“Inspector Griffin is here to see Lily, Kathleen. I thought you might be able to help him. Shall I ask Cook to send up some tea?”
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Sheila.” Kathleen smiled at the new maid, before greeting the policeman. “Come in and warm yourself by the fire. That weather isn’t getting any better, is it?"
"No, it isn’t, Miss Collins.”
Inspector Griffin almost took over the whole room being such a large, tall man. She guessed his imposing size came in handy for his job. He moved closer to the fire, holding out his hands to the heat. He wasn’t wearing gloves, and his fingers looked red raw from the cold.
"Kathleen, Inspector Griffin. You always called me by my name.”
“That was before you got all grown up. Imagine you running the sanctuary now. I didn’t see that coming, I was sure you would head out to Wyoming like the rest of your family."
Kathleen closed over the ledger after marking where she had left off. She could finish the job later.
“I was, too, but when Lily fell pregnant again, someone had to step in. She’s done so much for my family. It was the least I could do.”
“Guess having a handsome, young doctor nearby would help, too, wouldn’t it?”
Kathleen felt her cheeks go red, as the inspector teased her over Richard. If she were honest, he was part of her reason for staying in New York. His studies to become a plastic surgeon kept him in the city.
“How are Bridget and Carl? I heard they were back in town,” Inspector Griffin asked.
“They are. In fact, you just missed Bridget. She took some of the children down to see the window display in Macy’s. It’s a firm favorite.”
“I like that window, too. From what I see, it isn’t just for children. Or at least, that’s my excuse,” he said.
They were interrupted by Sheila returning with tea and a plate of freshly baked scones. “Cook said you were to take some home with you, Inspector. She has a small basket ready in the kitchen for when you leave."
“Please pass on my thanks. Cook knows how much I love her baking.”
Sheila smiled self-consciously and let herself out of the room, closing the door behind her. Kathleen noted the bright expression fell from the Inspector’s eyes, before he turned to stare at the fire. She sensed something had upset him. In his line of work, he saw some dreadful things.
“How can we help you, Inspector? I guess this isn’t a social call.”
“No, Kathleen, it isn’t, although I should have called to say hello before now. With the new reforms Roosevelt is pushing through, things have been rather busy.”
“Richard told me all about that the last time we had dinner. It seems a number of your colleagues have found themselves on the wrong side of Mr. Roosevelt.”
Inspector Griffin smiled. “That is an understatement, my dear. I have been saying for years that corruption is deep-seated in the force. Up 'til now, nobody wanted to address it, but young Roosevelt knows what he is about. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up as President one day.”
“He seems like a good man,” Kathleen replied. She glanced at her ledger and at once felt guilty for thinking about how busy she was. Lily had never made anyone feel uncomfortable or unwanted when they came to her for help. Kathleen decided she should mirror her friend and confidant.
“Kathleen, I know you are busy and have more than enough on your plate, but I need your help. I have to place a young boy.”
“An orphan?”
“Well, the truth is, we don’t know whether he is or he isn’t. His parents both ran away. Not together, mind you. The father deserted the family some time back, but now his mother has disappeared.”
“Oh, the poor child. Doesn’t he have any siblings?”
“Not anymore. The mother, well, she killed her daughter, Kenny’s sister, before she left.”
“Kenny? That name is familiar.”
Inspector Griffith turned bright red, and it wasn’t from the heat of the fire.
“Kathleen, forgive me. I forgot you once lived near the Flemings. Kenny Clark is the boy's name. His sister—”
“Mary Clark, she was about fourteen-years-old. Oh, my goodness, how could…why would anyone...oh…”
“Yes, I know. It’s horrible to think a mother could do that to her child, but, unfortunately, it is not as uncommon as we would wish. We believe Mrs. Clark was rather intoxicated, not that the drinking excuses her behavior. From all accounts, she wasn’t a pleasant woman, even when she was sober.”
Kathleen could agree with that statement, but she wasn’t about to judge the woman. Life was harsh in the tenements, and who knew what had happened to Mrs. Clark to drive her to drink.
