A Girl Like That (8 page)

Twelve

Katie almost gasped when she came out onstage for her solo and saw Sam, first row, center seat, as though he hadn’t missed a single show. She felt her heart pounding, and from the way his eyes brightened, he’d noticed the effect his presence had on her, too. The grin he tried to hide sent her pulse racing. And her number tonight was a love ballad. How in the world was she going to get through it?

The first note was a little shaky, but Katie managed to relax her throat and sing without choking. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her eyes from drifting his way before she left the stage. Warmth washed over her at the expression in his brown eyes. So convincing. If he wasn’t in love with her, he should have been on the stage himself.

She hurried to change into the maid costume. Every time a noise sounded by the door, she started. She hurried into her costume and headed back to the stage wings, dragging Bridget with her. “Look and see if he’s still there.” The panic in her voice matched what she felt.

Bridget tiptoed out onstage and peeked through a crack in the curtain then drew back and walked softly across to Katie, who had twisted her handkerchief so tightly it left marks on her hands. “He’s there all right. And starin’ right at the stage as though he can see straight through the curtains.”

Katie leaned toward Bridget, and the girl grabbed her shoulders to steady her. “Here now, don’t you go a-faintin’.”

“I won’t.” Katie took a deep breath and steadied herself. She knew if she messed up during the performance, Mr. Harrigan wouldn’t trust her with a bigger part later. Not that she cared very much at the moment. She simply wanted to get through the show and back to the dressing room. Would he come? And if he did, should she see him?

Katie played her part, saying her one line without a mistake. But by the time the play was over, her curls were plastered to her forehead.

After the show, she hurried back to the dressing room, got into her street clothes, and removed her makeup, listening all the while for a knock at the door.

Thirty minutes later, everyone had cleared out except for Katie and Bridget, who refused to look her in the eye.

Katie stood. “Well, that’s that.”

“We could wait a little longer, if you’re wantin’ to.”

“No, if he was coming, he’d have been here long ago. Let’s go home.” Katie trudged down the hallway, beside Bridget, to the performers’ entrance. She pushed open the door and stopped in her tracks.

A tall form leaned against the building. Even in the darkness she recognized him.

Stepping through the door, she waited for Bridget to follow her. Her friend’s sharp intake of breath revealed that she’d seen him, too.

He removed his top hat and stepped in front of the girls. “Miss O’Shannon, Miss Thornton.”

“Good evening, Mr. Nelson,” Bridget stammered and curtsied.

Katie remained silent, her eyes lowered. She was pretty sure she couldn’t have spoken if her life depended on it.

“Miss Thornton, I had the honor of meeting your mother and sister yesterday.”

“Oh, did me mum seem well to ya?” The eagerness in Bridget’s voice revealed her concern at being away from her family.

“They both seemed quite well. I met them at the Flannigans’ when I was visiting there.”

Katie jerked her head up. “You went to see Mr. Flannigan again?”

“Yes. If you’ll permit me to see the two of you home, I’d like to talk to you about it.” He smiled. “As well as other things.”

Katie bit her lip then lifted her eyes and looked into his. “I’m not sure that would be wise.”

“I promise to leave without protest whenever you ask.” His sincere gaze set her heart to pounding again.

“Oh, Katie, what can it hurt?” Bridget piped up. “I for one would rather ride than walk. My feet are killing me.”

Katie threw Bridget a sideways glance. Her friend wasn’t fooling her a bit. Grateful to her for making it easier to accept Sam’s offer, she nodded.

“Very well, Mr. Nelson. I don’t suppose there’s any harm in accepting a ride.” She blushed as he offered one arm to her and the other to Bridget.

The ride to Ma Casey’s was a little uncomfortable as Sam had put both girls in front and she was squeezed close to his side. The very idea. He did that on purpose. She pressed her lips together as she felt a smile coming on.

They pulled up in front of the boardinghouse, and as soon as Sam had helped Bridget down, she yawned and said she was going to bed. Before Katie’s shoes hit the pavement, the front door had closed behind her friend.

