Patience herself opened the door. Her eyes were haunted and her face drawn. She wore a wrapper over her house dress but I could see the stains of a leaking bosom.
“May I come in?” I rued that I hadn’t visited her earlier in the day. It had been a full one, though. And wasn’t yet over.
She turned without speaking and I followed her into the flat. She sank into a chair.
“I’d like to see how thee is faring,” I said.
When she nodded, I knelt next to her. Taking her wrist in my hand, I monitored her pulse.
“I can see thy milk is flowing. How is thee physically in other respects?”
She didn’t speak for a moment, and then said, “I am empty. I can’t stop weeping.”
“Is thee able to eat and drink?”
“Not particularly.”
“I’m so sorry for thy loss, Patience.” I moved to the chair next to her. “Thee has been through this before. The pain will lessen with time, and I know thee will never forget thy son. Either son.”
She swallowed and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. A shred of lace trailed across her cheek.
“There is something thee can do for another baby, though. May I tell thee?”
“What could I possibly do?” Her voice was plaintive.
“I have just learned a newly delivered mother in town has been killed. I’m on my way to check on the infant, a week-old boy. He’ll need to be nursed.”
Her eyes widened. “You want me to feed a motherless boy.”
“It would greatly increase his chances of survival.”
“What does his father say?”
I cleared my throat. I hadn’t had much time to think on how to tell Billy’s story. “His father isn’t present. Minnie, the deceased mother, has a sister and a brother, but I’m certain they would approve.”
She sat with her hands folded, gazing at me. She turned her head to look out the window, then back at me.
“He’s a healthy child so far? Of a good weight? If I do this, I wouldn’t want to be accused of not nourishing him enough.”
“Billy seems quite healthy,” I said. “He wasn’t too small or prematurely born, and he has a good cry. I wouldn’t worry about being accused of anything. The family will be grateful.”
“Then I agree.” She sat up a little straighter. “Do I go to him or bring him here?”
“Babies so young need to eat around the clock, as thee knows. It might be best to keep him here. Will thy husband agree to this plan?” I hoped Hiram’s cough wasn’t contagious.
“I’m sure he will.”
“I’ll go there now and make sure the family is in agreement. I’ll then bring little Billy to thee.”
“I’d better straighten up while I have the chance.” Patience looked around at the disarray her sorrow had caused. Dirty plates sat abandoned on the table, a cushion from the settee lay on the floor, and a stack of books had slid sideways on an end table. She stood and rubbed her hands together as if preparing to work. “You’ve given me purpose, Rose. Thank you.”
I also stood and made my way to the door but encountered Hiram coming in. After I explained the plan and he agreed, I said, “Thy cough concerns me. Has thee seen a doctor?”
“Thank you, Miss Carroll, I did.” His face lightened. “I’m not sick. It’s a cough from the coal dust I breathe on the railroad, see? So it wasn’t me who killed my Timmy.”
“I’m very glad to hear that. And this news rests my heart at bringing the orphaned newborn into the house. It’s still prudent to be as well as possible. And I’ve heard of late that frequent hand washing can help to keep a family healthy, especially after coughing. Thy lungs might be more susceptible to illness than others.”
He stared at me. I couldn’t read his expression. I didn’t know if he was about to throw me out of the house or agree.
“All right. I’ll do anything to make sure another baby doesn’t die.” He turned toward the kitchen.
“I’ll return within the hour, I expect,” I said to Patience. Now all I had to do was convince Minnie’s siblings of the wisdom of my plan. And pray a man like William Parry, accustomed to controlling his world, wouldn’t become a problem.
twenty-five
A uniformed officer stood with hands clasped behind his back at the bottom of the steps to Minnie’s flat. A lamp in every window pushed light out into the evening. A clump of people, mostly men, stood on the opposite side of the street, smoking and talking in low voices as they gazed at the building.
I approached the officer and introduced myself.
“No one goes in, miss.”
