Read Online Murder on Marble Row by Victoria Thompson - Free Book Online

it?” Mrs. Decker asked in amazement.
    â€œThe people here can probably tell me who might have wanted to see Mr. Van Dyke dead, Mrs. Decker,” Frank replied as politely as he could, not willing to let Sarah defend him again.
    Mrs. Decker looked at him, still frowning. He tried to read her expression, but she was too well-bred to allow her true emotions to show on her face. “I suppose Mr. Roosevelt wouldn’t have sent you if he didn’t think you were capable,” she allowed, as if she herself were reserving judgment.
    â€œMr. Malloy is extremely capable, Mother,” Sarah assured her. “And we’re keeping him from doing his job. He must leave now, and I’m afraid I must go, too.”
    â€œOh, Sarah, I was hoping you’d come home and dine with us tonight,” Mrs. Decker said. Did she sound a bit desperate, as if she suspected her daughter was going into danger with a disreputable policeman?
    â€œI can’t. I have an appointment. But I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure. I’ll be back to check on Alberta, and if you’re not here, I’ll go to your house afterward. Mr. Malloy,” she added, turning to him with an expression of complete innocence. “May I walk out with you?”
    When they were halfway down the stairs to the first floor, Frank said, “Neatly done.”
    She smiled up at him over her shoulder. “Ironically, my mother taught me that trick.”
    Outside, the sleet had slowed to a drizzle, so they didn’t bother trying to find a Hansom cab and walked down to the Fiftieth Street Station of the Sixth Avenue Elevated Train.
    She was wearing a hooded cape against the weather, and Frank turned up his collar and pulled his bowler hat down low. Dodging people with umbrellas and the sprays of water shooting up from passing vehicles, they didn’t have much opportunity to talk. A public street wasn’t a good place to discuss a murder in any event.
    Neither was the train station, but no train was in sight when they reached the top of the long stairway that led up to it from the street, so they were forced to stand and wait. Frank glanced at her, feeling suddenly awkward. What had she thought when he’d disappeared from her life without a word? Probably that he cared nothing about her, which was what he’d wanted her to think. At least she’d never guess the truth, that he’d vowed never to see her again because he loved her too much to trust himself with her.
    She drew a breath, and he knew she was going to say something. He braced himself for a rebuke.
    â€œHow’s Brian doing?” she asked.
    â€œHe’s . . . fine,” he stammered. “Just fine. Walks from the minute he gets up until he falls down asleep.” Brian could walk because Sarah Brandt’s surgeon friend had fixed his club foot.
    â€œI’m so glad,” she said. “I’d love to see him sometime.”
    Frank wasn’t going to reply to that. He was trying to keep her out of his life, not draw her into it. It was for her own good. Knowing Frank had already caused her too much pain. “I . . . I’m sorry about your friend,” he said, not quite able to meet her eye. Another loss for which he was responsible.
    â€œThe newspapers were very kind,” she said. “I know you made sure they didn’t find out anything sensational.”
    â€œThe family called in some favors, too,” he said modestly. “How’s that little girl at the mission? What’s her name . . . Aggie?”
    â€œShe seems fine,” Sarah said a little wistfully. Frank knew she’d grown very fond of the little orphan girl she’d met at the Prodigal Son Mission. “It’s hard to tell, of course, since she doesn’t speak. I wish . . .”
    Hearing the longing in her voice, Frank looked at her sharply, but the roar of an approaching train distracted them both. They hurried forward to be among