with words when I chose. "I'm sure we'll be able to place you in a suitable position," she said. "Just as soon as we've had a chance to check on those references."

"To check on them?" I blurted out. "But they're all the way over in Ireland. It could take weeks before you get a reply. The viscount and viscountess travel a lot. They usually spend the winter in the south of France."

She gave me a patronizing smile. "This agency prides itself on the meticulous checking of references. We would never risk our reputation on sending out a girl before she was thoroughly vetted. I'm afraid you'll have to be patient if you wish to work through us."

"But I can't afford to wait for weeks before I'm hired." I took the references back from her. "I have to pay for my room and board with no money coming in. I'm afraid I'll have to look elsewhere for a job. Maybe I should try finding a position through the advertisements in the newspapers."

"As you wish," she said, "although I assure you the best families will be as meticulous in their hiring procedures as we are. Of course, if you choose to leave New York and go out West, then you might find standards are considerably laxer. In California, or Colorado, so I understand, they will hire just anyone."

"Thank you, I may do that," I said.

I rose to my feet. So did she. "If you change your mind ...," she began when another woman, slightly younger but no less severe looking, came scurrying out of a back room and beckoned fiercely to Miss Fortescue.

"That was the alderman's butler on the telephone," I heard her mutter. "He said they are desperate. The alderman has a dinner party tonight--"

"The alderman will just have to wait his turn like everyone else," Miss Fortescue said. "Trained parlor maids do not grow on trees."

"So what should I tell him?"

"That we will do our best to find him a speedy replacement. I have some more girls arriving from England at the end of the month."

"He won't be happy."

"I'm sorry, but that's the best we can do." The younger woman scurried into the back room again. Miss Fortescue looked around and saw me still standing there.

"Thank you for stopping by, Miss--uh--. So sorry we couldn't help you," she said with a dismissive wave.

"By any chance, would that be Alderman McCormack?" I asked.

"We never discuss our clients," she said in a horrified voice. "Good day to you."

I came out into the crisp cold air and stood on the sidewalk, trying to collect my thoughts. My heart was racing at the preposterous idea that was forming in my mind. If it was Alderman McCormack who was desperate for a new parlor maid, then maybe I had found him a suitable replacement.

Twenty

I couldn't believe my luck. If only I could gain access to the alderman's household, I might have a chance to find out the truth for myself. It shouldn't be hard to discover whether the alderman came home on the night of the Ellis Island murder. It might not even be hard to find out about his background in Ireland. Even if it turned out that he wasn't the alderman who needed a new parlor maid, I'd have an excuse to chat with his servants. I imagined the satisfaction I'd feel when I presented Daniel Sullivan with the truth. I was so impressed with my own cleverness that it never crossed my mind that I could be putting myself at considerable risk.