or her husband. He was a police detective who had helped her on occasion. As such, that did not give him the right to make her feel small and helpless. “I will take your words under advisement, Detective. However, I am perfectly capable of handling myself in the Sixth Ward—or anywhere else for that matter.”
“Is that so? And the rapes and murders there, you think you could handle yourself? The women kidnapped and forced to work in brothels, that wouldn’t happen to you because you’re the daughter of Duncan Greene, correct?” He leaned in, his expression hard as his voice rose in volume. “Wise up, Miss Greene. All those things happen in this city and they happen to all kinds of women. Your Fifth Avenue address won’t save you. In fact, it makes you a bigger target because they’ll know your father will pay a king’s ransom to get you back.”
She didn’t want to fall victim to his hysterics but he was starting to make her nervous. Relax. You’re careful when you’re traveling the city alone. Not to mention that she carried a pistol on the rare occasions when she was out at night. So, she wasn’t completely defenseless. “Are you saying Mulligan will kidnap me for ransom? Because he has enough money.”
“There’s never enough money for a thug like Mulligan. You need to stay as far away from him as possible. I know you like to come downtown and save people, but he is beyond redemption.”
Was that why Mulligan appealed to her, because she thought to save him? That hadn’t occurred to her before Ellison mentioned it. She’d been drawn to Mulligan, but not for altruistic motives—at least not that she was aware of. He was handsome and charming. Dressed like a swell and spoke like an aristocrat. A woman would need to be dead not to be drawn to that sort of man. “Noted.”
Ellison blew out a long breath. This was as agitated as she’d ever seen the calm detective. “I apologize for yelling. It’s just . . . The things I’ve seen in these neighborhoods. I’d hate for them to happen to a woman like you.”
What did that mean, a woman like her? An uptown heiress? Justine didn’t care for the implication that her status and trust fund made her more valuable. Meaning, women without those things were allowed to be raped, murdered and kidnapped? “Thank you, Detective. I appreciate your concern. For the record I do not plan on furthering my acquaintance with Mr. Mulligan.”
If her response was a bit frosty, he didn’t notice. He gestured toward the sidewalk. “Good. Now, come on. I’ll walk you to the elevated. My wife is cooking a roast and I have a chance of actually making it home in time for a hot meal.”
They started toward the train line. She decided to bring up an idea to Ellison, one she’d been considering. “You once said things would be easier if I had my own badge. I am starting to think you’re right. With whom should I speak in order to get one?”
Ellison made a noise as he dodged a child sprinting up the walk. “It isn’t as easy as that. There are no women on the force who carry a badge and have the power to arrest someone.”
“So, I’ll be the first.”
“You don’t understand. This isn’t like asking for an invitation to a ball. Female detectives aren’t done.”
“Chicago has one.”
“That’s Chicago. They’re provincial. It’s practically the Wild West out there.”
“That seems unfair. They are hosting the World’s Fair to worldwide acclaim. Have you ever been?”
He frowned down at her. “No, but I don’t need to visit somewhere to know what the place is like.”
Um, wasn’t that exactly why one visited, to have a true picture of a city? Ellison continued to surprise her today, with his condescension and ignorance. He’d always been so willing to help her that she’d considered him progressive. A supporter of women’s rights and the rights of workers. Had she misjudged him?
“Listen, if you just tell me with whom to speak, I’ll try and convince him. I won’t even say it was your idea to begin with.”
“That’s because it wasn’t my idea. It was an offhanded comment made when I was overworked.”
“Think about it,” she continued. “I could handle the types of cases the male detectives can’t.”
“Like wife deserters and child labor?” He stopped in the street and put his hands on his hips. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he was bumped