The Savage Heart

by Diana Palmer

  The wording hurt him. He knew that he'd alienated her, but he hadn't realized that he'd done it to this extent. There was another aspect that haunted him. Tess was the only "family" that he had. His cousins were so distant and foreign to him that he wouldn't have known them if he saw them on the street. But Tess was a part of his past…and very much a part of his present.

  "We'll talk about it later," he said, bringing his mind to bear on the present. He glanced at Miss Fish, who was pointedly staring at her junior. "Your matron is getting a bit testy."

  "Yes, I'm sure she is. She's quite strict."

  "I'll leave before I get you into trouble." He started to go and then turned back, his face solemn and stern. "Don't visit the jail unless I'm with you. There are some extremely unpleasant criminals incarcerated near your friend. It wouldn't be proper for you to go there alone."

  She lifted her chin and wanted to argue, but it would have been difficult at the moment. "We can talk about that later, too," she said sweetly.

  He sighed with resignation, tipped his hat, and went back toward the front entrance.

  Miss Fish came striding up to join her young nurse. "While you aren't rushed, Meredith, I'd like you to make up some extra iodoform gauze."

  "Yes, Miss Fish," she replied, forcing herself not to groan aloud. The gauze was tricky to prepare because one had to mix iodoform with glycerin, alcohol, and ether. The sterile gauze in precut lengths was then dropped into the mixture and pressed uniformly to preserve the evenness of color. The preparer had to work quite rapidly with her surroundings as sterile as an operating room. The gauze was then rolled into strips and placed in sterile glass jars. The nurse who had to prepare it always groaned. It was one of the most difficult of the routine tasks.

  "Meredith, have you ever considered taking formal training?" her superior asked suddenly. "As you know, we have several graduates of theIllinoisTraining Schoolfor Nurses here at the hospital, and they draw a larger salary than you do. You certainly have the qualifications to earn your diploma, and your prior experience working for your father would be taken into account, I'm sure."

  "I hadn't thought about it," Tess confided, "but it is something I think I might like to pursue. I love nursing. I cannot conceive of any other career."

  "Yes, I discerned that. Most attractive young women of your age are married. You have no wedding plans, no beau?"

  Tess's eyes grew sad. "No, Miss Fish," she said dully. "No plans at all." And that was true—because Matt didn't want to marry her, and she couldn't conceive of marrying anyone else.

  Miss Fish seemed to soften a little. "If you do decide to take the step, I know the administrator of the school. Come and see me, and I'll give you an excellent letter of reference."

  Tess smiled. "That's very kind. Thank you."

  "You are intelligent and skilled, despite your lack of formal training; you work harder than most of my juniors do; and you never shirk tasks," the older woman said. "Such dedication does not go unnoticed here." She nodded dismissively. "Tend to your duties, nurse. When you finish the gauze strips, you might prepare a mustard plaster for the Watkins child."

  Everyone in the hospital was fond of the ten-year-old boy in the children's ward. He had a stubborn pneumonia that nothing seemed to help. Tess had been afraid at first that he had tuberculosis, but the doctors had found nothing to indicate it.

  Billy was a frail and sickly child whose parents never came to visit him. They had five other children, of which he was the youngest, and both parents worked in a cloth mill. Tess had met them only once, and found them cold and unemotional. A bright and funny child, Billy was so unlike his family that he seemed not even to belong in it. The nurses petted him, to the doctors' disapproval. Even the dour and strict Miss Fish had once been seen sneaking him a peppermint stick.

  "Is his chest no better?" Tess asked.

  "It's no worse, at least," Miss Fish said noncommittally. "Go back on duty now."

  "Yes, Miss Fish."

  * * *

  The next day, Saturday, was Tess's day off. It was early and she waited in the parlor for Matt to come down. She wanted to be sure she intercepted him in case he was planning to skip breakfast so he could rush straight to his office.

  Sure enough, she'd been sitting on the rosewood sofa only a few minutes when she heard his footsteps on the staircase.

  He was checking his pocket watch when she came to the doorway of the parlor to meet him.

  He gave her a quick, wary glance.

  "Are you going out?" he asked, taking in the fact that she was obviously dressed for a day out in a black suit with a white blouse and a wide-brimmed hat with jet-beaded trim.

  She nodded.

  "Where?"

  She looked up at him and smiled. "I thought I might talk you into taking me to jail to seeNan. You said you didn't want me to go there alone. But if you won't go with me, that's exactly what I'll do."

  He glared at her. "You've become something of a thorn in my side just lately."

  "When haven't I been?" she retorted. She clutched her small bag tightly in her hands. "Do you have anything pressing on your schedule?"

  "Not that pressing, I suppose. Jail is no place for a lady."

  "That's why I want to seeNan."

  "Very well," he said in a resigned tone. "Let's go. But not without breakfast."

  * * *

  Nanwas in a small cell all by herself, but near enough to some of the male prisoners to make her uncomfortable. Tess saw at once why Matt had insisted that she not go to the jail alone. She was grateful for his company, especially in the face of the cold-eyed jailer who looked at her in a way that chilled her blood.