“I only met her a few times. I met Mary and Kenny at Mrs. Fleming’s. She used to feed them.” Kathleen could remember her old friend with a smile now, although she would always miss her. She wasn’t the only one, as Mrs. Fleming had helped countless people in the tenements and surrounding area.
“She was a saint, Mrs. Fleming. There’s a number of children who miss her dreadfully, not just her own family,” Inspector Griffin said.
Kathleen nodded her head in agreement. She missed Mrs. Fleming in a practical way, too, not just because of her kindness but as someone who could help the sanctuary assist those in need. She was always able to point Lily toward the neediest families.
“Where is Kenny now, Inspector Griffin?”
“Staying with Granny Belbin. She is doing a wonderful job of looking after Jack and him, but she is an old lady. She doesn’t have much money either, and young boys need clothes and eat a lot. They have hollow legs.”
“Jack? She has taken in another orphan, too? Funny, I can’t picture Granny Belbin taking children into her home. She came to live at the building shortly before we left to come here. She was always chasing the kids off and threatening to cast spells on them.” Kathleen could see the dark-clad woman now, her black clothes covered with mud and other stains. She walked with a hump on her back, probably as a result of being bent over some work surface. She would have ended up stooped over, too, if she had continued working in the sweatshop that was Mr. Oak’s factory.
“She’s got a warm heart under that crusty, old exterior. Only I don’t think she wants anyone to know it. Maybe she thinks people will take advantage. Anyway, can you help?”
“Of course, we can. We don’t have many children staying here at the moment. We sent another group off on the orphan train the week before Thanksgiving in the hope the season would open people’s hearts and homes. Seems to have worked, too, given the reports we have had back,” she said, taking up her cup of tea. She glanced at her visitor’s face. He looked very tired and strained. “Would you like me to collect Kenny and Jack from Mrs. Belbin?”
“Would you Kathleen? I would bring them here, but I haven't seen my own bed for the last two days. I could fall asleep on my feet.”
“Of course, I can. Mini-Mike or Tommy will come with me.”
The look of tiredness disappeared suddenly, replaced by anger and concern. Inspector Griffin always protected his own, and he considered the sanctuary to be partly his project. Lily had told Kathleen a lot about the early days when this gentle giant of a man had helped, when the police had been less forthcoming than they could be.
“Are you still afraid of Oaks? I haven't heard of him giving you any trouble.”
The policeman’s concern made her feel guilty. She hadn’t heard a word about her former employer’s son. His threats to make her sister Bridget pay seemed to have amounted to nothing. “No, not at all. Tommy and Mini Mike always escort us when we visit the tenements. We haven’t found out who robbed the sanctuary last year, well, I mean who helped Maura and her friends,” Kathleen trailed off, embarrassed at bringing her sister’s name into the conversation.
“I never would have thought a sister of Bridget’s and yours would have robbed Lily, but I guess you never know folk really. Have you heard anything from her?”
“N
o, nothing. Bridget won’t have anything to do with her, but I would like to know she’s safe. I guess you think I am too soft.” She knew people thought she was, especially after going to find Shane and Michael. Poor Michael was still in prison and would likely stay there for the rest of his sentence. As for Shane, well the less said about him the better. She had hoped he would stay in Wyoming, but, although he had enjoyed seeing his siblings and meeting all their new friends at Bella’s wedding, he hadn’t liked the countryside. He’d insisted on returning to New York. She wasn’t going to talk to Inspector Griffin of her fears that Shane had joined a gang. He may be a friend, but he was also the police.
“Not at all, Kathleen. It’s hard to turn our back on family, even when they do things that upset us. I have made inquiries over the last year, but she seems to have disappeared into thin air.”
“Bridget says Maura will turn up when she needs something, but I can’t help thinking she needs our help.” Kathleen was certain her sister had found herself in dire straits. Tommy and Mini Mike knew the man Maura had gotten involved with, and they didn’t have anything good to say about him. Still, she had other things to worry about, such as Kenny.