Katie and Sam sat on the wicker chairs on the porch, and she listened, mesmerized, as he related the incident with O’Hooley and then his talk with Flannigan. She could see that although he said he hadn’t totally decided on his course of action, his heart knew the truth.

“I’ve spoken to my father about conditions in the Patch. I think he believes I’m exaggerating, but at least he’s agreed to ride over with me tomorrow and take a look for himself. I don’t know how much good he could do, but he does have some influence in the city.”

“What about Mr. Flannigan? Are you still going to represent his employer?” She held her breath as she waited.

“Father is adamant that he won’t drop the case without proof that Howard and his witnesses are lying.”

“Well, can’t you take Mr. Flannigan’s case yourself?”

He shook his head. “I can’t go against my father. But I promise I’ll do everything in my power to uncover the truth.”

It wasn’t until Katie was lying in her soft feather bed that she realized the matter of his not inviting her to meet his family was still unresolved. She flopped over onto her side. Next time she saw him, she’d ask him right out. She had to know if Sam was ashamed of her for being on the stage. Or even for being half Irish.

❧

The carriage dipped and swayed over the dry, rutted streets of the Patch. Neither Sam nor his father had spoken since they’d entered the filthy shantytown. Stealing a glance at his father, Sam noticed his mouth was tight and the creases at the corners of his eyes were deeper than usual. Sure signs that he was disturbed.

They turned onto Flannigan’s street. As they neared his house, Sam turned to his father. “The last time I was here, a little girl fell into that sewer.” Sam paused then added for effect, “I jumped in after her.”

“What?” The astonishment on his father’s face spurred Sam on. “Yes, Flannigan gave me clean water to wash with and his Sunday suit to wear home. His wife gave me Irish stew.”

“You ate with these people?” Sam thought he may have revealed too much. His father’s face had reddened, and a vein protruded at his temple.

“Calm down, Father. Their home is spotless.” As an afterthought, he added, “And the soup was very good.”

“Do you realize you’re not supposed to fraternize with the enemy?”

“The Flannigans are hardly the enemy, Father, and I was merely attempting to discover the truth. If you want the truth, I am sure Howard is lying. And so are his so-called witnesses.”

“Sam, you do realize if you continue down this route, I’ll have to remove you from this case.” He glared. “Promise me you’ll stay away from Flannigan.”

“Father, you’re an honest man. I can’t believe you don’t want me to search for the truth.”

“I’ve told you before. If you can bring me proof Howard’s lying, I’ll send him packing. But as long as he remains our client, we’re honor bound to do what we can to win this case for him.”

“Very well, Father. I’ll find you that proof.”

“I’ve seen enough. Turn around and let’s get back to the office. This place is a disgrace, no doubt about that. But I don’t see what I can do about it. And we’ve both got work to do.”

Sam complied, and they drove back to the Nelson building in silence. He knew his father wouldn’t take him off the case. But he didn’t like being at odds with him over anything.

He pulled up in front of the office to drop his father off before driving the carriage to the livery. As he watched his father step onto the sidewalk, he noticed for the first time the older man moved more slowly than before. He’d never thought of his father getting old.

Eugene stepped out onto the sidewalk, put his hand on the side of the carriage to steady himself, and peered up at Sam. “Put Davis on it. I’ll give you two weeks.”

Elated, Sam leaned over and grabbed his hand. “Thanks, Father. If I don’t find anything by then, I promise I’ll drop the subject and represent Howard to the best of my ability.”

Eddy Davis had done work for the Nelson firm before. When they needed investigative work done behind the scenes, so to speak. Sam drove to a livery down near the Clark Street Bridge, left his horse and carriage, and then set out on foot to a small dive down by the docks.

Even on this sunny afternoon, Sam had to stop just inside the door of Gert’s Club until his eyes could adjust to the dark. The smoky cabaret was almost half full even this early. Sam crossed the small dance floor and rounded the corner by the counter. A door in back led to a line of offices. He tapped on the door of the last one and entered a tiny, cluttered room.

Eddy Davis sat with his feet propped up on a mammoth desk. “Hey, Sam. Haven’t seen you in years.” He swung his feet off the desk and stood, reaching his arm out.

