The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2) Read Free Page B

Rhonda,” said Rosa.
    "I think it was Wanda," said Louie.
    "Perhaps you are right," said Rosa.
    “If you could go through her things and find any receipts or any mementos from places she has been, it may help. If you could bring me everything you have that may have shown where she has frequented, I will start there,” said Madeline.
    “What is your fee?” asked Louie
    Madeline realized she had thought of this but had never come to an answer, not knowing what her services would be worth, as she was not a tested detective.
    “I will discuss that with you when you bring the items to me, but I believe that one dollar per day would be a fair price.”
    “It is fair,” said Louie as he shook her hand in a contractual agreement.
    Madeline exchanged pleasantries with Uncle Hank, promising to have him over for tea, and perhaps a card game later in the week.
     
    After the guests had gone,  her father sat with her at the dining table, drinking tea.
    “Madeline, it is a risky business that you undertake, but you are a grown woman, and I will not interfere. Perhaps you should try to engage a male participant if you are to go through with this business.”
    “Unless it was Hugh or Jonathan, I think not. That is my point, Father. Females must assert themselves into society in roles that are traditional to men. We must break ground in this, someone has to start it.”
    “You will, at least, let me know your whereabouts. I know I will worry, but you must go your own way, especially now. If this somehow relieves your burden of grief, I must stand beside you.”
    “I will try as much as possible to inform you of where I will be. Do not worry, Father. I am stronger than you think, and I promise you I will not take any unnecessary risks.”
    He looked at her still-trembling right hand, which she called her "opium tremor". She had slid into the undesirable action of using opiates while in London, and she knew her father was worried that the stress of investigating a disappearance might bring her back to that state of mind. What he didn’t know is that it never left her. Her cravings for opium were something she dealt with on a daily basis. Father said nothing about her uncontrollable finger movements, but thankfully they did not occur with frequency.
    “I will begin tomorrow with the coffee houses, drugstores, and the hotel. Sometimes the news-boys have a keen eye and remember people. It is a beginning. If their description of Maria is an accurate one, then she is most likely in danger. But we don’t know if she might be more adventurous and did perhaps go away intentionally. However unlikely, it must be considered.
    "The autumn days still have long light, and I will be able to be out in the safety of daylight until late.”
    “Perhaps if either Uncle Hank or I am available, we can escort you.”
    “Thank you, Father, we’ll see. If I am to do this, I think I must put myself into it and not be too reliant on others. But, I will see what I will find out and decide after that.”
    “All right, Madeline. Good-night.”

Chapter Three
    The Harrison
     
     
     
    It was the custom in this day and age for women to make a change of clothing up to four or five times a day, and now that Madeline was no longer wearing her black mourning dresses, she appeared better in complexion. Donning a sea-foam-green dress, and adding a darker green hat with a placement of feathers, gave her a fashionable appearance for the first time in a year.
     
    When she reached the drugstore, located directly across from the Harrison Hotel, she made inquiries about Maria. No one was particularly interested in answering Madeline's questions; they brushed her off without her obtaining any useful information.
    One of the newsboys, however, a boy she learned was called, "Little Tony", had thought he might have seen Maria.
    “She’s a beauty, Miss. I noticed her right away. I think I remember her with two other ladies, but I saw her go into the hotel a few