Oh Danny Boy (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #5)

She tossed back those perfect corkscrew curls.

A battle was raging within myself. I was all for telling Miss Norton exactly what I thought of her, but I knew that I had to remain calm if I wanted to get anything sensible out of her.

“Believe me, I wouldn’t have come to see you if it hadn’t been extremely important,” I said. “I presume you must have had feelings for Captain Sullivan once; and even though you have parted company now, you would not wish to see him dead.”

That worked. She took a step back, startled. “Dead? What do you mean? Daniel’s not dead, is he?”

“Not yet,” I said. “But he’s been arrested. He’s in a horrible prison cell where he may well languish and die, if he’s not beaten to death by the other inmates.”

Those large, blue eyes opened even wider, enhancing the china doll look. “Daniel, arrested? What has he done?”

“It is claimed that he is in cahoots with a gang, that he accepted a bribe. He maintains that he is innocent and that someone is orchestrating his downfall.”

Arabella’s face remained composed, but she clutched the little dog to her so tightly that it whimpered. Then she stroked its head and shrugged. “I’m very sorry for him, of course, but I don’t see why you came to tell me this. Surely he’s now your concern, not mine.”

“I wondered if you might have any idea who could have planned this,” I said carefully, remembering Miss Van Woekem’s reaction. “Who wished to ruin him? I thought you might know someone with whom he had crossed swords or who carried a grudge.”

She shook her head and the curls danced again. “I know of no such person. Daniel was well liked and respected in our circle. And of his professional life, I’m afraid I know nothing at all. You say he was involved with a gang? There’s your answer. The criminal classes are always stabbing one another in the back.”

“So you can’t think of anybody you know who would be pleased to see Daniel’s ruin?” I persisted. I was looking her right in the eye and she returned my stare without blinking. “In spite of our engagement, Daniel and I were never that close. So I’m afraid I can’t help you, Miss Murphy.”

I opened my purse. “Look, could I give you my card? If anyone comes to mind, anyone at all—any occasion on which he had an altercation and hasty words were said, would you let me know?”

“One has the occasional falling-out, but it rarely leads to sending a friend off to prison,” she said. “You Irish always overdramatize everything. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding, and he’ll be out in a couple of days.”

I shook my head. “I’m afraid he’s in serious trouble, Miss Norton. More serious than even he realizes.”

A smile twitched at her lips. “How very vexing for you. All that effort to snare yourself a handsome beau, only to find that he’s been taken away from you again.”

I bit back the words I wanted to say. “I’d like you to know, Miss Norton,” I said as evenly as I was able, “that I broke off all contact with Captain Sullivan the moment I learned about you. I respected your understanding. And even if Captain Sullivan is released from jail, I’m not at all sure I could consider a future relationship with him. He hasn’t proved himself exactly reliable so far.”

“That’s true enough,” she said. It was the first time we had agreed on anything.

“But I can’t let him languish in jail, even if he deserves it,” I added. “I don’t believe you would wish that on him either. That’s why I’d appreciate any help you could give me.”

She was looking at me with interest now. “You’re a lady investigator, aren’t you?” she said. “Does Daniel expect you to prove his innocence?”

“Yes, he does.”

“Then I wish you luck.” She brought the little dog’s face close to hers and kissed its nose.

“Thank you. I’ll need it.”

“You Irish are a strange people,” she said. “Perhaps you and Daniel deserve each other.”

“My card, Miss Norton. I’d be most grateful if you would take it and think on what I have just told you. If someone wished to punish him, then perhaps the punishment has gone further than they intended. No innocent man deserves to die in jail.”

A spasm of concern, or was it annoyance, crossed that perfect complexion; then she shook her head again. “I’m afraid I won’t be much use to you or to Captain Sullivan, Miss Murphy. Mama is taking me to Europe in a few days’ time. She’s hoping I’ll meet a duke or a count.” Amusement flickered across her face for a moment. “I must play with Gyp now. He’s getting restless. You can find your way out, can’t you?”

“One last thing,” I said, as she put down the little dog and started to walk away. “I understand that Daniel’s father is in poor health. Please don’t tell him any of this. Daniel doesn’t want to worry him.”