Sam shook his hand and grinned. “It’s only been two months, Eddy.”

“Oh yeah. That divorce case. Some old bird’s young wife cheatin’ on him.” He slammed his hand on the desk. “So, what can I do for you?”

Sam picked a piece of paper and a pencil from Eddy’s desk and wrote Howard’s name. He slipped the paper across to Eddy.

In spite of the shady accommodations and Eddy’s less-than-respectable appearance, Sam knew he was professional and thorough on the job. And one of the best-kept secrets in Chicago. You had to know someone who knew someone to obtain Eddy’s services.

The man glanced at the name and whistled. Placing both hands on his desk, he leaned over and raised both eyebrows. “This ain’t no cheatin’ wife case.”

Sam shook his head. “I need everything you can find on him. Past and present. And I need it fast.”

Eddy whistled again. “This is heavy stuff, Sammy boy.”

“You’ll be well paid.”

“Yeah. If I’m around to spend it.”

Sam laughed. “You’re kidding, of course.”

Silence fell on the room. Heavy. Ominous. Could there really be danger?

A laugh exploded from Eddy’s mouth. “Sure I am. Just kiddin’. I’ll get right on this for you.”

Relieved, Sam shook his head and grinned. He gave a sizable retainer to the detective and left, with a promise from Eddy to report to the office every day.

Eddy almost had him going this time. The man had a sick sense of humor. But a moment of doubt worked at Sam’s mind. For just a moment, Eddy had sounded afraid. Impatient, he clamped down on his imagination. Eddy would be fine. He was the best detective in town.

Thirteen

Katie pushed the needle into the satin fabric and pulled the thread through. She’d known this day would arrive sooner or later, but she’d hoped it would be a little bit later.

“Rosie, dear, it’s grand to see you back. The show wasn’t the same without you.”

Rosie patted the puff across her face and laughed. “Don’t be silly, Faye. I’ve been here every day, cheering you all on.”

“Yes, but that’s not the same, and ya know it.”

Katie bit her lip to keep back the tears. She was happy that Rosie was fit and ready to take over her role as Sally. And this, of course, put Patsy back in the housemaid role. At least Katie wasn’t complaining the way Patsy was. She wasn’t about to make that kind of fool of herself.

Rosie stood. As she walked by Patsy, she smiled. “I thank you for filling in for me, Patsy. I’ve been watchin’, and you did a wonderful job.”

Katie lifted her eyes and glanced at Patsy. Surely the girl would be gracious.

“I don’t know why I couldn’t have continued with the part,” Patsy snapped. “After all, as you admit, I did a good job.”

A ball of anger clutched at Katie’s stomach as she saw a pink flush wash over Rosie’s face. Oh, how she’d love to grab a handful of Patsy’s sleek black hair and yank it from her head. She looked at Rosie and was met with a smile and a shrug. Katie grinned.

“And you, Katie girl. . .” She placed a gentle hand on Katie’s shoulder. “You’re the talk of the town. Your singing is causing quite a stir.”

“Really?”

“Yes indeed.”

A flush of pleasure warmed Katie’s face at the praise. “I love doing it.”

“There’ll be other acting roles for you, too. Don’t you be worrying about that.” With a smile and a pat on Katie’s shoulder, Rosie took her leave. The room quickly emptied, leaving Bridget and Katie alone.

“You’re not frettin’, are you?” Bridget laid her sewing on her lap and peered at Katie.

“I’m fine.” Katie smiled at her friend. “You don’t need to be worrying over me about every little thing. Besides, this will give me more time for my work at the kitchen. And maybe I’ll find other places to volunteer.”

“Oh, Katie, I have some news for you. I forgot to tell you.” The gladness in her eyes proclaimed her news was happy.

“What is it? Tell me.”

“Benny O’Malley stopped by this morning with a note from me mum. They’ve formed a child care center of sorts. Mamie Todd is running it, with some of the young girls helping. She already has three little ones.”

“Oh, that is good news! I wonder if there’s anything we can do to help.”

