The Family Way (Molly Murphy, #12)

“What about those kidnapped babies?” I asked, daring to forge ahead now he had become so talkative. “Have there been any more of them?”


“Not since you left. Not since that awful mix-up when they returned the wrong baby. You heard about that, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Well, they are lying low at the moment. I think they realize that our scrutiny is on them.”

“Did you ever find out where the other baby came from? The one the woman claimed wasn’t hers?”

“We did. From the Foundling Hospital. It was one of theirs, taken from its bed.”

“What do you think happened to the real baby then?”

He looked grim. “We think they somehow let the real baby die, but they were given the ransom money and felt they had to return a baby or face possible murder charges. So they grabbed the first baby they could set their hands on without it being noticed immediately. The one they took was in the crib nearest to the door.”

“How horrible.” In spite of the heat I shivered. “I really feel for that poor woman. She has gone through a double agony now.”

“I know. It’s despicable. I only hope we manage to catch them. We’ve little chance if they don’t choose to strike again.”

“I did offer my services,” I reminded him. “I would have been the ideal person to watch out for potential kidnappers. I’d have blended in and they’d never have suspected.”

He turned to put his hands on my shoulders. “Molly Murphy, when are you ever going to learn that your detective days are over? You are never going to tail anybody again. You are going to be the perfect wife and mother.” There was a long pause. “Aren’t you?”

“Yes, Daniel,” I said, so sweetly that he burst out laughing, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me fervently on the mouth.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

His lips were warm against mine and I found myself responding to his kiss.

“I’ve missed you too,” I said and meant it.





Sixteen

Daniel had planned to stay for at least a couple of days, but on Monday morning he received a wire summoning him back to New York as quickly as possible. His mouth was set in a hard line when he burst into the bedroom as I sat at the dressing table, brushing my hair, still in my robe.

“I have to go back to the city,” he said.

“Bad news?”

“Not good. They intercepted a crate of explosives on a ship bound for England.”

“Linked to your anarchist group, I suppose?”

“I know nothing more yet, but I have to go back. The ship is being held in port.” He bent to kiss the top of my head. “Good-bye my love. Take care of yourself, won’t you?”

“I will, but more to the point, you take care of yourself,” I called after him, but I could already hear his feet running down the stairs. I felt sick and hollow inside. He was only going to the city twenty miles away, but the way he had said, “Take care of yourself,” had made it sound like a final farewell. I almost got up to run after him, to give him one final kiss.

Thank the Lord that Liam was no longer in the city, I thought, because a crate of explosives bound for England sounded like something the Irish Republicans might try. I finished dressing and came down to breakfast.

“Poor Daniel. They never give him a minute’s peace.” Mrs. Sullivan looked up from her boiled egg. Then she saw my face. “Cheer up, my dear. I know you miss him but you’re doing the right thing for the baby. And here’s something to cheer you—a postcard from your friends.”

I took it from her. It was a pretty view of the Tarrytown lighthouse. On the back was scrawled in Sid’s black jagged script:

We’ve arrived. Quite charming. Come and pay us a visit as soon as possible.

I looked up. “My friends are already staying at an inn in Tarrytown. They want me to come out to visit them as soon as possible.”

I had expected a lecture on not tiring myself with too much jaunting around but she said, “Of course. What a good idea. That will help you get over the disappointment of Daniel’s hasty departure, won’t it?”

This was working all too well. I decided to test the waters one stage deeper. “I thought I might stay at the inn with them for a night or two, if that’s all right with you. I do so enjoy the cool breezes on the river, and they suggest going to look at some of the mansions together, which I have been wanting to do.”

“I’ve nothing planned for the rest of the week. I was hoping we’d have Daniel here,” she said. “You go and enjoy the company of other young people. I’m sure it’s not much fun being stuck with a doddering old lady like me.”

I couldn’t quite tell whether she was being kind or admonishing me for choosing my friends over her. I took it as the former and went around the table to kiss her on the cheek. “You know I enjoy being here,” I said, “but I’m used to being on the go all the time and I find it hard to sit around doing nothing.”