Murder on Trinity Place

by Victoria Thompson

“Does Mrs. Pritchard know you have appointed yourself her protector?”

  “Really, Malloy, you are trying my patience. You come in here and insult Mrs. Pritchard with your innuendos and practically accuse me of murder, and then you don’t even notice when you’ve been warned off. Well, let me make it perfectly clear. I will not tolerate you meddling in the Pritchard family’s affairs any longer. I want you to tell Theda you’ve been unable to solve her father’s murder and you are withdrawing from the case.” He actually took a breath, as if preparing to say more, but he seemed to catch himself.

  Frank waited, but he appeared to be finished. “Or what?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that usually when somebody gives me an order like that, they follow it with a threat of what will happen if I don’t obey.”

  Was Bergman actually grinding his teeth? Frank thought so. “I am a man who is used to being obeyed simply because I give the order, but if you want a threat, I’ll give you one. Your two-bit detective agency will be finished. No one in this city will ever hire you again. Is that good enough for you?”

  Frank managed not to sigh. “I guess it will have to be.”

  “And now you’ll leave and never come back here.”

  He must have pushed some kind of alarm because Miss Kathleen Denson opened the office door and stepped in. “This way please, gentlemen.”

  Frank and Gino rose and followed her out. She opened the door to the hallway for them and closed it rather firmly behind them.

  “That was interesting,” Gino said as they waited for the elevator.

  “It certainly was. Did he strike you as a tailor?”

  “A tailor? Oh, that’s right, he owns a bunch of tailor shops.”

  “That’s what Theda or Mrs. Pritchard said. I forget which one. He started out as an apprentice and eventually opened his own shop and now he owns several in the city.”

  “Why isn’t his office in a tailor shop then?”

  “Maybe he likes his privacy.”

  But Gino shook his head. “He doesn’t talk like a tailor either.”

  “How many tailors do you know?” Frank asked with interest.

  Gino grinned. “Just the one who made my good suit, but I don’t think tailors—even ones who own several shops—expect people to run and hide when they order them to.”

  “He didn’t order us to run and hide.”

  “Practically. He ordered us off the case, which is pretty bold of him since he didn’t put us on it in the first place.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  “And that threat . . .” Gino shook his head again and made a rude noise.

  “You’re right. It was pretty weak. From the look on his face, I was expecting a lot more.”

  “Yeah. He should have at least threatened to beat us up or something. But maybe being put out of business is a pretty scary threat to some people.”

  “I guess he doesn’t know the detective agency doesn’t support me.”

  “Even so, how does he think he can keep clients from hiring us?”

  “I don’t know, but I’d like to find out. I think we need to know a bit more about Mr. Otto Bergman.”

  * * *

  • • •

  How will you find out more about him?” Sarah asked. Gino had joined them for supper that evening, and Malloy had told her and Maeve about their visit with Bergman. Mrs. Malloy chose to have supper with the children rather than listen to the details of their investigation.

  “Not from his secretary,” Gino said with a grin. “So don’t even suggest I might try to charm her into talking about him.”

  “Nobody was going to,” Maeve said, earning a scowl from him.

  “She’s a rather formidable Irish lass,” Malloy said, “and apparently very loyal to Mr. Bergman.”

  “You’d probably have better luck at his shops, then,” Maeve said. “Employees always like to complain about the boss, and since he isn’t on the premises, they wouldn’t be shy about talking.”

  “That’s what we were thinking,” Malloy said. “Except we’ll need to find out from Theda where his shops are. We couldn’t find any tailor shops in the City Directory with his name on them, and we even stopped at my own tailor’s shop on the way home to see if he could help, but he never heard of Otto Bergman.”

  “That’s strange, but maybe there are just too many tailors in the city for all of them to know each other,” Sarah said.

  “Bergman isn’t just a tailor, though,” Malloy reminded her. “He’s supposedly very successful and owns several establishments.”

  “He didn’t look all that successful to me,” Gino said. “His office wasn’t even as fancy as ours, and he lives in a town house in Lenox Hill. And tell them about his threats.”