“No doubt about that. They’ll be needin’ blankets for pallets and kitchen stuff, too, I’m sure.”

“Good, let’s get right on that this afternoon. I’ll ask Pa to help, too.”

“You know somethin’, Katie?”

“What?”

Bridget’s lips puckered into a smile. “You have a lot more excitement in your eyes when you’re talking about helping people than when you’re talking about show business.”

Surprised, Katie stared at her friend. Bubbles tickled her stomach as she wrapped her mind around her friend’s words. It was true. She felt her eyes crinkle. “Bridget, I believe you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up show business.”

Bridget tossed her red curls and laughed. “I never expected ya would.”

The girls went shopping as planned during the long afternoon break. Katie’s father had been generous, so their arms were piled high with parcels when they climbed into a public carriage and headed to the Thornton home.

“Bridget!” The tiny version of Katie’s friend ran pell-mell down the steps and flew into Bridget’s arms, sending packages flying.

Laughing, Bridget swung her little sister around then set her down on the ground. “Now look what you’ve done, you little scamp. Start picking ’em up now.”

A few minutes later, Katie and the two sisters dropped the parcels on Betty’s little bed.

“Sister, I fell in the sewer, and a nice man jumped in and saved me.” Betty was bubbling over with excitement.

“Ma, what’s she talking about?”

Bridget’s mother had come in from the other room, wiping her hands on a towel. She smiled at Katie and gave her elder daughter a hug. “I wasn’t expectin’ you until evening. You’re still coming for the weekend, aren’t you?”

“Of course, Ma. We brought some things over for the child care center. Now what’s this about Betty fallin’ in the sewer?”

Bridget’s mother waved her hand and gave a loud, dramatic sigh. “It was quite a thing, let me tell you. Some other children crowded Betty over the edge of the ditch. Mr. Nelson jumped in and saved her. Carried her to the Flannigans’ to find me.” She shook her head. “He was a mess, he was.”

Katie placed her hands on her cheeks, her eyes wide. “Do you mean to say Sam. . .I mean, Mr. Nelson. . .actually jumped into the sewer?”

“That he did. Plucked our Betty out of the slime and marched over to the Flannigans’ with her in his arms.” She smiled at her little girl. “He’s a hero, he is.”

Sam never said a word about it. Why hadn’t he told her about saving Bridget’s little sister? Had he thought it would sound as though he were tooting his own horn?

Warmth and a tenderness she hadn’t felt before filled her heart. He truly was a good man. Even if he should decide to continue representing Howard, she would still know that he was a good man.

Katie watched as Bridget tore open the packages and presented the goods to her mother, who watched with astonished eyes.

“Oh, you darling girls! I can’t tell you what this means.”

“Mrs. Thornton, if Mrs. Todd and the other ladies won’t be offended, I think there are others who would be happy to sponsor this endeavor until you get things going.”

“I don’t think anyone would be offended. I know I wouldn’t. This is to help our people. And I know you won’t approach anyone who would try to bring shame on us.”

Katie and Bridget got back to the theater just in time for Katie to run through her new song before the performance. When she walked out onto the stage, her eyes found Sam. He winked, and her heart fluttered. Then she began to sing.

❧

Sam slammed into his father’s office and threw the folded newspaper on the massive oak desk. “They killed him.”

“What? Who killed whom?” He picked up the paper and scanned it. “I don’t see—”

“There. Right by that advertisement. It’s Eddy.”

“Davis?” He peered at the small print and read aloud:“ ‘A body found beneath the Clark Street docks on Tuesday night proved to be that of Edward Davis, a private detective. The absence of money or other valuables lead authorities to assume Mr. Davis was the victim of robbery.’ ”

“It wasn’t robbery, Father. You know it wasn’t. He got too close to something illegal. It was Howard.”

“You’re making assumptions, Sam.”

“Maybe. I don’t think so. Eddy implied the case was dangerous. Then he laughed and pretended to be joking. I should have known he was serious. Looking back, I can see it. But all I could think of was finding something on Howard.” Sam tightened his lips and took a deep breath. “If it’s murder, I’m going to find out.”

