Mona and Robert were shown into the library, where Brezing sat in a dark blue beaded dress. Her hair was swept up in a bun with diamond pins.
“Miss Moon, I see that you’ve brought your fiancé with you to visit. I thought I had seen the last of you darkening my doorstep. You were fit to be tied when last we met.”
“I’m glad you found my anger amusing.”
“I never said that nor did I give that impression.”
“You let Jacob Gentry plan his schemes against me in your parlor. I take offense to that.”
“You should know by now that one way to survive in my business is to mind my own business. However, I sprinkled bread crumbs for you to follow.”
Robert extended his hand. “Miss Belle, I am Robert Farley. I did follow the breadcrumbs and wondered if you can set us straight on some questions.”
Brezing shook his hand. “Do you mind if I smoke? It calms my nerves.”
Both Mona and Robert shook their heads.
“Please sit down.” After Brezing offered them a cigarette, she lit one herself and drew deeply, blowing smoke out her nose. “Actually, I’ve been expecting you. Ask away.”
Robert spread out Mira Hedges’ birth certificate and picture.
Brezing picked up Mira’s picture and studied it. “Wasn’t she a pretty young thing?”
“We think Jacob Gentry is her father. We see a resemblance around the eyes and mouth.”
“Very good. Yes, Jacob is her father. Met her mother, Seraphina, here twenty-one years ago.”
“Was Seraphina a working girl?” Robert asked.
Belle nodded. “One of my best girls. She really brought in the clientele. Seraphina was considered exotic.”
“What happened?” Robert asked.
“I told Seraphina that Jacob was no good, but she was enthralled that a white boy had fallen in love with her. Have you ever heard of the expression—empty wagons make a lot of noise? That is Jacob Gentery, but at the time, he was nineteen, good-looking, and came from a well-to-do family. She thought his obsession with her was the real thing, poor fool. As usual, my advice went unheeded. She ran off with Jacob, thinking he would marry her, but all he wanted to do is to sow some wild oats. As soon as Jacob was bored, he jumped ship, but Seraphina was pregnant by then.”
Mona asked, “Where did they run to?”
“New Orleans, of all places. When Jacob returned and I didn’t see Seraphina around town, I knew he had deserted her. I sent a private detective to Louisiana looking for her. He found Seraphina broke, both financially and in spirit. She was brought here, and I took care of her until the baby was born. After that, she went back to work for me, but it wasn’t the same. The fire in her eyes was out.”
“Maybe it was because she was whoring for you,” Mona spat out.
“That may be true, Miss Moon, but I was also provided a salary, two meals a day, clean sheets, and a roof over her head. This was 1903. There weren’t many alternatives of employment for women then—not the kind of money she was making. But you’re right, Seraphina didn’t like the business. She wanted out and was saving money for her escape.”
Robert asked, “What happened to the baby?”
“She was sent away to live with a wet nurse. When she got older, I sent her to a boarding school.”
“But Mira had family in Adamstown,” Robert said. “Couldn’t they have cared for her?”
“She was just another mouth to feed for a beleaguered population. Surely, you understand what I’m talking about.”
Robert and Mona glanced at each other. This conversation was putting Brezing in a softer light.
Mona was curious. “Did Mira ever see her mother?”
“Of course. Seraphina saw her every chance she could, but it wasn’t often. Then Seraphina came down with typhoid. She didn’t fight the disease. It was like she welcomed death. But I don’t think she died because of typhoid. I think Seraphina died of a broken heart.”
Mona said, “It sounds like you cared for this woman, and yet, you allow Jacob Gentry to use your home to destroy this woman’s life.”
“Is that what you think? I’ve been waiting years for someone to take him down.”
“Why didn’t you take Gentry down?” Mona asked.
Brezing jeered, “And have every law enforcement officer within a hundred mile radius come after my scalp? No thank you. I needed a champion with more money and clout than I had. I let Jacob play cards here, so I could keep an eye on him.”
