The Family Way (Molly Murphy, #12)

I didn’t get a chance to mention it to Daniel that evening as he didn’t come home until I was asleep and was gone again at crack of dawn. I heard nothing from Sid and Gus all day and made constant trips to the front window in vain to see if they had returned. When they did, they had no news.

“No sign of your brother or of any kidnappers,” Sid said. “We walked our feet off to no avail. Really that part of the city is too tiresome for words. Too many people and one has to look so carefully where one puts one’s feet. And my dear, the smells! I don’t think anyone we saw ever washes.”

“Don’t feel you have to go back,” I said. “Please leave the letter with Sarah on the off chance that she spots him and that’s all we can do.”

“Never let it be said that a Walcott deserted her post,” Gus said. “We’ll keep going until we succeed, Molly.”

I felt awful that I had asked them to do such a loathsome task while I sat at home, trying not to worry. The problem with not having enough to do is that one has too much time for worrying thoughts.

The afternoon post brought a letter from Daniel’s mother. I opened it with trepidation and was relieved to read that she would keep her eyes open for a suitable girl but that we’d probably have more luck with finding a servant through one of the employment agencies in the city. At least that brought a smile to my lips. The next day was Sunday and Sid and Gus informed me regretfully that they had a luncheon to attend out on Long Island. I asked them to inquire after any Mainwarings who might live on Long Island, since it was an area of impressive mansions.

“Put the advertisement in the Times, Molly. So much simpler,” Sid said.

Daniel had left early on Sunday morning, having to work again. He apologized when he kissed me good-bye, as I still lay in bed.

“I know it’s hard on you,” he said, “but this is a policeman’s life.”

He looked so weary. I longed to take him into my arms. “I don’t suppose it’s much fun for you either,” I said, stroking his cheek. “Are you still working on those kidnappings?”

“They are the least of my worries,” he said.

“Did that poor woman get her baby back yet?”

“Not that I heard. I don’t even know if they managed to come up with the ransom money.”

“Are your men not watching her house to catch the kidnappers red-handed?” I asked indignantly.

“We have to be very careful, Molly,” he said. “We can’t jeopardize the safety of the child. We have a constable keeping an eye on the place, but it won’t do any good. The ransom note came through the mail and the woman didn’t want to show it to me, because it said clearly, ‘Do not show this to the police, or else.’”

“How terrible,” I said.

He nodded. “So we’re no nearer to catching them. I have put my feelers out with all the known gangs and so far nothing.”

“Will the baby be returned to the parents’ address? Maybe you can nab them then.”

He started for the stairs. “The last child was dumped in a basket outside the Foundling Hospital,” he said. “Others have been left in churches. I have to go.” And he blew me a kiss.

The frustration had returned. I could really be helpful if only he’d let me. I’d stand watch outside the woman’s house. I could follow her when she went out and nobody would be any the wiser. Why did Daniel have to be so protective and so insistent that I not get involved with his work? I knew he was acting this way to keep me safe, but it still irked.

Two more frustrating days dragged on with no sightings of Liam and no sign of kidnappers, and no Daniel around from dawn until late at night. When I asked him questions he answered with a snapped monosyllable, clearly exhausted and frustrated himself. I had an advertisement written and ready to put in the Times, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Then on the Wednesday I was just returning from shopping for Daniel’s evening meal when I heard my name being called and saw Sid and Gus hurrying toward me, waving excitedly.

“Molly, listen to this. Great drama.” Gus called.

“You’ve found him?” I asked.

“No, sorry. I’m afraid we haven’t. Still no sign of him. But big excitement with the kidnapping you told us about.”

“Was the baby returned safe and sound?” I asked, filled with hope. “Were the kidnappers caught?”

“More dramatic than that,” Sid said. “We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. It was on Broome Street, wasn’t it, Gus?”

Gus nodded. “We were just feeling rather hot and tired and had decided to make our way home when we saw a police wagon pull up and a policeman got out, carrying a basket, covered with a cloth, looking for all the world like a picnic basket. Well, naturally we were intrigued so we hung around to watch. While he was asking for confirmation of an address a young woman came running down from a tenement above—pretty little thing, very fair and German-looking. And she screamed out, ‘You’ve found my baby?’

“And the policeman said, ‘Safe and sound, ma’am. Left right outside police headquarters on Mulberry.’