Dr. Harris shook his head. “Not in the state she’s in.” He looked about to say something more, but all of a sudden, his expression shifted from worried into a look of quiet horror. “I’ve had two patients in the last couple weeks who mentioned getting unsigned letters that threatened them with poisoning if they didn’t do exactly what they were told. I didn’t think much of it at the time: they had no idea who sent them, and people will say all kinds of things to get attention. But if Pearlie got the same kind of letter…” He trailed off, looking nervous.
“Letters?” Vivian’s stomach gave a lurch, and her heart felt like it was beating at double its normal speed. “Who were they?”
The doctor shook his head. “I can’t talk about my patients. But they live around here. One was even in the building next to Pearlie’s. So maybe whoever was responsible for those letters sent him one, and—”
“Stop.”
Vivian and Dr. Harris both turned to Bea, who was shaking her head. “We don’t need to know more, because we’re not doing anything about it. Right now the police don’t know, and we’re going to leave it that way. Pearlie was working for some mobster, right? That’s where he got his money. The last thing I want is to get on the wrong side of whoever was in charge there.”
Vivian stared at her friend, too stunned to respond. After all that, Bea was just going to drop everything? But Dr. Harris was already nodding.
“That’s smart of you, Beatrice. My brother and father used to becaught up in that line of work,” he said quietly. Vivian and Bea gave him twin looks of surprise—he seemed far too starchy and aboveboard to have family who made their money doing illegal things. Seeing their disbelief, he smiled sadly. “It didn’t end well for my brother. People like that are dangerous, girls. You’re right to put it behind you. And it wouldn’t change anything: poor Pearlie is dead, and Alba will be raising that baby on her own.”
“Not on her own, if I know Mrs. Henry,” Vivian put in.
“That’s true enough. What a born mother that woman is.” He picked up his bag and fetched his hat from the table. “You be careful now, girls. The last thing this family needs is more sorrow.”
“Yes, sir,” they both said quietly.
He turned toward the door, then hesitated, grimacing before he turned back. “By the way, Vivian, how is your sister?”
Vivian had expected more of a lecture, and she was left gaping at him for several awkward moments before she managed to reply, “She’s fine, I guess? Why?”
“No reason.” Dr. Harris crammed his hat on his head, looking embarrassed as he turned away. “Give her my regards, if you would.”
Vivian stared at him as he hurried out the door. But she didn’t have time to worry about Dr. Harris. When he was gone, the door closed firmly behind him and no one else in the room, Vivian turned back to Bea. “You’re going to let it go, just like that? After we found out—”
“Don’t be stupid,” Bea said, turning back to the dishes. Vivian bristled, but she kept her mouth shut, knowing it wasn’t worth arguing over—not with everything else going on. “Of course I’m not letting it go. But the last thing I want is people gossiping about my family. Folks talk to the doctor about everything, and he talks right back.”
“Oh.” Vivian took the dish Bea handed her, nodding. “Plus, I wouldn’t put it past a fella like him to go to the cops to keep us safe. And folks would notice them asking around long before they noticed us.”
“God, he would, wouldn’t he?” Bea shook her head. “He probably thinks the police actually help people.”
“They do,” Vivian said, an edge of bitter humor to her words. “Just not people like us.”
“That’s for damn sure,” Bea agreed. “So we’ll help each other, right?”
The look she gave Vivian was pleading. But it was also certain: there clearly was no doubt in Bea’s mind that her friend would be willing to help her out.
Vivian swallowed, suddenly nervous, but she nodded. Dr. Harris might have been relieved to think that they would let the matter go, but what he had told them made that far less likely. “Of course. And if there are other folks around here who have been getting threats, they’re going to need help too. I’d guess if the doc has heard about a couple, there are more out there he hasn’t heard about. And maybe…” She hesitated. “Maybe if we learn enough, I tell that coroner what really happened, and he can do something about it.”
Bea gave Vivian a sharp glance as she handed over another clean, dripping dish. “Don’t you go saying anything to him without asking me first. I’ve got the kids to think about, and Mama, and now that baby…” She shivered, her fear visible for a moment before she turned away. “I’m not putting me or my family in that kind of danger until I know for sure it’s worth it.”
“Of course,” Vivian agreed. “Not a word until you say so. You all right if I take off? If I don’t get home before Florence, she’ll worry. And I’m working tonight.”
Bea’s jaw was tight as she plunged her hands into the basin of soapy water once more, but after a moment she nodded. “I’m all right. Maybe you can ask around at the Nightingale, anyway? All kind of rumors end up there.”
Vivian nodded slowly. “That’s true. And I’ll tell Honor,” she added. “She said she wanted to know what we learned.”
Bea gave her a quick glance. “Did she know you were asking Leo for help?” When Vivian nodded, Bea almost cracked a smile. “Was she jealous?”
“Do you think Honor would ever let anyone see she was jealous?”
Bea’s expression grew into a real smile. “When it comes to you? Sure.”
“Things aren’t like that anymore,” Vivian protested.
“Sure they are,” Bea said, handing over another dish. “And one of these days you’re going to have to decide if you ever want to do something about it.” She smirked at Vivian’s scowl before her expression grew serious again. “But Pearlie first.”
