Shattered Angel

by Baird Nuckolls

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The Mayor

  Wednesday

  Morelli woke to the sound of a ringing telephone. He’d forgotten that Sally had one. She said she needed it for her work because she was always working. When she didn’t come and answer it right away, he got up and answered it himself.

  “Hello?”

  “Morelli, I’m glad I caught you.” It was Sally.

  Morelli looked around and rubbed his face. Outside, a gray, even light showed that it was daytime, but just barely. How had he slept through her leaving?

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m at work. I got up early so that I could check out what we discussed last night. Listen to this. According to the city charter, when the mayor is ill and appoints an acting mayor, he has limited powers at first. But after thirty days, the acting mayor becomes the real mayor and can do everything that the mayor can.”

  “Has Hylan been sick for more than thirty days?”

  “Tomorrow’s the day. Hulbert gets all the powers of the office.”

  “Maybe that’s what has Hart in such a rush? Maybe he’s got some deal going with Hulbert?”

  “Hulbert has said that he would only make changes that Hylan requests. He’s just going to act in Hylan’s stead. But listen to this; there’s more. According to the charter, when Hylan returns, he can undo any changes that Hulbert makes. Except one.”

  “Which one?”

  “Police commissioner. If Hulbert dismisses Richard Enright and appoints a new police commissioner, Hylan can’t do anything about it.”

  “Damn. That has to be it. I have to go, Sally. I have to find Maggie and then figure out what Hart is doing.”

  “Be careful, Morelli.”

  “Sure, Sal.” Morelli hung up and finished dressing. He was on the street in five minutes, headed back to Hell’s Kitchen.

  ***

  The apartment on Forty-fifth was as empty now as the last time he was here. But there were a few small differences: a broken glass and a wet spot on the tiny rug. It looked like there might have been some kind of argument, but Morelli had no idea who’d been involved. Maggie and Sean? But where were they now? As he was turning to leave, his eye caught on a small scrap of white stuck against the wall. He reached down and picked it up. It was a business card. Aaron Hart, proprietor of the Golden Ruby. All roads seemed to lead to Hart. Now was the time for some answers.

  ***

  Morelli found a payphone and dialed a number he hadn’t used in more than a year.

  “Third Precinct.”

  “Let me speak to Flarrity.”

  “What’s this about? Who’s calling?” The desk sergeant sounded suspicious, as if he recognized Morelli’s voice, but maybe he was just like that.

  “Tell him it’s a family matter.”

  Morelli waited, another nickel ready if the time ran out before Flarrity got to the phone.

  “Flarrity.”

  “It’s Morelli.”

  “What the hell? Where are you? You’re supposed to be downstairs in a cell and when I came in this morning, I heard that you’d waltzed out of here with Petucci yesterday.”

  “Listen, Flarrity. I need to tell you something important.”

  “What’s important is telling me where you are.”

  “This is about my client.”

  “Oh, so you’re finally going to tell me who this mysterious client of yours is? I don’t give a damn about your client, Morelli. You’re on the hook for murder and that’s all I care about.”

  “I didn’t kill that kid. You need to listen to me. My client was Angel Eldridge.”

  “Wait. She’s dead. Killed in her apartment on Sunday. Did you kill her, too?”

  Morelli sighed. The phone started clicking and he dropped another nickel into the slot. “She hired me to look at Aaron Hart. I think he killed her. And I think that he’s got eyes on the police commissioner. Maybe with the help of your partner, Bull O’Neill.”

  “This just gets crazier and crazier, Morelli. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I can’t explain right now, but it has to do with Enright and the acting mayor. I’m just telling you that you should check out what your partner is doing with all that money he’s been collecting around town.”

  “Wait. What are you going to do? You’re not going after Hart, are you?”

  “Goodbye, Flarrity. Check out Bull.”

  Morelli hung up. He hoped that Flarrity would at least keep the Bull occupied while he went to see Aaron Hart.

