“Aren’t you going to take notes?” Mr. Greene broke into her thoughts.
“Yes, of course.” She set her notebook in her lap. “Is Mrs. Walker here?”
“Of course she’s not here. Are you really a reporter?” Mr. Greene peered at her as if trying to determine whether her demure blue dress was some sort of disguise.
“Yes, I—” Cassie paused and regathered herself. She had clearly walked into a situation much different than the one she expected, and she needed to adjust her approach. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what has happened so far?”
***
After nearly an hour of questioning, Cassie stood, stunned, on the sidewalk in front of the Walkers’ building. A pedestrian passed roughly around her, knocking into her bustle. She moved to stand close to the front steps, steadying herself on the banister. Her hand ached from taking so many notes so quickly. Even in shorthand, it had been difficult to keep up with everything that was said.
Mrs. Horace Walker had been missing for nearly a week. And the police had done nothing about it.
Cassie set her jaw. The police station would be her next stop.
***
“A lady reporter?” the policeman at the front desk asked her. “Are you serious?”
“Quite serious, I assure you.” She pointed at the card he held in his hand.
“Anyone could have these printed.”
“Are you going to let me talk to the detective who’s investigating her case or not?”
The man scowled, making his bushy blond eyebrows meet in the middle. Without a word, he walked through a door and out of sight. He returned a few minutes later followed by a fortyish man with strong cheekbones and striking green eyes. The first policeman returned to his duties at the front desk while his handsome superior continued into the lobby. Cassie turned her most charming smile on him.
“Are you the detective?”
“I can’t have reporters interfering in my case.” He spoke in a rough Irish brogue.
Her face fell. Clearly this man was not one to be charmed. “I’m merely asking for information.”
“What does the News Desk want with this story anyway? And why send you?”
“I’m the women’s editor—”
“Women are reading missing persons cases now, are they?”
“I’m simply trying to ascertain where the investigation currently stands. Mr. Walker’s lawyer—”
“What lawyer has he got?”
“Mr. Greene—”
The detective harrumphed. “No good swindler, that one.”
“I’m sure such a description applies to many lawyers you encounter, Mr.…”
The man glared at her. “O’Neill.”
“Mr. O’Neill. I really am not trying to interfere, but only would like to know what has been done to locate this woman.”
“Did this Mr. Greene tell you that Mrs. Walker’s maiden name is Tiatelli?”
“No, he failed to mention that.” She hesitated, hating to reveal her lack of insight, but needing to know the answer. “And that’s important why?”
“One of the biggest crime families in the city,” he scoffed. “Mr. Walker’s been feuding with them for years.”
“But she’s never gone missing before, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“With all due respect, then clearly something has changed.”
“That whole clan is a nuisance. I suggest you stay out of it and stick to writing about who wore what to the Astors’ ball.” He spun on his heel and stalked away.
Cassie chewed her lower lip as she considered her next move. This only got more intriguing. Feuding crime families? But if that were really the crux of it, why would Mr. Walker make such a fuss about his wife’s disappearance when it would only serve to bring attention to the matter? To try to force the police to bring down his in-law’s network, perhaps?
There was something here. She just had to figure out what. She would give Mr. Ellerbee his fluff piece on the cookbook, but she would continue investigating on her own. Maybe she would finally have a real story to report on, a byline she could be proud of.
She tamped down her enthusiasm. This was about Mrs. Walker and her safety, not Cassie’s ambition. She would ensure Mrs. Walker returned safely home, and if it helped Cassie’s career in the process, so be it.
Two
Cassie unpinned her hat quietly in the hall, hoping her father wouldn’t hear her arrive home. She normally only spent half the day at the office, but with all her stops this afternoon, it was nearly suppertime. The maid, Lacey, appeared to take her things. Cassie indicated silence with a quick shake of her head. Lacey obliged and took the hat and gloves without a word. Cassie set a foot on the first stair.
It squeaked.
