Read Online Murder on Fifth Avenue: A Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

assure you, no one has any reason to bear him a grudge.”
    “What about his tenants? Has he evicted anybody lately?”
    “Mr. Devries has never evicted anyone. We have staff who handle those duties. In fact, Mr. Devries spent little time here,and I assure you, I know of no one who wished him ill because of his business interests.”
    Frank pretended to consider this for a few minutes. “What do you know about Salvatore Angotti?”
    “Who?”
    “Salvatore Angotti. Don’t you know him?”
    “Never heard of him.”
    Frank believed him. “He doesn’t work for the company, then?”
    “Certainly not. Although…as I said, we have staff members who handle difficult tasks for us. I don’t know everyone who works at that level.”
    “Who does?”
    “I’ll summon him. Miss Shively?” he called.
    The girl came to the door.
    “Will you ask Mr. Pitt to come to my office immediately, please?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Who would keep track of Mr. Devries’s appointments?” Frank asked when the girl had gone.
    Watkins frowned. “As I said, Mr. Devries didn’t spend much time here, and when he did…Well, he has never taken much interest in the company.”
    “What did he take an interest in?”
    “I’m sure I don’t know. My responsibility is to make sure the company runs smoothly and continues to be successful.”
    “To make a lot of money, you mean.”
    Like most people who had money, Watkins didn’t like to talk about it. “That would be the result of success, yes.”
    “And is the company successful?”
    “I can assure you it is.”
    “Then Mr. Devries didn’t have any reason to be upset with anybody here?”
    Mr. Watkins appeared to be offended. “Certainly not!”
    “And you hadn’t had words with him about anything?”
    Mr. Watkins’ cheeks were growing red. “I haven’t seen Mr. Devries in several weeks.”
    “Was that unusual?”
    “Not at all.”
    Frank nodded, considering. “Do you know about the woman who lives in the house on Mercer Street?”
    This time Watkins stiffened slightly. “Which house on Mercer Street?”
    “I think you know which one. The one where Miss English lives.”
    “Is that her name?”
    “So she says. I take it Mr. Devries didn’t deed it to her.”
    Watkins sniffed derisively. “I’m surprised he didn’t make her pay rent.”
    For the second time today, Frank had to keep his jaw from dropping open. “What will happen to her now?”
    “I couldn’t say. That will be up to …”
    “To who?”
    Mr. Watkins frowned. “I was going to say to the family, but …”
    “I can see how awkward it would be for you to raise the subject. But surely, you can talk to his son. He’s a man of the world.”
    Plainly, Mr. Watkins did not agree. “I suppose …”
    “You don’t need to be in a hurry about it. I’m sure the girl would appreciate having some time to make other arrangements.”
    “Girl? Why do you call her a girl?”
    “Because she’s not any older than Miss Shively out there.”
    This news seemed to disturb Mr. Watkins even more, butFrank didn’t have an opportunity to discuss it with him any further because another man came into the office. He stopped when he saw Frank.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Watkins, I—”
    “Come in, Pitt.” Watkins introduced him to Frank. Pitt was about Frank’s age, early thirties, and his pale skin, thinning hair, and slight build marked him as a man who spent his days in an office. “Mr. Malloy needs to know if we have anyone working for us by the name of…What was it again?”
    “Salvatore Angotti.”
    Pitt’s pale eyebrows rose. “Is Mr. Angotti in some sort of trouble?”
    At last, someone who knew this Italian. “No,” Frank lied, managing to keep his excitement from showing. “I just need to ask him some questions.”
    “Does this man work for us?” Watkins asked, obviously not pleased by the thought.
    “Oh, no. Or at least, he isn’t on our payroll.”
    “Who is he, then?” Watkins asked.
    “He assists us