“Yes, really, I am investigating a string of murders happening on the eastside.The magistrate doesn’t seem to care about women who are attacked over here.And, well, Mary Beth’s family are friends of mine.I want to make sure the person who killed her is punished.”
Mrs.Langley waggled her eyebrows.“Working together, then, the two of you?”
Matthew took hold of Lizzie’s elbow.“We’ll just go talk to the girls now.”He tugged Elizabeth away down the aisle before Mrs.Langley could pepper her with any more questions.
When they approached the stage, the dancers all paused and looked over at him.“Ladies, could I have a moment of your time?”
Stella came forward, and the rest of the girls followed her lead.“This is Miss Harper.She is a friend of Mary Beth’s family.We are trying to find out more about the events that led up to Mary Beth’s death.”
“Do any of you know who Mary Beth would have been meeting outside?”Lizzie asked.
Many of the girls shook their heads.
“Did she have a beau?It’s all right to tell now.She can’t get in trouble any longer.”
Gertie stepped forward.“She was new, so we didn’t know much about her, but I roomed with her.I never saw her with any blokes.I know she was kicked out of her father’s house because her parents didn’t want her to dance.”
“Yeah,” Jenny said.“She was real quiet.But nice.”
“Why would she leave right before the show?”Stella said.“She was already in costume when she went out back, right?”
Matthew nodded.“That’s what we want to know.”
A loud sob came from the back of the group.Everyone turned.Fanny Cooper had her hand clapped over her mouth.Tears streamed down her face.A muffled sob escaped.Matthew narrowed his eyes at the girl.“Fanny, do you know something?”
Mrs.Langley stepped forward.“Come here, girl.Why are you crying?You wasn’t friends with Mary Beth.”
Stella went and wrapped an arm around the crying Fanny.“It’s all right.Just tell us what you know.”
“I didn’t know she would get killed!”Fanny blurted out.“I never wanted her to be hurt.”
Matthew stepped forward.“What did you do?”
She hiccupped loudly and huddled against Stella.“I just w-wanted her to be late for her mark.Get her in trouble with Mrs.Langley.I-I told her that her ma was out back and wanting to talk to her.She was always talking about how she missed her ma.I didn’t know she would come to any harm.I swear!”
Stella stepped back from Fanny in horror.“Why would you want to get her in trouble?”
“She was so talented.Everyone loved her.”Fanny wiped her hand under her nose with a loud sniffle.“She was going to get my spot in the front.I just knew it.”Her eyes were wide as she looked around at the other girls.If she was looking for support, she would be very disappointed.Angry and aghast faces stared back at the girl.
Matthew clenched his jaw.This was the reason Mary Beth had died?Jealousy?“Fanny, you are fired.Get your things and leave immediately.”
“What?!No, please, Mr.Reeves.”She rushed forward and gripped his arm like she had that evening when Mary Beth died.He remembered the calculation in her eyes as she propositioned him.He should have known then that she would be trouble.
He looked her right in the eyes.“Get out of my club.”Then he turned and walked down through the tables and out the door.
“Fuck!”He beat his fist down on the railing of the balcony.Leaning his arms on the smooth wood surface, he looked down at the front hall, empty but for Joe, who manned the door this evening.Voices echoed out from the gaming room.It was early still, but the club always had a few patrons from the moment the doors opened at five o’clock.Things would pick up around eight and be busy throughout the night.He didn’t have an official closing time, but most days, by four in the morning, the place emptied out.
The door behind him banged open.“What a terrible person.”Elizabeth’s voice was sharp with anger.
He glanced over at her as she came to stand next to him.He agreed, but wasn’t surprised.Most people were only looking out for themselves.“Poor Mary Beth.She went outside to see her mother and ended up in Jonas’s clutches.Looks like he is just choosing women based on happenstance.”
Lizzie hung her head.“Why was he in my home?Do you think it’s true that he likes when I write about his misdeeds?Did I attract the attention of a killer?”
He moved closer to wrap his arm around her shoulders.“I honestly don’t know if it was him, but my gut says it was.I just don’t know how he would know who you are.”
“I purposely keep my moniker the same as when my father ran the paper, just E.Harper, to preserve my anonymity.”
He turned her gently by the shoulders to face him.The worry in her eyes gutted him.“Don’t worry.He can’t reach you here.You will be safe.”He would make sure of it.
