Dear Readers,

I’m heading into the final stretch of this story. Here’s a summary for those who might like the Cliff Notes before reading Part 5. It’s Chicago, 1871 and…

Young girls are missing( Part 1)

Another young girl might become the next victim (Part 2)

A young man with a bad rep makes advances There’s a planned outing with the girl, her mother, and a new friend, Mrs. Kent. In the meantime, the police have their first clue. (Part 3)

Mrs. Glenford has been duped, but by whom? And the police are off to find Mrs. Kent since she took each of them to the same dressmaker. Now, that seems odd. (Part 4)

And now…

Heartless, Part 5

October 8, 1871

The Glenford-Leigh Estate

Mrs. Glenford took another sip of sherry, then paced in front of the mantle clock. “Unacceptable. Already after six.” At the same moment, the doorbell chimed, and she hurried into the foyer to greet her daughter. She would certainly scold both Giselle and Mrs. Kent for not returning at a reasonable time.

When Miller opened the door, a messenger stood there instead, holding a small envelope in his outstretched hand.

Across the front, her name was written in the precise characters she recognized as her solicitor’s. She quickly unsealed it. My dear Mrs. Grayson, I am perplexed by your message. I have not requested any meeting with you. I hope all is well. Yours, Hector Bromley, Esq.

He’d never sent that message. She steadied herself with one hand against the wall. All of her instincts alerted her that something was very wrong. Two women alone in the city after dark. She reached for her handkerchief and patted her forehead, then grasped the framed portrait of Giselle on a side table.

“Miller! Fetch a constable at once. Inform him that my daughter is missing. ” She thrust the picture at him. “Take this with you, and hurry.”

Once Miller left, Mrs. Glenford found no relief except by pacing. Her only child was her greatest treasure. She’d never be upset with her again, no matter how tardy the girl was. Never. And she’d give serious consideration to Mr. Grayson’s courtship. It was time for Giselle to have more protection than only a mother could give. Oh, Mr. Glenford-Leigh, what I wouldn’t give to have you at my side this very moment.

#

The Kent House

Scofield sat next to Hawkins inside the police carriage as it dipped and rocked through the streets. The detective’s mind churned with possibilities. Was it possible they’d find the link to the missing girls at this society house? He prayed that this connection between the girls, the dressmaker, and Mrs. Kent wasn’t a distraction that would lead him away from solving this mystery. If so, would it make him too late to save even the last abducted girl?

At Mrs. Kent’s house, the detective rapped the heavy iron knocker against the door, then listened. Nothing stirred inside.

Hawkins made his way around the front, peering in the first-floor windows. He returned to the porch. “All shuttered, sir.”

“We’ll come back later, then.” Detective Scofield came down the steps, and the men returned to their carriage. “I want one of our constables to watch the house. Put someone on duty here as soon as we return to the precinct.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was almost seven by the time they arrived back at headquarters, and the desk sergeant stopped the detective on his way in. “A Mr. Miller’s in your office, sir. He says it’s urgent.”

The detective pushed open his office door, and Miller hurriedly relayed Mrs. Glenford-Leigh’s concern.

Miller fingered his hat brim as he said, “The ladies were to lunch at the Palmer House after visiting a seamstress. Madam is distressed that something has happened to them.”

Ordinarily, Detective Scofield would have turned this matter over to Hawkins to take the report, but the name Mrs. Kent and the word seamstress stopped him.

“Did you bring a picture of the missing girl?” he asked.

Miller held out the framed image of Giselle.

Young society girl. Gowns. Slightly different in design, but there were too many similarities to ignore.

He wrenched open his door. “Hawkins!” The detective raised his voice, silencing the office noise. “Come with me.” He was already outside by the time Hawkins caught up with him. “

And there you have it. Part 6 next Wednesday.

Shattered was my attempt at writing about a crippling injury. I was terrified I wouldn’t get the medical and psychological aspects right, so I found two wonderful experts in paraplegia. They made the book accurate. Here’s one review:

5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic look at paraplegia..........

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2022

Verified Purchase

The story was very compelling! I thought Ms.McKenzie was right on describing what Libby was thinking and feeling. As a RN working in a hospital, I was often sent to the neuro floor where I took care of several paraplegics. Ms Mckenzie's description of Libby brought back many memories of what the patients expressed to me both in anger and tears.
I found Harley a delight and of course, a friend we would all like to have. She certainly brought some humor and fun to Libby.
All in all, a great read .......a triumph for Libby!