P. Alderman - Haunting Jordan

“But you could ask around on the waterfront, see if you can discover any witnesses to the attack,” she insisted.

Greeley shook his head. “A waste of time and resources. I need evidence that the attack actually occurred before I can assign a man to investigate. Lewis is known to have angered a number of businessmen and shipping masters in this town. Someone could’ve simply been teaching him a well-deserved lesson.”

“This was no ‘lesson,’” Hattie snapped. “It was attempted murder. I have no doubt once you’ve seen the extent of his injuries that you’ll agree. And regardless, it’s your duty to investigate an attack against any citizen, no matter what the provocation.”

Greeley looked amused. “If I investigated every waterfront brawl, I’d need a force ten times the current size.”

“Then perhaps you should ask Mayor Payton to increase your budget! I fail to see—”

“What concerns me far more, Mrs. Longren,” Greeley interrupted, “is your role in this affair. Precisely what is your involvement with the alleged victim? I would’ve thought that after your run-in with him the other morning you’d have done whatever necessary to avoid contact with the man.”

Hattie stared at Greeley, clenching her jaw. “Frank may have been gathering information for me at the time of the attack,” she conceded.

“Ah. What kind of information?”

“Nothing that concerns you—a business matter regarding Longren Shipping.”

Greeley sighed, pinching his nose. “Mrs. Longren. I believe I’ve already talked to you at length regarding your misguided notion that you need to be involved in the day-to-day affairs of Longren Shipping. If you are now consorting with a union representative, you may do grave harm to your business.”

“I don’t see where that’s any of your concern, Chief Greeley.”

“On the contrary. If this attack occurred as you say, then it is precisely the kind of situation I’ve been concerned about. You can’t possibly know what you are doing or the type of people you are exposing yourself and the girls to. There’s every likelihood your actions directly caused this alleged attack.”

Hattie flinched, and he nodded, obviously pleased that his supposition was correct.

“Furthermore, I find this to be yet one more reason why I believe Charlotte should be removed from your household as soon as possible. Your willingness to associate with known criminals is placing her in personal danger, and proving to me that you are not an acceptable role model.”

She stared at him. “That’s absurd. Whatever involvement I choose to have in Longren Shipping has absolutely nothing to do with Charlotte. In fact, by coming down to the waterfront, I keep her exposure to anyone I employ at an absolute minimum.”

“Frank Lewis was seen leaving your home the other afternoon, was he not? That’s evidence enough of your casual disregard for Charlotte’s safety.”

Hattie shuddered, knowing what his reaction would be if he discovered Frank’s whereabouts. “How do you know about Frank’s business appointment with me?”

Greeley didn’t answer, instead leaning across his desk and pinning her with his cold, dark eyes. “I want an answer, Mrs. Longren,” he said softly. “Do you consent to my courtship of Charlotte?”

“Will you be investigating the attack on Frank Lewis?” she countered.

“Not at this time. As I’ve explained, I have no evidence that an attack has taken place.”

“Mona Starr can corroborate my story, as can her butler and coachman.”

“I don’t find Mona Starr’s word to be reliable. Nor should you.”

“Then it seems I shall have to investigate myself.”

“That is both foolhardy and dangerous.”

Hattie clenched her hands in her lap. “Furthermore, given your continued refusal to act in a manner which convinces me of your good moral standing, particularly with regard to criminal activities taking place on the waterfront, I will have to say no, I won’t condone your courtship of my sister. My parents would have wanted a better suitor for her.”

Greeley stared at her, a muscle in his jaw working. “Very well.” He leaned back and stood. “My request was merely a formality—I had hoped to have your approval, but I can act without it.”

Hattie stood as well. “I will remind you that I am Charlotte’s legal guardian, Chief Greeley. You will not approach her or talk to her without my permission.”

“And I would remind you that I’m the law in this town, Mrs. Longren. Any judge will be happy to alter Charlotte’s guardianship, given the circumstances and your deteriorating reputation. I can easily argue that, given your recent activities, the death of your husband has unhinged you.”

Hattie’s spine was rigid as she marched to the door. “Do not call at our home, Chief Greeley. You won’t be admitted.”

“Mrs. Longren.”

She paused, her hand on the knob.

Greeley’s eyes were cold and hard. “Do not stand in my way, or I’ll break you.”

* * *

HATTIE was shaking when she left the police station, though not from fear. The sheer outrage of Greeley’s position—not to mention his utter lack of concern for Frank’s well-being—had her trembling with rage.

Clearly, Greeley possessed no sense of justice, which she found to be the ultimate in hypocrisy, given that he had made his reputation by quickly solving a number of cases. Rather, his specialty appeared to be the wielding of power for his own gain, without regard to the consequences. And for the moment, she feared, his focus was on wielding that power to acquire Charlotte as his wife.

Hattie drew her cape around her, shivering, even though the temperature was quite pleasant. Michael Seavey had been correct—Greeley would crush Charlotte’s spirit within days, perhaps even on her wedding night. Hattie jerked on her gloves. To her dying breath, she would protect Charlotte from him.

People passed her, casting curious glances her way as she stood lost in her thoughts. Though the possibility struck terror in her heart, she doubted Greeley could reverse the terms of her legal guardianship within any immediate time frame. Therefore her focus for the moment needed to be to discover who had attacked Frank. As of early this morning, she hadn’t heard back from Mona regarding her man’s inquiries along the waterfront, which left the task to Hattie.

She withdrew her pocket watch and noted the time. She’d been gone scarcely an hour—she’d have to hope Frank was still resting peacefully. At the next cross street, she turned toward the harbor. If Frank had been attacked because of the questions he’d been asking on her behalf, then it stood to reason Clive Johnson was involved or would know whether Michael Seavey had ordered it. And she had yet to receive the additional financial information she’d requested. Therefore, a stop at the offices of Longren Shipping was in order.

* * *

WHEN she entered the office, her business manager was conducting a conversation with the clerk. Johnson wasn’t pleased to see her, though his expression carried a slight smugness that hadn’t been there two days before.

She greeted him, closing the door firmly behind her. “I was in town and thought to stop by for those account details I requested.”

Johnson shook his head. “I ain’t got time to compile files for you, Mrs. Johnson. You don’t need to see ’em.”

“Indeed.” Coming on the heels of her argument with Chief Greeley, Hattie was in no mood to tolerate Johnson’s insolence. “I expect my orders to be taken seriously, Mr. Johnson, and to be given the highest priority.”

He rocked back on the heels of his boots, looking secretly amused. “I been otherwise engaged.”