She shrugged. “How would I be knowing? I’m after telling you they’re not here and they’re not expected back. Now, if that’s all, you nosy bitch, you may be on your way.”

I wasn’t giving up. “What about the housekeeper, a Mrs. Donahue?”

“She was sacked.” She almost spat the words at me. “Now get away!”

Stunned, I stepped back, and she shut the door with a bang. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what to do. After a while I turned and went back out on to Fifth Avenue and walked in the direction I had come. I was filled with frustration and disappointment. What if I never found Delia?

I went back to the hotel to collect my thoughts. Delia had gone, that was certain. The maid, rude as she was, had no reason to lie. I believed too that she had no idea where they went. Was it to Texas, as the Kathleen one had said? I was determined to find out.

I reasoned that because O’Hanlon and Delia had left the house empty, someone else must now either own or be renting it. And surely that person would know where Aidan and Delia had gone. But how was I to meet him, short of standing outside the house day and night? I realized it would make more sense if I went in the evening. There would be a better chance that the new owner would be at home.

The next evening, I retraced my steps up Fifth Avenue and past St. Patrick’s. I’d expected the streets would be quiet; it was teatime, and everybody would be at home. But I was wrong. This wasn’t Kilcross, this was New York City, and people were out and about at all hours. I was excited at being part of the crowd, all of us rushing to one appointment or another. It made me feel alive.

When I reached the O’Hanlon house I knocked loudly on the door. The same sour-faced maid opened it a crack.

“You again,” she said, scowling at me. “I told ye everything you wanted to know yesterday. What’re you doing back here, annoying decent people? Go on about your business before I call the police.”

I held my temper. “I’m here to see the owner of the house,” I said. “Would you kindly let him know that Miss Sweeney is here to see him?”

“He’s not here!”

She seemed to have gained more strength than the day before. No matter, I thought, I’m not leaving until I’m sure the owner’s not home.

Just then, there was a shuffle in the hallway behind her.

“Who is it, Annie?” called a male voice. “For God’s sake, don’t keep them on the doorstep.”

“Nobody! She was just leaving.”

She was about to shut the door again when a man came up behind her and peered out at me.