Oh Danny Boy (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #5)

Partridge continued to frown. “Then you have set yourself a daunting task, Miss—uh—Murphy, and one that seems doomed to failure. Because, unfortunately, his crime was committed in the presence of witnesses. Myself and two stalwart police officers were on the scene to witness his interaction with a known gang member and to intercept the money changing hands. I don’t see how you intend to prove that we didn’t witness what we did.”


I faced him, looking him straight in the eye. “Oh, I believe you did witness it exactly as you said. But Daniel was meeting this gang member in good faith. He was supposed to be receiving a list of names, not a bribe. He believes, as I do, that the whole scene was orchestrated by somebody intent on his downfall. You were brought to the spot at the right moment. Money was somehow secreted in the envelope.”

The commissioner chuckled. “And how did that happen? Or was it Monk Eastman himself who wanted Sullivan out of the way?”

“No, it wasn’t,” I said. “Trust me. I’ve already spoken to Monk about it. Somebody either intimidated the gang member or managed to exchange the envelope somehow.”

“Has this gang member himself been questioned?” Partridge turned to Atkinson, who shook his head. “He seems to have skipped town, sir.”

“Very wise, considering.” Partridge chuckled again.

“Or very useful to somebody,” I said. “Somebody who wants to make sure he keeps his mouth shut. Somebody who wants to make sure there is no witness for the defense.”

“And who might this mythical somebody be?” he asked. “Have you managed to unearth a conspiracy against Mr. Sullivan?”

“I’m working on it,” I said. “It would appear that one or two people might have a motive to want him out of the way, but not to want his complete and utter ruin. That would take someone with the most horrible grudge and hatred in his heart.”

At that moment the prison governor appeared. “My dear Commissioner,” he began, opening his arms expansively. “What a singular honor for us. You’ve come to see how the building is progressing? Excellent. You’ll be pleased with the new wing that is almost completed.”

Hands were shaken. Pleasantries were exchanged. I stepped out of the way, thinking it might be prudent to make myself scarce at this moment. The party was about to move off when Partridge turned to Mr. Atkinson. “You’re here to see Sullivan today, are you?”

“No sir, another client, just brought in.”

“And Miss Murphy was here for what reason?”

“She wanted to see Sullivan. I have discouraged these visits. It gives the prisoner false hopes and can even interfere with any case we might be able to present.”

“Quite right,” Partridge said. He turned to me. “My advice to you, little lady, is to go home and leave this to the professionals. Atkinson is doing what he can.”

“If only Sullivan would cooperate, I could work to get him the lightest sentence possible,” Atkinson said. “But he is being stubborn. He still won’t admit to any guilt.”

“And no more should he,” I exclaimed before I realized that I should probably be playing the helpless female at this point.

“She claims she has new information for Sullivan but she’s unwilling to share it,” Atkinson said, sounding rather like the model pupil, telling tales to the schoolmaster.

“Why don’t we all pay a visit to Sullivan right now,” Partridge said amiably. “Then I can get a feel for myself as to whether his defense has merit and whether the conspiracy you suggest is in any way possible.”

“I think you already know the answer to that,” I said, “and I would not upset Daniel even further by exposing him to his accuser and a lawyer who has no interest in setting him free!”

I went to sweep past them in a dignified exit. But Mr. Partridge grabbed my arm. “I admire your bravery and your loyalty,” he said, “but I don’t think you realize you are playing with fire. Go home and read your Sherlock Holmes stories, because in real life young women who dabble in affairs beyond their scope have an unfortunate habit of winding up dead.”

He released my arm. “Now, Governor, let’s go and see this new building of yours.” And he was gone.

I came out of the building alone and stood with the particles of brick dust flying around me, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Had that been a direct threat, or was he just warning a young girl as any avuncular figure would? I had no way of knowing. What’s more, I was furious with myself. He had been right. I had probably put Daniel’s whole case in jeopardy by revealing my hand like that. Now he knew I was working to prove Daniel’s innocence he could do any number of things, like rush through the trial, or transfer the prisoner. It didn’t need to be anything too obvious, but a cell with the right amount of damp and mold, or a cellmate who was already infected with consumption, would do the trick quite easily.

I wasn’t going to let that happen. I brushed the dust from my shoulders and sleeves and stepped out into full sunlight. At least I hadn’t revealed the information I had come to give Daniel. If Partridge were the guilty one, that would be on his mind. He’d be asking himself how much I had found out. Which wasn’t too good for my own health and safety.





THIRTY-ONE