Chapter Nine

 

"So Lily told you. He's the man from the phone. Plus I went to Mrs. Leech's and she…"

"You did what?" George was in duty mode now. "Maisie you shouldn't have done that. It could have been very dangerous. But I see that you found something out." Maisie had been tapping her foot waiting for him to finish chastising her.

"George, they were in love. He gave her this book of love poems, and it has the poem that we found in his case. And there was another page." Maisie was in full flow.

"You took it to the station and gave it to Detective Blake," George said.

Now it was Maisie's turn to shuffle uneasily. "Maisie, it's evidence. You did give it to the Detective."

Maisie shook her head. She became defensive as George berated her for holding on to evidence.

"Well, it's his own fault. He wouldn't even come to the desk to see me. So he didn't deserve it. But I'll give it you, George. I haven't been able to figure out what any of it means. It's a jumble of letters and numbers. Wait here."

Maisie tiptoed up the stairs and into her room. She was irritated that she'd be excluded from the investigation again. But for now, she would be content with knowing she was the one who had found the book. Mrs. Leech would never have given it willingly. She would need to remind George of this fact. It wasn't enough to know she had helped, Maisie wanted recognition for her efforts. She didn't like how Detective Blake was so dismissive of her.

She reached under the mattress but felt no book. Perhaps she put it in the middle. There was still no sign of it. The book was gone. Who could have taken it? She had only been downstairs, no one had seen her with the book. She was wrong in that estimation, she told herself. Someone was following her and saw her with the book. George was going to go ballistic, she was sure of it. This was her fault for being so headstrong. If she handed over the book, then this would never have happened.

Maisie went downstairs to George.

"Oh Maisie, well at least you are unharmed. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if you had come across the thief in your room. It may not have helped in any case. It will be our secret," George said quite unexpectedly.

"George, you're not cross with me?" Maisie asked. "I was sure you would be yelling and even arrest me for scuppering an investigation."

His kindness yet again brought tears to her eyes. She had led the killer to the book which must in some way identify her, as she was sure the killer was female. Maisie put her hand into her pocket for a handkerchief. A slip of paper fell to the floor.

"What's this?" George asked.

"Oh my, that was inside the book, George. I'm sure it can tell us something if only we could decipher it. Is that it, George, is it a cipher of some kind?"

George was flummoxed.

"You are a clever one. We have the poem so that must be the page that has the message. Well done, Maisie. I'm not one for puzzles, but the Detective is. I'll get this to him immediately."

Maisie's faith in herself was restored. But imagine someone had broken into her home, found her room and had taken the book. Why hadn't they just robbed her on the street? There was no way she could sleep now knowing someone had been in her bedroom. Could it have Katie?

"But George, I know someone was following me this evening. Do you think Katie took the book from my room? I was down here the whole time."

George scratched his head. He didn't like the idea of his Goddess being involved in some caper either knowingly or not.

"You have a point. But I can't see how. You can't very well wake her up. We have to smart about this. If Katie is involved, we can't let her know we're on to her. We have to figure this code out. See if you can get Katie out of the house tomorrow and I'll come back to dust for fingerprints. We'd better not involve the others although I may have to explain my needing to be in your bedroom to Mrs. Hopkins! Later bring me something Katie has touched so I can compare fingerprints."

"How did I not see it, George? Whether or not it's Katie, how could I not know someone had come into the house."

George put his arms on Maisie's shoulders.

"You can't think like that. You never expect it to happen in your house."

Maisie knew he was trying to be helpful but maybe the world was right and she was wrong. Women weren't cut out to be detectives.

"Maisie, I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. I'm going to tell you something about Detective Blake. If you ever breathe a word of it, he'll have my guts for garters, and he doesn't make idle threats. A few years ago, when he first moved to the city, he was staying in a boarding house. The place was broken into and his pocket watch taken from his bedside table as he slept."

"No," Maisie gasped, not quite sure which shocked her more. That the great Detective slept or was such a heavy sleeper. It made her feel better.

"I'd better go. Remember, take Katie out and take care not to touch too many things in your room. If we can get fingerprints, it makes our job much easier."

"You are a dear friend, George. Thank you."

George rode off on his bicycle. Maisie grinned to herself. So the great Detective Blake wasn't infallible after all. But her smile faded as she turned around and saw Katie standing at the top of the stairs.

"I'd ask if you were just returning home, Maisie but I can see you're in your nightclothes. Was someone at the door? I thought I heard you talking to someone."

Not sure of how long Katie had been there, Maisie decided to play innocent. "It was nothing. I couldn't sleep, and as I came down, I thought I saw someone outside. It was just a cat chasing a mouse, I suspect."

Maisie watched Katie's face for clues, but her expression didn't change.

"Want to join me, Katie? I'm making some tea, and you can tell me all about your night," Maisie decided to keep the conversation casual. Katie loved talking about her nights out.

