“Tomorrow I start a new life,” I said out loud into the storm. I had come through worse things than this. I wasn't going to let one disappointment, one betrayal break my spirit.
Early in the morning I presented myself outside the house on Gramercy Park. It was an hour earlier than I was supposed to arrive for work, but I had to get it over with as quickly as possible. I rang the bell and inquired before 1 entered whether Miss Van Woekem's goddaughter was indeed staying there.
“She's here, yes, but she didn't want disturbing before half past nine, if you please,” the maid muttered to me. “And she wants her breakfast taken up on a tray. Spoiled rotten, if you ask me.”
Secure in the knowledge that I wouldn't have to face Arabella Norton, I took a deep breath and went into the dining room, where, I was informed, Miss Van Woekem was currently breakfasting. She looked up in surprise from her boiled egg.
“You are certainly an eager beaver this morning, Miss Murphy,” she said. “Do the hours without my company seem too long for you?”
“I came early because I have something to tell you, Miss Van Woekem,” I said. “I'm afraid I can no longer work here as your companion.”
She looked surprised and disappointed. “I didn't think you'd give up so quickly,” she said. “I took you for a creature of spirit. In fact, I was beginning to look forward to the challenge of taming you.”
“And I think I might have enjoyed the challenge as well,” I replied, “but I'm afraid I can no longer work in this house. It would be too difficult for me. I pray don't ask me to go into details.”
I had thought she was sharp. She looked at me, birdlike, head on one side and black button eyes boring into me. Then she nodded. “I understand perfectly,” she said. “I always wondered where young Sullivan managed to find a suitable companion for me so quickly.” She extended a hand. “Won't you join me for breakfast?”
“No, thank you. I'd prefer to go immediately, before there's any chance of…” I glanced at the door.
“So what will you do now?”
“I plan to set myself up in a profession,” I said. “I'm thinking of becoming a private investigator.”
She gave a surprised laugh. “An investigator? You? But that's not a suitable job for a woman.”
“I don't see why not. Women have eyes and ears just as men do. And women are more observant, more patient.”
“But the danger, my dear. Have you thought of the danger?”
“Oh, I wouldn't handle criminal cases. I'd like to find lost relatives. There are so many families back in Europe who have lost touch with their loved ones.”
“And what makes you think you'd be any good at this kind of thing?”
“I did a little investigating once. I think I'd get the hang of it quickly.”
She gave a half-snort, half-laugh. “So how do you plan to set about it? I would imagine you need money to open a business.”
“I need to learn more before I can set up on my own. I plan to apprentice myself.”
“Apprentice yourself? To whom?”
“I have connections.” I wasn't going to betray what my possible future employer had been doing in Gramercy Park.
Miss Wan Woekem held out her hand to me. “You have spunk, I'll say that for you. I wish you well, Molly Murphy. Come and see me from time to time. I'd like to hear of your progress. It would liven up an old woman's tedious days.”
“Very well,” I said. I reached into my pocket. “Oh, and here are your two dollars back. I won't be needing the suitable dress after all.”
She closed my hand around the dollar bills. “Keep them. Your wages.”
“Oh, but I couldn't possibly—” I began.
“Wages earned,” she insisted. “Good luck to you, Molly Murphy.”
Then I was coming down the front steps into Gramercy Park. Last night's storm had dispelled the stifling heat, leaving a crisp blue sky and a fresh breeze. The smell of jasmine wafted from the gardens. A maid was sweeping front steps and the swishing noise echoed from the tall buildings around the square. A milk cart approached with the neat clip-clopping of hooves and then the reassuring clink of milk bottles as the milkman made a delivery. It was strange, but I felt as if I'd stepped into a new world. I ran down those steps, ready for anything.
My first disappointment came as I crossed the street. My future employer was not in the gardens. I slipped through the fence and went around carefully, in case he was hiding behind a shrub, but the only occupants were two nursemaids who walked side by side pushing their charges in high wicker prams. After a careful search I had to admit to myself that he wasn't there. I sat on a bench and waited. It was, after all, early in the day. Maybe his vigilance didn't start until after a hearty breakfast. I waited and waited. The cool morning melted into uncomfortable midday sun. At last I admitted to myself that he wasn't coming.
I left the garden by the way I had entered and went to find the constable on Fourth Avenue. He was standing under the awning of a corner grocery shop, looking redfaced and sweaty.