Read Online Time of Fog and Fire: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Molly Murphy Mysteries) by Rhys Bowen - Free Book Online
Authors: Rhys Bowen
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haven’t had the chance to go there yet,” I said.
“Then you must come with me. I’d welcome the company and I will pay your way. We shall take the waters together.”
“I’m sorry, but I came to tell you that I am about to undertake quite another journey,” I said. “I am going to California. My husband has written to say that he wants me to come out to him.”
“But that is wonderful.” Her face broke into a smile, making her look much younger. “I’m sure you will love it. They say the scenery is incredibly beautiful and San Francisco has become such a fashionable city. And Caruso. You will be there for the arrival of Caruso.”
“I came to see if you would not come with me,” I said. “Would you not like to surprise your husband with a visit? I would be on the train with you to help you with baggage and things. You could get a sleeper car. It would not be too strenuous.”
She held up her hands. “How you do tempt me, Mrs. Sullivan. I would dearly love to see Mr. Endicott again, but I fear I have to reject your kind offer. I know my limitations. You see for yourself that after a few small excursions in the city I am thoroughly exhausted. And I travel so poorly. I should be prostrate with travel sickness within half an hour of leaving New York. And in addition Mr. Endicott might not be glad to see me.”
“What husband would not be glad to see his wife?” I asked, mindful that the same doubt had entered my own head.
“You do not know Mr. Endicott. He is a very masterful man. He likes to arrange everything, to be in control of everything. He might well be furious that I had undertaken such a journey without his permission at a time that might not be convenient for him.”
She sat up and leaned toward me, resting her hand on my sleeve. “But you, Mrs. Sullivan. You can go on my behalf. You can seek out my husband for me. You can report back on him. I will naturally pay you for your time and effort. I will make it worth your while to find Mr. Endicott for me.”
“I’m not sure how much free time I will have, but I will certainly do my best for you,” I said. “I am only sad that you will not come yourself.”
“So am I, my dear. So am I. But I do know my limitations. I hope you understand them.”
“Of course,” I said. “Let’s hope I can report back to you with good news in a week or so.”
She rang the bell and had her maid bring down albums with various photographs of Mr. Endicott in them. I could see from the expression in his photographs that he was indeed a masterful man; one rather pleased with himself. In any pictures of them together she appeared a mere shadow beside him, looking out fearfully at the world. I selected a couple of pictures to take with me and promised I would send a telegram as soon as I had any news.
I took my leave then, turning down her invitation to stay for luncheon. I had much to do and wanted to be under way as soon as possible. I had once been as far as Albany by train and I knew that the route continued on to Chicago. I wasn’t quite sure how one proceeded from there. My mother-in-law had taken the train to Minneapolis and had complained how wild and primitive it was. Even Sid and Gus had not made the trip across the whole continent. And yet I, Molly Murphy from a peasant’s cottage in Ireland, was expected to undertake the trip with my young son. I felt sympathy with Mrs. Endicott when she said that travel was too much for her. At this moment it seemed an enormous undertaking for me. It was true I had crossed the Atlantic, but Liam had been a small baby then, easier to handle than a rambunctious toddler. And several days on several trains would undoubtedly be more of a challenge than a pleasant cabin on a boat.
As I pushed the buggy back home worrying thoughts were flying around inside my head. Why did Daniel want me to come? He was not an impulsive man. Presumably he needed me for a very good reason. And that reason could only be that he was in
“Then you must come with me. I’d welcome the company and I will pay your way. We shall take the waters together.”
“I’m sorry, but I came to tell you that I am about to undertake quite another journey,” I said. “I am going to California. My husband has written to say that he wants me to come out to him.”
“But that is wonderful.” Her face broke into a smile, making her look much younger. “I’m sure you will love it. They say the scenery is incredibly beautiful and San Francisco has become such a fashionable city. And Caruso. You will be there for the arrival of Caruso.”
“I came to see if you would not come with me,” I said. “Would you not like to surprise your husband with a visit? I would be on the train with you to help you with baggage and things. You could get a sleeper car. It would not be too strenuous.”
She held up her hands. “How you do tempt me, Mrs. Sullivan. I would dearly love to see Mr. Endicott again, but I fear I have to reject your kind offer. I know my limitations. You see for yourself that after a few small excursions in the city I am thoroughly exhausted. And I travel so poorly. I should be prostrate with travel sickness within half an hour of leaving New York. And in addition Mr. Endicott might not be glad to see me.”
“What husband would not be glad to see his wife?” I asked, mindful that the same doubt had entered my own head.
“You do not know Mr. Endicott. He is a very masterful man. He likes to arrange everything, to be in control of everything. He might well be furious that I had undertaken such a journey without his permission at a time that might not be convenient for him.”
She sat up and leaned toward me, resting her hand on my sleeve. “But you, Mrs. Sullivan. You can go on my behalf. You can seek out my husband for me. You can report back on him. I will naturally pay you for your time and effort. I will make it worth your while to find Mr. Endicott for me.”
“I’m not sure how much free time I will have, but I will certainly do my best for you,” I said. “I am only sad that you will not come yourself.”
“So am I, my dear. So am I. But I do know my limitations. I hope you understand them.”
“Of course,” I said. “Let’s hope I can report back to you with good news in a week or so.”
She rang the bell and had her maid bring down albums with various photographs of Mr. Endicott in them. I could see from the expression in his photographs that he was indeed a masterful man; one rather pleased with himself. In any pictures of them together she appeared a mere shadow beside him, looking out fearfully at the world. I selected a couple of pictures to take with me and promised I would send a telegram as soon as I had any news.
I took my leave then, turning down her invitation to stay for luncheon. I had much to do and wanted to be under way as soon as possible. I had once been as far as Albany by train and I knew that the route continued on to Chicago. I wasn’t quite sure how one proceeded from there. My mother-in-law had taken the train to Minneapolis and had complained how wild and primitive it was. Even Sid and Gus had not made the trip across the whole continent. And yet I, Molly Murphy from a peasant’s cottage in Ireland, was expected to undertake the trip with my young son. I felt sympathy with Mrs. Endicott when she said that travel was too much for her. At this moment it seemed an enormous undertaking for me. It was true I had crossed the Atlantic, but Liam had been a small baby then, easier to handle than a rambunctious toddler. And several days on several trains would undoubtedly be more of a challenge than a pleasant cabin on a boat.
As I pushed the buggy back home worrying thoughts were flying around inside my head. Why did Daniel want me to come? He was not an impulsive man. Presumably he needed me for a very good reason. And that reason could only be that he was in
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