  “He threatened you?” Sarah asked, aghast.

  “Not really,” Malloy said with an odd little grin. “He ordered us to leave Mrs. Pritchard alone and stop investigating or else he’d make sure my detective agency went out of business.”

  “How does he propose to do that?” Maeve asked.

  Malloy shrugged. “He didn’t say.”

  “The funny part,” Gino hastened to explain, “is that Mr. Malloy and I both expected him to really threaten us. He was furious and he ordered us off the case the way somebody who was used to ordering people around would do it, but then he stopped. Mr. Malloy had to remind him that he needed a threat to make us do what he wanted.”

  “And he couldn’t come up with anything worse than putting you out of business?” Maeve asked, enjoying this thoroughly.

  “If he could, he decided not to mention it,” Malloy said. “So naturally, we have no intention of giving up the case. Tomorrow, we’re going to track down Bergman’s tailor shops and find out what we can about him.”

  “Gino can’t go,” Sarah reminded him. “He has to take Maeve down to the clinic in the motorcar to fetch Jocelyn tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh, that’s right. It’s the big proposal tomorrow,” Malloy said with a smile.

  “We hope so, at least,” Sarah said. “Maybe you can start your morning with a visit to Mrs. Ellsworth and ask Theda if she knows where Mr. Bergman’s shops are. You won’t need Gino for that, at least.”

  “No, and with any luck at all, I’ll have visited all of them by the time Gino has returned Jocelyn to the clinic,” Malloy said.

  * * *

  • • •

  Jack Robinson arrived before Jocelyn the next morning. Hattie showed him into the parlor, where Sarah was waiting. He’d obviously taken great pains with his appearance again today. She thought his suit might actually be brand-new. She wondered idly who his tailor was.

  “I’m early, I’m afraid.”

  “I hope that means you’re anxious to see Miss Vane.”

  “More than anxious.” He was carrying an attaché case, and he laid it down on the sofa beside him. “I hope she’s anxious, too.”

  “I’m sure she is, although the prospect of marrying a total stranger must be terrifying to you both.”

  “How kind of you to consider my feelings as well, Mrs. Malloy,” he said.

  “I’m not kind at all, just realistic. I saw Jocelyn yesterday, and she has many concerns. She was afraid you might change your mind about allowing her to keep her child, and she was surprised when I suggested you might be concerned that she would take the child and leave.”

  He smiled slightly. “I’ve been disappointed once, and you’re right, I’m not eager to be disappointed again. But I’ve given the matter considerable thought, and I think I have found a solution that will allay her fears and mine as well.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Sarah said, glancing at the attaché case and wondering if that had anything to do with his solution.

  “How is Mr. Malloy coming with his investigation
?” he asked.

  “Sadly, we haven’t made much progress. Malloy told me you offered to accompany him to visit that Lou Lawson.”

  “Did he?” Mr. Robinson seemed to find that amusing.

  “Actually, Gino told me. I don’t think Malloy would have mentioned it otherwise.”

  “Ah, that makes sense. I couldn’t imagine Mr. Malloy would have admitted it to you, but then, I don’t know much about how married couples behave with each other, so I couldn’t be sure.”

  “I don’t think there is any one way that married couples behave with each other, Mr. Robinson. It depends on the individuals involved. I think you’ll find that if you treat your wife with respect and consideration, you will be rewarded with the same in return.”

  “I have a feeling that is excellent advice.”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  They heard the motorcar pulling up outside, its rattle unmistakable. Mr. Robinson instantly jumped to his feet, betraying the anxiety he had managed to keep controlled until now.

  “Please sit down and let me go to meet Miss Vane,” Sarah said. “She’ll want to freshen up before she sees you, I’m sure. Riding in the motorcar leaves one a bit windblown.”

  He looked as if he wanted to argue with her but at last he nodded, taking a seat again only when she left the room, closing the door behind her.

