Free Murder on Lenox Hill by Victoria Thompson

manners, too,” Mrs. Evans said. “He tells them they must be gentlemen fit for God’s kingdom.”
    â€œYou’re very fortunate to have such a dedicated man as your pastor,” Sarah said.
    â€œWe certainly are,” Mrs. Evans agreed. “He also happens to be a spellbinding preacher, so we couldn’t ask for more. You should visit our church sometime, Mrs. Brandt. I’m sure you’ll find it an uplifting experience.”
    â€œPerhaps I will,” Sarah said politely. She was thinking of all those boys in and out of the church, the only other place Grace went except to visit her mother’s friends. “Do the girls in the church receive as much attention as the boys?” she asked.
    â€œGirls don’t need as much attention, now do they?” Mrs. Evans pointed out. “They’re more easily satisfied with what they find at home.”
    â€œOf course, the girls are with the women whenever we’re at the church,” Mrs. Linton explained. “We have Bible studies and sewing circles, and we collect clothing for the poor and distribute it. The girls aren’t neglected.”
    â€œAnd dear Grace is always right there with us,” Mrs. Evans said with a glance at the girl. “I believe she’s the best seamstress of any of us, too.”
    â€œThat’s kind of you to say, Mrs. Evans,” Mrs. Linton said, obviously pleased by the compliment.
    â€œPercy wants to play checkers, Mama,” Grace called from the other side of the room.
    â€œThen get the things out,” Mrs. Linton replied. “You know where they are.”
    â€œBut he always wins,” Grace complained.
    â€œI’ll let you win this time,” Percy offered generously.
    Grace considered this for a moment and then happily agreed.
    Sarah watched to see if the two young people would go into another room, but they set up their game on the table in the corner.
    When Sarah turned her gaze back to the other ladies, she caught Mrs. Linton watching her. Mrs. Linton leaned over and whispered, “They’re never alone. Not ever.”
    Perhaps not, Sarah thought, but what about all those other boys whom Reverend Upchurch shepherded?

4
    â€œ I DON’T KNOW, MRS. BRANDT,” MRS. LINTON SAID DOUBTFULLY. Her other visitors were gone, and Grace had returned to the nursery, leaving the two of them alone. “The police ?” She said the word as if it left a bad taste in her mouth.
    â€œI have a friend who is a detective,” Sarah said, keeping her voice neutral and calm. She didn’t want to seem too anxious or make Mrs. Linton feel she was being pressured to do something against her will. “I can assure you he’ll be discreet. He’ll also be kind and considerate of Grace.”
    Mrs. Linton looked as if she might weep. “It doesn’t matter how kind he might be. There’s no way to question her about this without upsetting her.”
    â€œI don’t want to upset Grace, either,” Sarah assured her. “But think about the man who did this. He could do it to another innocent girl, maybe more than one.”
    â€œEven if the police could find the man, Grace could never testify in court,” Mrs. Linton said. “We would never permit it.”
    Sarah didn’t point out that no court would accept testimony from someone like Grace, either. “There are other ways to punish a man like that,” Sarah said. “And simply identifying him would help. People could spread the word that he was dangerous and not to be trusted around females. No one need ever know Grace was a victim.”
    â€œGossip is an ugly thing,” Mrs. Linton said, picking at an invisible piece of lint on her skirt. Sarah wasn’t sure exactly what she meant—gossip could also hurt Grace—so she waited, giving the other woman time to consider the possibilities.
    â€œI’ll have to ask Mr. Linton,” she finally said.