  When he opened the cell door to admit Tess and Matt,Nanwas sitting on her narrow bunk with her hair disheveled and wearing the same skirt and blouse she'd had on two nights before.

  "Good heavens!" Tess exclaimed, rushing over toNanand kneeling in front of her. "You poor dear. Hasn't anyone thought to bring you a change of clothing?"

  "My sister did, but I daren't…"She leaned forward, flushing. "They watch me all the time," she whispered.

  Matt's dark eyes narrowed. "I'll speak to your brother-in-law. He should be able to do something about that!"

  "That's very kind of you, Mr. Davis. I'm in his bad books, even though he knows I didn't kill Dennis." She lowered her eyes. "He knows I'm going to have a baby—that it's not my husband's. I am a terrible woman!"

  "Stop that," Tess chided gently. "You're not terrible."

  "Certainly not," Matt agreed. "We'll do all we can for you. Have you any idea who the murderer could be, Mrs. Collier? Was there someone who hated your husband enough to kill him?"

  "I did,"she said miserably, folding her hands in her lap. She shook her head wearily. "I do realize that I'm the best suspect they're likely to find. I had reason to hate Dennis." She picked at a fingernail. "He didn't know about the baby. If he had, I fear what he might have done. I believe he would have killed me. He had criminal friends…or at least I think they were criminals. They probably taught him a lot of ways to do dreadful things…like kill me."

  Matt leaned back against the bars, frowning. "I thought your husband was a telegrapher?"

  "That's what he did to pretend that he was a decent citizen,"Nansaid coldly. "But he was caught up in something dishonest, with a group of men who all dressed nice and had plenty of money to flash around. I don't know exactly what theydidto get the money."

  "Did you hear them say anything that might give a clue about it?"

  Nanpushed back her hair. "They didn't talk much around me," she said. "I heard bits and pieces now and again. Little of it made any sense to me."

  "What about recent days, Mrs. Collier?" Matt asked. "Can you remember the last of these conversations you overheard?"

  Nanlooked agitated. "Well, just last week there were a number of men sitting in our parlor… I was working in the kitchen." She looked forlornly up at Tess, then back at Matt. "Dennis told me to make sandwiches and�
�and salads for them to eat with their beer…He bought beer by the keg, you know, as if he were a barkeep…"She looked around distractedly, running her fingers through her hair.

  "It must have been hard on you,Nan," Tess said sympathetically. She had risen some time before and was standing next to Matt, at whom she shot a glance. Upon his nod, she prompted gently, "You were working around the kitchen, and you heard something."

  "Yes, yes. Dennis said a man named Marley…that he knew how to get around locks. He said 'I'll get him to help.'"

  "Marley?" Matt echoed.

  "Yes, but I don't know if it was his first name or his last name. I don't even know if he was here inChicago." She put her face in her hands. "I'm so sick. My sister fainted when they came to arrest me. She doesn't think Idid it,but she's scared, too." She lifted her red-rimmed eyes. "Mr. Davis, they'll hang me if I can't prove I didn't do it, won't they?"

  "No court is going to hang a woman who's in the family way," he said tersely.

  "But they might not care." She moaned. "They'll make me out to be as bad as those girls who work in bordellos. The jury will all be men, and they'll convict me as sure as there's a sun."

  "Now, now," Tess said gently, crossing toNanand holding her hands tightly. "You mustn't think that way. Remember the baby and try to stay optimistic. Matt's doing all he can to save you, and so am I." She brightened. "Nan, I'll get the girls together and that will give us strength. You're well liked, and none of them will believe you capable of murder. But you'll be tried by an all-male court, and that won't sit well with our group at all." She was thinking out loud. "We might be able to help in some way."

  "They won't want to help me when they hear about the baby,"Nansaid miserably.

  "Nan, some of our members advocate having all children out of wedlock and out from under the control of men."

  "Oh, of a certainty, keep men for breeding stock and then kill them…"Matt muttered.

  "Matt!" Tess cried, scandalized.

  Nanbrightened a little. "Well, Tess, I did hear one girl say something along those lines. I'm sure she was joking," she added hastily, with an apologetic glance at Matt.

  "Don't worry about offending me," he said. "I've had years of listening to Tess's thoughts on women's emancipation."

  "Some of our fellow marchers have rather radical ideas," Tess had to admit. "There was a group once that advocated living like Amazons." Her face colored."Ofcourse, they thought men should be kept on leashes and in cages."

  He chuckled. "No doubt. And I suppose you find that concept rational."

  She glanced at him. "They'd have to make a very large cage to hold you."

  Nanlooked around her. "This one seems to hold me very well." She twisted her skirt in her hands. "What shall I do?"

  "Try not to worry," Matt said solemnly. "Remember, you have us on your side. Meanwhile, there's no real alternative to leaving you here. I'm sure if there had been a way to accomplish it, your sister and her husband would have found it already."

  Nannodded. "They did appeal to the judge, but it's a capital crime, and they won't discuss bail." She turned her gaze to Tess. "Do you think you might find a book or two for me to read? It's frightening in here, and I have too much free time. Or could you bring me some wool and some knitting needles?"

