Murder on Lenox Hill Read Free Page B

available.”
    As the secretary disappeared into the inner office, Frank sat down to wait. Ever since he’d received the summons from Decker yesterday at Police Headquarters, he’d been trying to decide why Decker wanted to see him. The last time he’d been here, Decker had given him information that helped him solve the murder of one of Decker’s oldest friends. He’d also made it clear at that visit that he didn’t approve of Frank’s friendship with his daughter, Sarah Brandt. Of course, Frank had only seen her once since the case had been solved, when she’d brought that little girl from the mission over to visit his son Brian. Frank had been careful since then to avoid Mrs. Brandt, so he didn’t think Decker had called him in to warn him about seeing her. But what else could it be? Unless he’d found out how his wife had helped Frank and Sarah investigate that murder. Frank winced at the thought.
    To Frank’s surprise, Decker didn’t keep him waiting, although he didn’t rise and offer to shake hands this time, either, when the secretary escorted him into the large, airy office. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Malloy,” he said. “Please have a seat.”
    Frank chose one of the comfortably worn leather chairs that sat in front of Decker’s large desk. Decker was an imposing man, tall and handsome with the blond hair and blue eyes of his Dutch ancestors who had settled New York City. His expression said he was used to being obeyed and expected his will to be done. Frank hoped he wouldn’t have to disappoint him.
    â€œYou’re probably wondering why I sent for you,” Decker said and didn’t wait for an answer. “First of all, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your discretion in handling the Van Dyke case.”
    This time Decker did pause, but Frank had nothing to say to this. He hadn’t been discreet for Decker’s benefit. He waited.
    Something flickered in Decker’s eyes but was gone before Frank could identify the emotion. He allowed a few more seconds to tick off the clock before he said, “Are you still investigating Tom Brandt’s death?”
    This wasn’t what Frank had expected, and he wasn’t sure what answer Decker was looking for. “As you pointed out the last time I was here, it’s an old case, and there isn’t too much evidence.” Sarah’s husband had been murdered nearly four years ago. Frank had once imagined he could find Dr. Brandt’s killer and bring Sarah some peace, but what he’d learned since had given him second thoughts.
    â€œYou said you had a witness, someone who saw the killer,” Decker reminded him.
    â€œHe saw a well-dressed, middle-aged man,” Frank reminded him. “That isn’t much to go on.”
    â€œYou said the man mentioned my name that night,” Decker reminded him. “He must be someone who knows me.”
    â€œLots of people know you, Mr. Decker. That doesn’t mean you know him.”
    â€œBut what if I do? What if I can help you find him and bring him to justice?”
    Frank didn’t trust him. The last time they’d discussed Brandt’s murder, Decker had been adamant he didn’t want it solved. “If you know who the killer is, why don’t you tell your friend Mr. Roosevelt?” Teddy Roosevelt was, for the time being at least, one of the Police Commissioners, although rumors swirled that newly elected President McKinley was going to appoint him to some federal government job as soon as he was inaugurated in March.
    â€œBecause I don’t know who the killer is, not yet anyway. I have some information that might help you find him, though.”
    â€œI thought you didn’t want to find him,” Frank said. “You were afraid it would hurt your daughter if she knew what kind of a man her husband was.”
    Decker’s finely boned face darkened with an emotion