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

“What you suggested. Trying to remember any cases in which I was instrumental in bringing about a death penalty. I really can’t think of any that fit the bill, though.”


“Maybe it wasn’t even the death penalty. If you had someone shut away for life, that could be considered similar to a living death, couldn’t it? A loved one could blame you for taking away a brother or father.” Then I tapped him excitedly on the arm. “Or, better yet. You’ve been a policeman for fifteen years. What if you had someone convicted for life, or a long sentence, but it was commuted for good behavior, and the man is now finally free? Maybe he’s a quiet and brooding sort, and all these years he’s been plotting revenge against you.”

Daniel licked his lips. “You might have something there, Molly. It’s worth looking into anyway. I’ll have my sergeant get in touch with Sing Sing and find out who might have been released recently. Then we can see if any of them ring a bell.” He gave me a weak smile. “Well, that’s something to go on, isn’t it?”

I decided to pluck up my courage and maybe get my head bitten off. “Daniel, I know you haven’t wanted me to get involved in any of your police work in the past,” I said. “But you said yourself that you are stumped. I’m wondering how you would feel if I did a little poking around myself. I thought I could visit the next of kin of the murder victims.”

He held up his hand. “Oh, no, Molly. I’m sure you mean well and want to help, but I’d never hear the last of it if word got back to the commissioner that I was so desperate I’d had to use my wife.”

“Hold your horses a moment,” I said. “The people I interview need not know who I am. I could find some pretext, so they wouldn’t know I was your wife.”

“What sort of pretext?” he asked, still suspicious.

“It would be different for each one, wouldn’t it? I’d be a newspaper reporter, doing a piece on the dangers of trolley cars in Brooklyn. I could easily pass as a female student who was a friend of Simon Grossman. I’ll think of others as I go.”

“But what would be the point, Molly? Do you think that I and my men haven’t asked every conceivable question? Haven’t looked into their backgrounds, their connections thoroughly?”

“I’m sure you have,” I said. “But I’m a woman and a civilian and therefore not a threat. Women chat to other women. I could talk to the servants in the richer houses. There may be things that haven’t come out yet, or things that nobody would want to tell to the police. And maybe it would just take one small detail…”

“In case you’ve forgotten, you’re in no condition to go running all over the city,” he said. I could tell that he was torn. He didn’t want me getting involved. His pride was railing against it, as well as his caution at putting me into possible danger.

I decided to add my trump card. “In case you’ve forgotten, Daniel Sullivan, I am already involved in this. You believe that the killer might have had me in mind when he derailed that train, don’t you?”

“If he derailed the train. We’re still not quite able to believe it, and we’ve still no proof to hint that it wasn’t simply human error.”

“But if he did, then I’m already involved. If he’s scheming to get at me, then I want to get him first, don’t you understand?”

He drummed his fingers on his desktop. “But I want you to take time to heal, Molly. Not tax yourself at the moment.”

“I know that. But time is of the essence here, isn’t it? We’re racing against the clock and against another possible murder.”

There was a long silence. Then he said, “You’re a good detective, Molly. I’ve never said that you weren’t. But this is a tremendous risk … my career…”

“You yourself just said that your career might be in jeopardy if you can’t solve this case. So what have you got to lose?”

He sighed. “You’re right. What have I got to lose at this stage?”

“So I have your blessing? You know I don’t like going behind your back.”

“I’ve noticed,” he said with a grin. Then he reached out and took my hand, pulling me closer to him. “You have my blessing. But if anyone finds out what you’ve been doing, I shall deny all knowledge of it. Oh, and, Molly, nothing stupid or risky, understand? You can ask questions, but no climbing in through windows, or any other reckless behavior.”

I put on my most demure smile. “Daniel Sullivan—when have I ever engaged in reckless behavior?”

“I could name about a hundred occasions,” he said, “but I hope you’ll remember that you’re older and wiser now, and you have a husband and child to consider.”

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll be the soul of decorum.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” he said.