  Jocelyn was definitely windblown but still lovely. The ride had brought color to her cheeks and a brightness to her eyes, which widened in sudden apprehension when Sarah said, “He’s already arrived.”

  But Sarah and Maeve rushed her off to Mother Malloy’s apartment so she could remove her duster and hat and make repairs to her hair.

  “Has he said anything?” Jocelyn whispered to Sarah when she was finally ready.

  “He’s nervous, too. I told Hattie to bring in some tea when you arrived, so you’ll have something to do. If you need anything, you can ring or just call. Maeve or I will hear you.”

  Jocelyn nodded and then lifted her chin and drew a fortifying breath. “I’m ready.”

  Sarah escorted her in and saw the tea service delivered. Then she left them to it. Gino took the motorcar to the garage and spent the time tinkering with it. Maeve went to her room and Sarah retired to her private parlor to write some letters. She’d left the door open, so she heard Mr. Robinson call for her nearly two hours later.

  She had to force herself not to run, especially when she saw Mr. Robinson’s expression as he gazed up at her from the bottom of the stairs. He was fairly beaming, and Sarah couldn’t help but beam right back at him.

  “Are congratulations in order, Mr. Robinson?”

  “I believe they are, but I’ll let Jocelyn tell you herself.”

  Jocelyn was also beaming, although her eyes were a bit red and she was clutching a handkerchief.

  “She says I shouldn’t worry because she’s crying,” he whispered to Sarah.

  “I’m sure they’re happy tears,” Sarah said. “Ladies who are in a delicate condition are often more emotional than usual, too.”

  “I can’t seem to help it,” Jocelyn said, dabbing at her eyes.

  “Of course you can’t. Mr. Robinson tells me you have news.”

  She drew another fortifying breath. “We have decided to be married on Saturday at Mr. Robinson’s home.”

  “I’ve asked a friend of mine who is a judge to officiate,” he said.

  Sarah was a bit astonished to learn Black Jack Robinson was friendly with a judge, but that would no doubt be advantageous to a gangster.

  “It will be a private ceremony, of course,” Jocelyn said. “An elopement, really, but we would very much like to have you and Mr. Malloy stand up with us.”

  “Normally, I wouldn’t speak for Mr. Malloy, but in this case, I’m sure he will be as honored as I am to be asked. Of course we will stand up with you. We’ll also be happy to collect Jocelyn at the clinic and bring her to your home, Mr. Robinson.”

  “There’s no need for that. I can fetch her in my carriage,” he said.

  “But you can’t see the bride before the ceremony,” Sarah said. “That’s bad luck. Let us bring her to you.”

  “We don’t want to start with bad luck, so I’ll accept your offer,” he said. “And we’ll have a wedding breakfast afterward. My cook is already baking the cake. I believe you know her, Mrs. Malloy.”

  “I do?”

  “Yes. I hired Tom and Marie O’Day when they found themselves, uh, without employment.”

  The O’Days had worked for Estelle’s family and been her only protectors when she was young. They had also been very helpful to Frank and Sarah during that case. “You did? How delightful.”

  “I’ve thought so. Marie is an excellent cook, and Tom is a font of information.”

  “I’m guessing she will enjoy having a young woman to look after again, too.”

  “She assures me that she will, so long as the young woman doesn’t want to run her kitchen.”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Jocelyn said.

  Sarah took a seat and they spent a few minutes finalizing plans. Jocelyn had packed nearly all her belongings when she moved to the clinic, not knowing where she might end up after the baby was born, so she had a dress that would serve for the ceremony. They determined that on Saturday, they would bring her and her trunk in the motorcar first to the Malloy house so she could get dressed, and then on to Mr. Robinson’s house.

  When everything was settled, Sarah invited him to join them for lunch, but he begged off. “I’m afraid if I spend too much time with Miss Vane before the ceremony, she’ll change her mind.” That made Jocelyn laugh, as he had meant it to.

