Murder on Nob Hill Read Online Free PDF Page A

with several like-minded young men. Unlike most fools who dashed off to the mines with heads as empty as their pockets, Hanaford and his friends managed to do surprisingly well for themselves.”
    Papa was momentarily sidetracked by a platter of fried oysters. “To their credit,” he went on at length, “all four men made the most of their newfound wealth. Hanaford established one of the city's largest banks. Rufus Mills, of course, became a successful industrialist, and I hardly need mention that Willard Broughton is serving his third term in the California Senate. The fourth partner, Benjamin Wylde, has made a name for himself as a trial attorney. All three will be at Frederick's soiree Saturday night, I believe.”
    “Mr. Wylde will be out of town,” Henrietta put in. “However, Rufus Mills and Senator Broughton have promised to attend.”
    “As has Thomas Cooke, the hotelier,” Mama added. “His daughter, Annjenett, is Mr. Hanaford's widow.”
    “Actually, I met Mrs. Hanaford this morning when I visited Mr. Shepard's law offices,” I said, reaching for a roll. Once again seven pairs of eyes turned to stare at me.
    “What possible reason could you have for consulting Joseph Shepard?” demanded Frederick, taking a sip of wine.
    “Not that it's any of your business,” I told him, “but I was inquiring about a position as associate attorney.”
    Frederick choked on his wine, inducing a fit of coughing.
    I handed him a serviette. “You’re dripping wine on Mama's tablecloth, Frederick.”
    “This is too much!” He turned a livid face to my father. “Now you see where your permissiveness has led.”
    Papa chuckled. “You might as well tell us the rest of it, my girl. How did you manage to get that old reprobate to see you?”
    Realizing the subject could no longer be avoided, and taking care not to mention Samuel's role in the affair, I explained the confusion with our initials. Papa shot Samuel a suspicious look, but allowed me to tell my story without interruption.
    “Oh, to have been a fly on Shepard's wall,” Papa chuckled when I’d finished. “I’ll wager you gave the poor man apoplexy.”
    “I admire your nerve, Sarah,” Celia put in admiringly. “I think you’ll make a splendid attorney.”
    “Don’t encourage her, Celia.” Frederick turned to Charles for support. “Surely you appreciate the gravity of the situation.”
    Charles took a moment to answer. My middle brother is the mildest of men, thoughtful and considerate to a fault. No one who calls upon him professionally is ever turned away, even when they’re unable to pay for his medical services. Despite his kind
    heart, however, I knew his love for me and innate sense of fairness must be waging battle with his sense of propriety.
    “I don’t for a moment believe that women are incapable of grasping the finer points of the law—or of medicine, for that matter,” he ventured. “But a woman would have to sacrifice a great deal to make a success of either profession. I don’t want to see you hurt, Sarah, and I fear you’ll face enormous opposition.”
    I regarded my brother fondly. “I appreciate your concern, Charles, but I relish hard work. And growing up with Frederick has given me no end of practice in dealing with bigots.”
    “I find Mr. Hanaford's death most unsettling,” Mama put in before my eldest brother could explode. “You should speak to Edis, Horace,” she went on, referring to the dour but devoted man who has served as our butler for as far back as I could remember.
    Papa didn’t appear unduly concerned. “I hardly think that's necessary, Elizabeth. We don’t want to alarm the servants. Edis fusses like an old woman as it is. Pass the carrots, would you Charles?”
    Mama did not look convinced. “Yes, but—”
    “Trust me, my dear,” Papa reassured her. “The police have the matter well in hand. Besides, Cornelius Hanaford's unfortunate death has nothing to do with us.”
    With these woefully