“I don’t wish to enter,” I said, even though I wanted to. “I’m looking for the infant. I was Minnie O’Toole’s midwife and I delivered her baby only a week ago.”
“He’s just there with the neighbor woman.” The officer pointed to the next house. A window on the side looked directly onto Minnie’s porch.
A hearty woman in her fifties answered my knock, with tendrils of salt-and-pepper hair escaping her puffy white mob cap. Her eyes were kindly and her flour-streaked apron confirmed a delicious aroma of fresh bread that flowed out from the open door.
I repeated my introduction, adding that I wanted to check on Billy’s well-being.
“I’m Therese Stevens. Come in, then, and sit. We’ll get out of sight of that clutch of vultures.” She pointed to the group of curious onlookers, then ushered me into a modest sitting room whose surfaces gleamed from polish. Not a thing was out of place, except baby Billy nestled into a blanket on a big stuffed chair.
“He’s just gone to sleep at last, poor tyke.” She snugged the blanket up closer under his chin. “Will you take a cup of tea?”
“I thank thee kindly. It has been a long day for me, and it’s not over yet.”
She bustled out and I bent over to check on Billy. His brow was warm but not hot. Recent tears still dampened his cheeks. My hostess returned in no time bearing a tray with a cup of tea and a plate of warm buttered bread that she set on a low table near me. A small pot of purple preserves sat open with a knife at the ready.
“Has thee spoken with Minnie’s brother or sister?” I took a sip of the tea, grateful she had sweetened it, and spread preserves on a slice of bread.
“The sister was the one who found her, bless her soul. She’s still next door being questioned, I believe.”
“Such sadness for her. How was Minnie killed?” I felt compelled to ask.
Even though no one was nearby to listen, Therese leaned toward me and lowered her voice. “She was stabbed in the neck.”
A chill rippled through me. The same method of murder as with Thomas. By the same person? At least this time it hadn’t been done with my knitting needle.
“With a letter opener, they said,” Therese added.
“How awful.” I imagined Minnie’s fear when she saw her killer coming for her. “Did thee see anyone acting oddly come to call?”
Therese nodded. “I saw only a woman wearing a long cape and a large bonnet visit Minnie late this afternoon. Never seen the likes of her before. Couldn’t get much of a glimpse of the face, the bonnet came that far forward.”
“That might have been Minnie’s killer. Did thee see the hair color or any other identifying features?” I took a bite of the bread, which tasted as good as it smelled.
“You’re sounding like the police there. Or those vultures out there. Why are you asking so many questions?” Therese cocked her head as she gazed at me.
I swallowed before I spoke. “I am only curious, but strongly curious, I admit. Whoever killed Minnie must be brought to justice.”
She nodded. “I think I spied a wisp of light-colored hair. And the woman was thin-like. A bit taller than you, even.”
The mention of a cape stirred the memory of the shadowy figure I’d seen before t
he fire. I shivered.
Billy stirred in his makeshift bed. “How will we feed this child?” Therese asked. “He’ll need to eat soon. I don’t know the sister’s plans for him. I might have a can of condensed milk in the kitchen.”
“Thee won’t need that.” I told her of Patience’s recent loss and her willingness to nurse Billy.
“That’s splendid, then. I heard the father isn’t known. Although”—Therese watched me as she spoke—“I’ve seen a certain gentleman come to call several times. A gentleman well-known in Amesbury.” She raised her eyebrows.
I nodded. “I saw him once, as well. I believe he’s the baby’s father. His own wife is also with child, though. I don’t know if he’ll acknowledge Billy or not.”
“The poor innocent infant who did nothing to deserve his fate.” Therese made a tsking sound. “At least he’ll be able to eat.” At a knock on the door, Therese rose and disappeared into the hall.
She returned with a round-faced woman in her forties. A spot of pink was the only color in her otherwise pale cheeks and her dark hair bore a few streaks of silver. “Rose Carroll, this is Ida. Minnie’s sister.”
I rose. “I can see the resemblance. I’m so sorry for the loss of thy sister, Ida.” I held out my hand.
