“You quit being that naïve as soon as you got fired from Oaks’ place. You and I know the way the world works. The sooner we can get Angel away from those brothers of hers, the better.”
Chapter 46
Kathleen knew Tommy was right. She wasn’t as naive as she had been, but some things still shocked her. Lily said that was a good thing, as it showed she still had her decency and sense of morals. Her brother being mixed up with the gangs worried her, but she had to focus on Angel for now. Shane had made it clear he didn’t want Kathleen’s help.
“Kenny knows where she lives. He gave me some good directions. Will Mike come with us?”
“Me and Mike will go. You stay here,” Tommy said.
Kathleen put her hands on her hips, as she gave him a piece of her mind. “Don’t you start ordering me around as well. I am going with you. Angel won’t trust you guys together. At least we have a chance she will trust me.”
“You are as stubborn as Miss Lily, Miss Kathleen,” Tommy said, pretending to back away from her in fear.
“I consider that a compliment.”
They were interrupted by the door opening behind them, as Kenny popped his face around it.
“Sorry, Miss Kathleen, but I think Jack has to go. He’s crying again. Thank you, Tommy, for bringing him home.”
Kenny edged past them, the dog following at his heels. They watched as they made their way to the kitchen, waiting until Kenny was out of earshot.
“We will go this afternoon, if that suits you,” Tommy said.
“Yes, the sooner the better, as you said.”
“I best go and get Mike. Someone else will look after Granny.”
“Tommy, was there any news of Kenny’s ma?” Kathleen asked.
“Nope. Nobody has heard or seen her. I reckon she went for a swim in the Hudson.”
Kathleen shuddered, as the door closed behind Tommy. She didn’t agree with what Mrs. Clark had done, but she wouldn’t wish suicide on anyone. She went back into her office to make sure the fire was safe. She didn’t want any accidents—life in the sanctuary was dramatic enough. Sheila soon interrupted her.
“Cook would like to see you. It seems Kenny thinks the dog is going to live here. Cook ain’t having any of it.” Sheila wrung her hands in the apron at her waist. Kathleen knew the girl was afraid of Cook who could become very hot and bothered but, at heart, was a lovely, kind woman.
Kathleen rolled her eyes, wishing Bridget were feeling better but Richard had confined her to bedrest for the next two days. She could do with Mrs. Wilson’s help, but she had yet to return from her extended visit with her sister. She had left shortly after Maura and the other girls had robbed the sanctuary and had yet to return. Lily thought she would eventually, but Kathleen had her doubts. In the meantime, she would have to deal with Cook and her fear of animals.
She managed to strike a compromise between Cook and Kenny. Jack could stay at the sanctuary so long as he had a bath and never went into the kitchen or dining area. He had to be locked in Kenny’s room when Kenny went downstairs to eat. Kenny had balked at this at first, but, when given the alternative, which was for Jack to make his home in the shed, he soon agreed to it. Jack hated his bath, and they ended up with more than one child soaked to the skin, but it cheered Kathleen up to see everyone smiling. Even Cook had come to take a peek at the dog getting washed. Maybe with time, she would grow fond of Jack.
Chapter 47
Soon it was time to leave to search for Angel. Kathleen told Kenny to stay with George and pay attention to Sheila, who would look after the children until her return. She took him outside with Jack, so Jack could relieve himself. While they were waiting, she spoke to Kenny.
“Under no circumstances are you to go outside, do you hear me?”
“But what if Jack needs to go again?” Kenny asked.
“He can go in the backyard. Kenny, you have to stay in the sanctuary. Do you understand why?”
Kenny looked at his toes for a few seconds before raising his fear-filled eyes to her.
“Lucky might come looking for me to take me back to his house.”
She knew then he’d been listening to her conversation with Tommy and Shane. She only hoped he hadn’t heard how worried they were for Angel.
“Yes, darling, he might,” Kathleen said. “But you are safe in here. Nobody will come into the building. So promise me you will stay with the other children.”
