“He’s got a wife and kids. A respectable man. Even if he was a lunatic, which he’s not, why would he commit murder in a place where everyone knows him? He’s hired Roscoe Nelson to represent him, so if he’s got a chance in hell, he might get off. In the meantime, Baumgarten doesn’t want a panic, so Cabell arrests a Negro, and everyone’s happy.”

“Unless it happens again.”

“What if it’s happened before?” countered Francis.

Bennie raised an eyebrow, grinning. “You know something?”

But before he could continue, the door to Cabell’s office opened, and the Robey Street captain strode into the room. He surveyed the room, pointedly ignoring Francis.

“Thank you all for waiting, gentlemen.” Cabell clapped the back of the man from the Herald as he passed him. “It’s a hot day, and I know you’re eager to jump, so I’ll make this short. As you’ve heard, yesterday afternoon a young girl was found murdered in one of the rides at the Riverview Amusement Park. She was—”

“Which ride?” someone shouted.

Cabell raised a hand. “I’m getting to that. She was found inside the Hell Gate attraction. We’re still waiting for the coroner’s final report and autopsy, but it appears that she was smothered. Thanks to quick work by the fine men here at Robey Street, a Negro man has been taken into custody and will be charged with the crime.”

A din of shouted questions rose, then ebbed as Cabell once more raised his hand. “The suspect’s name is Clyde Smithson, that’s S-M-I-T-H-S-O-N. He’s a resident of the freak show. From my understanding, paperwork’s being drawn up now. That’s all I know and all you need to know at this time.”

Some of the reporters turned and dashed from the room. One who remained called out, “Do we know who the girl is?”

“Her name is Maria Walewski. W-A-L-E-W-S-K-I. Her parents are Polish, I don’t know more than that.”

“A Polack.” A man near Francis shook his head. “Figures.”

Someone else yelled, “Who discovered the body?”

Cabell pulled out a cigar and rolled its tip between his fingers. “A boy, another employee of the amusement park.”

“Will Riverview Park remain open?”

Smiling, Cabell turned to point at Francis. “There’s your man! Ask Mr. Bacon, he works at the park. You can also ask him how to beat the lines for the Shoot-the-Chutes.”

With a laugh, Cabell headed back toward his office, stopping to chat with the man from the Daily Tribune. A few reporters wandered over to Francis. He assured them the park was open and there was every intention for it to remain so. The men scribbled in their notebooks before hurrying to the door.

Francis glanced at Bennie, who’d remained silent during Cabell’s blather. “It’s like Elsie Paroubek all over again. And that Italian girl two years ago.”