Ida clasped it, then knelt next to Billy. “Them police kept asking me questions, and all I wanted was to come see the wee one.” She stroked his cheek. “They finally let me go.”
“You found Minnie?” I refrained just in time from saying Minnie’s body.
She glanced up, tears overflowing eyes as blue as cornflowers. “I was coming to check on her and Billy. She didn’t answer my knock but I could hear him crying. I pushed the door open and there she lay in the hall. Dead.” Ida sank back on the floor and clasped her knees in her arms, rocking as she hugged herself. “My little sister, with that, that thing sticking right out of her neck. Who would do such a terrible deed?”
“Come now.” Therese helped Ida up off the floor and into a chair. She pulled a bottle out of a high cupboard set into the wall near the hall. “You need a spot of spirits,” Therese said, pouring the brandy into a small glass and handing it to Ida. She poured a spot for herself, as well, but I shook my head when she glanced at me holding a third glass.
Ida sipped the spirits and grew less agitated. “What will I do with my nephew? I have six of my own children at home. And the youngest is five. I don’t have a drop of milk left in me.”
I leaned toward Ida, my elbows on my knees. “I have a client who lost her own newborn son this week. She’s agreed to feed and care for Billy for the time being. With thy permission, clearly.”
“Who is this woman? And what happened to her poor son?”
I told her about Patience and Timmy. She nodded slowly.
“That poor woman. If she takes Billy in, I can go and see him when I want, surely?”
“Of course,” I said, sitting back.
“That’s fine, then.”
“Will this plan meet thy brother’s approval, too?” I asked. “Or that of other family members?”
“It’s only me and Jotham. He and I don’t see eye to eye, you might say. But he can’t argue with making sure Billy is fed the right way.”
“Can thee think of anyone at all who might have held a grudge against your sister?” I watched her.
“Now there you go badgering her with these same inquiries,” Therese said to me. “That’s not rightly your business, Miss Carroll.”
Ida shook her head. “It’s all right, though the detective asked me the same question. I don’t know of anyone who disliked Minnie. She was just a sweet girl who went a little wrong. That Mr. Parry took advantage of her, he did. But he at least did the right thing by supporting her.”
“Thee is confident that he’s Billy’s father, then,” I said.
“Oh, indeed he is, wrong that it is.” Ida’s voice of misery changed to an angry tone. She tossed back the rest of her drink and gazed at the baby. “He’d better keep on paying, too. For his son.”
twenty-six
Billy suckled at Patience’s breast thirty minutes later as if he always had, his head nestled in the crook of her arm.
“He’s not my Timmy, but I’m glad I’m good for something.” She glanced up with luminous eyes.
With me by her side, Ida had carried Billy to Patience’s. I was pleased to see Patience’s home was now tidy and she had tidied herself up, as well. She’d pulled her hair back and donned a clean dress, and her face appeared freshly washed.
“You’re good for a great deal,” Ida said.
“I agree,” I said. “He could be fed one of the new infant formulas, but I’ve seen several babies sicken from that method.”
“And we have small clothing and diapers. I’m happy they have a use,” Patience said, stroking Billy’s head. Hiram stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders.
When Billy was finished eating, Ida laid him on her shoulder, patting his back to induce a burp. She was clearly an experienced mother. When he’d let go of the gas bubble, she handed him back to Patience and we said our farewells.
“I need to get back to my own babies, large though they may be,” Ida said. “I’ll come to check on this precious nephew soon.” She put a hand to her mouth, her eyes welling over.
“You will be welcomed,” Patience said with a sad smile. She reached out and squeezed Ida’s hand.
“My sister was a sweet girl. She didn’t deserve to die.”
I said good-bye to Patience and Hiram. “I’ll return to check on the baby, too.” Ida and I made our way out. “For now, with Patience as wet nurse, there is nothing to pay,” I said to her as we strolled back the way we had come. “But certainly as Billy grows, he’ll need food, clothes, schooling. Perhaps I can try to speak to William Parry on Billy’s behalf.”