“Don’t do anything foolish. There’s no proof Howard had anything to do with the death. It could have been a simple robbery as the police believe.” He sighed. “And if it was murder, you could find yourself in danger. Leave it alone, Sam. Please.”

Sam threw a short nod his father’s way and left the office. He stopped briefly at his own desk to look over some files and then started toward the door.

“Sam, wait a minute.” Jack was just leaving his office. “Where’ve you been keeping yourself? You’re in and out of the office all day, and I haven’t been able to catch you in weeks.”

“Sorry. I’ve been really busy. How’ve you been?”

“Fine, fine.” He lowered his voice. “I guess you’re still seeing that girl.”

“Shh. I haven’t told my parents yet.”

“What do you mean, yet? Why would you want to tell them and upset them? Unless. . .” He shot a worried look at Sam. “You’re not serious about her, are you?”

“Jack, I’d love to stand and talk, but I have things to do. I’ll see you later.” Sam grinned to soften his words and left the building.

Driving toward the docks, he tried to set a plan of action. He had no idea how to start his investigation. “God, I could use some direction here.”

The dock was teeming with activity as workers loaded and unloaded the boats that carried goods up the river and back. Sam tried to question a number of men who were willing to stop and listen to him. But if anyone knew anything about Eddy, he wasn’t talking.

Discouraged, Sam walked to Howard’s lumberyard and warehouse where he got the same response as before. He spotted the two men he’d spoken with in the shed the last time and walked over to them. “I don’t suppose you men have thought of anything since the last time I was here.”

The bearded one spat his glob of tobacco out of the side of his mouth. “Listen, fellow. If I was you, I’d get out of here and not come back. There’s nothing for you here but trouble.”

Realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere, Sam turned to leave. He spotted two men by the warehouse gate, whispering. One pointed in his direction. Sam started toward them, but they turned away. Anger like a hot poker stabbed him as he left. They knew something. Some of them did, anyway.

He’d left his carriage in a livery across the bridge, so he headed there. The sound of footsteps caught his attention, and he turned to see a figure dart behind a building. Suspicious, he ambled on down the street, listening intently. This time, when he turned, he saw the man plainly. With long strides, he got to the man before he could duck behind another building. “Okay, why are you tailing me?” He grabbed the man’s arm and frowned into his eyes.

“Hey, wait a minute. I’m not meanin’ you no harm. I got a message for you.” He jerked his arm away.

Sam gave a short laugh. “If you have a message for me, why were you sneaking around? Why not just give me the message?”

“Cuz I don’t know ya. That’s why. Didn’t want no fist in my face.”

“Okay, okay. What’s the message?”

The man looked around then leaned in closer to Sam. Lowering his voice, he said. “There’s some of us what wants to help you. But we gotta be careful, ya see?”

Excitement shot through Sam like a bolt of lightning. “Yes, I understand.”

“Okay then. Here’s the deal. There’s an old shed in back of Wiley’s Feed and Grain in the Patch. Be there at midnight. And make sure you’re by yourself.”

Before Sam could answer, the man turned and slipped around the corner. Should he follow him? Sam hurried to the corner and looked down the street, but there was no sign of the messenger.

Deep in thought, eager with a hint of dread running through him, Sam walked to the bridge and crossed over to the livery stable. Was he finally close to an answer to the Flannigan question? Would he discover something tonight about Howard’s shady dealings, perhaps even something that would lead to the truth about Eddy’s death?

Avoiding the office, he urged the horse toward home. He needed to calm down before facing his father’s scrutiny. It wouldn’t do for him to find out what Sam planned to do. He’d say it was foolhardy and probably forbid Sam to go. Right now, the one he needed to talk to was his mother. He couldn’t tell her what he planned to do tonight, but he could ask her to pray with him.

Suddenly a vision of Katie’s face filled his thoughts. Yes, it was time to tell Mother about Katie, too. She’d understand and perhaps help prepare the way for Sam to tell his father.

But not yet. First, Sam needed to get this other situation taken care of. Tonight, at midnight, he’d be waiting at a shed in Conley’s Patch.