  Chapter Forty

  The Hart Mansion

  Harmon brought a tea tray out to the conservatory where Gladys was listening to some music on the radio. He placed it on the wicker table and proceeded to pour her a cup.

  “Has the morning mail arrived yet, Harmon?”

  “Not yet, madam. I’ll go down directly and check. Is there anything else, ma’am?”

  “Have you seen my husband this morning?”

  “No madam. I don’t believe he came home last night. Would you like me to look into his whereabouts?”

  “Not right now, Harmon. Thank you.”

  He left the tray and walked quietly out of the room. Gladys picked up her cup and sipped, as she listened to a Brahms sonata. Very shortly after, the door opened and Harmon returned.

  “That was speedy, Harmon. Is there something in the post for me today?”

  “No, madam. I mean, I don’t know about the post ma’am. There’s a policeman downstairs who wishes to speak to you. That Mr. O’Neill who was here before.”

  “Did he say what it was about?”

  “No, madam. He didn’t.”

  “Tell him that I will speak to him in the library. I will be there shortly.”

  “Very good, Mrs. Hart.”

  Harmon went away to deal with the policeman and Gladys drank her tea and put the cup down. For a moment, she wished for something stronger than tea, but that was not something she was going to allow herself at ten in the morning.

  ***

  The policeman O’Neill was waiting in the library.

  “Have you come about Angel, Mr. O’Neill?” she asked as she stalked into the room and sat down behind Aaron’s large desk. She felt the need to put something solid between herself and this man.

  “Not exactly, Mrs. Hart.” He proceeded to sit down this time and lean forward in his chair, his massive elbows on his knees. “I wonder if you’d tell me what your husband thinks about your daughter’s death?”

  “He’s quite upset, of course. We all are. Is there anything else, Mr. O’Neill?” Gladys touched her lace handkerchief to her eyes, as if to wipe away tears, but mainly to hide from the infernal man’s stare for a moment.

  “Do you know where I might find Mr. Hart? I asked after him at the bank today, but he wasn’t there. He does work for your bank, doesn’t he, Mrs. Hart?”

  “Yes, yes, of course he does. National City Bank, down on Wall Street.”

  “Well, like I said, he wasn’t there. Do you know where he is?”

  “My husband is a busy man, Mr. O’Neill. I’m afraid I don’t follow his whereabouts to the minute. Have you tried looking for him at his club?”

  “You mean, the Golden Ruby?”

  “Yes.” Gladys closed her mouth, unwilling to say any more. She didn’t know where this might be going.

  “Actually, Mrs. Hart. I think it might be to your benefit to be there when I speak to your husband. You see, I have some questions about your daughter’s death. But I also have some information.”

  “What information? You need to tell me immediately.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so, Mrs. Hart. I think I should tell you both at the same time.” O’Neill stood and looked at the door. “Shall we go?”

  Gladys racked her brain about what sort of information he would have. She had spoken to another policeman the day after Angel died and they promised to inform her as soon as they made any progress on the case. But this O’Neill didn’t see
m like he was the bringer of good news in any form. He reeked of menace. She wondered if there was a way to beg off going, to slip away? Then she told herself not to be silly. He was a member of the Metropolitan Police. It was his duty to serve and protect. She had nothing to fear from him regardless of his size or appearance. She led the way into the hall and found Harmon waiting for her.

  “Harmon, I’m going down to the Golden Ruby with Officer O’Neill. He wants to speak to Aaron and myself, together. Get my coat, please.”

  Harmon was too well trained to question a direct command from her, but he did look at her carefully, to make sure that she was acting on her own behalf. She wiggled her fingers at him slightly, moving him along.

  “Wait, Harmon.”

  He turned, a hopeful look crossing his face. “Yes, madam?”

  “Is Mr. Rutledge in today?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I believe he’s working in your study on your correspondence.”

  “Ask him to come here. I’m going to take him with me.”