  "I'll do what I can," Tess said.

  "Mr. Davis, please ask my brother-in-law to stop by and see me," she added. "I'm a bit scared being here alone, and that jailer…well, he's rather offensive and getting bolder with his remarks by the hour."

  Matt's eyes darkened. "Don't worry about it. That can be handled. Tess, we should go."

  Tess patted her friend's thin shoulder. "If you think of anything else that can help, please send word to Matt or to me."

  "To me," Matt corrected. "I won't permit Tess to come here alone." He held up a big hand when Tess started to speak. "I won't argue the point."

  She sighed angrily. "Brute."

  "No, he isn't a brute,"Nansaid. "Thank you both for helping me. It's more than I deserve, especially after what happened to you, Tess. I wouldn't have had you hurt on my behalf for all the world; please believe that."

  "Ido believe it. You're my friend," Tess responded. "I'll do everything I can to help save you."

  "There is just one more thing,"Nansaid suddenly, standing. "I haven't wanted to involve him…but the baby's father may be able to help you find out who killed Dennis. He got me out of the apartment after Dennis hit me. I know he didn't kill him, but he might be able to help find who did."

  Matt, noting her unease, looked around to make sure they weren't being watched. "Who is he?" he asked.

  She grimaced. "You've probably heard of him. Most people inChicagohave." She moved closer to him so that her voice wouldn't carry. "His name is Jim Kilgallen, but he's called DiamondJim."

  Matt's eyes widened. "Good God!"

  "Do you know of him?" Tess asked.

  "Who doesn't?" he muttered. "He's the kingpin of most illegal operations inChicago, although he usually stops short of white slavery. He owns several saloons around town, two distilleries, and the biggest slaughterhouse in the city." He stared atNan, who flushed. "Did your husband have any dealings with him?"

  She hesitated, and then nodded. "That's how we met. He came to the apartment several times. Once while he was there, Dennis hit me." She sat back down. "He told Dennis that if he ever raisedhishand to me again, he'd be found floating in the river. But Dennis was so strange the night he was killed that no threat would have held him back. He was out of his mind."

  Matt's face went taut.Nansaw it and shook her head. "No, Jim Kilgallen wouldn't have soiled his hands with Dennis. If he'd really wanted him out of the way, he'd have given him money and sent him toNew YorkorMiamiand had him divorce me. He doesn't kill people."

  "You're sure of that? Sure enough to risk your life on it?" Matt persisted.

  She sighed. "Yes, I am. And he doesn't know about the baby either. Not yet." She shuddered. "I hadn't thought very far ahead. First I was going to get away from Dennis. Then I was going to get a divorce. After that I was going to tell Jim about the baby and let him decide if he wanted to marry me. He hasn't ever been married, but he's had lots of girls, prettier ones than me.Oh,it's all so sordid! My mother didn't raise me to be a bad girl! I don't know how I went so far off the beaten path as this!"

  Matt, who'd seen plenty of decent girls die in brothels, didn't reply.

  Tess was on the verge of tears. "You keep your chin up. We'll do something."

  "I wish I was strong like you, Tess,"Nanmumbled through her tears. "I was never really smart. I married Dennis because he seemed so sweet. We hadn't been married two weeks when he slugged me for burning the breakfast bread!"

  "You should have laid his head open with an iron skillet right then," Tess said.

  "Iwas just seventeen. My father often beat me for not minding him. I guess I got used to being hit by men." She looked at Tess curiously. "Don't all girls get hit that way?"

  "Inever was," Tess replied. "My father was a kind and gentle man. Like Matt," she added without looking at him.

  "Oh, Iwouldn't think of Mr. Davis as particularly gentle,"Nanmurmured, wiping her eyes. "Else why would he carry that great knife on his belt?"

  "Ionly use it on scoundrels," Matt assured her. "And now we really must go. I have work waiting."

  "Thank you both for coming,"Nansaid again. Fear was in her eyes, along with resignation. Her expression said what her voice didn't, that she never expected to be out of jail unless it was up on a scaffold waiting for the hangman.

  * * *

  Matt sent Tess outside the jail while he had a word with the jailer. He came out looking stern, with traces of lingering violence in his eyes.

  "They should have put her in a more secure place, and with a woman matron," he said curtly. "I'll speak to Greene later and see what he can do. That damned jailer is scum."

  "What did he say to you?" she asked.

  "Never mind." He looke
d down at her as they walked. "Don't go in there alone."

  Her heart skipped. "Nanisn't safe there, is she?"

  "She is now," he said curtly. His black eyes met hers. "The jailer won't risk getting fresh with her again. The police commissioner is a friend of mine. I can have him behind bars if he persists, and Greene is going to let him know that in no uncertain terms."

  "Good for you," she said fervently.

  "But she is in a great deal of trouble," he continued. "And it's going to take some quick work to keep her from hanging. She's got a good motive for murder, nobody can give her an alibi for late on the evening her husband was killed, and she's a woman. All that is enough to convict her in the eyes of a male jury."