Kenny kicked at the snow. Jack came running back to them, and so he picked him up and held him close.
“I promise. Will you tell Angel I said thanks?”
Kathleen bent down and gave him a hug. “I will, darling. Now let’s get you back inside, before Jack and you freeze.”
She repeated the conversation to Sheila, making sure the girl knew the children were to remain inside, regardless of how much they begged to go and make snowmen. She hated the fear in the girl’s eyes, but every member of the staff had to be on alert. From what Tommy had said, Lucky wasn’t a man to be trifled with.
Chapter 48
Inspector Griffin wanted to accompany them, but Tommy had declined, saying it might spook the brothers as well as Angel.
“We don’t want any trouble, so it’s best you stay back,” Tommy said. “We can send someone, if we need you.”
Inspector Griffin didn’t like the idea, but it was hard to argue with Tommy.
“Did you find any sign of Kenny’s ma, Inspector?”
“No, Kathleen. She seems to have just vanished. Nobody has seen her, or, if they have, they aren’t talking. Father Nelson is going to have the funeral for Mary on Monday. Are you coming?”
“Yes, I will bring Kenny with me. I think Granny Belbin, Mr. Fleming, and a few of the neighbors from the tenements are going, too. I assume you will be there?” Kathleen asked.
“Yes, but in an official capacity. There are some who think the mother might show up. Catholic guilt is a powerful emotion.” Inspector Griffin looked at his hands, taking a couple of seconds before he spoke again. Kathleen felt sorry for him, guessing this was part of police work he hated. “It is always awful attending a young person's funeral, but being Christmas makes it worse, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, Inspector, it does. But we will all look after Kenny. What are you and your wife doing for Christmas dinner? You are more than welcome to join us at the sanctuary, if you wish. We have plenty.”
Kathleen would have smiled at the expression on the man’s face but for their earlier conversation. He looked like a child invited to a party, only to find he couldn't go.
“I would love to, thank you very much for your kindness, Kathleen, but the wife always goes to her sister’s. It’s a long family tradition.”
“Family is important, especially at Christmas. I will ask Cook to pack up a basket of her mince pies and maybe a small pudding, if you don’t think that would offend your sister-in-law.”
Inspector Griffin’ eyes lit up. “Oh, it would be lovely. Cecily might be offended, but her husband and I would be delighted. I know I shouldn’t say this, as it is rather disloyal, but my wife and her sister were not blessed when it comes to domestic talents.”
Kathleen smiled, knowing that, despite his wife’s failings as a cook, the man loved her dearly.
“Kathleen, we got to go,” Tommy called.
Kathleen picked up her skirts and walked faster to keep up with Tommy’s long strides. They would have gotten a cab, but the cab drivers were too nervous to drive down to where Angel lived. Maybe she should have listened to Richard after all, but, even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew she couldn’t have stayed home. Not when a child might be at risk.
Chapter 49
It didn’t take long to reach the street Angel’s family lived on. Tommy stopped walking and asked Mike to stay with Kathleen, while he went to see if he could see anyone inside. They waited, Kathleen blowing on her knitted mittens in an effort to warm up her chilled hands. She looked around the street with interest, having never
been in the area before. It wasn’t as poor as the tenements, as someone had tried to clean up the street a little. The lower levels of the properties were stores of all kinds, with the living quarters above. Some stores were boarded up, but others appeared to be thriving.
“Come on, Miss Kathleen, Tommy is calling us,” Mike said, taking her arm. She walked slowly, trying to quell her nerves. She reminded herself that she would be safe with Mike and Tommy. Then she spotted Shane.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, not bothering to hide her anger. He had stormed out of the sanctuary to come here. Was he working for Monk?
“I have business with Lucky. What are you doing here? You should have stayed at the sanctuary. This is men’s work.”
Kathleen could have fallen over her own mouth. How dare he say something like that? She was about to argue, but a look from Tommy stopped her.
“You two can deal with your personal stuff in your own time. We got a job to do. I think Angel might be inside alone,” Tommy said.
