The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14)

“Other women have done it, so why not us?” Sid said. “Our mantra is living life to the full.”


I’m not sure where this conversation would have led if Daniel had not burst in through the front door at that moment. “Where’s my birthday boy?” he demanded, and he swung Liam up into the air, making him squeal with delight.

The party had officially started. Daniel was persuaded to open the champagne, and we toasted Liam’s birthday. Then we sat and ate. Even my mother-in-law had to admit that Sid’s chicken liver paté was delicious and the smoked salmon sandwiches were perfect. Sid and Gus in turn praised Mrs. Sullivan’s scones. Then she went into the kitchen and returned with the birthday cake in a festive paper wrapper, with one lit candle on top. We showed Liam how to blow it out, which he enjoyed so much he wanted to do it again. Then I cut the cake and we all got a slice. Liam was allowed for once to tear his apart with his hands. It was a light sponge with butter cream and jam in the middle, and the adults enjoyed it equally. After we were stuffed with food, we wiped the worst of the jam and crumbs from Liam and sat him on the rug to open Sid and Gus’s presents.

The first one was a drum. Sid showed him how to bang with the drumsticks, and he took to it so much that he had to be persuaded to put it down and open the second one. This was a wind-up monkey that turned cartwheels. Liam was mystified and rather scared as it came toward him. He headed rapidly for me and stood, holding onto my skirt. But the third gift was also a big success—a big ball with stripes of different colors on it. Liam immediately picked it up and wanted to run off with it.

“You’ve been far too generous,” Daniel said to Sid and Gus. “I feel guilty that we’ve had no time to buy a present for our son yet, but you have more than made up for it.”

“He’s our only nephew,” Sid said. “We had a splendid time at FAO Schwarz choosing the toys, didn’t we, Gus.”

“We did. We were laughing so loudly that we got black looks from the store assistants,” Gus said. “I’m glad to see they are a big success.”

“I’m not so sure about the drum,” Daniel said, as Liam returned to it and started beating on it loudly. “That may be put away for special occasions.”

“Like when his father is at work,” Sid said.

We laughed until I said, “Which he is, most of the time these days.”

“You’re still investigating the same case, Captain Sullivan, are you?” Gus asked innocently.

“I am. And it’s proving to be very difficult.” He held up a hand to forbid any further discussion. “But let’s not spoil my son’s birthday and talk about gloomy matters.” He got up. “Come on, boy. Let’s go into the hall and see how well you can kick the ball to your father.”

After Sid and Gus were gone, we sat at the kitchen table, sipping at a last glass of champagne.

“Well, that was a good day, wasn’t it?” I said.

“It was,” Daniel agreed. “The tyke loved his gifts, didn’t he?”

“And his cake.” I laughed. “He had more on his face than went into his mouth.”

Daniel reached over and took my hand. “Let’s hope there are now more good days to come, Molly.”

Almost on cue, there was a knock at the front door. “Sid and Gus probably found another present for Liam,” I said, smiling as I went to answer it. Instead, a skinny young constable stood there, red-faced and panting as if he had been running.

“Is Captain Sullivan here?” he asked.

“Yes, he is, but…” I began.

“Tell him we got another note,” the constable said.

Daniel was into the hallway in an instant. “Another note? When?”

“Delivered not five minutes ago, sir. I ran all the way like you told me to.” The constable handed over an envelope to Daniel, who opened it and read it, scowling. Then he looked up. “And do we have any idea who delivered it? Was someone posted outside headquarters on the watch?”

“Yes, sir. It was a young kid, about eight years old. He was asked who gave the note to him, and he said it was a bigger boy, who’d told him that he’d give him a dime if he went to police headquarters and back in less than five minutes.”

“A bigger boy, huh?” Daniel was still frowning. “He thinks ahead, doesn’t he, this one? There could be a whole chain of boys, making it impossible to trace.” He folded the note again. “Very well, Dobson. Wait a second and I’ll come with you.”

He turned back to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, my dear. I have to go.”

“Another note?” I asked. “What did it say?”

He shot me a warning look. Policemen aren’t supposed to discuss threatening notes with their wives. “I don’t know when I’ll be back,” he said. “Don’t wait up for me. I’m glad we managed to have Liam’s celebration before this.” He gave me a wry smile. “So much for good days, huh?”