  Harmon looked unsure. Rutledge was not much protection in the face of someone as large and dangerous as the Bull, but Mrs. Hart gave him no other choice. When he returned with her coat and hat, Rutledge was standing behind him.

  Harmon helped her on with her fur and matching hat.

  “Be careful, madam,” he said softly.

  She was touched by his concern and put a hand on his arm.

  “Don’t worry, Harmon.” Gladys looked at her secretary as she pulled on a pair of leather gloves. “Come along, Henry.”

  They followed Mr. O’Neill down the steps, out to a waiting car.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The Golden Ruby

  Sean O’Brien stood in front of Aaron’s desk. He looked tired and dirty, as if he hadn’t slept in days. He’d arrived at the Golden Ruby an hour ago, demanding to see Hart. Aaron told Marty to have him wait, just to cool him down. When Marty finally brought him in, he seemed quite dejected.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Sean. We need to finish our business.”

  “Where’s Maggie, Mr. Hart?”

  “Oh, you’ve noticed that your pretty cousin is missing? She’s quite all right, Sean, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “Tell me where she is, Mr. Hart, and I’ll be going.”

  “I don’t think so, Sean. I want my money first. You and Mickey did an admirable job taking down that payroll delivery, but Marty lost track of you and the money. Now I want it back.”

  “You have the cocaine, Mr. Hart. That’s what you were supposed to pay us for. Me and Mickey.” He caught a ragged breath. “And now that Mickey’s gone, I’m keeping it for both of us.”

  “That’s a lot of money, Sean. More than that cocaine is worth, you know.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m keeping it all the same.”

  “So, you think Maggie is worth that much money? Shall I just keep your cousin as my share of the bargain?”

  “No, damn it. Let Maggie go. She’s got nothing to do with any of this.”

  “Ah, but I like Maggie, Sean. I want to keep her around. And you seem to be more interested in that money than in your cousin.”

  Sean sank down into a chair, defeat written on his pale face.

  “Where is she, Mr. Hart? If you’ll give her back to me, I’ll get you the money.”

  “I thought you might feel that way, Sean. Wait here.” Hart got up and walked to the corner of the room and opened the door to a flight of stairs.

  ***

  Taking a page from Gladys’ sneak thief, Morelli lifted the metal plate covering the coal chute. Without a second thought about his suit, he slipped down into the basement of the Golden Ruby. It was dark and the boiler was only barely warm. Too early in the day to be fired up for the evening, he hoped. He heard muffled voices overhead and walked to the back of the room, trying to hear more clearly. He found Maggie gagged and tied to a chair behind a staircase leading up to the bar. She seemed to be asleep or passed out.

  Morelli went up to her and whispered in her ear. “Don’t make a sound. It’s Morelli. I’m here to get you.”

  He loosened the ropes holding her in place, and removed her gag. Her face was a mess of dried tears and her hair was a wild cloud around her head.

  “Maggie, are you hurt?” He touched her face and arms. She didn’t look injured, just exhausted and dirty.

  “No, not really.” She brushed the hair away from her face and rubbed her eyes.

  “Did Aaron do this? Why is he holding you captive down here?”

  “He came to Sean’s apartment to ask him about some money and when he wasn’t there, he dragged me out with him instead.”

  “Did he threaten to hurt you? Did you tell him that you’re going to have a baby?” Morelli whispered.

  Maggie glared at him, stung by his words. “No, to both your questions. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know. Since I told that Angel girl about it.”

  “What are you talking about? You talked to Angel? When?”

  “Saturday evening. She came to see me in the diner that morning, in between all that yelling with Aaron and your scaring me half to death. She said she’d give me money, so I went uptown to see her. Beautiful apartment near the park. She said she knew all about me and Aaron, but that she’d give me $1000 if I stayed away from him, and I accepted it. I don’t need Aaron Hart in my life anymore, thank you.”

  “And you told her you were pregnant with his baby?”

  “I didn’t mean to, but it just came out when we were talking. She got a funny look in her eye. She said she might have to tell her mother, so he’d leave me alone.”