“I’ll check,” Shane offered.
“Let Tommy,” Kathleen said. “He knows what he’s doing.”
“I said I would check. You can’t tell me what to do, Kathleen, so shut up.”
She did, more out of surprise than anything else. Shane was usually pleasant with her, but then life on the streets had made him toughen up.
Mike held her arm, as if to say “let him go,” so she kept silent. She watched as Shane crossed the street, looking around him carefully before he slipped up the stairs and knocked on the door. The girl opened, and it was clear she recognized Shane.
They spoke for a few seconds. It was obvious from the way the girl kept looking over Shanes' shoulder, she wasn’t happy about what he was saying. But he gestured them to come over anyway.
“Angel, you know Tommy and Mike. This is Kathleen, my sister.”
“Your sister?” Angel asked, clearly comparing Shane’s ragged appearance to Kathleen’s neatness.
“Yes, she scrubs up well, doesn’t she? She lives in Carmel's Mission. You heard of it.”
Her response was to hit Shane hard on the arm. “I ain’t stupid. Of course, I heard of it. It helps the kids from the street and some women who have disgraced their families. The boys said it was an ex-whore who started it.”
“Lily is a whole lot more than that,” Kathleen responded, sharply earning herself a hard look from Angel. She softened her tone. “Lily has been a good friend to my family. To all of us, including Shane, isn’t that right?” She directed the question to Shane, who shuffled from one foot to the other before nodding his head.
“What do you want?” Angel asked. “My brothers will be back shortly, and they won't be happy to see you here.”
“Kenny is safe,” Kathleen told her. “We wanted to thank you for looking after him.”
“I didn’t do nothing.” The girl kept looking out the window, her fear evident.
Chapter 50
Kathleen’s heart went out to her, because underneath her hard exterior she could see the girl was very thin and obviously not dressed for the winter conditions. As she glanced around the small rooms, she saw they were clean and tidy, if rather spartan.
“Kenny told us everything you did for him, from saving him from a group on the street to taking him here and feeding him. He said you warned him to run away from your brothers.”
“I never did. He’s lying. The boys wouldn’t hurt a child.”
Despite her indignant tone, it was clear Angel didn’t believe the words she was saying. She refused to meet Kathleen’s gaze.
“We don’t got much time. We know the boys are in trouble with Monk. That puts you in danger. You have to come with us,” Tommy insisted.
The girl backed away, glaring at Tommy
“I ain't going nowhere. The boys will sort it out with Monk. They been working with him for years. It was all a misunderstanding.”
Shane stepped closer to her. “Angel, stop it. You know Monk don’t do misunderstandings. Your brothers are in deep, and you’ll pay the price.”
“Don’t start that again, Shane. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I do, and you know it’s the truth,” Shane said. “Lucky needed Kenny, but he lost him. He lost everything but you. You’re his ticket out of this mess, and he ain't afraid to use you.”
Angel paled, her face a mixture of emotions. She stared at Shane. “He wouldn’t. I’m his kid sister. He always looked out for me. Ever since Ma died.”
“He has? That’s not what I been hearing. Or seeing. When was the last time he ever did anything nice for you?” Shane asked. “You know Axel is the one that keeps him in line, but now Lucky might be too big for Axel to do that. Axel has his own priorities. He’s been wanting to get out of New York for years.”
“He doesn’t mean that. He jokes about going to live with Aunt Rachel, but we all know he’s lying.”
“No, he ain’t, Angel. He’s got a girl, and she’s real religious. Her father goes to the synagogue, and word is he won’t let Axel near his daughter unless he starts going, too.”
“Axel in a synagogue?” Angel balked. “Don’t make me laugh, Shane.”
Kathleen saw the girl was conflicted, struggling to deny what Shane was saying, although it was obvious it made sense to her at some level.
“Angel, why don’t you come with us and stay for Christmas. Let this all pass over, and then you can come back,” Kathleen suggested.
“I don't celebrate Christmas.”
