Okay, nightly check in, set the watch, and head over to the girls to chat with Goldie. I went through my mental checklist as I brought away our dishes. As I came up the stairs and back into the lounge, I saw the most lovely thing I could imagine. Cat was surrounded by a group of boys under ten, all listening in rapt attention as she read them a story. The scene reminded me so much of her first night here that it was almost as if the intervening six weeks hadn't happened. She looked so relaxed-like she had before all of this had happened. The way she had when I had fallen in lo-
"Spot, do you mind if I don't do watch tonight? I'm not feeling too hot and could use the rest," Pike interrupted my thoughts.
"Sure, Pike. Just let me know when you're recovered. You need tomorrow off? Ya got money in your jar?" I asked, studying him. He did look a bit pale.
"I'll skip morning, but I'll sell afternoons," he said. "I can afford it."
"Let me know if that changes," I said, and he nodded and headed upstairs.
I set the watch, then walked over to the group at Katja's feet. All the boys looked at me as I put a hand on her shoulder, and she finished the sentence, stopped, and looked up at me.
"I have to run some errands," I said to her, and she nodded. "Fifteen minutes, then bedtime." She grinned up at me, and I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. She blushed as I looked at the boys. "If I hear you weren't listening, there'll be trouble," I said with as much menace as I could muster. They nodded, eyes wide, and I headed out to the girls' house to talk to Goldie.
When I returned, having taken the opportunity to do a bit of roaming and checking on Brooklyn-borough visibility has been low on my priority list lately-I found things quiet at the lodging house. The young kids were in bed, though there was still a lot of giggling in the bunkroom, and the older boys were studying. Katja was in her room, reading on her bed. I knocked as I stepped through the open adjoining door.
"The boys give you any trouble?" I asked, sitting down beside her and brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"They were so cute," she said, rolling onto her side and smiling up at me. "You were gone for awhile. I thought you were just going to see Goldie."
"I took some time to check up on Brooklyn," I said. "I also have to do some stuff in the morning, so I won't see you. Meet me at Rays for lunch at 11? We can go to Mr. Donovan's from there." She nodded. "You turning in?"
"In a bit. You?"
"I was going to read for a bit as well. You want the door open?" I asked, nodding to the connecting door. I've noticed Katja has seemed a bit claustrophobic since coming back, but nights are still a bit cold for the window to be open.
"Yes, please," she replied, turning back to her book.
"G'night, Cat," I said, turning her face to mine for a goodnight kiss. She smiled up at me as I left the room. I slept well that night.
The next morning I headed out early. I headed straight for that factory, hoping to intercept the morning staff as they arrived. I stayed out of sight until I spotted my quarry-Katja's friend Muriel. Glancing up the street to make sure there was no sign of Santorelli, I grabbed her arm as she walked toward the door and pulled her into a nearby alley. She nearly screamed in surprise but bit back the sound when she recognized me.
"Spot Conlon," she gasped, fear evident in her eyes.
"Relax, doll, I'm not going to do anything to you" I drawled, using my cane to tip my hat back just a bit. I didn't want her scared of me, but a healthy respect was probably still a good thing. She just looked back at me.
"I found Katja," I said, and she seemed to shrink a bit.
"Is she okay?" Muriel whispered, and I thought I detected genuine concern there.
"She will be," I said evasively, and Muriel looked stricken. "But we need your help. How well do you know that boss of yours?"
"Ant-Mr. Santorelli?" she gasped, but I caught the slip. "What do you need to know about him? I don't know much," she said. My lie detector was instantly up, and some instinct told me that Katja had been right. This girl had suffered something similar.
"He ever lay a hand on you?" I asked, trying my best not to look intimidating.
"What makes you say that?" she said, and I could hear the tremor in her voice. That would be a yes.
"You don't have to go in there," I said, gesturing to the factory entrance.
"I don't have any other options. I can't lose my job. And he said-" she stopped, fear filling her face again. But this time, the fear wasn't directed at me.
"You have someone at home to take care of you?" I asked, sensing her desperation.
"Not really," she whispered, dropping her eyes in the same way Katja always did. My heart went out to her.
"Look, kid. Katja and I want to go after that bastard. We need people who can testify. In exchange, we can provide you with a safe place to stay and all the support you need. She really needs you right now. And you need to be out of there. It isn't safe," I said. Muriel looked up at me at that.
"Where could I go? My uncle will throw me out if I don't bring home rent money. And even if he doesn't, Antonio knows where I live and will find me. He'll come after me," she said, tearing up. I put my hand on her chin and made her look up at me.
"Let him try," I said, and I think the menace in my voice was evident. "He'll regret crossing Spot Conlon."
The poor girl started shaking and crying at that. Damn. I hate when girls cry. I put an arm gently around her shoulders. "I can send someone with you to get your things right now and get you somewhere safe if you want. Even if you don't testify," I said. "You want that?" She nodded into my chest. I led her back out of the alley and waved over Trug, who usually sold in this area and had been standing by.
"This is Muriel," I said, keeping my eyes peeled for trouble along the street. "Take her to her home and help her gather her things. Then take her over to Duane Street," I said.
Trug nodded. "You got it, boss," he said.
"I'll sell your papes for you," I said, taking his stack and passing the still trembling girl off to him. He nodded his thanks as I turned to Muriel. "This is Trug. He'll help ya with anything you need and take you over to Manhattan. I'll be by this afternoon sometime to check in with you. Trug'll keep you safe until I come." She nodded, and they headed off quickly. I turned and began selling-I had a lot of papes to unload today, and I needed to get started if I wanted them sold by the time I met Katja for lunch.