  “Did she do that? Did she tell her mother?”

  “I have no idea. I left.”

  “I wish you’d told me this before.”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “Actually, it was my business. Angel hired me to look into your relationship with Aaron Hart and then she was killed.

  “And you think Aaron did it?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “What about Mickey?”

  Morelli took a deep breath. This was the part he didn’t want to tell her, not while they were still here in the basement. He didn’t want her to become hysterical. He had to get her away from here, but he wasn’t sure she could make it out through the coal chute.

  Before he could answer, a door at the top of the stairs opened and light streamed into the storeroom. The muffled voices he’d heard before were clear. Two men talking and the scrape of chair legs. Then he heard someone say, “Maggie.” It sounded like Hart and the other voice was probably her cousin, Sean. Before Morelli could move, there was a clatter on the stairs and the lights in the basement came on.

  “What the hell is going on here?”

  Morelli stepped in front of Maggie, trying to shield her from Aaron Hart, who stood at the bottom of the stairway. “Who the hell are you?”

  “My name is Morelli, Mr. Hart.”

  “What do you think you’re doing in my basement?”

  “Coming to the aid of a young lady in distress.”

  “Well I don’t think she needs your help right now, but she might need mine.” Hart pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it at them both. “Let’s go upstairs now.”

  Morelli helped Maggie up the stairs and into the arms of her cousin, who pulled her behind him and started to back toward the other side of the room.

  “Not so fast, Sean. As you can see, she’s fine.” With the gun, he waved Sean back to the other side of the desk. “Why don’t you all just have a seat?”

  Sean and Maggie sat on the chairs against the wall, but Morelli chose to stand.

  “This is quite a place you’ve got here, Mr. Hart.” Morelli walked over to the heavy velvet drapes covering the side window and peeked out. “Not much of a view, though.” The brick wall of the neighboring building was mere inches away. No easy escape there.

  “What do you want, Morelli? And how do you know Maggie?”

/>   “I was hired by your daughter, Angel. Well, Gladys’ daughter. She wanted me to check up on you and a certain redhead. Why would that be, Mr. Hart? Have you been stepping out on your wife?”

  “That’s none of your business, Morelli.” Hart poured himself a splash of whiskey and tossed it back. “Why don’t you just get out? I have business to attend to.”

  “Oh, I have questions to ask you first, Mr. Hart. Such as, why did you kill Angel?”

  Maggie gasped and clutched at Sean’s arm. Hart looked shocked. Morelli continued.

  “Were you angry at her for not giving you money? Or was it some other reason?”

  “I had nothing to do with Angel’s death.” Hart declared.

  “Did she reject you?”

  “How dare you?” Hart rose, the gun in his hand pointed at Morelli. “Get the hell out of here.”

  “Is that why you robbed your own bank’s payroll, Mr. Hart?” Morelli knew he was pushing his luck, but he didn’t think that Hart would shoot him. He seemed like the type who had other people do his dirty work. The gun was for show.

  Hart stood and moved around in front of his desk, the gun leveled at Morelli’s chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I think you do, Mr. Hart. I think you used Sean here and Maggie’s brother, Mickey, to take out the payroll. Mickey got killed, which must mean that Sean has the money and you had the girl. Is that why she was tied up in your storeroom? Were you going to trade her for the cash?”

  Maggie started to cry. Morelli was sorry that she had to find out about it this way, but he needed to press his advantage while he could. He needed to know.

  Before Hart could answer, the door to the office opened.

  “Marty, I told you not to disturb me,” Hart said angrily.

  “Oh, I don’t think I’m disturbing you,” said Bull O’Neill, walking into the office, followed by Gladys and her young assistant.

  “What are you doing here?” Hart slipped the revolver into his pocket. “What’s this all about, O’Neill?”

  “I could ask you the same question, Hart. Seems like you’re having a party and you didn’t invite me.” Bull looked around at Sean and Maggie and then saw Morelli standing back against the curtains.