"Yes, let's do that. It'll be like old times, Maisie. I think you were a little annoyed with me for forgiving Rene so easily."

Rene was her beau's name, I wonder how a Russian has a French name, Maisie pondered. Katie sat on the couch and tucked her legs under her. She had a good night judging by the smile that stretched from ear to ear. Maisie made tea. Yes, it was like old times in this regard. When they had gone out on the town, Katie would draw the attention. There were times when Maisie hadn't liked Katie. Whenever she'd confide her interest in a man, Katie would ensure that she spoke to him. It used to annoy Maisie so much, but now she understood that Katie needed that male attention.

"So tell me about your night."

Katie needed no encouragement and began to tell Maisie about the dinner and dancing. Just when Maisie was zoning out, Katie said, "You know who I saw, Lily's brother, George. I know he saw me, but he never said hello. It was strange to see a policeman at a speakeasy."

"I suppose even policemen have social lives," Maisie hoped she sounded laissez faire.

"I thought I overheard Lily say," Katie paused, "I shouldn't say anything really." Maisie could feel herself tightening up. But their conversation on Katie took place after Katie had left.

"Tell me, Katie." Maisie was insistent.

"Only that George thinks you're swell. I thought he might have asked you on a date, that's all. But the good news is I didn't seem him with anyone."

Phew! Maisie felt relieved. George would need to be more careful.

"Katie, are you free tomorrow? There's a new tea shop that I want to visit. We could go." Maisie watched as Katie stretched her legs and considered her respect. "Sure, but not too early. I need my beauty sleep," Katie said as she stretched out. "Time for bed. See you in the morning." Katie stood up and was walking out the door when she turned round. "Are you not coming up?"

"I'll finish my tea and clean up. Goodnight."

It had been a very strange night. Maisie wasn't sure what to think about Katie. Did she know more than she let on? Or was it pure speculation on Maisie's part. She would have to find a way into Katie's room to see if her book was still there. Of course, Maisie had no idea if knowing this would help in any way. Her only hope was that George would be able to break the code and figure this whole thing out. She could sleep now if only she had a bed, but as she hadn't, she settled for the couch, pulling the throw over her and closed her eyes.

"Maisie, you have a perfectly good bed in your room, what are you doing down here?" Mrs. Hopkins' tone jolted Maisie from her slumber. She wiped her eyes as the glare of the sun came through the window. It was morning.

"I couldn't sleep and came down to read. I must have fallen asleep. Sorry, Mrs. Hopkins." Maisie sat up. So last night was real.

"Young girls these days. No idea of how to behave," Mrs. Hopkins muttered to herself as she prepared for breakfast. "Go get yourself cleaned up. Silly nonsense, falling asleep on the couch."

Maisie rolled her eyes, Mrs. Hopkins was in one of her moods. She hoped George would be able to convince her of his need to check Maisie's room. She couldn't suppress a giggle imagining what excuse he might come up with. Katie was coming out of her room and heading for the rest room.

"Did you ever get to bed?" she asked.

"No, I must have dozed off, and Mrs. Hopkins is none too happy, let me tell you."

With Katie in her bedroom, Maisie knew it was her chance to take a quick look in her room. She opened the door and stuck her head in. The book was gone. Maisie wasn't sure if she felt relieved or not. As she was about to close the door, she heard the bathroom door unlocking. There wasn't time for her to get to her room.

Maisie had no choice she had to go into Katie's room but where was she going to hide. The door handle began to turn, and Maisie dropped to the floor and rolled under the bed. Katie was humming as she walked around her room. Maisie was stuck for now. She had to hold her nose to stifle a sneeze. Didn't Mrs. Hopkins clean under these beds, she asked herself.

As she saw Katie's feet move around the floor. George was very clear that their suspicions were not to be revealed. She hit off something with her head. Thinking it was a shoe box, she was shocked to discover it was the book of love poems. It could only mean one thing, Katie had taken the book from her bedroom. She gasped but hoped Katie hadn't heard her.

Katie's humming paused. Maisie held her breath and closed her eyes. However, the humming resumed and Maisie had to bide her time for Katie to leave the room. How much longer was she going to take? Maisie never considered the effort that went into Katie's look. At last, she seemed to be done as Maisie could hear Katie telling herself she was beautiful. It saddened Maisie that a beautiful girl lacked confidence. But she couldn't linger for much longer. Katie would be looking for her downstairs.

Maisie could finally breathe as she closed the door of her bedroom behind her. Knowing that Katie had been in here the previous night, didn't make if feel safe. She couldn't think about that now. It was time to get dressed. She thought about writing a note for George but it wasn't safe. The plan was to take Katie out of the house and she would stick to this.

Her arrival at the breakfast table brought commentary about her tardiness. Katie challenged her over not answering her door when she knocked.

"I lay down and fell asleep for a few minutes. I didn't hear you," was all Maisie could muster in response.

