Out of a sense of caution, Verna decided not to give her real name. “I’m Bessie Bloodworth,” she lied quickly. “I’m the neighbor Miss LaMotte telephoned, across the street from Miss Hamer’s.”

“Well, it’s been verra good talkin’ to you, Miz Bloodworth,” Mrs. O’Malley said cheerfully. “You give both the ladies my best love, now, will ye? And tell ’em from me to be careful. I’m sure they’re where it’s safe, but they need to keep a sharp eye out.” She sighed. “Oh, and tell Miss LaMotte that there’s been nobody looking at the house. Seems like people don’t have the money to buy property right now. Things is pretty grim here. People out of work, with nowhere to go.” She sighed. “People sleeping in the parks, even.”

“I’ll do that,” Verna said. “And if you find that hairbrush and mirror, please do send them along. Miss LaMotte is so anxious to have them.”

“Aye, I will,” Mrs. O’Malley promised. “G’bye now!”

Verna hung the earpiece on the phone and sat for a moment, thinking. The conversation with Mrs. O’Malley had given her more information than she had dared to hope for. She now knew why Miss Lake had hidden herself away in her room and wouldn’t let anybody look at her; why Miss Jamison was so frightened; and why she refused to acknowledge that she was Lorelei LaMotte. She knew that Miss LaMotte and Miss Lake had been starring in a burlesque show at the Star and Garter, where one or both of them had attracted the attention of Al Capone; that Miss LaMotte was packing a Remington pistol; and that she had been brave enough—or foolish enough—to use it on one of Capone’s friends. She also knew that the baldheaded man was another friend of her victim, a member of the Capone gang, and a very dangerous man.

But there were big gaps in her knowledge, and they made Verna nervous. She still didn’t know whether Miss LaMotte was really Miss Hamer’s niece or a clever imposter who was looking for a hideout where she and her friend could cool off while the heat was on, as The Dime Detective might put it. What’s more, she didn’t know whether Miss Hamer herself might be in danger, as Mrs. O’Malley had seemed to suggest. Filling these gaps would require an entirely different investigative strategy—exactly what that would be, she wasn’t sure.