“Busier than we could have dreamed. It has been exhausting but rewarding.”
“I’m not surprised. I have met your brother-in-law and he is a force of nature.”
“You know Frank?” That surprised her.
“Of course. It was inevitable we would cross paths now and again. He has the best legal mind in the state.”
“And you oversee the biggest criminal empire in the state.”
If she’d expected him to prevaricate or deny it, he surprised her by doing neither. “Indeed, I do. Does that bother you?”
“Why would it?”
“I couldn’t say, do-gooder. But I get the sense I am making you uncomfortable.”
“I am not uncomfortable. It’s merely that you’re not what I expected.” In the least.
He opened his mouth but a knock interrupted whatever he’d been about to say. At Mulligan’s command, the door opened to reveal a young man followed by Mrs. Gorcey. Wide-eyed and pale, Mrs. Gorcey rushed toward Justine. “Miss Greene, have you really found Robert?”
“I believe so. Mr. Mulligan has agreed to help us.”
“Mrs. Gorcey.” Mulligan approached and dipped his chin. “Welcome. I do hope we may arrive at a satisfactory conclusion for you today.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. I apologize for bothering you with my problems.” Mrs. Gorcey could hardly meet Mulligan’s eyes, her voice trembling.
“No need for apologies. I am always happy to help downtown residents whenever possible.”
Justine nearly snorted. Hadn’t he just asked her what providing help would gain him? She had a feeling that Jack Mulligan was not acting out of the kindness of his heart, yet he’d made no demands. Perhaps her speeches prompting him to do the right thing had affected him.
The door opened once more and two men entered. Mrs. Gorcey stiffened, giving a short intake of breath, and Justine deduced that one of these men must be Mr. Gorcey.
Sure enough, one man locked eyes with Mrs. Gorcey and stopped in his tracks. His gaze then darted around the room, possibly searching for an escape. As if sensing this, the other man put a hand on Gorcey’s shoulder and pushed him farther into the room. Still, Gorcey avoided his wife’s eyes, not acknowledging her in any manner.
“Robert.” Mulligan pointed to a chair. “Have a seat. Mrs. Gorcey?” He held out an arm as if to escort the older woman to a society event, and Justine rolled her eyes at the ceiling.
When everyone was seated, Mulligan crossed his legs and smoothed his perfectly creased trousers. “Robert, we seem to have an issue with your family.”
“I don’t have any family,” was Gorcey’s answer.
“No doubt you’re wishin’ that were the case,” Mrs. Gorcey snapped. Justine put a hand on the other woman’s arm in comfort and warning. They must remain calm.
“Well, this woman here claims to be your wife,” Mulligan said. “She said you have abandoned her and your five children. Have you anything to say about that?”
“She’s a liar.”
“How dare you—”
Justine squeezed Mrs. Gorcey’s arm. This wasn’t the first time a husband had lied when presented with evidence of his misdeeds. She turned to Mr. Gorcey. “You are saying you’ve never seen her before?”
He shot Justine a look full of venom—one so fierce she nearly flinched. “That’s what I’m saying.”
“So, if she were to reveal something about your person, like a birthmark or a scar, we wouldn’t be able to verify that?”
He gave no response, just clenched his jaw and stared at the wall.
“Mrs. Gorcey?” Mulligan asked. “Is there such an identifying mark?”
She nodded and pointed to her right wrist. “He has a scar here from a fight in a saloon. He also has a mole on the left side of his chest.”
Mulligan arched a brow. “Gorcey, I’ll strip you down if I must to get to the truth. So, is what she says a fact? Before you answer, remember that I don’t care for liars nor do I care for having my time wasted. Do you know this woman or not?”
“Aye.” The word was bitten out, filled with resentment.
“She is your wife?”
“Not any longer. I told her I wanted to leave and she told me to go.”
“That’s not true!” Mrs. Gorcey said.
“It is, too.” Gorcey’s lip curled as he focused on his wife. “You have no claim on me, woman.”
Justine quickly intervened. “Did you marry her, Mr. Gorcey?”
“Yes, but—”
“Are you the father of her children?”
“I don’t know,” he mumbled. “They coulda been fathered by anyone.”
“You son of a—” Mrs. Gorcey started before Justine squeezed her arm again.
“Miss Greene, Mrs. Gorcey,” Mulligan said as he rose. “I’d like a moment alone with Robert. Excuse us, won’t you?”
Without waiting for Robert’s cooperation, Mulligan strode to an adjoining door and walked out. There hadn’t been a stated threat of any kind but Gorcey’s throat worked, his face going alarmingly pale. Without delay, he quickly stood and followed Mulligan from the room.
“Can you believe the nerve?” Mrs. Gorcey hissed when they were alone. “Saying our children were fathered by another man. How dare he?”
“I wish I could say I am surprised. I’ve heard just about every excuse from these wife deserters.” One man had continued lying even when presented with his eldest son, who was the spitting image of his father. That merely illustrated how easy it was for men to shirk their paternal responsibilities.
“What do you think Mr. Mulligan is saying in there?” Mrs. Gorcey’s voice was hardly above a whisper, as if she feared Mulligan overhearing her.
Justine thought back to those bloody knuckles and winced. This isn’t my blood. Would he beat Gorcey into cooperating?
“I don’t know,” Justine said. “I hope it’s something to help your husband admit the truth.”
“All I want is financial support,” Mrs. Gorcey said. “I don’t want him back.”
“No one is saying you must take him back. And if this fails, I’ll find a way to bring your husband to the police. So, we aren’t out of options yet.”
The door reopened and Gorcey appeared first. His blank expression lacked all traces of the animosity from before. Mulligan strolled in next, all smiles. He slapped Gorcey on the back, as if they were the oldest of friends. “Go on, Robert.”
“I’ll pay her ten dollars a month,” Gorcey said. “Until the children are of age.”
“Twenty-five,” Justine countered. “There are six mouths to feed.”
Gorcey’s face darkened. “That’s absolute robbery!”
Mulligan cleared his throat dramatically.
Gorcey’s anger withered instantly. He nodded eagerly. “Of course. Twenty-five.”
“Hallelujah!” Mrs. Gorcey said.
Justine pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. They weren’t quite done yet. “You are to maintain a respectable distance from Mrs. Gorcey at all times. If I discover that you are harassing or abusing her in any manner, I will set the police on you.”