Mrs. Hopkins tutted at such a silly notion. Maisie wondered why she was so cranky. Lily sat at the table but wasn't saying much. Maisie took it that was due to Katie's presence. Maisie kept looking towards the window. George could be trying to do his job.

"What's got into you, Maisie? It's like you're on high alert. Are you expecting a certain gentleman caller?" Katie teased as she winked at Lily.

"It's time we left. Have you finished Katie? Lily, we're going out for a while, care to join us?" Maisie was trying to act natural but it wasn't easy to pretend all was well. Lily declined her invitation, saying she was going to visit family for the day. It would be Katie and Maisie on their own. Maisie chided herself. She had to settle herself down. Detective work meant being able to act normal. If Maisie had any aspirations of being a detective, now was a good time to learn to act properly.

"Isn't it a bit early to visit a tea shop. We've only had breakfast." Katie had noticed the flaw in Maisie's plan.

"We can go for a walk and work up an appetite. Or better yet, go to Macy's." Maisie smiled. She should have led with that.

"That's a wonderful idea. We can look in their shop windows. I'll get my coat."

Katie had gone back to her room and Maisie pulled Lily aside.

"Are you really visiting family today?" Lily nodded.

"George is going to call around, no time to explain why. Will you give him this message - tell him…" Katie was back. Goodness, that girl moved fast when she wanted, Maisie told herself.

Katie took Maisie's arm as she asked "so what mood was Mrs. Hopkins in today? Lily was very quiet. What's your estimation of their behavior?"

"Lily is nervous of meeting relatives. As for Mrs. Hopkins, who knows? Although she was definitely holding on her ill humor for longer than usual." They chuckled as they walked. Maisie had missed this side of Katie.

"You should come out with me and Rene some night, Maisie. I'm sure we could get you into one of my dresses. Rene is a blast. It would be such fun."

"Maybe one night, I will, Katie. Look at this dress. And look at the price." They spent some time window shopping. Maisie was becoming distracted. She wondered what was happening at home. Had George come and gone? Would Mrs. Hopkins' bad form mean she wouldn't let him investigate? Soon they were at the street with the new tea shop.

"Come on Katie. I need to sit down."

It felt so good to rest her legs and as Maisie rubbed her calves, Katie ordered tea and cakes.

"Katie, how did you meet Rene?"

"About a week ago. It's been a quite intense experience. He's very full on and very generous." Maisie was horrified. She had met him after the murder.

"Don't be so judgmental Maisie. It's love."

"It's not that, Katie. I thought you had been seeing him for a while. Didn't a man call for you a few weeks ago?"

"That was Gerald Grayson. Turns out he was two-timing me with some shop girl." Katie turned her nose up in the air at the very thought of his behavior. We got into a fight, and he left me alone in a speakeasy. Rene came to my assistance and offered to escort me home."

Maisie couldn't keep her eyebrows in place. Katie became defensive at being judged.

"How could you? You didn't know the man."

"But I did, Maisie. Not directly. He said he knew Mrs. Hopkins and was happy to drive me home. It was all very much above board. Why would he lie? He said he been jealous of Gerald for the longest time. He didn't think it gentlemanly to take another man's girl. He invited me to dinner and sent me flowers and a diamond bracelet."

"But Katie, you don't know him. What did Mrs. Hopkins say when you told her?"

Katie became quiet. She seemed very interested in her cake on her plate, picking the crumbs and dropping them.

"Katie, what did Mrs. Hopkins say when you mentioned Rene?"

"I never asked her. You see, I knew it was a lie, but he was so… I knew you'd never understand." Maisie couldn't believe how careless Katie was. They began to argue, and it ended with Katie storming out of the tea shop. She was being set up, Maisie had told her. This was not what Katie had wanted to hear. Maisie had gone too far, and she knew it. If only she hadn't been so dismissive of Katie's feelings. Now, Katie may be likely to tell Rene about Maisie's distrust.

Maisie had no option but to go home. She may even find George there if any luck. She didn't want to go to the police station. She wasn't up to being dismissed by either the desk Sergeant or Detective Blake. Fatigue was taking its hold, and she wanted to go to bed, even though it was early evening.

Her arrival home was met with silence. Mrs. Hopkins had taken to her bed, Lily didn't seem to be back. Maisie's bedclothes had been changed so at least she had a fresh bed to fall into. It also meant George had been around. She fell back onto her bed. It was then she heard crying. It was coming from Katie's room.

Maisie knocked on the door. Katie didn't reply. Maisie knocked again, and the crying stopped. At least she hadn't gone to see Rene. And this pleased Maisie. To her mind, it was a sign that Katie wasn't part of whatever this was. She was a pawn.

Maisie returned to her room. Katie would come round, Maisie knew. She wasn't the type to hold a grudge. That much was clear from how easily she forgave Rene's previous behavior. Maisie lay back on her bed and closed her eyes.