“Miss Belle has a point, Mona,” Robert offered, prompting a spiteful look from Mona. Robert turned to the madam who was stubbing out her cigarette in an ashtray. “So what is Mira’s story?”
“Mira stayed in boarding school until she showed up at my doorstep one evening. I tried to coax her to go back to school, but she said she was done. I finally called the school and found out that Mira had been expelled. The school said her conduct was unacceptable, but wouldn’t give me examples. Later I discovered that Mira had intercepted a letter from them informing me of her dismissal.”
“Is that when you put her to work for you?” Mona asked.
Brezing gave Mona a scorching look. “No, Miss Moon. I have never forced anyone to work for me, besides Mira never worked as one of my girls. She was my ward. I tried everything to get Mira to go to another school to finish her education, but the longer she stayed here, the more concerned I became.”
“In what way?” Robert asked.
Brezing sighed and said softly, “Mira began displaying disturbing behavior.”
Robert and Mona waited for Brezing to compose her thoughts.
“Mira complained of headaches and scratched herself raw saying there were bugs crawling on her skin. Then she began laughing uncontrollably at odd moments. The final straw was when Mira bit the maid changing the sheets on her bed. It was a bad bite. When I searched her room, I found two kitchen knives. That’s when I became convinced that something was really wrong with Mira and that she was a danger.”
Robert sat on the edge of his chair. “What did you do, Miss Belle?”
“I had one of the best doctors from Cincinnati visit and observe Mira. He believed she was seriously ill and needed to be admitted to Eastern State Hospital for psychiatric treatment. She was to be admitted the following week.” Belle teared up and her voice cracked. “We weren’t quick enough.”
“What do you mean, Miss Belle?” Robert asked, already guessing the answer.
Mona knew the truth too, but wanted Belle to utter it.
Brezing looked squarely at Robert. “Mira killed your solicitor, Mr. Jones.”
“Why?”
“You must ask her. She is at Eastern State Hospital.”
Mona said, “Why didn’t you tell the sheriff?”
“I wasn’t sure at the time. I thought Sally might have done it. She has a violent temper.”
“What made you change your mind, Miss Belle?” Robert asked.
“I called Sheriff Monahan and he told me the approximate time of the death. There was no way Sally could have killed Mr. Jones. She was serving drinks downstairs at that time. We had an all-nighter of card playing.”
“Have you confronted Mira about the murder?” Mona asked.
“No. I don’t think my heart could stand it if she confessed to me. I’m too old to hear such confessions now.” There was silence in the room until Brezing spoke again. “I can call and ask them to allow you both to see her.”
Robert insisted, “Yes, we need to clear up the matter of Mr. Jones’ death. I have two British subjects anxious to get home to their families.”
“I have one last question. Does Gentry know Mira is his daughter?” Mona asked.
“If he does, he has never mentioned it or showed any sign of recognition.”
“Does Mira know Jacob Gentry is her father?”
“I hope to the good Lord not, but I have no idea what Seraphina may have revealed to Mira.”
Robert stood. “I think we have taken up too much of your time. Thank you for seeing us, Miss Belle. You have been more than forthcoming.”
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t help you on the night of your assault. By the time Jacob’s boys dropped your car off the deed was already done, but I did call the authorities.”
“I don’t recall the police finding me.”
“They don’t always come when I call. It’s a fact of life here in this neighborhood.”
Mona stood as well. “Thank you.”
Brezing addressed Mona. “My dear, I know you think me heartless and a schemer, but don’t judge me too harshly. We are cut from the same bolt of cloth, you and I.”
Mona didn’t respond, but thought Brezing might be correct. After all, she’d had opportunities that were out of Brezing’s grasp when young. The infamous madam had done the best she could with the prospects that came her way. Finally, Mona said, “I’d like to hear about old Lexington one day.”
Brezing brightened. “Yes, indeed, and remember we are to discuss books.”
After a maid handed Mona her hat and gloves, Mona followed Robert out on the porch stoop. “It’s never simple, is it?”
“No. Never.” He wrapped Mona’s arm around his and escorted her to the car. They had a stop to make before heading for the hospital.