“And is it? Easy money?”

“It’s money. Never enough, but that’s nothing new.” She sipped her beer. “Mostly I worry about Pin. After last night…”

As her eyes welled, Francis broke in, “It’s a terrible thing—but it would seem much worse if you had a daughter, instead of a son.”

Gina’s mouth twisted. He wasn’t sure if she was fighting a sob or trying not to laugh.

“Maybe I should see you home,” he said gently. He glanced at his pocket watch. “It’s getting late. May I see you home?”

The Pike seemed strangely deserted when they stepped back outside. The Hippodrome’s angel shone brilliantly, but the other attractions had gone dark.

“That’s odd.” Francis stared at the coasters, black and skeletal in the hot night. “It’s too early for them to shut off the lights.”

Gina remained silent, and Francis kicked himself for ruining the evening by talking about his past. Still, in for a penny, in for a pound.

“Do you think you might enjoy doing this again one night?” he asked.

Gina tilted her head to look up at him. “I might be persuaded. Under the proper sociable conditions.”

Francis let his breath out. “I’ll see if I can arrange for that.”

They had reached the Great Lagoon, where the angel’s reflection broke into fragments as wind stirred the dark water. Gina glanced in the direction of her shack. “I hope Pin’s back home.”

“He’s a brave kid—I know some sergeants would have gone faint if they’d seen what he did.”

“Clyde,” she said without looking at him. “You know he’d never do such a thing.”

“I do. But my word doesn’t count for much.”

“Still, couldn’t you—”

“Bacon!”

Francis turned to see Anton Magruder running toward them. “There’s another one,” he gasped.

“Another what?”

“A girl. Murdered.” Gina cried out as Magruder pointed at the angel. “The Hippodrome. Some kids found her in the last row of the balcony.”

“Does Hickey know?”

“Everybody knows.” For the first time, he noticed Francis was out of uniform. “Except you, I guess.” He turned to Gina and lifted his hat. “Apologies, ma’am. Francis, you better come along with me.”

Gina stared at him wide eyed, one hand covering her mouth. Francis firmly grasped her arm, glancing at Magruder. “Go ahead—tell them I’ll be right there.”

Magruder seemed about to protest, but thought better of it and ran on toward the Hippodrome.

Francis could feel Gina trembling as he drew her close. “Are you sure you have no one you can stay with?”

She shook her head frantically. “No. And Pin—what if it’s Pin?”

“You heard him—it’s another girl. If Pin’s not home now, he will be soon. Look around—they’ve cleared the park. Come on…”