Keller waved a hand. “You know, as Mrs. Tripp assists her husband at the legal aid society. A sounding board when he requires it, a comforting ear at home.”
“A sounding board?” Mamie’s voice rose about eight octaves. “I am more than my husband’s sounding board.”
“I mean no offense, Mrs. Tripp. But surely, Miss Greene, you can now see that the highly emotional state of a woman has no place on the police force. They rely on science and logic, which men are more naturally inclined toward.” He rose and thrust his hands in his pockets. “In time, you’ll come to see it’s for the best.”
Justine rose, her shoulders weighted down with defeat. Mamie appeared one hair’s breadth away from ripping Keller’s beard off his face. Justine gave her sister a warning glance before facing Keller once more. “I implore you to speak with Detective Ellison at police headquarters. He and I have collaborated on a number of cases and he can speak to my relevant experience.”
Keller’s expression remained unchanged. “That won’t be necessary. I cannot recommend you for the department. There’s nothing in it for me or Tammany except bearing the unhappiness of every other officer on the force.”
“This was a waste of time,” Mamie told Justine. “Let’s go.”
Justine exhaled and stared at the floor, her mind spinning. How was she supposed to fight such antiquated ideas about women and the workplace? Was her gender to be forever circumscribed to secretarial work and department stores? “You are wrong, Mr. Keller. Women and children are suffering in this city, being left behind because no one watches out for them. Someday—and I hope it is soon—we will get the vote and men will then be answerable to us.”
“No offense, but I hope Hades freezes over first.” He bowed. “Mrs. Tripp, give your husband my best. And Miss Greene, please pass on my regards to Mulligan.”
Justine headed for the door, not intending to do anything of the kind. She planned to see Jack imminently . . . and Keller would not enjoy the results.
Jack squinted up at O’Shaughnessy’s man. “You don’t mind if I count it, do you?”
Whip, as the errand boy was called, said nothing, his eyes filled with resentment. Jack nearly sighed. The lack of respect in these young men today . . .
He peeled apart the handles of the satchel Whip had presented. Large stacks of money rested inside. Was it enough? If O’Shaughnessy thought Jack would accept one cent less than what had been stolen, he was sorely mistaken.
“Have a seat, Whip. Cooper will fix you a drink. I should have this sorted in no time.” No one could count money faster than Jack.
Cooper didn’t offer options, merely poured a glass of whiskey and set it on Jack’s desk. Jack busied himself with the cash, Rye propped against the wall behind him. No one spoke. Other than Jack, no one moved. Tension hovered, the room bracing itself for disaster to strike at any moment. Jack tried not to think about that as he counted.
Really, he didn’t want to war with O’Shaughnessy. He would, if provoked or pushed, but he wouldn’t enjoy it. Not like the Jack of a few years ago—hell, a few months ago—who would’ve relished the challenge. But warring with O’Shaughnessy would put everything he’d built in danger, not to mention everyone in his life. That included one beautiful, captivating do-gooder.
O’Shaughnessy wouldn’t hesitate to use Justine to hurt Jack, and God only knew what she would be subjected to in the wrong hands. Jack would never be able to live with himself if something happened to her. Even the idea of it filled him with terror.
So, he had to keep her safe. No matter what. If things with O’Shaughnessy turned serious, he’d send her out of town for a bit. She wouldn’t like it but he wouldn’t give her a choice. Perhaps a short stay at a quiet convent, where the ugliness of his life wouldn’t touch her. How could she object to that?
If O’Shaughnessy was anything like Jack, the plotting to take over had probably already started. Jack would need to put the entire crew on alert, plus see if his informants could find anything out. With Justine running about downtown he couldn’t risk her safety by waiting to see what Trevor would do. He needed to cut the threat off before it gained legs.
Why do all your decisions revolve around Justine these days?