“Should I go and collect him this evening, assuming Mike or Tommy is free to come with me?”
“As soon as you can would be my advice. We don’t know if his mother will turn up again. Tell Tommy and Mini Mike I was asking for them. I never approach them on the street, as I would ruin their reputation.” Inspector Griffin laughed at his own joke before taking his leave. “I best go down to cook and collect my basket. Don’t want her in a temper with me. She scares me half to death.”
Chapter 21
Kathleen laughed, as the policeman headed off toward the kitchen. She couldn’t imagine a man who dealt with the worst of New York society every day being scared of Cook.
Her good humor disappeared just as quickly as it had come. Mary Clark, dead at the hands of her mother. She said a quick prayer for the soul of the young girl, before writing a note for Mini Mike. She would go collect Kenny, as soon as one of the boys arrived to escort her. She went to the front door and whistled for a runner.
“Miss Kathleen. Want someone?” a young boy resembling a rather worn-out scarecrow came running, his smile lighting up his face. She recognized him immediately.
“Yes, please, Sammy. Could you find Mini Mike or Tommy? I need to go out and would appreciate their help.”
“Sure thing, miss.”
“Good boy, here's a penny and a scone.”
“Thanks, miss.”
The boy took off, his bare feet leaving footprints in the snow. She wished she could find a way to convince Sammy to come and stay at the sanctuary, but he insisted on living on the street. He was waiting for his big brother or his da to find him. They had said they would come back but given both had gone to sea, she didn’t hold much hope. She could get him a pair of shoes, though. Surely, he wouldn’t say no to having his feet covered.
“Why was Inspector Griffin here? Cook told me,” Bridget said, as she walked into the office, bringing a cold draught of air with her.
“He needs me to go collect a little boy, Kenny Clark. You remember him?”
“Name rings a bell. Didn’t he have a sister, too? We met them a few times in Mrs. Fleming’s house.”
“Yes, that’s the same family. Seems Kenny’s ma has gone missing.”
“Oh, the poor children. Do you want me to come with you to collect him?”
“No, Bridget, you need to rest. You look tired after Macy’s. But I didn’t get to finish. Mary Clark is dead.”
“Dead?"
“Yes, and it’s even worse, because Inspector Griffin says her ma killed her.”
Bridget sat down heavily on the sofa, her face a white mask. “What type of world do we live in? A mother killing her own child, but why? Mary was such a quiet girl from what I remember, although it’s been a few years since I saw her.”
“I have no idea. Maybe Kenny will know more. Anyway, he needs us, so I sent for Mini Mike and Tommy to come with me.”
Bridget glanced at her.
“Don’t look at me like that. I will be careful. The boys won’t let anything happen to me.”
“I know, but I can’t help worrying. You’re my little sister, even if you are practically running this place now,” Bridget said. “It suits you. All this extra responsibility. It’s like you were born to do this job.”
Shocked at the praise, Kathleen didn’t know what to say. She played with some paper on her desk to cover her embarrassment, and, when she looked up at her sister, Bridget’s eyes were closed. She immediately felt guilty. Her sister’s heart wasn’t strong, and maybe she had been overdoing it. She knew Bridget loved helping with the twins and with things at the sanctuary, but she had to make sure she took things easier. Kathleen pulled a blanket over her sister and went to find Sheila to tell her to let the girl sleep.
Chapter 22
Mini-Mike arrived early in the evening, explaining Tommy was caught up in something and would meet them later, if they needed more help.
“It won’t take long, Mike. Inspector Griffin asked me to collect two children from the tenements Mrs. Fleming lived in. They need shelter.”
Mike chatted, as they walked to her old home. She didn’t want to waste money on a cab. She quite liked walking in the snow, liking the sound of the crunch under her new boots. She spoke to Mike about her wish to get Sammy a pair of new boots.
“I know where to pick up some good second-hand ones, Miss Kathleen. New ones will only get him into trouble. Kids out here will kill for a pair of boots.”
