Read Online Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart - Free Book Online Page A

had been a very revealing morning. Trained observation and well-honed instincts had led her to three compelling realizations in a very short amount of time.
    One was that she’d probably never get close enough to Robert Magellan to write the authorized book on the disappearance of his wife and child. She doubted he’d ever entrust that part of himself to anyone. That was okay, though; she didn’t blame the man. She could live with that.
    Two, it was clear to Mallory that Susanna was in love with Robert—probably had been for years.
    And three—and possibly even more intriguing—was that Robert appeared to be absolutely oblivious to Susanna’s feelings.
    If nothing else, Mallory mused as she slid back her sunroof, this had all the makings of a really interesting ride.

SIX
    A t promptly eight on the following morning, Mallory walked up the steps of the Conroy Diner and smiled at the elderly man who held open the door for her.
    “Thank you,” she said, looking past him into the diner.
    “My privilege, beautiful.” He half bowed, and she laughed, shaking her head.
    Only a man of a certain age could get away with something like that these days, she was thinking as she entered the diner and looked for a familiar face.
    She was still smiling when she slid into the booth next to Father Burch.
    “Good morning, Father,” she said, adding to the woman seated opposite her, “You must be Mary Corcoran. I’m pleased to meet you.”
    “God bless you, Miss Russo, for doing this.” Mary Corcoran’s eyes filled. “Father told me you’re going to help us find Ryan.”
    Mallory held up a hand.
    “One thing at a time. First of all, I agreed to look into the case, but you have to understand that there are no guarantees here. Ryan and Courtney have been missing for more than two weeks. That’s a long time, Mary. If they’re hiding someplace, they’ve done a damned good job of it. It’s going to be very hard for anyone to find them if they don’t want to be found.”
    “I understand, I do.” Mary nodded a little too quickly. “But knowing that someone other than the police is looking for them makes me think they’re more likely to be found.”
    “I was a member of that police force for a long time. I’m sure they’re doing their best.”
    “They’re only trying to find them to arrest them. They’re not doing anything to find the real killers.” Mary lowered her voice and leaned across the table. “Detective…”
    “Not anymore,” Mallory corrected her. “Or maybe I should say
not yet.
I have applied for a license, but right now, I can’t legally refer to myself as an investigator. So just call me Mallory.”
    “I don’t know what that means.” Mary frowned and looked at Father Burch. “I thought you said…”
    “Don’t worry, Mary, she’s come highly recommended by none other than the chief of police. What she means by not legally being a detective is that she can’t charge for services as a private investigator until she has a license, isn’t that how you phrased it, Mallory?”
    “Basically, yes. So until I have my license in my hand, I’d like to keep this all pretty much low-key. It’s going to take me a while to talk to everyone Father Burch thinks I should, and hopefully by the time I’ve finished, the paperwork will have gone through.”
    “And in the meantime, I’m just telling people that Mallory is a friend of mine who’s agreed to help us out. Which is the truth.” The priest smiled. “A new friend, but a friend all the same.”
    “I don’t care about any of that official stuff.” Mary waved a dismissive hand. “I’m only interested in the fact that you’re going to try to find Ryan.”
    The waitress stopped by the table to take their orders, and Mallory took the opportunity to study the woman who sat across from her. There was no question that the uncertainty and fear following her grandson’s disappearance had taken a heavy toll on Mary. Her pale blue eyes were rimmed