Read Online These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly - Free Book Online Page B

hundred-dollar note from his agenda. Then she’d had her maid, Katie, run to the bank to change the large note into smaller ones. Half an hour ago, at ten p.m., she’d left her home without an escort, to visit a man. She’d had to outwit Theakston to do it. No well-bred girl walked the streets of the city alone after dark. Were she to be found out, her reputation would be ruined.
    Jo knew she should listen to the voice. Only two days ago, her uncle had told her how important it was that her conduct be above reproach. As she recalled his dire warnings, she almost lost her nerve.
    If I’m seen here, if anyone finds out about this … , she fretted, anxiously eyeing the staircase.
    She was just about to leave when she thought of Nellie Bly. Bly had faked insanity to get herself committed to a madhouse so she could write about the terrible treatment its inmates endured. If Bly was brave enough to endure ten days of abuse in pursuit of the truth, then she, Jo Montfort, could walk up a staircase.
    Gathering her skirts in one hand, she took hold of the banister with the other. Halfway up the stairs, she heard a door slam above her. Footsteps pounded across the landing, and then a young man came careening toward her. He was wearing twill trousers and a tweed vest and jacket. She immediately recognized the handsome face, the too-long hair, the astonishing blue eyes.
    â€œMr. Gallagher! I’ve found you!” she said excitedly.
    Eddie came to a stop a few steps above her. His eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding me. What are you doing here, Miss Montfort?”
    â€œPaying you a call.”
    â€œAt ten-thirty on a Monday night? Does your mother know you’re out?”
    â€œI certainly hope not,” Jo said earnestly. “I paid my maid, Katie, a dollar to put on my nightclothes and get into my bed in case my mother checks on me.”
    â€œHow clever of you, Miss Montfort.”
    â€œThat’s a rather charitable interpretation of my behavior, Mr. Gallagher. I see it as highly deceitful, truth be told, but I could find no other way to speak with you.”
    Eddie shook his head. “Can’t talk now. Sorry. Got a lead on a story.”
    â€œReally? How exciting !” Jo exclaimed, thrilled to be in the company of a real reporter following a real lead. She was envious, too. She wished it were her striding along the city streets in pursuit of a story. “May I walk with you? I could tell you the reason for my visit on the way.”
    â€œIt’s a free country,” Eddie said with a shrug.
    Jo was delighted with this concession. They left the boardinghouse and walked to Broadway. Eddie set a fast pace. She nearly had to trot to keep up with him. As they walked, she told him about her father’s agenda, the mysterious notations inside it, and the strange man she’d seen gazing up at his window. She also told him about the conversation she’d had with her uncle.
    â€œThat’s why I came to your home,” she explained. “Because my uncle’s banned me from Park Row.”
    â€œThat’s all very interesting, Miss Montfort, but what’s it got to do with me?”
    â€œI need your help,” Jo said. “You’re a reporter. Reporters find things out. I need to find out why my father took his life. Will you help me? I’ll make it worth your while.”
    Just then, Jo stumbled over a jutting cobblestone and nearly fell on her face. Eddie caught her in the nick of time.
    â€œMr. Gallagher, is it truly necessary to walk so fast?” she asked crossly, embarrassed by her clumsiness, and by the fact that one of Eddie’s hands was on her waist.
    â€œYes, Miss Montfort, it is,” Eddie said, steadying her. “I got a tip on a story just before you showed up. I need to check it out. I’m not dabbling here. This is my job I’m talking about.”
    â€œI’m not dabbling, either,” Jo said