Bless the Bride

trying the new pointillist style. It really captures the essence of the scene, don’t you think?”
    I actually thought it looked like a child with bad chicken pox, but I nodded politely. “Definitely,” I said. “Could I possibly interrupt and ask you to come downstairs for a minute. I want to talk to you and Gus.”
    She followed me, intrigued. I sat with them in the kitchen and told them everything. “So you see,” I finished, “we might be harboring a murderer. I’m deeply sorry I have involved you in this. It’s your house. You tell me what you want to do with her. I’m going back to the settlement house now. I can take her with me if you want me to.”
    “People in this country are innocent until proven guilty,” Sid said. “What does she have to say for herself?”
    “Of course she pleads innocence, most emphatically—but she would, wouldn’t she?”
    Sid glanced at Gus. “I think she should stay put for now. At least until we have thought this through.”
    Gus turned to me. “And I think you should come clean with Daniel. Tell him the whole thing. He may have qualities of which I don’t approve, but I think he’s fair and straight.”
    “Tell Daniel?” I felt my stomach twist itself into a knot. I could just imagine what he’d say when he found out that I had hidden the woman the police were searching for.
    “He’s the only one who can decide what to do with her. We’re just not equipped to do so, Molly.” She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know you mean well. I know you wanted to help, but if you really think she may have killed this Chinaman, then we really shouldn’t keep on hiding her.”
    I sighed. “I know. And you’re right. I should come clean with Daniel. But I have to tell you I’m dreading the thought.”
    “Nonsense,” Sid said. “You’re a responsible adult, Molly. You did what you thought was best. If he doesn’t like it, then tough luck.” She put her hands on my shoulders. “If you don’t stand up to him now, he’ll walk all over you. I’ve seen it so many times—a strong, bright girl gets married and soon she’s reduced to a quivering, helpless little jelly, trying to please her bully of a husband.”
    I had to laugh at this. “I can’t see myself ever being reduced to a quivering jelly,” I said.
    “But if you’re frightened of facing him and telling him the truth, that’s the first step on that road.”
    “I suppose I feel guilty because I went behind his back and kept on with the investigation,” I said. “But you’re right—if we can’t face each other as equals, what sort of life do I have ahead of me?”
    “Just tell him that. And if he tries to bully you, tell him you’ll call off the wedding,” Sid said.
    I stared at her. “I couldn’t do that.”
    “Molly, he has to know that he is not the king of your little castle—or at least, only if you’re the queen.”
    “I wish I could send you in my place,” I said. “But I’ll get going right away. Wish me luck.”
    “Don’t stand any nonsense from him,” Sid called after me.
    It was all right for her. She didn’t have to face an angry Daniel. I felt positively sick as I rode the Broadway trolley southward to police headquarters. As the journey progressed, I decided that I really should go to the house on Elizabeth Street first, before I confronted Daniel. I had promised Bo Kei that I would report back to her, and after I had told Daniel the truth, there might not be a chance to fulfill that promise. At least that was my reasoning for putting off the moment when I had to face him. So I set off for Elizabeth Street.
    The house seemed awfully quiet as I stepped into the hallway. Someone had been cooking and the odor of fried bacon wafted from the kitchen.
    “Hello!” I called and Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs.
    “Molly, it’s you,” she said, coming down the stairs to meet me. “Good of you to come. Such a sad occurrence. She seemed so much better, so much more cheerful, but then I’ve seen it before, haven’t you—that people seem to rally right before they die.”
    “How long ago did it happen?” I asked.
    “We’re not quite sure,” she said. “I got here around ten o’clock. I was asked to go and collect Annie’s breakfast tray. We took her meals up to her so that she didn’t eat with the other house residents and risk contaminating them. I went up and tapped on her door, then I let myself into the room. At first I thought she was sleeping