Page 60 of If Looks Could Kill
I watched to see if Cora and Freyda would admit to it. Almost as if, if they denied it, I could tell myself I’d imagined it also. But we all nodded.
As for Pearl, she still seemed remote and far away, as though we spoke of someone else. I suppose, in fact, we did.
Miss Stella thumped her walking stick against the tiled floor. Echoes reverberated around the cavernous space. “This is the strangest story I’ve heard told in many a year, and I’ve lived a life of strange stories, I assure you.”
I held my breath and waited for her to turn us back out into the cold.
“You may stay for the night,” she pronounced. “After that, we will see what there is to be done.”
I felt myself sag with relief.
“I have little to offer you in the way of food and no servants I may send out to fetch something.”
“That’s all right,” I told her. “We’re not hungry.”
Cora and Freyda cast me rueful glances, as if to say,Speak for yourself.
“There are two extra bedrooms upstairs,” our hostess continued, “though the beds have gone unused and unaired for goodness knows how long.”
“You’re more than kind,” I said hurriedly.
“You’ll find trunks of linens and blankets in each room,” Miss Stella said. “I trust you can take care of making yourselves comfortable.”
“I beg your pardon.”
It was Cora who’d spoken.
“Meaning no disrespect,” she went on, “but why are we here? How is this a safe place?” She avoided Miss Stella’s gaze. “We need someone who can protect us.”
It was the most I’d heard her speak. She had a New England accent.
“Ah,” said Miss Stella. “And you don’t think someone such as I can do so?”
“No, I don’t,” Cora said stoutly. “Ma’am. Again, not meaning to sound ungrateful, but I’ve been living with, er,themfor months.” Here her voice faltered. “The pimps. I’ve seen what they’re capable of. They’ll break in here in two seconds. They’ll come after us with an army of muscle.” She glanced at her feet. “So how are you going to stop them?”
“Hiding is protection,” I said. “This is the last place those Bowery Boys would look.”
“Unless we were seen,” said Cora, “or followed.”
Miss Stella reached one bony hand upward and slowly plucked off her turban.
I thought I saw a tousled mop of wiry white curls. Then I saw better.
Cora and Freyda sank down onto the floor, just as they’d been when I first found them at Mother Rosie’s. Like two people feeling about to faint and taking precautions.
Pearl looked mesmerized, transfixed.
Miss Stella’s crown was covered in sleepy, silky white snakes.
“Why are you on the floor?” demanded Miss Stella, who glowered down in Cora and Freyda’s general direction.
“Because I’m afraid of your head,” Freyda said tersely. “Your snakes make me weak in the knees.”
“If that’s enough to keep us safe,” added Cora, “then why aren’t we fine with just this one here?” She jerked a thumb in Pearl’s direction.
“My name,” said she, with the old annoyance I knew so well, “isPearl.”
Miss Stella blinked. “You don’t evenknoweach other?”