  Mr. Robinson then took his leave, being so bold as to raise Jocelyn’s hand to his lips, a gesture that obviously thrilled her. Sarah saw him out. At the door, he said, “I am indebted to you, Mrs. Malloy.”

  “Nonsense. No one is happier than I that the two of you have found each other.”

  “It’s not nonsense, and I always pay my debts. My offer to assist Mr. Malloy still stands, and you may call upon me for anything that is within my power to do.”

  “That’s very generous, Mr. Robinson, but totally unnecessary. You may repay me simply by making Jocelyn a good husband.”

  “I will do my best.”

  When he had gone, Sarah went back to the parlor, where she found Jocelyn perusing a sheaf of important-looking papers, and Sarah realized he had left the attaché case behind.

  “What’s that?”

  “Oh, Mrs. Malloy, you won’t believe what he’s done. Now I know why he wanted a few days to prepare. He proposed to me, but not before he explained all this.” She held up the papers. “He had an attorney draw them up. He has settled a sum of money on me. The money will be mine upon our marriage and remain mine no matter what, so that if I’m unhappy in the marriage, I can leave him and make my own way in the world, me and my child, and we’ll always be taken care of.”

  That didn’t sound right to Sarah. “So he’s already decided that you’re probably going to want to leave him someday?”

  “Oh no! That’s not it at all. Don’t you see? He’s done the kindest possible thing that he could think of for me. He’s eliminated the one thing that terrified me, which is being left alone and helpless and unable to take care of my baby. I never have to worry that he’ll leave me penniless. And he also pointed out that this will keep him on his good behavior because if he displeases me, I won’t have to stay with him. How could I help but love a man like that? And how could I ever want to leave him?”

  Sarah wasn’t sure she saw the logic of that, but Maeve did, and the two of them marveled over Jack Robinson’s generosity, which Sarah supposed was good. When Gino came in, he shared Sarah’s confusion but was wise enough not to argue with the young ladies. Hattie had just told them luncheon was ready when Malloy returned.


  They didn’t want to discuss Pritchard’s murder in front of Jocelyn and ruin her wonderful morning, but Malloy did manage to tell Sarah that Theda had no idea where Bergman’s shops were located, and he’d had no luck in finding them himself yet either.

  Malloy did accept the invitation to stand up with Mr. Robinson, and he was even more enthusiastic than Sarah could have wished. Most of the meal was devoted to hearing Jocelyn’s opinion of Mr. Robinson’s thoughtfulness and kindness. Sarah was glad to see Gino managed not to roll his eyes and Maeve at least pretended an equal enthusiasm. Sarah had no idea how she really felt, but no doubt Maeve would tell her later. They were just finishing their meal when someone started pounding on the front door.

  “What on earth?” Sarah said, but Malloy was already out of his chair.

  “I’ll get it, Hattie,” he called to the maid, who had hurried out of the kitchen in response.

  Hattie stopped in the dining room, and they all waited, frozen by the implied urgency of the pounding. It stopped abruptly, and they heard a woman’s voice raised in anguish.

  “That’s Mrs. Ellsworth,” Sarah said, and they all hurried out to see what was wrong.

  Mrs. Ellsworth was weeping and trying to speak but not making much sense. Malloy had put his arm around her and was guiding her into the parlor. Sarah took her arm and together they got her seated on the sofa.

  “What’s happened?” Sarah said, sitting beside her and taking her hand.

  “Oh, Mrs. Malloy, it’s terrible. It’s Harvey. He’s been murdered, too.”

  XI

  Sarah had Mrs. Ellsworth drink a few sips of brandy while they waited impatiently for her to calm down enough to tell them what had happened.

  “They found him at the dairy this morning,” Mrs. Ellsworth said when she could speak coherently. “I don’t know all the details, but I gathered he had been there for a long time, maybe overnight. It took a while before someone thought to inform Mrs. Pritchard, and of course she was completely distraught. She must have sent for Mr. Bergman, and he was the one who came just now to inform Theda. Her mother thought Theda should be informed in person, but she was much too upset to come herself.”