Bless the Bride

explanation, which was nothing but the truth.
    “And what does her death have to do with that of Mr. Lee? Is she the missing bride?”
    “She was his former concubine who has recently escaped from a brothel,” I said.
    Daniel’s eyebrows shot up at the mention of such subjects coming from the lips of a lady.
    “How the devil did you find that out?”
    “She told Sarah her whole story when she first came to them, of course.”
    “And who do you think might have killed her?”
    “Whoever killed Mr. Lee,” I said.
    “And who do you suspect that might be?”
    “I thought you knew,” I said. “I thought you said to Captain Kear that you’d been going on with the investigation and were about to make an arrest.”
    Daniel looked around, but the alley was still empty. “That was only to justify my presence in the apartment,” he said in a low voice, “and to let him know who is the superior officer.”
    “So what were you doing there, then? Do you suspect Bobby Lee?”
    “It’s possible, but I was there on a different matter, about which I can’t tell you,” Daniel said. “Let’s just say that you couldn’t have come at a worse moment and I was lucky to get out of it as easily as I did.”
    “Do you think they were in it together?” I asked. “They seemed awfully chummy when I walked in on them.”
    Daniel smiled. “I told you—I can’t discuss it with you.”
    “I’m sorry I barged in on you,” I said. “I thought you’d want to know about the second murder.”
    “Of course,” he said. “Well, I suppose I’d better go and take a look at the wretched woman, although I’m not sure why you decided there was a connection with Lee’s murder.”
    “I told you—Lee brought her over to America several years ago to be his wife, or rather his concubine. When she didn’t produce a son, he sent her to a brothel he owned.”
    “Charming,” Daniel said. “I hope that inspires you to produce a son rapidly.” He flashed me a grin before becoming serious again. “But then what current connection could she have had with him? More likely to have been some kind of underworld vendetta.”
    “Ah,” I said.
    Daniel was staring at me. “You know more about this matter?”
    “Yes, I do.” I looked around. “Could we go somewhere else to talk? It smells really bad in this alley and I feel uneasy speaking so close to Lee’s residence.”
    “Very well,” he said. “You can walk with me toward Elizabeth Street if you like. First I need to give my constable his orders, then we’ll be on our way.”
    We picked our way past the piles of garbage and back to Mott Street.
    “Go on,” Daniel said. “What have you found out?”
    “I know where the runaway bride is hiding,” I said.
    “So you did you keep working on this matter when I forbade you to?” He gave me a cold stare.
    “I don’t like the word ‘forbade,’” I said. “It implies that you are the master and I the servant, you the captain and I the crew. Well, I’m sorry, but that’s not how it’s going to be and maybe we should sort this out before the wedding. I want to be your partner, Daniel, not your slave. If you can’t see me as an equal, then the wedding is off.”
    He reacted with surprise, taking a step away from me. “What brought on that little tirade?” he demanded. “I forbade you to continue working on a case because it was now a police matter. I forbade you just as I would have forbidden any civilian involving herself with a criminal case.”
    “Oh,” I said, the wind somewhat taken out of my sails. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve watched enough husbands boss their wives around. I’ve been worrying about giving up my freedom when we marry—being someone else’s wife is a big step. I’ve seen bright, independent women reduced to simpering idiots doing only what their husbands tell them to do when they become wives.”
    “Would you really call off the wedding if I ordered you around?”
    “Absolutely,” I said. “I have a profession. I have good friends. I could live a pleasant life without a husband.”
    I could see his expression had softened. “But not as pleasant?”
    “That remains to be seen,” I said. “But I do want to marry you, Daniel. I do love you. It’s just that I want us to start off on the right foot.”
    “And that would also include no deception between us,” Daniel said. “I couldn’t have a wife who goes behind my back. It has to be out in the open between