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

"Not if I want to keep my job,"

Daniel said. "Listen, Molly, you have to understand how New York works. Tammany Hall calls the shots. They make life easy for the police and we turn a blind eye on each other. It's not ideal, I agree, but that's how it is. Any policeman who went after a Tammany man would be digging his own grave. And if the alderman is involved in shady schemes, he's also much loved here in the city. He gives to all the charities. He arranges the most splendid St. Patrick's Days. And he's very, very careful. Anyone who tried to take him to court would find there were no witnesses and no proof."

"Then this is a corrupt city," I said. "No more than any other city, I'd imagine. And it's a good city, too. My parents came over here, starving in the Great Famine. When Tammany came to power, my dad became a police man. He rose through the ranks and earned enough to send me to Columbia University. That's the good thing about life over here. It doesn't matter what you start out as, you have the chance to rise above it."

"I'm hoping to make something of my life," I said. "I have to find a job--as soon as my face heals enough to go out in public again." I put my hand up to my swollen cheek.

"What sort of job are you looking for?" "Not as a house servant. I don't have the temperament and I don't think, somehow, that I'd get a good reference, do you?"

Daniel came to sit on the arm of my chair, where I was wrapped in blankets beside a fire. "So what would you like to do?"

"You know," I said, "I've been thinking. I think I might have a flair for investigations."

"Holy Mother--what are you saying?" "That I want to become the first woman detective in the New York City

Police?" I asked, and laughed when I saw his face. "No, listen, Daniel. I've been thinking. When I left Liverpool there were so many

people who were trying to trace their loved ones in the New World. Maybe I could establish myself as a people finder."

"Haven't you learned your lesson yet, woman? Private investigations, indeed, I've already had to fish you out of the harbor once."

"Oh, I don't mean criminal investigations. I'll leave that side of it to you. But there should be enough people in Europe who want to know whether a loved one is dead or alive, don't you think? And it certainly beats the only other job offers I've had so far."

"Which were?"

"Fish gutting or prostitution."

He laughed and slid his hand into mine. "There is another option," he said. "You could think of settling down."

I laughed. "Can you really see me settling down to lace curtains and afternoon tea? And do you have a suitable gentleman in mind?"

Daniel got to his feet and laughed, too. "No, I was just talking off the top of my head, as usual. I need to get back to work. I just came by to make sure you were doing okay."

After he left, I sat staring into the fire. I might be a newcomer at the game of love, but I had definitely sensed he was about to propose to me. Something had made him back off in a hurry.

Was there something about Daniel Sullivan that he didn't want me to know?

By St. Patrick's Day I was on my feet and the bruises had faded enough for me to go out and face the world. The O'Sheas had been more than kind and allowed me to stay with them until I was back to health. I only discovered later that Daniel had been paying them for my keep. Reluctantly I decided that I couldn't impose on them any longer and told Daniel that I had to go back to the hostel.

"I think I've found something a little better than that," he said. "Not too far from where I live. One of our sergeants has an attic he's not using at the moment--lovely view across the river, quiet neighborhood, and no Bible reading."

"That would be wonderful," I said, "but I have no job and no money."

"It's sitting empty at the moment and I'm

sure that Sergeant O'Hallaran won't be pounding on your door for rent straightaway," he said. "And as for that, I do have a little something to keep you going. Alderman McCormack was very distressed that you had to leave his employment in such circumstances. He had no idea that he had invited a dangerous criminal to his house, and he'd like to make amends to you and hope that you can find a suitable job that makes proper use of your talents." He handed me a leather purse. It felt heavy. I looked at him suspiciously.

"Daniel, is this a bribe?"

"It's a gift from a very philanthropic gentleman and if you're sensible you'll take it."

I was about to tell him that I had higher moral standards than that. I couldn't be bought. Then I realized that I was a fugitive criminal, had traveled under a false identity, and lied to the police. What would one more step down the road to crime matter? I took the purse from him. "You can thank the alderman for his kindness," I said. "And tell him that I'm turning my talent in another direction."