“I know that.” Kathleen’s sharp response earned her a look from Tommy. “What I mean is, just come and stay for the celebration part. We won’t force you to go to mass. Kenny would love to see you, as would Jack.”
Angels face grew animated. “He got Jack back? He loves that dog, nearly died protecting him. If Lucky’s boot had caught him up higher, he would have.”
Kathleen had no idea what the girl was talking about, but it didn’t sound good. Tommy glanced out the window and gestured toward the door. They needed to hurry up.
She glanced at Shane who was staring at Angel, adoration fighting with annoyance in his gaze.
“Angel, listen to Kathleen, please. She knows what she’s doing. You will be safe in the sanctuary.”
“I can’t go. I can’t leave them. They need me.”
“No, they don’t. Can’t you see? Lucky will sell you down the river just like that.” Shane snapped his fingers, before moving to put his hands on Angel’s shoulders. “I ain't trying to hurt you, but you got to see the truth. It ain't safe for you. It never was, but you really annoyed him the way you looked out for Kenny. He blames you for the fact the kid got away.”
He moved his hands down her arms, but the gesture made her shrink away from him. Kathleen saw his face turn red, as he pulled Angel’s sleeve up, revealing nasty bruises on her arm.
Chapter 51
“He did this, didn't he? Don’t lie to me,” Shane said, holding her shoulders.
“Shane, stop shouting. That’s not going to solve anything.” Kathleen pulled her brother away from Angel. Turning to the girl, she pulled her sleeve down and drew her to sit on the sofa beside her. “Angel, you can’t let your brother treat you like this. We can keep you safe, if you come with us now.”
“I can’t,” Angel repeated. “They’re my family.”
“That’s about to change, Angel,” Shane interrupted, but Angel didn’t acknowledge him. Kathleen hid her surprise, as she had to convince Angel to leave with them. The bruises on her arms were more proof her brother wasn’t going to keep her safe.
“Did Kenny tell you about his family?” Kathleen asked her, softly.
“He said he’d lost them and was going to ask Santa to find them. He said the cops told him his sister was dead, but she wasn’t.”
“His sister Mary was fourteen-years-old, just slightly younger than you are now. She died at the hands of Kenny’s mother, her mother. Some families don’t treat their loved ones the w
ay they should be treated. You know Lucky is going to get worse. You can’t stay here, not if you want to live.”
Angel didn’t reply, the look of shock on her face speaking volumes. She obviously had believed Kenny’s sister was going to be found. It amazed Kathleen that the girl could be so innocent, yet seem so tough at the same time.
“Listen to her, Angel. I've been trying to get you away for the last year. You can’t keep livin’ like this. If they don’t kill ya, they will sell you to Monk. You know that. Don’t be stupid,” Shane said sharply.
Kathleen saw Angel’s eyes widen, as the girl retaliated.
“Who are you callin’ names. I live in a house. What are you offerin' me? A bed on the street? Until someone better comes along? My brothers told me about men like you.”
Kathleen couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Shane was even more involved with this girl than just fancying her. A Jew? Not to mention the sister of some heavy-hitting gang members. How had they even met, never mind gotten to know each other so well?
“Angel, you know that isn’t what I want. I want us to be together. For always, but you aren’t old enough yet. I want you to come to Riverside Springs with me. You will be safe there. I told you before that’s what I want. I ain't leaving New York without you. But I won’t let you live here anymore. You’re comin’ with us, whether you like it or not.”
Angel scrambled away from Shane, as he moved nearer. Kathleen stood, too, the girl coming to stand behind her, as if Kathleen would protect her. Kathleen knew her brother wouldn't hurt Angel. No matter what else he had done, he was always wonderful with children and wasn’t going to lift his hand to a woman. Especially the woman he claimed to love.
“Shane you can’t kidnap her. That’s a crime,” Kathleen chided her brother.
“I don’t care. I ain't leavin’ her here,” Shane protested, his facial expression telling Kathleen it was pointless trying to argue with him. She glanced at Tommy.
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