Kathleen wasn’t shocked, not anymore. There had been a time when such a thing would have upset her for days, but now she was a realist. Life on the streets was difficult, particularly for the children. No matter what they did to try to get out of their situation, someone came along to make sure they couldn’t. New shoes were a red flag, and the last thing Sammy needed was more attention from the wrong people.
“Seems troubles have flared up again among the gangs?” she asked Mike who had his ear close the ground.
“Monk Eastman is determined his crew will dominate, and he isn’t afraid of anyone. Seems the police are just as afraid of him as the kids. There have been stories of some of his old friends going for a swim in the Hudson.”
“A swim? In winter?”
“Miss Kathleen, it wasn’t by choice. Most people don’t tie cement rocks to themselves when going for a dip.”
Kathleen shuddered. She had never met Monk Eastman, but she knew the man by reputation. If he was half as bad as the stories suggested, she never wanted to lay eyes on him.
As they neared the entrance to the tenements, some men called Mini Mike over. He was torn between going and escorting Kathleen.
“You go on and see what they want. They might have news. Follow me through when you can. You know I am safe now.”
Reluctantly he agreed, and she walked on ahead of him into the tenements. She found Granny Belbin’s place easily, having remembered it from when she lived there. She knocked on the door and waited for the old woman to answer. Sometimes people just shouted at you to come in, but there was no reply to her knock. She was about to give up, when she heard shuffling, and then the door opened. An old woman poked her head out, her face devoid of expression.
“Mrs. Belbin, my name is Kathleen Collins. I used to live upstairs next door to the Flemings. How are you?” Kathleen pretended not to notice the smell of the old woman. Her long nails were encrusted with dirt. She guessed it had been some years since the old lady had enjoyed a bath.
"What do you want? I ain’t goin’ nowhere with no do-gooder. I heard about how you put childer on them trains.”
Taken aback by the woman’s hostility, Kathleen tried again.
“Mrs. Belbin, I am not here to do anything but take care of Kenny and Jack. Inspector Griffin asked me to come to see you.”
Kathleen hoped the mention of the kind
ly policeman would help, but it didn’t.
“They ain't here. Goodbye.” The old woman made to close her door, but Kathleen had not forgotten what she had learned from living in the tenements. She blocked the door with her shoe.
“Please let me help. Inspector Griffin told me what happened to Mary. She was a lovely, young girl. I would love to help her brother and his friend. Please.”
The woman took another look at Kathleen, and her tone was less strident this time.
“I told ya, they is gone. They lit out of here the other night, and I ain’t seen them since. Ungrateful little runt.”
Kathleen saw the concern and fear in the woman’s eyes, despite her belligerent stance. Before she could say anything, Mini Mike came up behind her.
“Granny, me old darling. You are looking fine, give us a big hug,” Mini Mike said, before lifting the old woman off her feet.
“You put me down right now, you big lump. Put me down, I said. Do I have to give you a thump?”
“Ah, Granny, don’t be like that. It’s me,” Mike said. “Do you still keep toffee under your pillow? Like the old days?”
Chapter 23
Kathleen watched, bewildered as the old woman smiled up at Mini-Mike, her face lighting up. “You are a sight for sore eyes, Michael Cullen. Why you ain’t been round to see your granny?”
“I been busy, Granny. This here lady, Kathleen Collins, and her wonderful friend Lily Doherty, keep me running around. I go off in circles. So why are you standing on the doorstep? Why don’t you put the kettle on, and I will pull up some chairs, just like we used to do? Come on, Kathleen, take the weight off.”
Kathleen found herself pushed into a chair and Granny likewise. Thankful she had brought the gentle giant with her, she hid a smile at the way he handled Granny. All the bluster and defiance had gone, and in its place was a pleasant, old lady. Kathleen couldn’t tell exactly how old, but somehow she guessed the woman wasn’t as elderly as she first appeared.
Orphan Train Christmas Page 5
