Free Grace and Disgrace by Kayne Milhomme Page A

could dismantle the leadership of the archdiocese of Boston. That she had been put into a lunacy asylum because her truths could destroy the very fabric of the men who had unjustly torn my brother Aiden’s life to shreds. And that, Inspector Tuohay, was not an opportunity I was not about to pass up.”
    Tuohay nodded in understanding, but his expression was still one of perplexity. “Fine, yes. But I must ask the plain question. How, in any way, is this connected to the Templar Diamond?”
    Mary expressed a nervous grin. “I can answer that.”
    All eyes turned to her as she continued in a wavering voice, “The information that you received from Father Kearney by telegram, before he died. The information that he said he had about the Templar Diamond…”
    “Yes?” Tuohay prompted.
    “And the codebook and the letter given to you by Sara...”
    “Yes, yes. What of them?”
    “Well, that information… the information about the stolen diamond… That’s the information the doctor is referring to. That information came from me.”

The Templar Diamond
     
     
    A man in a gray trench coat appeared in the doorway of the hotel parlor. His frown was discernable under his heavy moustache as he scanned the room.
    “It is Inspector Frost,” murmured Tuohay, eyeing the gray-clad observer. “With blunt news on his tongue, I do not doubt.”
    All eyes turned from the table to the man in the doorway. It was silent for several moments until Mary’s pills spilled on the table. “Sorry,” she said, her cheeks flushing as she picked them up with a trembling hand.
    The doctor turned to Tuohay, fire in his eyes. “Is he looking for you, inspector?” Even as the doctor asked, Inspector Frost caught sight of them among the forest of newspapers and strode in.
    “Mary, are you alright?” Eldredge noticed her eyes widen. She was as pale as new fallen snow.
    “I am fine.” She raised the gin to her lips with a trembling hand.
    Eldredge was incredulous. “Fine? You don’t look fine—”
    “Inspector Tuohay.” Frost arrived at the table like a dark thundercloud, his presence looming over them. The scent of tobacco and rain followed him in. “Can we talk?”
    “We will give you some privacy.” The doctor’s voice was as stiff as his movement as he helped Mary up and led her from the parlor. Frost watched them go before taking a seat.
    “That was Mary Hart,” he said in a gruff voice.
    “You know her?”
    “Right as rain I do. Tracked her down a few years back when investigating Father Aiden Kearney’s affinity for streetwalkers. Discovered she was having relations with him. The prosecution put her on the stand against Kearney during the trial, along with two other harlots. Did him in at the trial, they did.”
    “Excuse me—you said she was having relations with Father Kearney. Did you mean to say Father Donnelly?”
    “Kearney,” Frost growled. “Don’t you think I know what I’m talkin’ about? Kearney’s the one she was in bed with.”
    “I see. I must say, your presence seemed to put her ill at ease.”
    Frost shrugged. “I have that effect on people. What are you doing with her?”
    “I am asking her and the doctor questions about Father Aiden Kearney as part of the investigation of the Templar diamond.”
    “I just told you what you need to know,” said Frost. “Could have saved you time.”
    There was no further offer from Tuohay. Instead, he changed the subject. “You bring unpleasant tidings, I fear.”
    “Depends on your point of view.”
    “My point of view is that Kip Crippen needs to be healthy and alert so that I may interview him. I came a long way to see what he knows about the diamond.”
    “Then you are right, Inspector Tuohay. I bring unpleasant tidings. Mr. Crippen is dead.”
    Eldredge gasped. “Dead?”
    “Still searching for the body, but there is no doubt on the issue. I’m a crack-shot, but even a blind man could have hit Crippen from where as I was standing. The bastard