The Affair at The Chatham

They exited New York’s cathedral to transportation, The Grand Central, just after 10:40 PM. The great station at that time of night was only occupied by the people getting off the train and a few porters. Their steps echoed across the vast expanse of the station. The lights in the shops were off and the huge space had a ghostly feel to it. Sharp asked one of the porters for a moderately inexpensive hotel and was directed to the Chatham.
“We need a room for several nights” Sharp said to the man on the front desk.
“And who would be staying with us sir?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Currie” said Sharp.
“Alright here’s the key and Bert will see you and your ….”, he paused noticing their lack of luggage.
“Oh, the rest of our things will arrive from the station shortly” said the girl
Once in the room she said “Are you a gentleman Mr. Currie?”
He smiled sadly and said “I don’t think you need to worry about anything in that respect, Mrs. Currie”

He looked off out the window for a moment and then he said, “The explosions, the gas, the drink and all of it, have ruined my kidneys , liver and to be frank I haven’t been able to …….. It’s just one of those things that war does”
She said nothing and then when he looked at her, she said “I’m so sorry” she said. “It must be horrid. I wondered when you collapsed at Mrs. Wheatly’s, but I didn’t dare ask. Are you going to be OK?”
“I hope so”
“Can’t they treat your condition?”
“No, nephritis and cirrhosis are untreatable. All I can do is take my tablets if the pain kicks up.”
“Did you bring some with you?”
“I only had a handful when we left Kingston. I took one in Montreal and one at Rutland. I still have half a dozen.”
She knitted her brow and said “Oh dear”. Brightening she observed “Well at least there are two beds. Which one do you want Mr. Currie?”

Sharp slept with the Mauser under his pillow. After a shower and shave, he ordered breakfast and had the Times sent to the room. As she ate, he looked through the paper.
“It sure costs a lot to live in New York. Just look at these prices for bread. Twelve cents a loaf, and butter fifteen cents a pound. I don’t know how people get on here.”
When she didn’t reply, he asked “What is it?”
“I need your help again.”
“Do I have to throw someone off the train?”
She grinned and said “Hopefully not”
“So what heroic task do we need to perform?”
“I have to find Jenny”
“Jenny who?”
“That’s just it, I don’t know. My boss said the name would be in every paper in New York and I was to talk to her boss”
Sharp opened the Times and started to page through. He gave the second section to the girl. Nothing showed anywhere in the front section. She said “Here’s a Jenny. Jenny Lind.”
“But she died years ago”, said Sharp
Sharp took the paper and looked at a theatre ad that said “Flo Bert – The 20th Century’s Jenny Lind performing at the Hippodrome tonight.” He looked at the girl and said “I think that’s rather convoluted if that is the person you’re to see.”
“We need to go there anyway and check it out, “she said. “What time does the show start?”
“It says here 7:00 PM”
“Well, let’s plan to go”
“OK” said Sharp, “but don’t get your hopes up. How are you going to make sure you are to give your message to her?”
“I don’t know yet” she said
“Oh I see Houdini’s also going to be there. Supposed to make an elephant disappear”, observed Sharp.
“Oh certainly” she said “abra ca pachyderm --- poof”
“Do you know how to make an elephant disappear?’ he asked
“How?”
“One bite at a time”, cracked Sharp
“I think we need to take a walk” she smiled