Murder in Murray Hill (Gaslight Mystery) by Victoria Thompson

Author:Victoria Thompson [Thompson, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

9

Rose Wolfe stood in the doorway. She looked much different than the creature Sarah had released from that cage just yesterday. Her hair had been washed and tamed into a sedate bun. She wore a simple dress of sprigged muslin that hung loose on her because of the weight she’d lost while held captive. Still, her height and her bearing, proud in spite of everything, made her an imposing figure. Only her eyes hinted at the horrors she had endured.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded of them.

Sarah and Malloy had both risen to their feet. Sarah resisted an urge to rush to Rose and embrace her. “We wanted to make sure you’d gotten home safely.”

“How did you find me?” Her anger resonated in the room like a chime.

Sarah glanced at Malloy, who glanced at Mrs. Wolfe. “I found your address,” he said, giving nothing away.

“And have they told you everything, Franchesca?” Rose said in challenge, braced for the onslaught of whatever emotions Franchesca Wolfe would unleash if she had known the truth.

“No, they have not,” Franchesca cried in frustration. “Nothing more than I already knew, at least. Please, Rose. I can’t bear seeing you in such pain and not being able to help you.”

A spasm from that pain twisted Rose’s face, but she shook her head. She turned to Malloy. “Are you a policeman?”

“No,” he said. Sarah could see how much it cost him to say that word, although she doubted anyone else noticed. “I’m a private investigator.”

“Then you aren’t here to arrest me?”

“Arrest you?” Franchesca echoed, appalled. “Why on earth would anyone want to arrest you?”

“No,” Malloy said, ignoring Mrs. Wolfe.

“But he is dead, isn’t he?” Rose asked.

“Oh, yes,” Malloy said.

Rose closed her eyes and swayed. All three of them rushed to her aid and, in spite of her protests, soon had her seated on the sofa. Franchesca perched beside her, chafing Rose’s wrists until Rose pushed her hands away. She lifted her white face to where Sarah and Malloy stood over her.

“Franchesca, would you leave us? I’d like to speak to Mrs. . . .”

“Brandt,” Sarah supplied.

“I’d like to speak to our guests alone.”

Mrs. Wolfe looked crushed. “You don’t have to protect me, Rose. Whatever happened—”

“Yes, I do,” Rose said. “Please respect my wishes.”

Sarah could see how difficult it was for Franchesca Wolfe to leave her sister-in-law’s side. Plainly, she cared for Rose very much and truly only wanted to help. Perhaps eventually Rose would be able to accept her help, but not yet. Not today.

“If you need me . . . I’ll be nearby,” Mrs. Wolfe said, her unshed tears almost choking her as she fled before they fell.

The instant the door closed behind her, Rose covered her face and began to sob quietly, her shoulders shaking with the force of her grief.

Sarah took the seat beside her, aching to offer comfort but not sure how welcome her efforts would be. Malloy moved to the other side of the room, obviously willing to leave this to Sarah.

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