“I’d send my brother, but he’s a bit of a hothead.”
“Jotham? Yes, I’ve seen as much.”
Ida’s mouth pulled down. “When do you think they’ll find Minnie’s killer?”
“I don’t know. The detective and his team will do their best, I’m sure.” I said good-bye when I reached the path leading to my house, glad of a chance to gather my thoughts alone as I walked in the dark. My feet felt as leaden as an anchor now that this latest murder truly had time to sink in.
The killer must be the mysterious woman Therese saw. She had said she’d relayed that information to the police. I hoped to God the “thin-like” woman in the long cape wasn’t Nell. I couldn’t imagine why she would kill Minnie, but she was acting crazy lately, so there was no telling what she might or might not do. It was the job of the police to untangle this mystery, not mine, but the puzzle nagged at me. The arson. Thomas’s murder with my knitting needle. Minnie’s by a similar method. William Parry was the hub connecting these spokes. The way through to the answers, though, was still as dark as the night.
I left Allen’s Hardware the next morning on a brand-new safety bicycle, a White Star Number Two. I’d resolved upon wakening to purchase transportation. I couldn’t keep traipsing all about town on foot, and Bertie had planted the seed. The thirty-eight dollars almost exhausted my funds, but I would be paid soon enough for assisting at more births. The bicycle even came with fenders on the back sides of the wheels, a wicker basket strapped to the front, perfect for my birthing bag, and a little brass bell I could ring with one thumb without taking my hand off the shiny nickled handlebars. I couldn’t wait to show David. I knew he sometimes cycled for recreation and wanted to see the surprised pleased look on his face when I told him I could now accompany him on a ride along the banks of the Merrimack some sunny Seventh Day.
I wobbled a bit as I headed up High Street toward Orpha’s on a morning promising a warm day and one with enough sun to melt the rest of the snow. My ankles were well-exposed, however, and I was glad for the pair of bloomers Ber
tie had convinced me to take on loan the day before. I was also grateful for the fenders on the wheels, otherwise my back would be spattered with mud. Two boys ran alongside watching me remember my balance.
“What kind of funny contraption is that?” one called.
“Did you shrink the wheel in the wash?” the other said, then guffawed.
I gave them a wave and pedaled on. It took the inventors awfully long to realize that one huge wheel and one tiny one weren’t a good idea. With this lady’s bicycle, I could easily put my foot on the pavement when I needed to stop. I was navigating a corner when a red-faced man stepped in front of me. I managed to brake in time to avoid running into Jotham O’Toole. His brows pulled together and the corners of his mouth turned down like an angry bull’s.
“My sister’s dead,” he spat. “And you stole her baby.” His ire seemed to vie with despair in his eyes, but the anger won.
I lowered one foot to the ground but kept my hands on the handlebars. Anger like this might need escaping from.
“I’m so sorry for thy loss, Jotham. It’s a terrible thing to lose Minnie.” I reached one hand out to touch his arm but he shrank back from it. “But little Billy is in good hands. He’s being fed by a wet nurse who lost her own infant son this week. The arrangement has your sister Ida’s blessing, of course. Thee can visit him at Patience Henderson’s whenever thee likes.”
“Good.” His nostrils widened as he glowered. “That Parry killed my Minnie. I know it. Him or his stupid child bride.”
“Does thee know this for a fact?” I cocked my head. Perhaps I could pass information on to Kevin. “Does thee have evidence?”
“Who else would want to get rid of her? Probably tried to kill my nephew, too. I told my Minnie she never should have taken up with that pompous ass.” He swallowed hard, the sadness taking over for a moment. “She was my little sis. I always said I’d take care of her. And I failed.”
“Thee didn’t fail thy sister. It’s not thy fault some evil person ended her life. I wonder if thee has evidence of William’s guilt in the matter? Perhaps it was someone else.”
Delivering the Truth Page 18
